Hey, everyone! It’s Fan Friday here on the blog and this week we have a theme of The Walking Dead. Obviously, I’m a fan of the show and the comics. Since I’m talking about the show this week (and the comic at a later date), I’m going to focus this post on the character of Daryl Dixon. His character doesn’t exist in the comics and he’s brought some interesting things to the show, like his brother Merl. While he may not be everyone’s favorite character, there are some really great reasons to be a fan.

Daryl doesn’t really need the group for physical reasons. Sure, he’s been in danger like everyone else, but he seems to handle it a lot better than anyone else. He can hunt on his own, he can track animals, walkers, and people through the woods. He’s careful, this isn’t the guy who’s going to charge a group of walkers unless it’s absolutely necessary. If I had to guess, the group has actually slowed him down and put him in danger a few times.

Here’s one of the best things about his character, he’s still with the group. Even though he may not need them physically, he’s formed a bond with them. That bond was questioned in season two and it’s only grown since then. He’s expressed that he’s unlike anyone else in the group. He comes from a different background and a different way of living. Their current situation, however, forces them all to live the same way and under the same conditions, more or less.

Loyalty, shared experiences, and compassion have kept him in the group as a major player. While he might not need them all they time, they would certainly feel the loss of Daryl. Loyalty means so much to Daryl, the conflict they’ve built up this season with Merl is going to be amazing. He wants to help his brother, not because Merl is a good guy, but because Daryl is a loyal guy who tries to do the right thing. Merl’s interests are in direct conflict with the rest of the group and that makes for some great tension.

If you need another reason to like Daryl, he’s played by Norman Reedus. This is one of those times where the casting was absolutely perfect. With the acting skills of Reedus and the well-constructed character of Daryl, there’s no reason not to be a fan.

Now it’s your turn, who is your favorite character? What are you looking forward to in the last half of the season?