The Walking Dead: Every Season 7 Episode (So Far) - Ranked Worst To Best

As a character, Daryl has come a long way from the loud-talking smartass we first met back in season one. Over the years, and with the experience of so much loss weighing on his shoulders, that personality has long since faded, the character more of a brooding, grunting badass nowaday,s whose overwhelming popularity has managed to make many overlook his diminishing narrative usefulness.

Fortunately, with his decision to lash out at Negan in the premiere resulting in Glenn's death, Daryl received a much-needed personal dilemma. Taken home with the Saviors and locked up in their effort to break him, Daryl spent much of the episode trying to hold it together in spite of Dwight and Negan's mind games - and oh boy, was it torture - which allowed fans to wonder whether he would ultimately crack and join Negan or stay true to himself even in spite of his grief.

The episode also finally gave fans more insight into Dwight, the character serving as an interesting counterpart to Daryl throughout the hour. It wasn't an easy watch, especially in terms of being forced to witness a character we've known for years be further beaten down and run through the emotional wringer, but it was a solid one that helped give Daryl something to do again and established Dwight's relevance in the long-term narrative.