Daryl Dixon doesn't usually do "mushy." He’s more of a grunt-and-shove kind of guy. But Daryl Dixon Season 2 Episode 2, titled "Moulin Rouge," basically threw the rulebook into the fire. We got a kiss, a bizarre detour to Greenland, and a realization that the religious zealots at the Nest are way more unhinged than we originally thought.
If you’re trying to keep track of how Carol managed to cross an entire ocean in a tiny plane while Daryl is busy playing baseball in France, you’re in the right place. Honestly, this episode felt like two different shows stitched together, but somehow, it worked.
The Greenland Detour: Babies and Flare Guns
Let’s talk about the weirdest part first. Carol and Ash are mid-flight across the Atlantic when a fuel leak forces them to land in Greenland. It’s breathtaking—all mossy hills and wide-open skies—but it’s a death trap.
They meet two researchers, Eun and Hanna, who have been stuck in a weather station since the world ended. At first, it's all "welcome, have some reindeer meat," but things get dark fast. Eun has this twisted plan to "repopulate the earth." Since Ash is the first functioning male they’ve seen in years, she decides he’s the designated donor. By force.
While Eun is trying to lock Ash down, Hanna is tasked with killing Carol. It’s tense. You can see Carol doing that thing she does—playing the "weak, scared lady" to find an opening. It works. Hanna eventually snaps and kills Eun to save Carol. But here’s the kicker: as they head back to the plane, Ash see Hanna approaching and, thinking she’s a threat, shoots her in the neck with a flare gun.
It’s a brutal way to go. The worst part? Carol doesn't tell Ash that Hanna actually helped her. She just lets him believe he saved her. That’s Carol for you. She needs Ash to keep flying that plane to France, and she’ll carry that lie to make sure he stays focused.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Nest
Back in France, things at the Nest are getting creepy. We’ve known Losang and his "Union of Hope" were intense, but "Moulin Rouge" reveals they are full-blown cult status.
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They’re obsessed with Laurent being the Messiah. Daryl is trying to give the kid some normalcy—teaching him baseball, of all things—but the leaders are worried. They think Daryl is going to take the "miracle boy" back to America.
To stop this, they stage a fake kidnapping. Daryl, Isabelle, and a few others go on a "rescue mission" that turns out to be a setup. One of their own, Emile, actually tries to kill Daryl. He fails, obviously, because you don't just take out Daryl Dixon in a drafty old building.
The Ceremony Reveal
The real horror isn't the fake kidnapping; it's the reason behind it. Losang and Jacinta are planning a "ceremony." They want to prove Laurent is immune to the virus.
How? By letting a walker bite him.
It’s absolute madness. They are so blinded by faith that they’re willing to gamble a child's life on a theory. This is where the rift between Daryl and the Union becomes a canyon. Daryl isn't about to let anyone—religious or not—treat a kid like a science experiment.
The Kiss Everyone Is Talking About
Look, the "Caryl" shippers (Carol and Daryl fans) might be hurting right now. In a quiet moment after the chaos of the fake kidnapping, Daryl and Isabelle finally cross the line.
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They kiss.
It’s a huge moment for Daryl’s character. For years, he’s been the lone wolf. Seeing him lean into a domestic life—suggesting that Isabelle and Laurent come back to America with him—is wild. It shows how much he’s changed. He’s not just surviving anymore; he’s trying to build a family.
But of course, this is The Walking Dead. Happiness is usually followed by a gunshot. While they’re having their moment, Jacinta is literally ordering a hit on Daryl. She doesn't want him returning to the Nest at all.
Carol Finally Hits French Soil
The episode ends with a massive milestone: Carol arrives in France. She and Ash land at an old racetrack. Carol does her usual "I’ll go alone" routine, leaving Ash with the plane.
She wanders into a ruined Paris, and the visuals are stunning. Seeing the Eiffel Tower half-collapsed really drives home how far she’s come. She eventually spots a military truck belonging to Marion Genet’s group, Pouvoir des Vivants.
Carol being Carol, she doesn't just watch. She cuts a hole in a grain bag on the truck so she can follow the trail. By the end of the hour, she’s actually managed to get herself recruited into Genet’s compound.
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Think about that for a second:
- Daryl is at the Nest (the "good" guys who are actually crazy).
- Carol is at the Pouvoir compound (the "bad" guys who are definitely crazy).
They are so close, yet still worlds apart.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're watching the season unfold, keep these details in mind for the coming episodes:
- Watch Ash: He’s a good man, but he’s fragile. If he finds out Carol lied about her daughter being in France, he might just fly away and leave her stranded.
- The Bite Test: The "ceremony" for Laurent is the ticking time bomb of the season. If Losang tries to force it, Daryl will have to go full "Rambo" to get the kid out.
- Genet vs. Losang: While these two groups hate each other, they are both using people for their own ends. Carol is currently the ultimate mole inside Genet’s operation.
The momentum in Daryl Dixon Season 2 Episode 2 is a masterclass in pacing. We went from a weather station in Greenland to a romantic sunset in France, and now the stage is set for a massive collision between Daryl’s new life and his oldest friend.
Keep an eye on the "trail of grain" Carol left behind. It’s not just a way to find a truck; it’s a metaphor for the breadcrumbs leading her back to Daryl. Next time you sit down for an episode, pay close attention to Losang’s right-hand woman, Jacinta. She’s the real threat at the Nest, and she’s much more dangerous than the walkers.