6/10
Starts off different, ends up typical TWD stuff
19 October 2023
I wasn't so hyped about this series, but I had my curiosity piqued. The initial vibes of the show reminded me more of "Black Sails" than "The Walking Dead." It's definitely a departure from what other series in the franchise have attempted. The first episode showed a lot of promise. The previous addition to the "Walking Dead" universe, "Dead City," felt more like those character development or filler episodes you'd find in TWD. It was still good in my opinion, though.

However, this new series seemed like it could stand on its own. People already debating whether it's the best spinoff yet, while others claim the opposite. That's the usual pattern with big TWD spinoffs. I haven't watched "The World Beyond," but I've seen the rest. It's too early to say if this surpasses the other spin-offs, but it's undeniably different, especially with its French setting and accents, with Derek being the only link to the parent show.

I wasn't exactly thrilled, but definitely intrigued to see where they'd take the show. "Dead City" attempted something new but had too many familiar faces and connections, making it feel like a natural extension of the original TWD. This new series has the potential to be genuinely fresh, which might lead to mixed reactions. Some folks want the old TWD back, while others are eager for new adventures.

The new setting feels like a fresh beginning, reminiscent of the early days of the zombie apocalypse, especially with the flashbacks by the second episode. It's as if they're rebooting the franchise in the first half of the season due to the drastically different setting. It gives me a similar vibe to "Fear the Walking Dead," exploring the zombie apocalypse in other parts of the world, except that this one is in France.

My main gripe so far is that it feels soooo convenient for Daryl to run into so many English speakers.

By episode 4, it's starting to resemble the typical "Walking Dead" formula. They're using a mid-season episode to explain events that already happened but weren't clarified earlier, like Daryl's journey. Episode 5 brings some good dialogues, particularly about war and its causes, and the reminder that life's not fair.

The story's direction becomes evident mid season. It's all leading to Daryl facing a dilemma-whether to head back to the TWD family or stay and fight for a new cause.

Initially, it seemed like a breath of fresh air for a franchise some felt had overstayed its welcome. However, by the end of season 1, it reverts to the same aura as the latter seasons of the parent show. While it has its highlights, it's not bad, but it's pretty run-of-the-mill overall.
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