The Walking Dead: Every Season 2 Episode Ranked Worst To Best
8. Chupacabra
Fun fact: Not only was Daryl not in the comic source material, he was created with Norman Reedus in mind and was originally slated to die at the end of season one. In Chupacabra, he officially earns his place a main character, and a member of the core group.
The episode follows the volatile bowman as he continues his search for Sophia but ends up trapped and badly injured after falling off his horse. He hallucinates his missing brother Merle talking to him, and finally finds a clue linking to Sophia's disappearance.
An atmospheric, surreal hour, Chupacabra also has a less-than-stirring B-plot about Rick and Shane's juxtaposing relationship with Lori, but it's nonetheless elevated passed its shortcomings by Daryl's compelling development and Merle's taunting cameo.
It's still a bit on the filler side of things in parts, but it ends up moving the story and its characters along in some unexpected but welcome ways.