Daryl Dixon and Lydia of The Walking Dead are kindred spirits. They’re both abuse victims and that is the link that draws them together.
The Walking Dead fans will remember back in season 3 when we found out about Daryl Dixon’s (Norman Reedus) abuse at the hands of his father. His older brother Merle (Michael Rooker) left him alone with their father who then turned his anger towards the younger bother when the older one left. Lydia (Cassady McClincy) is the daughter of Alpha (Samantha Morton) and Lydia has been abused mentally as well as physically at the hands of her mother. This is the key that links Daryl to Lydia. Daryl can relate to what Lydia has gone through at the hands of her abusive mother.
Daryl takes an interest in Lydia right from the start. He sees and hears what is going on with her and I think it hits so close to home for him that he can’t help but reach out to this girl. I imagine he feels that he needs to protect her since no one ever protected him from the abuse.
When they had her in the jail at the Hilltop, Daryl stood back and watch things unfold. He noticed the familiar marks on her arms, her posture, and other traits that he knows he also possessed in the past. While in the cell he does break her down while at the same time showing her Henry is a captive as well. His hope was that she would see Henry as an equal and open up to him. It worked and Daryl was able to find out more by listening in on their conversation.
He witnessed the slap from her mother and I am sure he could feel the sting to his own cheek. Especially since he was the one who made the trade of Lydia for Luke and Alden. Daryl has stuck up for Lydia so many times and he has protected her also. She has even gone so far to say that she wanted to be like him. The connection between these two is deep.
Reedus improvised the scene in Silence the Whisperers when he gave McClincy a hug. She became so emotional she had to leave the room. Watch the Easter Egg video with this and other fun tidbits about episode 4 of season 10.
In the back half of season 10 we will probably see the repercussions, if any, of Carol’s actions that forced Lydia to flee the safety of Daryl’s protection. Daryl and Carol also have a special bond so I am very excited to see where this will lead. The Walking Dead Season 10B starts February 2020.