The Walking Dead can say thank you to its spin-offs, as they have been a big part of keeping interest in the franchise going for some time. The proof is with the recent release of the series dedicated to the character of Daryl.
It’s an observation shared by many The Walking Dead fans: the quality of the series has been up and down. Each season is unequal; if some episodes turn out to be true masterpieces, others struggle to captivate the public. Some fans even go so far as to call TWD a bad show. However, these criticisms may well be a thing of the past, as AMC production seems to be stringing together successes with its spin-offs. After the popular Dead City, the channel does it again with Daryl. But what is it really? It’s time to take stock of the press feedback, some having had the chance to see the series before its official release.
The Walking Dead, the success Daryl
According to our colleagues at IGN US, who have had the opportunity to watch the entire series, this new version centered on the character of Daryl Dixon, played by Norman Reedus, brings a freshness and an emotional depth that was missing. for a long time in the franchise. The main character is explored in depth, revealing new facets of his personality while remaining true to his original essence. According to the reviewer, Reedus delivers a compelling performance, portraying a more charismatic and heroic Daryl, which naturally draws viewers in. He even goes so far as to say that The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon is the best thing to happen to the franchise in many years.
For GameSpot, the observation is similar, with particular attention paid to the advantages of the new setting: France. As the reviewer notes, this change of location offers refreshed storytelling and sleek cinematography, complemented by scenes shot in iconic locations such as Normandy, the Paris Catacombs, and the Eiffel Tower. He points out that the secondary characters are well-developed and eschew the genre’s usual clichés, offering a more realistic and nuanced view of humanity. In sum, the series is praised for its quality of writing, its captivating plot and its powerful cast.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon is a breath of fresh air
Same music for specialists
Specialized media, such as Collider, share this opinion. The comparison is even made with The Last of Us. According to them, the season also introduces notable developments regarding zombies, adding a creative touch to the special effects. However, they note that the unique energy present at times is not constant throughout the series. DigitalSpy particularly appreciates the incorporation of religious and supernatural elements that enrich The Walking Dead universe. The spin-off is generally well received despite some weaknesses.
These mainly concern the development of a few secondary characters and the main antagonist, as well as moments deemed “boring” exploring Daryl’s past. Additionally, the series also introduces a new threat in the form of “variant” zombies, which are smarter and more terrifying than the previous ones. This new type of zombies, as well as other innovations, are seen as a necessary breath of fresh air for the franchise which seems to be running out of steam over the years. Whether you’re a TWD fan or not, this is clearly a must-see. It only remains to wait until December 10 to discover the series.