Just when it seemed that our dynamic duo was about to set sail, they were sucked into another rescue mission.
Limbo
This week’s episode of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon introduces us to a side of Daryl Dixon’s European trek that we don’t usually think about…health. Considering what is happening in the United States right now as far as healthcare is concerned, my focus on this week’s episode was on how people living through an apocalypse would handle sickness without a working hospital or clean water.
“Limbo” hits all the checkpoints of what makes a great Spaghetti Western spirit. After finding a severely wounded Roberto (Hugo Arbues), Daryl (Norman Reedus) goes searching for Justina (Candela Saitta) while Carol (Melissa McBride) and Antonio (Eduardo Noriega) return to Solaz Del Mar. Carol and Antonio decide to keep what happened a secret from Fede (Oscar Jaenada). They don’t trust him and tell him that Daryl is working on the boat.
It is with Daryl’s journey that we get the real action, after Daryl spots a train being pulled by walkers. The bandit on horseback, leading the train walkers, is strumming a guitar and singing as if he hasn’t a care in the world. They are called Buzzards, and they are the bad guys. The Buzzards take what they want…and right now…they want Daryl’s bike.
In Hell, there is no health care
Did you know that the ancient disease of leprosy still exists today? Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. It is transmitted through close contact. It has been around since biblical times, and it is extremely deformable. Today, there are antibiotics and the BCG vaccine, but living in areas with a high prevalence of poverty and weakened immune systems can contribute to the spread of leprosy, which brings us back to Daryl, who is now lost in the desert, leading to Barcelona. Daryl is lost and suffering from dehydration when he is saved by Amaia (Nansi Nsue) and Mateo (Luis Bondia).
Daryl is taken in by these gentle people, who are exhibiting all stages of leprosy. They are shunned because of their disease, but their biggest threat right now is the Buzzards, who come to steal their water. Daryl has a decision to make. Does he continue his journey to find Justina, or does he rob the train that rides up and down the track, its tanks filled with water stolen from the lepers?
We also learn that Fede’s mother is using a pomace brandy called Oruj to heal Roberto. Carol asks Antonio if Dona Lupe is a witch because this lady knows how to heal almost every injury and disease using all types of herbs and potions. This question, right here, is why smart women were burned as witches by the Church. Which brings me back to how this episode had me wondering about the species’ survival when the proverbial shit hits the fan. We barely survived COVID. How the hell would we survive a zombie apocalypse?
In the United States, our government is trying to take away the little bit of healthcare that its citizens have. With their draconian cult leadership, we Americans had better learn how to make our own medications to survive because we won’t be able to afford the price of medication. But the pharmaceutical cartel has control of the Amazon rainforest and its cures.
Conclusion and Spoilers
I am beginning to like this version of The Walking Dead’s Spaghetti Western. Daryl is at his best, and the fight scenes are kick-ass perfect. Daryl is surrounded by strong women: Paz (Alexanda Masangkay), who has joined him to find Justina, Amaia (Nansi Nsue), Carol, and Valentina (Irina Bjorklund). Strong women and female healers were burned at the stake not that long ago by weak men, but it will be the women who will save us during any apocalypse.
Carol needs to watch her back. Fede has become suspicious.
