30 Greatest Ever Moments In The Walking Dead
19. The Hug
Looking back over The Walking Dead's defining moments, there are remarkably few that can be described as heartwarming, but the reunion shared by Rick and Daryl in the mid-season finale of season seven is a rare exception.
Following several episodes locked away and emotionally tortured by Negan, Daryl finally manages to break free of the Saviors' grasp, just as Rick decides to fight back against their tyrannical rule.
In Hilltop, telling a mourning Maggie he's ready to fight, Rick is blindsided by the news Daryl's alive and well, and the two share a teary-eyed embrace. Not only does this moment energise the group's desire to go to war, but the hug also acts as the perfect encapsulation of the pair's unbreakable bond.