Alouette

I have expected this episode to be drawn out for way too long since the teaser promised to show us the start of the apocalypse in Paris in this episode, and I feared they would make it take up an entire episode, but they went a different way.

Paris during the outbreak is being shown, Isabelle's and Laurent's characters become even more sympathetic and developed, side characters are getting more screen time, new characters are getting introduced, and the main flow of the story keeps on going. The pace is decent, and an hour passed by without me noticing it. The show somehow manages to tell us new stories about Daryl, too.

TL,DR: This show still manages to balance story-setting and action aspects, keeping up with everyone's expectations. A well-directed, well-paced episode of a show that keeps on delivering.

1. The French singing Alouette.

2. It's true that Mork and Mindy WAS popular in France back in the day, but it's been over 40 years, for Pete's sake.

3. "I'm an American!" Does this need any explanation?

I mean, I'm not disliking the show, but the redneck hero in France just seems in the wrong place. What made Daryl Dixon so important that he was kidnapped and sent all the way to France anyway? There better be a darn good reason or explanation for this.

Maybe they should've created this new series with new characters. I'm thinking like an ex-pat in France that got stuck there. They could've created an entirely new backstory. Just saying...

Daryl Dixon episode 2 "Alouette" is a very strong second episode that explores what we haven't seen enough of in TWD universe, the outbreak. Isabel quickly has become the most interesting character in The Walking Dead in years. We learn her origin and that she wasn't always the innocent nun she seems to be. Her connection to Laurent is expanded upon and while some things are similar to "The Last Of Us" it isn't the direction the show goes in. Daryl also meets new characters intriguing characters and expands upon his character learning one of the comforts of his childhood and seeing him happy for a moment. This show takes a life of it's own.

Daryl is like the Mad Max, a man that tries to mind his business, but no what he does or where he is, he ends up in a situation where he is the only one who can help and he can't say no.

This show more and more mimics the Last of Us. Bad thing? Maybe in terms of originality. Very plain and simple nemesis that will chase them throughout the season until someone he cares about is hurt and he kills the bad guy. Sorry spoilers....

In this episode we saw some comedy and white lies that protect to avoid someone being hurt, which will the theme for the next 2 episodes for sure. Good filler part with the backstory of the nun, a lot more to be explained, but good so far.

And lastly, if the writers keep hitting Daryl's head he won't be able to continue his road to America on Season 3.

The second episode of a new (or spinoff) series is almost more important than the first. There are answers to provide (or hint at), characters to introduce, villains to encounter and the BIG MISSION to introduce if it hasn't been already in the first episode.

Norman Reedus does a very good job of adding another layer to a character he's embodied for over a decade. Because his muse (Carol) is not present, he has to carry more of the dialogue freight. It's good to see that he's more than ready for his starring role.

The backstory fill in on why/how he ended up in that boat carried lots of interesting potential storylines and the possible BIG BAD.

The secondary characters still need more depth, but the episode guest stars provided welcome texture and interest. The nun and the troublesome charge they're shepherding are still two dimensional. I'm hoping the girl's difficult nature isn't used as a means of putting the whole group in danger. We saw enough of that trope in the original TWD.

The new scenery, culture and social backdrop is a breath of fresh air.

So far, I'm looking forward to next week.