Summary
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon introduces the concept of immunity, potentially through the character Laurent, which could change the future of the franchise.
Daryl's mission to safeguard Laurent implies that Laurent possesses immunity, which plays a pivotal role in the series and prompts inquiries about his significance and the importance of his immune status.
Laurent's immunity is intertwined with the events of The Walking Dead: World Beyond, potentially leading to the potential discovery of a cure and introducing the possibility of other immune characters within the Walking Dead universe.
The forthcoming Daryl Dixon spinoff of The Walking Dead introduces a potential game-changer. The newly released trailer suggests that Laurent could be the first character with immunity, paving the way for a shift in the future of the franchise. In this spinoff, Daryl finds himself in France with no memory of how he got there, only to be saved by a religious community. Tasked with a mission to transport a child named Laurent to a specific destination, Daryl's journey holds the promise of shedding light on Laurent's story and his possible role as the cure's crucial component. Until now, the idea of immunity hasn't been explored in The Walking Dead franchise. While many well-loved characters have succumbed to bites and fever, none have defied the virus and lived on with a healing bite wound. Typically, a bite from a walker leads to certain death followed by reanimation. However, it stands to reason that there must be survivors who have somehow adapted to the virus. In The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, the concept of immunity may be further explored, with Laurent potentially holding the answers that have been sought after.
Laurent Being Immune Explains Daryl's Mission
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon introduces Laurent, a new young character who becomes the focal point of Daryl's mission in France. Daryl must protect Laurent in his Walking Dead spinoff, raising questions about Laurent's importance and his role in the new series. One possible explanation for this companionship is that Laurent is immune, which aligns with the theme of humanity's revival mentioned in the trailer. Daryl is compelled to safeguard Laurent to prevent him from falling into the wrong hands.
The trailer shows Daryl and Laurent embarking on a challenging journey across France, facing various types of walkers and encountering new human threats. The destination and recipient of Laurent's delivery remain unclear, but Daryl's willingness to risk his life for someone he just met suggests a significant reason, such as Laurent's immunity. Much like HBO's The Last of Us, where a tough survivor protects an immune teenage girl, Daryl may develop a father-like bond with Laurent as his main goal is to ensure the child's safety. Although the concept of a seasoned survivor undertaking a dangerous journey through a post-apocalyptic world with a child is a well-known trope, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon has the opportunity to create a unique and captivating narrative.
Laurent's Zombie Virus Immunity Ties Into Walking Dead: World Beyond
The Walking Dead: World Beyond reveals that the virus was created by scientists in France and a cure had already been researched. In a post-credits scene, a former researcher returns to the facility and is shot, but reanimates with increased speed and strength, contrary to the slow walkers in The Walking Dead. This suggests a new variant of the virus, potentially explaining how Laurent may have been exposed and survived. The trailer indicates that Laurent and the convent have remained in France since the outbreak, suggesting that if he was bitten at a young age, his immune system may have adapted to the virus, giving him immunity. The post-credits scene in The Walking Dead: World Beyond sets up the next 10 years in The Walking Dead universe, implying its significance for future spinoffs.
Walking Dead Has Teased Other Immune Characters
Fear the Walking Dead has the potential to introduce immune characters like Alicia and her mother Madison in the upcoming season 7. Despite being bitten by a walker and amputating the affected area in a desperate attempt to avoid infection, Alicia still fell ill with a severe fever. However, she miraculously recovered, sparking the interest of medical researcher June. June hinted that Alicia and her family may possess a rare immunity to the virus.
This revelation opens up the possibility of Daryl Dixon's new spinoff exploring the concept of a cure through blood samples or laboratory tests. It's plausible that certain families may unknowingly have natural immunity, which could hold the key to humanity's survival in the apocalypse. In this regard, Laurent, a child with a stronger immune system, could be just the beginning of a potential cure. If more immune children exist, Laurent has the opportunity to protect his community and family from infection.
How An Immune Character Would Change The Walking Dead Universe
Laurent's immunity in The Walking Dead could have a profound impact on the entire universe. With the potential to create a cure and navigate the challenges of new virus variants in France, having a character who is immune brings a glimmer of hope to a bleak world. If Laurent is indeed immune and able to contribute to the development of a cure, it could lead to safer and more knowledgeable communities in the future. Additionally, Daryl Dixon's discovery of this immunity and his communication with the Commonwealth could ignite hope in other beloved characters, as they navigate a world dominated by the undead.
However, it is important to note that Laurent's immunity is not guaranteed in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon. The events depicted in the trailer are still subject to speculation, and Laurent might simply be a character whom Daryl needs to protect during his exploration outside of the Commonwealth. The finale of The Walking Dead sheds light on why Daryl embarks on his journey to France, as Maggie desires for him to gain an understanding of the mysterious changes in the undead. Laurent's immunity could provide crucial information for Daryl's scouting mission. While immunity would be a significant development in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, audiences are overdue to witness the emergence of virus-resistant characters like Laurent.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon premieres September 10, 2023, on AMC.