MVP from The Walking Dead episode 1018 ‘Find Me’

Season 10, episode 18 of The Walking Dead caught fans up on what happened to Daryl during the big-time jump after Rick Grimes disappeared. Viewers got a glimpse of the life he made in that time as well as a look at what has happened with his friendship with Carol. Dog also made a smashing appearance and got backstory as well.

It turns out Daryl was not the original owner of Dog and not the person who named him either. In this episode, viewers learned that a woman named Leah is Dog’s original owner. While Daryl was out searching for Rick over those many years, Dog brought Leah and Daryl together. After a very long back and forth, Leah and Daryl became romantic. This episode showed major growth for Daryl in many ways.

This week’s MVP is Daryl!

Before jumping into why Daryl deserves the MVP crown this week, it has to be said that there is a very special runner-up. That would be Dog, as a puppy no less! Dog is already a gem to the fan base; every week, viewers cross their fingers and take to social media begging to see him. This week the love skyrocketed as a collective “AWH!” could be heard within the fandom as soon as a puppy bark was heard. If The Walking Dead would be so kind as to release a 7th bonus episode from Dog’s point of view, that would be great!

Moving along this week, fans got to see Daryl display a wide range of emotions, and that is extremely uncommon. This character has a tough exterior and rarely shows emotions at all. Until season 10, he mainly communicated in a series of grunts. In seasons 7, 8, and 9, a fair amount of his own actions were defiant against a plan or for revenge.

The MVP pick for season 10 episode 18 of The Walking Dead showed growth like never before. Their confidence and sense of belonging secured them the win.

In season 10, things changed. When Daryl returned to the group, he took more of a leadership role and tried to keep a level head. During this time, he grew relationships with Connie and Kelly and learned a brand new way to communicate just for them.

After viewing episode 18, titled ‘Find Me,’ it’s clear that Leah is a big part of what changed him going forward. The loss of Rick hit Daryl very hard, and it was Leah who built a life with him and helped him gain confidence back. She helped Daryl realize he was, in fact, worthy of life again.

While her ultimatum and exit were a bit unfair and sad, it seems that Daryl took the positives he learned and ran with them. When Daryl rejoined the group, he was a changed person and for the better. Unfortunately, again he lost a person he cared deeply for, and that’s Connie. It was obvious when the cave collapsed he was heartbroken. He yelled and cried and tried to dig Connie out himself and looked at Carol accusingly. In this episode, that loss comes to a head as he has an explosive argument with Carol.

While it’s unfortunate to see this friendship fracture, it was refreshing to see that Daryl now knows where he truly belongs. While the search for Connie is important, it isn’t consuming his life like before. He is still able to be there for Kelly and the rest of the group. For once, he let his emotions out in the open instead of bottling them up and acting recklessly.

The only big downfall with the story in this episode is Daryl and Carol’s premature announcement that they are getting their own series. Fans know that no matter what argument they have or danger they face, they will last until the end. Regardless, until next week the MVP crown belongs to Daryl!

The Walking Dead will return next week with an episode featuring Father Gabriel and Aaron. Are you excited to see what these two characters are up to? Tweet me your thoughts @Mamadeadhead!