12 Best Character Arcs In The Walking Dead

Outside of perhaps Rick, Daryl Dixon is probably the character most fans picture when thinking about the show. With his iconic crossbow and lone-wolf mentality, the adept survivalist seemed to be the only one really prepared for the apocalypse before it actually came to pass. In the first season, he was violent and temperamental, and devoted to his older brother, Merle.

After Merle disappeared, Daryl found himself become a vital member of the original Atlanta group, but in season three found his brother and had to choose between him and Rick. He initially chose Merle, but returned to the group when he realised that's where he wanted to be. After the death of his brother, Daryl became Rick's right-hand man and closest friend.

Throughout the rest of the show, there were moments when Daryl's story grew a bit slow and forced, but over the last couple seasons he has emerged as the show's best character once more. Now a leader and a father-figure to Judith and Lydia, he has become the show's main character, and its most consistent.

Tough, tragic, beaten-down but unbroken, Daryl has been through it all, but always finds a way to come back better and stronger than ever. It doesn't get any better than that.