The Walking Dead Season 7: 7 Ups & 2 Downs From 'The Cell'

2. Daryl's Still Daryl

Daryl goes through a lot this episode. He's locked in a dark cell, only very briefly allowed out, and fed dog food. He gets threatened, and then totally beaten, then threatened some more.

Given what we saw happen to Rick, it wouldn't have been too much of a stretch to see him become completely broken, although would've felt a little like it was going against what the character is supposed to be.

Thankfully, Daryl's gonna Daryl. He refuses to kneel to Negan, and nothing they've done so far has changed that - and it appears nothing ever will. Negan gives him one last chance to bend, but when he asks for his name, our favourite redneck responds with a defiant "Daryl."

Much like him punching Negan at the Lucille scene felt like the kind of reaction he would have, this too is in keeping with what we know. He's never been stupid, but he's also not going to lie down for anyone; it's just not his way, no matter what they do. There may be some more severe consequences to come for him, but it's great to see that Daryl remains Daryl, and Norman Reedus gives a great performance here - at turns strong and weak, ready to fight and then withdrawn and frightened, broken and fixed.