Style fatigue meets scenic intrigue in a derivative that’s equal elements déjà vu and European postcard.
The Strolling Lifeless franchise has at all times thrived on its style’s gravitational pull—zombies, survival, ethical ambiguity—however Daryl Dixon Season 3 reveals clear indicators of damage. For longtime viewers, the sequence now capabilities much less as a story engine and extra as a nostalgia machine. Watching Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Carol (Melissa McBride) trudge by way of post-apocalyptic Europe evokes reminiscences not of contemporary storytelling, however of earlier, extra emotionally resonant arcs. One scene, particularly, recollects Season 5’s “Consumed,” when the duo wandered Atlanta looking for Beth. That episode had weight. This one? Largely echoes.
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| “Price Da Morte” – THE WALKING DEAD DARYL DIXON, Pictured, Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon, Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier. Photograph Credit score: Manuel Fernandez-Valdes/AMC @2025 AMC Inc. All Rights Reserved. |
Identical street, similar battles, similar weariness.
The emotional core of this spinoff—Daryl and Carol’s enduring bond—is each its power and its limitation. Their dynamic is acquainted, however more and more static. As Daryl himself laments whereas approaching London, “Now all we do is run and struggle. It ain’t no technique to reside.” It ain’t a lot of a technique to run a present both. The promise of character progress feels skinny, particularly with the untimely demise of Isabell, the one new character who provided Daryl an opportunity to confront his emotional armor. If love is the theme this season, it’s onerous to see the place it’ll bloom. Carol and Daryl’s relationship stays platonic, and with Isabell gone, Daryl’s arc appears clipped earlier than it may actually unfurl.
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| “Price Da Morte” – THE WALKING DEAD DARYL DIXON. Squid. Photograph Credit score: Manuel Fernandez-Valdes/AMC @2025 AMC Inc. All Rights Reserved. |
A recurring sin: losing good characters.
The franchise’s behavior of introducing compelling facet characters within the spinoffs solely to dispatch them instantly continues right here. Julian Chamberlain (Stephen Service provider) had the makings of a memorable addition—quirky, susceptible, and narratively wealthy. However earlier than we may even settle into his rhythm, he’s gone. Squidified. It’s a irritating sample that undermines the emotional stakes and squanders expertise.
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| Price Da Morte” – THE WALKING DEAD DARYL DIXON, Pictured, Stephen Service provider as Julian Chamberlain. Photograph Credit score: Manuel Fernandez-Valdes/AMC @2025 AMC Inc. All Rights Reserved. |
Surroundings as salvation.
The place the writing falters, the visuals soar. The drone photographs of the Seven Sisters cliffs are breathtaking, and the Spanish and English locales lend the sequence a cinematic texture that the unique by no means fairly achieved. These international backdrops are the present’s most compelling asset, providing a way of scale and thriller that the plot typically fails to match.
Masked males, missed alternatives, and lingering questions.
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| “Price Da Morte” – THE WALKING DEAD DARYL DIXON, Pictured: Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier. Photograph Credit score: Manuel Fernandez-Valdes/AMC @2025 AMC Inc. All Rights Reserved. |
The Strolling Lifeless: Daryl Dixon continues to coast on the goodwill of its legacy characters and the attract of its worldwide settings. However with out deeper character evolution or narrative innovation, it dangers turning into a fantastically shot echo of its former self. Nonetheless, for these invested within the lengthy arc of Daryl and Carol’s journey, the present provides simply sufficient thriller to warrant one other week’s watch.
Total Score: 6/10
Lynette Jones