Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 2's Finale.Despite it being unclear exactly where her allegiances lay heading into the finale, Anna helped save the protagonists by betraying Jacinta in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 2's last episode and her reasoning behind this decision is incredibly heartwarming. While The Union betraying Daryl at the start of the season led to an intense and explosive finale, it was the antagonists' turn to be double-crossed as Anna lured them into a trap. With Pouvoir and L'Union joining forces, the villains were desperate to find Laurent's location and recruited Anna, who knew the child's whereabouts having assisted him previously.
Although she helped Daryl and Laurent escape the villainous factions in episode 5, Anna's history in the spinoff made it unclear whether she could be trusted in Daryl Dixon season 2's ending. After negotiating a deal with Jacinta, it seemed like Anna was on course to undo her good deeds by helping the antagonists but changed her mind before it was too late. Anna initially took Jacinta and her soldiers to the racetrack where Laurent and the protagonists planned to escape from, before rerouting them straight into an ambush, with one important character contributing to her change in heart.
Anna Betrayed Jacinta Because She Was Genuinely Fond Of Laurent
Anna Sacrificed Herself To Give Laurent The Chance At A Peaceful Future
Anna's decision to betray Jacinta didn't come down to a personal grudge with the antagonist. Instead, it was her soft spot for Laurent that resulted in her double-crossing the villains as she wanted to give the child a chance at a better future. Although The Union seemed like a peaceful and trustworthy group to begin with, their desire to prove Laurent was immune in The Walking Dead led to them taking extreme measures and descending into villainy. While it's unclear if Anna knew their exact plan, she understood that France wasn't safe for Laurent, hence her sacrifice in the finale.
As she guided Jacinta and her soldiers through the racetrack, Anna had a flashback that showed her talking to Laurent about the Eiffel Tower, where she told the child, "I hope you get to go home soon." The conversation replayed in her head just before deciding which direction to take Jacinta's troops, making it clear that Laurent influenced Anna's decision to do the right thing. It's unlikely she knew what awaited them down in the garage, but opting to lead the villains away from Laurent and the rest of the central characters was a major risk regardless.
Sadly, Anna didn't make it out of the garage alive, but she died having bought Laurent more time to escape, which gave her a heroic sendoff.
Knowing how ruthless L'Union could be - especially with Jacinta in charge after Losang's Daryl Dixon death - Anna still made the bold choice to try and protect Laurent, even if it cost her life. Sadly, Anna didn't make it out of the garage alive, but she died having bought Laurent more time to escape, which gave her a heroic sendoff. She may have been selfish at times throughout the spinoff, but trying to save Laurent provided an honorable end to her story, and Anna's affection towards the boy makes her sacrifice all the more emotional.
Laurent Wouldn't Have Escaped If Not For Anna Delaying Jacinta's Soldiers
Anna's Trap Played A Key Part In Ash & Laurent Evading The Antagonists
Even though Anna's betrayal proved to be fatal, it accomplished exactly what she hoped for and gave Laurent just enough time to escape. The diversion cost L'Union and Pouvoir multiple soldiers, caused Jacinta to get bitten, and most importantly, resulted in the villains arriving moments too late. Although Carol and Daryl ultimately had to stay behind and needed Fallou and Codron's help, the central survivors were able to hold off Jacinta's soldiers long enough for Laurent and Ash to take off in the plane and begin departing France, which is where the duo's season 2 story ended.
Had it not been for Anna's distraction, the soldiers would likely have shown up before the plane was ready to go, making it far more difficult for the protagonists to hold them off. The fact that the plane was pretty much moving when Jacinta and her troops arrived is ultimately what allowed Laurent to escape, and this wouldn't have been possible without Anna. Although she will be missed in Daryl Dixon season 3, playing a pivotal part in achieving Laurent's freedom feels like the perfect conclusion to her arc and gave her an unexpectedly memorable role in season 2's finale.
Anna's Death Makes Laurent Even More Special To The Walking Dead's Future
Laurent Being The Walking Dead's Symbol Of Hope Will Continue Beyond France
Laurent had already been built up as an incredibly important character, but Anna's death only adds to how special he is. The Union of Hope already believed Laurent's birth was a miracle and treated him as a messiah, but the child has managed to inspire many more characters. Daryl has changed a lot and even passed up an opportunity to return home due to Laurent's influence, while characters like Azlan and Quinn sacrificed themselves to give the child a better future. Anna's death only adds to the list of people who believe in Laurent and what he represents.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 3 will premiere in 2025.
Beyond his potential immunity, Laurent's optimism and wholesome attitude are what make him so special, and the fact that so many people came together to help him escape shows how important he is. Codron's Walking Dead redemption arc was also largely down to Laurent's kind words, even in the face of danger. With the child surviving Daryl Dixon season 2 and seemingly heading towards the Commonwealth, it feels like he will be a major part of The Walking Dead going forward, and Anna's final moments are a reminder of how pivotal Laurent is to the franchise's future.
