First, we have the older brother, Merle. I've explained to you why mo Merle is always a good thing and I've cried out for mo Merle. I'm convinced he has as many layers as Daryl. We've only gotten to spend a little bit of time with him, but I'm attached to the hard ass. He reminds me of my father, Larry. Daryl is devoted to Merle, and I think I've figured out why.
Daryl is covered in scars from his abusive childhood. We know that Merle was locked up in juvenile detention (probably for something involving drugs or violence) when Daryl was eight years old. Merle is more than five, less than ten years older than Daryl. More than likely, Merle was abused by Daddy Dixon too. Judging by Daryl's loyalty to Merle, I'd say that when Merle was home, he was the one who raised Daryl, and probably use to protect Daryl from their father's blows. (On the roof in Atlanta, Merle refers to not begging God now or ever before, I think he's referring to his and Daryl's childhoods at the hands of their father.)
I can see it now, Daryl sitting in the living room floor playing. He's maybe four or five. Daddy Dixon comes stumbling home drunk and quickly gets angry that Daryl is in HIS living room. He starts screaming at Daryl, "Ya worthless piece of shit! Damn good thang yer momma's dead so she ain't gotta see what a pussy her lil baby is!" Right as he raises his hand to knock little Daryl into next week, big brother Merle comes in. "Momma wouldn't be too happy bout what a dirty fuckin drunk ya are." Daddy Dixon takes out his rage on Merle. After the ol man passes out, Merle cleans the blood from his face as Daryl silently watches him. To little Daryl, Merle is a superhero who came to his rescue.
A special thank you goes out to the incredibly talented Michael Rooker for bringing Merle to life. I love Merle, and completely adore Michael.
Next, we have the baby brother. Daryl is very dear to my heart. He's a very, very complex man who is well educated (probably read alone in his room to avoid his dad any time he couldn't be outside) and he has a huge heart (the search for Sophia and the way he ended Dale's suffering all prove that).
Daryl makes quite the impression on people. He brings the BOOM and invades my dreams. Using common sense and things any country boy knows, plus some useless information that sounds like stuff I come up with, Daryl has proven what an asset he is to the group. He's never known love from anyone but Merle, so hate is his defense mechanism. He's slowly opening up to the group and it is just beautiful.
He spends a lot of time alone and silent. I think this shows him battling his inner demons. He feels guilt that Merle isn't with him and for not finding Sophia in time. He's wrestling with the feeling of family he's getting from the group. Daryl is a man of few words, but when he does speak, his Darylisms are worth a listen.
I now want to thank Norman Reedus for making me fall in love with Daryl. This is one actor that I can honestly say has NEVER disappointed me in a role. I'm going to have to stop right here, before I turn this into a sequel to Nothing Like A Zombie Killing Saint. I will say that meeting him (and other members of The Walking Dead's cast) at Dragon Con was amazing!
I know this is already a super long post, but if you know me, you expect that by now. I tend to ramble. If you follow me on Twitter, you may have seen my Walking Dead commentary on Sundays and probably have seen people asking my opinion on things like what Jenner told Rick (I think that he told them everyone is already infected) or why people become walkers without being bit or scratched (it is probably a virus that lays dormant in your body until death or an illness/infection allows it to take over). Something I never get asked enough is "What happened to Merle?" So, I'm going to post it here. Y'all think y'all are ready for my answer?
Whether or not y'all are ready, here it is: Norman Reedus has already said Merle will be back in a big way and we know we meet the Governor in Season Three. I'm convinced that the Governor's men found Merle. Either he joined them in Woodbury and is an active part of the community, or they make Merle fight in their "entertainment." (If the "big way is that he's apart of that herd that was advancing on Rick and Carl on the farm, then I'm going to be pissed.) You ask Rooker himself about Merle's return, he has a very different answer.
I've written this post because I have seen a lot of Merle hate from The Walking Dead fans and, in particular, The Walking Dead role players. This just irritates me so bad. It's obvious they are taking him at face value and not looking at the man behind the tough exterior. Daryl loves Merle. I know he has a good reason for such devotion. Not all siblings love each other. If Merle really was a bad person, there is no way Daryl would love him as much. After all, Daryl is an incredibly good man, he wouldn't stand for his brother being a horrible person. I don't just love one Dixon, they both own my heart.
And, because I love Alia (she's like my long lost little sister! I love you, hermanita!), here's Good Ol' Boys by Waylon Jennings rewritten by me for her to be about our favorite boys.
Dixon Boys
Just Dixon boys,
Never meanin' no harm,
Beats all you've ever saw, takin' names an' kickin' ass since the day they was born.
Killin' the walkers,
Survivin' here.
Someday the sheriff might get 'em, but walkers never will.
Makin' their way,
The way causes FanGirls' flails,
That's just eatin a hammer an' crappin' out nails.
Just Dixon boys,
Wouldn't change if they could,
Fightin' the walkers like a true Dixon boy should.
Disclaimer: No person, thing, book, show, movie, character, song, song writer, singer or zombie mentioned in this post in any way, shape, or form, asked me to write this or gave me any compensation to write this. Original lyrics to Good Ol' Boys were written and performed by Waylon Jennings, the changed lyrics are my own original creation. I jacked all images from Google image search or Twitter and just assumed they fell under the Public Domain Usage thingy. Please don't sue, I'm broke anyways. I just wanted to share my Walking Dead obsession with Bloggywood! While I was not offered anything to write this, I will be more than happy to receive any swag you may want to send my way.
- Whether you love me or hate me, you know who I am.
3 comments:
Love this!!!! So well written and I know for me captures how I feel as well.
Nicely done, Summer. You helped me take a second look into Merle 's character. I could visualize Daryl playing and the whole scene. That would explain love and loyalty on Daryl's behalf.
Would you agree that Merle is twisted but redeemable?
Thank you very much for you can share your post,the article content written very well,extremely is worth my study.
Post a Comment