The Walking Dead is known for its great storyline and lovable characters. Throughout the show, characters are forced to live together in a way they never would have if they lived in a normal world. In order to survive the apocalypse, these characters must rely on one another in dire circumstances. Fans love watching these characters form deep bonds with one another, and it reminds us of the relationships we have in our lives.
The show displays growing relationships between strangers and relatives. Characters seem to grow closer bonds with others they meet during the apocalypse, rather than the friends and blood relations they have had with people they knew before.
Daryl and Rick's relationship proves found family is stronger than blood
One of the best examples of found family being stronger than blood is the brotherly bond seen between Daryl Dixon and Rick Grimes.
Daryl starts off the show as a lone wolf who has only one real connection to his brother, Merle Dixon. Daryl followed Merle everywhere and almost joined him in robbing what became known as Rick's group. However, Merle causes trouble with some group members in Atlanta, and is handcuffed to a rooftop by Rick.
This gave Daryl and Rick's relationship a rocky start, but Rick was willing to put together a rescue team to retrieve Merle. Even though Merle was gone by the time they got there, Daryl still showed his loyalty to the group by saving Glenn Rhee from the Vatos Group. Later that night, a herd of walkers wandered onto the group's campsite, resulting in the death of multiple group members. Daryl yet again stepped up to help the group. Over time, Daryl grows to respect Rick and forms familial bonds with Carol Peletier throughout his search for her daughter, Sophia. Rick can count on Daryl to protect and look after the group, which begins their familial relationship.
In season 3, when Merle makes his reappearance, it causes Daryl a lot of distress. In season 3 episode 9, titled "Suicide King," Daryl is torn when the group is not willing to accept Merle back into their group. During Daryl's discussion with the group, he claims that Merle is his blood, so they can trust him.
However, Glenn makes a very interesting statement after this: "No, Merle is your blood. My blood, my family is standing right here and waiting for us back at the prison."
This line shows that the bond between found family triumphs over any blood relationship they ever had.
Even after Daryl picks Merle and decides to live with him separately from the group, he still finds his way back to his found family. Merle proves to have a rocky relationship with Daryl, and they make their way back to Rick's group. Daryl and Rick become closer as the seasons go on. Daryl becomes a brother to Rick, whom he can rely on for anything. The two help each other grow and stand up for one another throughout the series. Their bond proves to be stronger than blood, as do many of the relationships seen on the show.
Some other honorable mentions is Dale Horvath's friendship with Andrea Harrison. Dale was willing to die with her at the CDC just to save her life. He was a father figure to her and her sister, Amy. Their relationship went deeper than blood. Hershel Greene was another character who had familial bonds with many of the characters on the show who weren't his blood. He was a father figure to many characters and had many people who were willing to fight for him, before and after his death.
Throughout The Walking Dead, we see characters willing to die for one another and risk their lives to save one another. During the show, Rick's group was willing to go to war countless times for their found family. This show consistently proves that found family is stronger than blood.