Daryl Dixon

Daryl Dixon
The Walking Dead character
File:Daryl Dixon (TV Series).jpg
First appearance	"Tell It to the Frogs"
Created by	Frank Darabont, Robert Kirkman
Portrayed by	Norman Reedus

Daryl Dixon is a fictional character from the American television series The Walking Dead portrayed by Norman Reedus. He is an original character and has no comic counterpart. He has become immensely popular since his first appearance, and as such, is being brought into the comic series.

Daryl is a Southern redneck hunter and expert tracker, constantly living in the shadow of his brother Merle. Daryl becomes furious when Merle has gone missing, eventually leading Rick Grimes to start a search party for him. They are unable to find Merle; Daryl becomes more independent and eventually starts to bond with the group as the series progresses. At the end of the second season, he slowly becomes Rick's right-hand man.

Television series

Fictional character biography

In their childhood, Daryl and his older brother Merle lived with a neglectful alcoholic father. He was raised by Merle, though Merle himself was often away (sometimes serving time in juvenile institutions). Daryl spent significant periods of time alone and, throughout this, learned to fend for himself and adopt a hard-boiled survivalist mindset.

Daryl first appears furious when the scavenging survivors, along with Rick, return to the campsite without Merle. Daryl becomes upset with Rick, for handcuffing Merle to a roof, and T-Dog, who admitted to dropping the key. He, Rick, Glenn, and T-Dog soon head back into the city to rescue Merle, only to find his severed hand in the place where he had been left. Daryl grived for his brother for a short amount of time before managing to bottle up his emotions and continue to put on a strong appearance. While he and the others search on the streets for any sign of Merle, they run into a band of thugs, one of which the group captures and who is threatened numerous times by Daryl. After realizing the 'thugs' were merely nursing-home employees and intended no harm, they return to the camp. Shortly following their return, zombies invade the campsite and kill many of the survivors. The following morning, Daryl helps carry, burn, and impale the dead survivors (one of which he allows Carol to do because it was her husband).

When the survivors find out that Jim has been bitten, Daryl's attempts to kill Jim are thwarted by Rick. Instead, he's convinced to let Jim die peacefully in the woods, even though he secretly wishes he could have killed him himself beforehand. Daryl and the others briefly find relaxation at the CDC, enjoying the luxuries the facility has to offer, including hot water and couches to sleep on. He enjoys dinner and wine with everyone and learns about TS-19 and Dr. Jenner's work, as well as the fall of the CDC's infrastructure. He's enraged when Jenner attempts to lock them inside the building that's about to blow up and attempts to kill him. They're successfully able to escape due to Rick's grenade, which shatters the windows. He drives off in his pickup truck, away from the complex as the ruins burn.

In Season 2, Daryl is shown to be calmer and more cooperative and has shown fledgling friendships with various group members, as well as revealing a more compassionate side, defending their lives from zombies on different occasions and assisting them in their times of need. He is the one who searches the most for Carol's daughter and refuses to give up. He slowly begins to form a bond with Carol, who was previously a victim of abuse just like he was. She acknowledges his importance and equality to the other 'leaders' of the group. Following the reveal of Sophia's zombie in the barn, he becomes emotionally detached from everyone and hesitates to go out looking for people anymore. Carol attempts to bring him back into the fold of the group, much to his frustration. He attempts to avoid the group as much as possible, especially Carol. After a time, Daryl starts to warm up to the group as he participates in meetings and helps out Rick and Shane with Randall. Daryl shoots Dale out of mercy when he is fatally attacked by a walker as Rick is hesitant to kill him. Carol attempts to convince Daryl to go on their own as Rick's leadership is doubted. Daryl asks Carol what she really wants. She declares she wants "a man of honor"; Daryl states, "Rick's got honor."

While it is implied in Season 1 that he may share his brother's racist beliefs, they are not as apparent in Season 2, to the point that they are almost non-existent, suggesting that he may have overcome them after being forced to work in the group to survive. However, the motorcycle that Daryl rides throughout much of Season 2 does bear an insignia used by the Schutzstaffel that is commonly featured in Nazi and white supremacist ideology. In Season 2, Daryl hints to Dale that the motorcycle was Merle's. On at least one occasion, in the final episode of Season 2, he jokes he could identify Glenn by his driving, due to him being "Asian"; however, Glenn appears to laugh it off with no offense taken.

Reception

Daryl since his first appearance has become a fan favorite of the show. Due to his popularity he was upgraded to the main cast in season 2. As of Season 3 he receives 4th place in top billing and is one of the main protagonists of series.

External links

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