Unveiling the Mind-Blowing Evolution: The Walking Dead Surpasses The Last of Us with a Massive Leap
The Walking Dead's shocking twist surpasses The Last of Us as Laurent's birth scene pushes boundaries Discover how Daryl Dixon's similarities to The Last of Us add depth to the narrative
Summary
Episode 2 of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon further solidifies its similarities to The Last of Us, with a flashback twist that reveals a near-identical birthing scene.
The birth scenes in both shows showcase the main characters' unique connection to the zombie virus, but Daryl Dixon amplifies the graphic and shocking elements to an unprecedented degree.
In episode 2 of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, there is a noticeable resemblance to The Last of Us. Daryl finds himself in France, where he is tasked with escorting a young boy named Laurent through the zombie-infested wasteland. A religious cult believes that Laurent possesses unique abilities that could potentially save humanity from the zombie virus. This similarity to The Last of Us has already caused criticism, as the show follows a Lone Wolf and Cub narrative in a world overrun by zombies. However, episode 2 introduces a flashback that further emphasizes the parallel between the two narratives.
Titled "Alouette," season 1, episode 2 of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon was written by David Zabel & Jason Richman and directed by Daniel Percival. The episode follows Daryl and Laurent on their journey, accompanied by Isabelle and Sylvie, as they inch closer to their ultimate objective. Along the way, flashbacks offer more insight into these enigmatic characters, including Isabelle's past as a party-goer. In a surprising flashback sequence, the series reveals the extraordinary circumstances surrounding Laurent's birth, providing an explanation for his exceptional nature. This revelation bears a striking resemblance to a nearly identical flashback featured in the season 1 finale of The Last of Us.
Laurent's Birth In Walking Dead Is Similar To Ellie's In The Last Of Us
In the chilling birth scene of "Alouette," Laurent's arrival into the world is vividly portrayed. Lily, his expectant mother, receives assistance from nuns at an abbey who express concern upon discovering a walker bite on her arm. While the original Last of Us game does not showcase Ellie's birth, it is depicted through a flashback sequence in the final episode of season 1 in the HBO adaptation. Commencing with the introduction of Ellie's mother, Anna, excellently portrayed by original voice actor Ashley Johnson, the premiere scene of The Last of Us season 1, episode 9, entitled "Look for the Light," unveils Anna giving birth within an abandoned dwelling. Tragically, she is attacked by an infected creature.
Despite the perilous encounter, Anna manages to fend off the infected before succumbing to the contagious bite. With immense courage, she proceeds with the birth, christening the newborn as Ellie. Holding a knife against her own neck as a precautionary measure in case she transforms, Anna provides solace to her daughter. Upon Marlene, Anna's trusted friend and leader of the Fireflies, returning to the house, she pledges to safeguard Ellie and ultimately euthanizes Anna. Remarkably, the birthing scene mirrors Daryl Dixon's in its entirety, paralleling the events of The Last of Us. In her final moments, Lily even implores Isabelle to fulfill the same duty of caring for the baby as Anna did with Marlene.
Laurent's Birth Scene Goes Much Further Than The Last Of Us
The birthing scenes in both The Last of Us and The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon serve to unravel the enigmatic origins of Ellie and Laurent's unique connection to the zombie virus. They both encountered the virus (or, in Ellie's case, the fungal infection) during their birth, resulting in a form of immunity. These flashbacks introduce compelling mysteries for their respective series to delve into at a later point. However, Daryl Dixon undoubtedly amplifies the shocking and grotesque nature of this revelation far more than The Last of Us.
While Anna transformed into a walker long after giving birth to Ellie, Lily perished and transformed before fully delivering Laurent. The Walking Dead franchise never hesitates to push boundaries with its graphic depiction of violence, from Hershel's beheading to Glenn's brutal assault. Daryl Dixon simply upholds this tradition. Conversely, The Last of Us is primarily focused on the profound relationship between its main characters, rather than the blood-soaked carnage of the zombie-infested world surrounding them.
How Daryl Dixon Is Already Very Similar To The Last Of Us
Prior to the gruesome birth scene featuring zombies, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon was already known for its striking resemblance to The Last of Us. Both narratives delve into the zombie apocalypse from the perspective of a weathered, aging fighter who embarks on a journey across the desolate post-apocalyptic landscape alongside a special child who could hold the key to finding a cure for the zombie virus. Daryl, much like Joel, is a tough and independent loner, while Laurent, akin to Ellie, is a spirited young companion. By introducing this birth twist, the Walking Dead spin-off fails to distinguish itself from other popular zombie shows in 2023.
