There have been plenty of legendary characters to appear in The Walking Dead franchise over the years. So many famous faces have come and gone in the TWD Universe and each one has had such a significant era that it's clear to see why the original series had so many reinventions (never mind all of the spinoffs that it produced too).
Indeed, it is the parent series that remained the most iconic and it's largely down to the wealth of rich characters who made their presence felt through the 11 seasons that it was on the air. From the fan-favorite hero Glenn to the charismatic and alluring Jesus, audiences have been very vocal about the characters they loved in the decade and a half that this franchise has been entertaining us for. That much is still true for the ongoing spinoffs that continue to entertain us in the aftermath of the original series - using some of its most classic characters to do that.
Speaking of the spinoffs, one of the most beloved offshoots of the TWD Universe has just brought back a legendary character in a twist nobody saw coming.
Merle returns in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 3 flashback
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 3 has been featuring incredibly brief flashbacks throughout its seven-episode run, all of which have offered up short insights into the past of the titular character. Although Daryl is one of the saga's longest-standing characters (actor Norman Reedus has played the character every year since The Walking Dead's launch in 2010), the franchise has always been somewhat vague about his backstory, but the spinoff has been providing viewers with a glimpse into it this time around. And to do it, they brought back an unexpected TWD character.
Merle, Daryl's older brother, can be seen in the flashbacks protecting his brother. Both of the boys are young, so actor Felix Saldaña is the one playing the TWD legend here, and he does a great job of showcasing how Merle stood up for his little brother. The scenes showcase the older Dixon sibling telling Daryl to run away from their abusive father while he stayed behind, telling him "Don’t you worry about me, I can take it, alright?".
This now only highlights how Merle was a good big brother to Daryl during their childhood, it plays into Daryl's ongoing arc this season, as he struggles with the desire to either run away from a problem or fight it; never truly knowing when it's okay to settle down and live in the moment. That's how the return of Merle impacts Daryl Dixon as a spinoff of The Walking Dead but as part of the overall franchise, it actually adds a lot of context to the brothers' complicated relationship.
Merle, of course, was one of the most well-known characters of the original series' early seasons. Portrayed exquisitely by Michael Rooker, he came into conflict with Rick early on and often found himself playing an antagonistic role. He wasn't particularly kind to Daryl in their post-apocalyptic encounters but it was clear that Daryl thought the world of him in spite of how the show portrayed him. Now we know why; Merle was the good big brother that he needed growing up, and that's why he always looked up to him.
Although Merle survived his run-in with Rick in the first season, he resurfaced in the third season when he was revealed to be a loyal enforcer for The Governor. However, once he realized just how bad his boss was, he stood up to him - proving that the good big brother he once was was still inside. Unfortunately, The Governor killed him, leading to Daryl eventually having to put the walker that he turned into down. In the end, he got to do an act of kindness for his big brother.
With The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon set to wrap up with its fourth and final season, it's clearly bringing Daryl to a place that can round out and complete his character journey. It likely won't be the last time he appears in the ongoing TWD Universe franchise but, for the moment, it could mark the end of a major chapter for his character - in more ways than one.
Even though it wasn't Michael Rooker's iteration of Merle, it was nice to see that the classic franchise hasn't forgotten about the memorable character over a decade after his final appearance on The Walking Dead.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 3 is airing weekly on AMC and streaming on AMC+.