Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon seasons 1 and 2.
It's somewhat surprising that The Walking Dead is still coming out with new and exciting storylines a decade after its inception, and The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon is no different, as the spinoff hints at a situation that the franchise has yet to see before. Daryl Dixon is the latest in a string of spinoff series based on the original eleven-season apocalypse series, The Walking Dead. As the name suggests, the show follows fan favorite Daryl Dixon as he becomes steeped in the culture and problems of post-apocalyptic France.
As audiences get acclimated to this new installment of The Walking Dead, it's easy to start wondering why certain characters are appearing and what they could mean to the series. For example, Daryl Dixon has introduced a young boy named Laurent, who seems incredibly important. Typically, children don't fare so well in this franchise; however, Laurent seems full of potential. Plenty of characters believe he could be a Messiah, and furthermore, the series has suggested that he may be immune to the zombie virus. So, the question remains, do these theories have any weight to them? Could Laurent truly save the world from the apocalypse via his immunity?
Immunity Isn't Why Daryl Dixon's Nuns Think Laurent Is Special
Laurent's Visions & Wisdom Make Him So Unique To France's Main Figures
Laurent clearly has many special quirks, so it seems unlikely that the nuns at the Union of Hope think he is the Messiah solely because of his potential immunity. In fact, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon reveals two significant facts about Laurent in its very first episode that are almost equally impressive as his immunity. First and foremost, Isabelle tells Daryl that, many years ago, a Buddhist monk foretold a prophecy claiming that Laurent would be the savior of humankind. In particular, Laurent would protect the world from the zombie outbreak. This is a major story to tell about a little boy, and one that the series definitely doesn't take lightly.
Secondly, the debut episode reveals that Laurent can see into the future. At the abbey, Isabelle shows Daryl a picture that Laurent drew of Daryl washing up on the beach, which he drew before Daryl even showed up. So, right from the start, it is clear that Laurent is special, and furthermore, that the nuns fully believe in Laurent's The Walking Dead superpowers. Additionally, Laurent's specialty is only further confirmed when Daryl begins talking to him, and Laurent shows that he is incredibly intelligent and wise beyond his years. All in all, Laurent proves that he is different long before the question of his immunity comes into play.
Laurent's Birth Flashback Hints He Could Be Immune To The Zombie Virus
Laurent's Mother Was Infected While Giving Birth
Now, although Laurent showcased his role as a uniquely important character from the very first episode, the second installment adds to Laurent's mystique by implying that he might be immune to the zombie virus. This happens during a flashback to Isabelle's life before the apocalypse, in which she and her pregnant sister escape from Paris. During their travels, Isabelle's sister, Lily, is bitten by a zombie. Ultimately, this leads to her being a full-on walker when she gives birth to her baby, Laurent. This scenario, of a walker giving birth to a human child, is entirely new to the franchise, and as a result, raises plenty of questions.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon has been renewed for season 3.
The biggest question to come out of Laurent's The Walking Dead origin is: is he immune to the zombie virus? This line of thought is a pretty obvious one after witnessing the flashback, and although the show doesn't confirm or deny the scenario, it's a possibility that is difficult to ignore. If Lily was bitten by a zombie while pregnant, and consequently, became a walker, it would make sense that the virus would affect Laurent in the womb as well. But, since Laurent was born human rather than a walker, the virus may have simply been introduced to his biology rather than taking over. Overall, the situation undoubtedly has biological implications.
Laurent Being Immune Would Justify His Importance To The Walking Dead
The Child Would Be One Of The Franchise's Most Important Characters If He Is Immune
Laurent's potential immunity is a reveal that is shocking, but in actuality, makes a lot of sense in the grand scheme of his character. As previously mentioned, Laurent is made out to be a character of massive importance right from the start, and though there is evidence backing up his importance, i.e. his psychic abilities, that does not totally explain his role as the Messiah. If anything, Laurent's immunity is the final piece of the puzzle. It is the last, and biggest, piece of evidence that backs up the theory that Laurent could actually be a savior of some sort.
