The Hidden Meaning Behind Daryl Dixon's Enigmatic Phrase: Decoding 'Nanu Nanu' in Episode 2

Summary

In The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon episode 2, the kids use the phrase "Nanu Nanu" at their teacher's funeral, referencing a sitcom from the 1970s called Mork & Mindy.

The children's enchantment with Mork & Mindy demonstrates their restricted familiarity with popular culture and their association with the past, seemingly shaping their comprehension of the English language.

Moreover, the mentions of Mork & Mindy carry sentimental significance for Daryl, as they evoke joyful memories he shared with his brother prior to the onset of the zombie apocalypse.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for episode 2 of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon

In a surprising twist, the phrase "Nanu Nanu," which gained popularity in the 1970s, made a comeback in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon episode 2. The latest installment of Daryl's spinoff series follows him and his new companions as they assist a group of French children who are determined to help their sick teacher. When their teacher passes away, the children say the words "Nanu Nanu" at the funeral, seemingly as a way to pay tribute to their beloved caretaker.

Daryl Dixon's "Naru Naru" Scene Is A Mork & Mindy Reference

The phrase used in the final scene of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon referenced an earlier moment in the episode. Once greeted by the children, Norman Reedus' character, Daryl Dixon, was led into a room where he watched a VHS tape featuring an old sitcom series. One of the lines from the show was "Nanu Nanu," which the children echoed, showing their fascination with the characters and the comedic elements of the series. However, neither the name of the sitcom series nor the significance of the phrase were revealed in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.

The television show that the children were imitating in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon episode 2 was Mork & Mindy, a popular sitcom that aired on ABC for four seasons from 1978 to 1982. This show is remembered for introducing the comedic genius, Robin Williams, to mainstream audiences. Mork & Mindy depicted the story of an unconventional and peaceful extraterrestrial named Mork, who shares an apartment with a woman in Buffalo, Colorado. Mork had a catchphrase, "Nanu, Nanu," which was used in various ways throughout the series without a definitive meaning. He would bid farewell to his leader by saying "Nanu, Nanu," and also greeted others using this phrase, often causing confusion among the human characters of Mork & Mindy.

Daryl Dixon's Mork & Mindy Tape Serves A Deeper Purpose

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon's fixation on Mork & Mindy highlights a comment made by Isabelle, who expressed sorrow over the children's lack of knowledge about the world before. Their fascination with a single 1970s sitcom reveals their limited exposure to popular culture. Their Morky & Mindy VHS tape seems to be their sole connection to the past, thus defining their entire grasp of the English language. The fact that their speech is influenced by Mork & Mindy, evident from their use of "Nanu Nanu" at the funeral, speaks volumes about their ignorance of the outside world.

Furthermore, the Mork & Mindy references hold personal significance for Daryl in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon. It is revealed that Daryl and Merle enjoyed watching the show during their childhood. Daryl, who has been part of the Walking Dead franchise since its inception, rarely shares happy memories from his pre-apocalyptic life. The revelation offers a glimpse into a seldom-seen facet of his character, making it a rare and appreciated occurrence.

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon releases new episodes on Sundays on AMC.