AMC's Walking Dead spinoff, Daryl Dixon: Season 3, has begun, with an initial chapter that captures the grit, desperation and determination that defined its previous seasons.
The show's accent resumes a disguised, western drawl, which isn't uncommon for any Walking Dead incarnation (no matter the time or location). To press the matter, it constructs the Daryl/Carol, Norman Reedus/Melissa McBride, poster-front tease. That means Daryl Dixon: Season 3 lives up to its sharp, graphic hype.
Season 3's opener transitions our dynamic duo beyond France into England, with the promise of Spain (the eventual hub of this season and where most spaghetti westerns were shot, albeit seasoned by an Italian touch), with aspirations to return to America. Along the way (in the mid-aforementioned realm), our heroes come upon Stephen Merchant's Scotch-sharing/sailboat-harboring Julian Chamberlain, "the last Englishman on Earth," whose chipper persona gives way to more questions, though also another chance at hope. (One may wonder why a bloke would be so congenial in light of such supreme danger, unless there's a catch? But then, sometimes people, even under doleful duress, can still be, well, nice. Regardless of his disposition or motive, Julian appears for only a brief time, but as to why, you'll just have to see for yourself.)
As always, Daryl and Carol make due with what they're dealt, though it appears they'll assimilate in a Spanish, coastal town (hints of which we start to get about forty-five minutes in), featuring a medieval city/fortress (i.e., another variant of the the fabled Woodbury, no doubt), occupied by residents defined by their attitudes and customs. More high tensions will bleed from this (per a yet-to-come reveal, spurring conflict that appears to invoke The Magnificent 7, The Wild Bunch and Guns for San Sebastian), with walkers doing their ravenous thing whenever jolts are required. (FYI: The opener's British flesh-feasters are quite chilling, thanks to their by-chance, vegetated camouflage.)
With this said, The Walking Dead wouldn't be The Walking Dead without its walkers (something that both devotees and detractors have acknowledged time and again), but it's the Daryl/Carol interaction that defines this grim melodrama (with all the profound and petty swings the characters can bring). For the sake of the couple's dark, human adventure, they count for a lot and damn well should. Daryl and Carol are the reason we watch.
As one may infer, this season is off to a sturdy start, and when its seven episodes are through, I'll return with a hardy overview.
No comments:
Post a Comment