Laurent's potential immunity could be studied by scientists in order to create a vaccine.
If Laurent is immune to The Walking Dead's zombie virus, he could most certainly play a role in saving humankind. First and foremost, Laurent's potential immunity could be studied by scientists in order to create a vaccine, which would be a game changer for The Walking Dead world. Plus, on the more violent side of things, as this is The Walking Dead, Laurent's immunity could allow him to kill zombies with little fear of repercussions. If he could get close to zombies without having to worry about them biting him, then he could be an unstoppable warrior. Therefore, his alleged immunity changes his role immensely.
How Laurent's Zombie Immunity Would Change The Walking Dead
The Franchise Would Have Its First Real Chance At A Cure
Overall, Laurent's immunity in The Walking Dead is a huge change for the franchise. In the original show and in its five spinoff series, there has never been a character that is immune to the zombie virus. That fact alone makes Laurent special, and also makes The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon special. Furthermore, Laurent's immunity changes the course of The Walking Dead's overarching story. While the series has often focused on the characters' fights against zombies and overpowered government groups, this storyline implies that there could actually be an end to the apocalypse. For the first time, there is some genuine hope for, not just survival, but a new normal.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon has already offered some truly incredible storylines, and will likely continue to shock audiences as it continues for years to come. When it comes to Laurent, there is now no doubt that he will continue to be important, and in fact, his character could even persist beyond this specific series, meaning Laurent could become a new The Walking Dead hero. Though this avenue is unexpected, it certainly isn't unwelcome, especially if the virus can be defeated for good.
Why Laurent Is Unlikely To Be Immune To The Walking Dead's Zombie Virus
The Walking Dead Has Never Indicated That Anyone Can Be Immune
Despite Daryl Dixon heavily hinting at Laurent's immunity, it's unlikely the child is actually safe from The Walking Dead's virus. The franchise has never shown any sign of characters being immune in the past, and while the televised universe is always changing and introducing new ideas, Laurent's invulnerability would feel out of the blue. The circumstances of Laurent's birth do offer an explanation as to why he might be special, but it feels like after so many years, The Walking Dead has no real intention of creating an antidote for the virus, making Laurent's proposed immunity a potential red herring.
While Laurent being immune would be a very interesting twist, it might draw unwanted comparisons between The Walking Dead and The Last of Us, which also centers around an immune character. Instead, it would be better to have the majority of France believe Laurent can't be infected when, in actual fact, he's just as vulnerable as every other character. Daryl Dixon has already proven Laurent is special by providing people with hope and inspiration, so making him immune doesn't feel essential, and the story of him just being a regular survivor is arguably more compelling than the alternative.
Daryl Dixon Season 2's Ritual Can Finally Answer Whether Laurent Is Immune
L'Union's Ceremony Looks To Put Laurent's Alleged Immunity To The Test
Whether L'Union goes through with their ceremony or not is still to be seen, but Daryl Dixon season 2's ritual may finally prove if Laurent is truly special. The villainous group wants to test Laurent's immunity to win over followers that are losing doubt, and plan on doing this by having a ceremony where Laurent will be bitten. Naturally, L'Union is anticipating that the child won't be affected by this bite, but given they have no guarantee, it sounds like a huge gamble. While Daryl doesn't know their exact plan, he's aware that L'Union can't be trusted.
Therefore, the protagonist will likely try and prevent this ceremony from happening, but if it does, the spinoff can finally provide some answers regarding Laurent's immunity. While it would be tragic if the experiment were to fail, resulting in Laurent's death, it would be fascinating to see it succeed and highlight that Laurent really is unique, adding to the show's drama. Unfortunately, Daryl will likely foil L'Union's plan before we get a definitive answer about Laurent, but the concept of the twisted ritual alone remains intriguing and confirms that Daryl Dixon is one of The Walking Dead's best spinoffs.
