‘Walking Dead’: Norman Reedus On Why Negan Is So Interested In Daryl Dixon, Honoring Glenn Rhee In ‘TWD’ [Spoilers]
The Walking Dead Season 7, Episode 3 was titled “The Cell” and focused on Daryl Dixon. Everyone knows that he feels guilty about Glenn Rhee’s (Steven Yeun) death. However, Norman Reedus explained how his character is trying to honor Glenn’s life. Also, the actor talked about why Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) is so interested in Daryl.
TWD spoilers are ahead. Do not continue reading if you don’t want to know any information about the zombie apocalypse series.
On the last episode of The Walking Dead, Negan placed Dwight (Austin Amelio) in charge of breaking Daryl Dixon. Even though he came close, Norman Reedus’ character still would not join the Saviors. He told Dwight that he understood his reasons for doing it. However, there was no way that Dixon was going to give up. This had less to do with Daryl’s stubbornness, though. There was a specific reason for his resistance and it had to do with Glenn Rhee.
In a Q&A with AMC, Norman Reedus discussed why Negan seems so interested in Daryl even though he hasn’t been broken. The TWD actor also talked about how Daryl is trying to honor Glenn’s life in The Walking Dead.
“I think because of Glenn, he can’t give up who he is because Glenn never gave up who he was. Glenn was a very honest person, always saw the good in things and had an optimistic point of view. I think with how this episode ends, if Daryl would have said he’s Negan, it would have completely belittled every single thing Glenn was about. Even if Daryl died being Daryl, he has to keep his head up for Glenn. He couldn’t just let it all go at the last minute. He’s fighting not just for himself, but for Glenn as well.”
As fans know, Dixon feels responsible for Glenn’s death in The Walking Dead. If he hadn’t jumped up and punched Negan, Glenn might still be alive. Even though many blame Daryl for Negan killing Glenn, Steven Yeun doesn’t believe it is his fault. However, that does not change the fact that Glenn died in the Season 7 premiere. It does explain why Negan and the Saviors kidnapped Daryl Dixon. As fans know from Robert Kirkman’s comic books, Negan doesn’t like being disobeyed but does have a certain respect for those with guts. In the graphic novels, this is how Negan and Carl’s relationship began – with a gutsy move.
When Dwight offered to kill Daryl in the season premiere, Negan told him not to. He wanted to “try” him out. Negan has also mentioned how Dixon doesn’t scare easily. It isn’t that he is impressed, but sees Norman Reedus’ character as a “different animal.” He might also be thinking of how that kind of personality can benefit him if Daryl will eventually join the Saviors.
“I don’t think Daryl’s afraid of Negan. I don’t think Daryl’s afraid of anything other than losing the people he loves and being left alone. I think that’s Daryl’s worst fear. I think Negan admires Daryl’s bravery. If you think about a character like Negan, he’s gotten his way for so long through intimidation, scare tactics and killing people. Maybe it got boring after a while and when you see someone you can’t break, it’s interesting. Daryl is like a different animal [to him].”
What do you think of what Norman Reedus had to say about Daryl Dixon and Negan? Will he eventually be broken or will he continue to tough it out? Will Dwight end up turning on Negan and helping Daryl escape? Keeping watching The Walking Dead on AMC to find out what happens next.
[Featured Image by Gene Page/AMC]
