The Walking Dead: Top 100 Moments

87. T-Dog Drops The Keys

Episode 102 “Guts

Original Airdate: 11/7/2010

Submitted By: Adam Carlson

In the early stages of the zombie apocalypse, you have to be sure to neutralize any potential threats to your group. This rule becomes especially true if the threat is someone within your group and you deem them to be exceptionally dangerous.

The group in Atlanta saw this threat in Merle Dixon. After hitting him with the butt of his gun on the rooftop, Rick reached into his bag and grabbed a pair of handcuffs, securing him to a pipe for the group’s safety.

Without telling Merle, Rick gave the keys to T-Dog for safe keeping. While talking with Merle, T-Dog tried to understand the intentions of the subdued man, but was only met with hostility in the discussion. Finally, he showed the keys to Merle after he asked for a hacksaw to work at the pipe.

Walkers invaded the store where they were hiding out, and the area no longer became safe. During the panic, the group forgot to release Merle from his handcuffs. Finally, T-Dog turned toward him to let him out, only to slip and drop the keys down a drain on the rooftop.

This meant the group left Merle on the rooftop for dead, handcuffed to a pipe like a buffet for the walkers. Even worse, this meant they would have to explain the situation to Merle’s brother Daryl Dixon.