The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – Season 1, Episode 3 (“Paris Sera Toujours Paris”)
Original Air Date: September 24, 2023
Episode Runtime: ~52 minutes
Overview
Episode 3, “Paris Sera Toujours Paris” (Paris Will Always Be Paris), takes us deeper into the post-apocalyptic ruins of France’s capital. The title, referencing the famous French song, carries an ironic tone—while Paris may endure, the world that once defined it is long gone.
This episode is a turning point for both Daryl and Isabelle, as they enter the heart of Paris, uncovering remnants of the past while new dangers close in. Madame Genet’s influence grows, Codron gets closer to his revenge, and Daryl faces his own ghosts in the city of light.
Unlike previous episodes, which balanced action and survival, this one leans into melancholy, history, and reflection, making for one of the series’ most atmospheric chapters yet.
Major Plot Points
Entering Paris: A City of Ghosts
Daryl, Isabelle, Laurent, and Sylvie (another nun from the abbey) finally reach Paris, but what they find is a city frozen in time. Iconic landmarks, like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, stand eerily silent, covered in vines, decay, and death.
This moment is awe-inspiring and tragic, with Daryl taking in the sight of a world he’s only heard of. For a man who’s spent years in the American apocalypse, this is something entirely different—an empire fallen to silence.
As they navigate the streets, they encounter remnants of resistance groups, graffiti-marked walls warning of the Guerriers’ rise, and abandoned barricades from early attempts to fight back. The weight of the city’s fall is deeply felt.
A subtle but powerful detail:
- Laurent stops to look at a weathered old bookstore, fascinated by the stories left behind. This reinforces his intellectual curiosity—something that sets him apart from most children in this world.
The Catacombs: Death Beneath the City
Seeking shelter, the group moves underground, using Paris’ infamous catacombs as a shortcut. This sequence is pure horror, reminiscent of The Walking Dead’s best tension-filled moments.
As they descend into the tunnels, eerie candlelit remnants of past survivors hint at a doomed resistance movement. The most unsettling discovery is a pile of old skeletons mixed with fresh bodies, suggesting the Guerriers have used the catacombs for executions.
Things take a turn when a new walker variant appears—
- Unlike the “Burners” introduced earlier, these walkers are fast, hyper-aggressive, and seem to “hunt” in packs.
- The claustrophobic setting makes escape nearly impossible, forcing Daryl into one of his most brutal fights yet.
A standout moment:
- Daryl uses a broken skull as a weapon, smashing it into another walker’s face—a visceral reminder that survival often requires brutal ingenuity.
The group narrowly escapes, but not without a cost—Sylvie is bitten, leaving Isabelle devastated.
Isabelle’s Parisian Past & Quinn’s Return
Paris isn’t just another stop for Isabelle; it’s where she lived before the world fell. As they navigate through familiar streets, her past comes flooding back, and we get another crucial flashback.
This time, we see her relationship with Quinn, a smooth-talking American ex-pat who thrived in the pre-apocalypse world of crime and luxury. Through their interactions, it’s clear Quinn was part of the city’s underground scene, running clubs and smuggling high-end goods.
When the outbreak hit, Quinn used his connections to seize power, while Isabelle sought redemption. Their parting wasn’t amicable, and the tension between them looms over the present.
In a shocking reveal, Isabelle takes the group to Quinn’s compound, seeking refuge. Quinn, now the ruler of an elite survivor enclave, welcomes them but clearly has his own agenda.
His immediate focus? Laurent.
- Quinn doesn’t believe in the prophecy surrounding the boy but sees him as a valuable bargaining chip.
- He also still holds a flame for Isabelle, making for a complicated and dangerous dynamic.
This introduction shifts the power balance in Paris—Quinn isn’t aligned with the Guerriers, but he’s no saint either.
Codron Closes In
Meanwhile, Codron is relentless in his pursuit of Daryl, tracking his movements through Parisian survivors loyal to the Guerriers.
His arc continues to be one of the most intriguing subplots—he’s ruthless but not mindless, showing hesitation when confronted with the destruction the Guerriers leave behind.
In a key moment, Codron questions a survivor, learning that Daryl is with a “child who is meant to save the world.” Though he scoffs at the idea, something in his expression suggests doubt—could he eventually break from the Guerriers’ ideology?
By the episode’s end, Codron learns of Daryl’s presence in Quinn’s territory, setting up a major confrontation ahead.
Key Details You Might Have Missed
- Quinn’s Compound is a Nightclub: This is a brilliant choice—it shows how some survivors cling to the past, turning relics of entertainment into power structures. The contrast between neon lights and post-apocalyptic ruin is striking.
- Laurent’s Intuition: Laurent seems wary of Quinn despite his charm, reinforcing the idea that the boy has an uncanny ability to read people.
- The Mona Lisa is Missing: A brief shot of the Louvre’s empty frame where the Mona Lisa once hung is a clever way to highlight how history has been stripped away.
- The Walker Variants Are Spreading: The faster, more aggressive walkers in the catacombs suggest that France’s strain of the virus is evolving, something that could become a bigger problem.
Final Thoughts
“Paris Sera Toujours Paris” is one of the most visually stunning and atmospheric episodes of the series so far. It blends haunting imagery with intense survival horror, while also introducing major players like Quinn, whose moral ambiguity makes him a fascinating addition.
The catacomb sequence is a standout moment, delivering pure horror and tension, while the power struggles in Paris ensure that the human conflict remains just as dangerous as the undead.
With Codron closing in and Quinn playing his own game, Daryl is now stuck between two powerful forces, setting up an explosive conflict in the next episodes.
Episode Rating: 9/10 – A haunting, tense, and beautifully crafted chapter that deepens the lore and raises the stakes.
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