As we approach the finale of The Walking Dead, we think that they should kill fan favorite Daryl Dixon — but we know it would be a cheap shot.
The Walking Dead Should Kill Daryl Dixon (But It’d Be A Cheap Shot)
With just two episodes remaining, The Walking Dead is yet to pull the trigger on any of its leading characters. Considering we’re well into its final season, everyone has gotten a little too comfortable. They should be feeling the shake in their boots; but Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) has generally been the exception to this from the beginning of the series. As painful as this admission may be, the death of the fan-favorite could be the exact ingredient needed to conclude a decade-long phenomenon.
Reedus didn’t quite shoot to the superstardom he’s currently lapping up overnight. It’s a well known fact by now that his beloved crossbow-wielding roughneck wasn’t even a part of the original script – or comic series; instead, Reedus sauntered into an audition to play reckless bigot Merle Dixon (later played by Michael Rooker).
As fate would allow, the soft-spoken motorcycle enthusiast failed to secure the role, but in his bid to join what would become one of the world’s biggest TV shows, Reedus left a lingering impression on the masterminds behind The Walking Dead. And thus, Daryl Dixon, the reserved younger brother of Merle, was born.
Upon his introduction, Daryl is in turmoil with internalized demons. He lives in the shadow of Merle; driven by undisclosed rage and trauma; an outcast who has never found his place within the world. Alongside his trademark disheveled appearance, fans became enraptured in the legend that is Daryl Dixon.
From an irate, highly expendable lone-wolf to trusted right-hand man to gallant leader and caretaker, the exploration of Daryl’s development has been a thrill to watch unfold. Since his debut in season one’s third episode, Daryl has been a valuable asset to the group – down to his natural survivalist instinct – despite his apparent resentment towards them.
Over a brief period of time, his fellow companions and fans all came to adore the misfit – and he them in return. Very few characters are able to convey a wholehearted compassion for their friends on the same level that Daryl does, which is telling of his selfless nature considering outward expressionism isn’t his thing. His loyalty, though hard to come by, runs deep. And while hesitant to open himself up, Daryl’s vulnerability is what ultimately keeps him grounded throughout the apocalypse.
He would lay his life on the line for his friends, whether that be Rick (Andrew Lincoln), Carol (Melissa McBride) or Judith (Cailey Fleming); Daryl is always there when it counts, and never shies away from doing what others cannot bring themselves to – a trait maintained across the show’s entire duration.
The crossbow-wielder bears the burden of guilt so that no one else has to. He takes ownership of fatal blunders regardless of how heavily involved he is; and he grasps onto the responsibility of protecting the group. The death of Glenn (Steven Yeun), for example, weighs on Daryl’s conscience even to this day.
No amount of forgiveness can absolve the debt he believes he owes to Maggie (Lauren Cohan). Then, there’s Rick’s disappearance; an incident Daryl has yet to find closure with and he believes he never will; but he clings onto that tiny remnant of hope that Rick will return and until that moment, Daryl must guide and protect his best friend’s children.
Daryl Dixon is cherished for all of those qualities. Absolutely no one in their right mind would want to kill off their most valued player; but to heighten the story? A sacrifice must be made and Daryl is the key forward. Following Andrew Lincoln’s exit in 2018, plenty elements of Rick’s comic counterpart could be found in Daryl and Aaron’s (Ross Marquand) respective character arcs.
Reedus has arguably become well-established as the leading star too; there’s a natural progression for the protagonist of this kind of show to round off their development and come full circle, and that usually means paying the ultimate price.
The Walking Dead has retained a powerful theme of humanity. Daryl is symbolic of this. Always fighting for the moral high ground, the death of Daryl would bring forth peace to himself and the communities. Fans of the comic series will recall how the graphic novels end.
It’s fairly clear the television adaptation will not follow those exact footsteps due to Lincoln’s four-year absence. Amongst the current band of survivors, Daryl is one of the few survivors whose death would carry any monumental impact Rick’s comic arc embodies.
A major indicator that the former should be put to rest is his wholesome dynamic with Judith. The pair closely emulate the relationship Rick and Carl (Chandler Riggs) share in the comics; particularly with Daryl’s desire to avoid an all-out war for Judith’s sake, it would be utterly devastating to watch the youngest Grimes be the one to deliver the final blow – much in the same way Carl does his father in the graphic novels.
Although Daryl has fought hard for his happy ending, there is much left behind he believes he must atone for; and to see the once solo rider give his life for those he can’t be without would be a harrowing, albeit noble, sacrifice.
Now, hypothetically, if Daryl were to be killed off this late into the game it would have an extremely small impact. Why? Because the show would be over. That may seem like a ‘well duh’ answer – and it is – but it also means The Walking Dead, the characters and the fans wouldn’t have the chance to navigate a world without Daryl Dixon.
It’d reflect on the lack of risks taken across the series, and killing Daryl is a huge risk – remember the ‘If Daryl Dies, We Riot’ movement? The payoff isn’t exactly earned should he receive the ax now.
Daryl’s death, as necessary as it is for the purpose of a compelling story, is frankly undeserved for a final twist. Alas, fans can rest assured that the future is bright – or as bright as it can be during an apocalypse – for Reedus within The Walking Dead universe ahead of his own spin-off series. But now sounds like a good time to prep those goodbyes for the rest of the gang.
NEXT: The Walking Dead: Is This Highly Anticipated Spin-Off a Red Herring?
Jenna is a Film and Visual Culture graduate and freelance entertainment writer from Scotland. Her passion lies with TV and horror, where she will take any opportunity to geek out. Jenna spends her free time binging shows and looking to be spooked.