The Walking Dead: This is the Daryl Dixon we should have had all along

The Walking Dead will soon end its run that has lasted 12 years. During that time, characters have come and gone, but two constants have been Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) and Carol Peletier (Melissa McBride). These two became fast friends as they experienced tragedy bonding due to their common backgrounds. They are fan favorites for sure, and as the series quickly approaches its conclusion, fans want the best for these two.

In season 11, part 3, viewers see a different Daryl Dixon than ever before. He has stepped up to become a leader you would never have expected from the man introduced in season 1, episode 2, “Tell it to the Frogs.” Gone is the wall he built around himself and the gruff, surly demeanor, and in its place is a strong man willing to die for those he loves.

During the first three episodes of the last eight, Daryl listens and thinks before sharing his thoughts on what is going on. His plan, in episode 1117, “Lockdown,” to send Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) into the Commonwealth while the others took on Lance Hornsby (Josh Hamilton) was a well-thought-out plan. He didn’t decide to run headlong into a situation he was ill-equipped to handle on his own.

He also used great restraint in handling Eugene (Josh McDermitt) in episode 1119 when Eugene wanted to head out into the Commonwealth while the citizens and soldiers wanted his head for Sebastian’s (Teo Rapp-Olsson) death.

The Walking Dead – Daryl Dixon

The sad part is this is the Daryl Dixon we should have gotten after he came back from looking for Rick (Andrew Lincoln). The mourning he experienced with Rick’s loss had to be the worst thing he’s experienced. This is an abuse victim who has never really been loved until he meets Rick, Carol, and the other survivors. And his abuse was brutal but losing a man who he considered a true brother had to break Daryl to the point that he almost didn’t come back from.

But, once he realized Rick was truly gone and returned to the communities, that is when we should have seen this Daryl materialize. Now we only get a few episodes of this Daryl in the main series.

Sure, he will go on to the spinoff series and hopefully take this newfound persona with him. But this new Daryl could have been utilized for so much more in the flagship series storyline.

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