The Walking Dead Mid-Season Finale: 4 Ups & 4 Downs From 'Hearts Still Beating'

2. Daryl's Escape

The Walking Dead Daryl
Gene Page/AMC

After being taken prisoner in the season premiere, and then beaten and broken down since then, Daryl makes an escape attempt here. Given previous efforts, it's reasonable to assume he'll fail here. It's a nice surprise, then, that he manages to succeed. It would've been nice to spend a little more time on this storyline, but what we get is entertaining regardless.

It's great to have Daryl free and fighting again, but also with big questions posed about his mental state. He's been in that cell a long time, and the way he brutally murders one of the Saviours here - despite the fact he was prepared to let him go without violence - suggests a Daryl who may have been pushed over the edge. That could provide some strong material going forwards, and plenty for Norman Reedus to get his teeth into, which can only be a good thing.

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Contributor
Contributor

NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.