Merel's Redemption

   

Karlin, S. (2011, November 21). Fast Company. Retrieved May 22, 2013, from How One "Walking Dead" Actor's Racist Maniac Makes For Must-See TV: http://www.fastcompany.com/1795779/how-one-walking-dead-actors-racist-maniac-makes-must-see-tv

     Merle was not a character that we were supposed to love, he's the one you love to hate. He walked around spouting racist and hateful jargon and prodded his brother with encouragement most would not like to receive. He was tough, rough, and aggressive. But that wasn't all Merle was...he was also a protector and rather he showed it or not he loved his baby brother, Daryl, more than anything. The two brothers had a rough childhood and who could blame them for putting up so much armor to protect themselves, but when it comes to siblings it isn't hard to decide to protect them no matter how much animosity is between you. Merle knew the Governor and what he was capable of, he had done his bidding too many times not to understand his brutal mentality. He knew that the Governor would not give up until he had killed everyone in the prison watching them suffer along the way. If there was a full force attack on the prison his brother would be one of the casualties and Merle knew it. He couldn't bear the thought, so as a silent hero he gave his life to try to save his brother's. The rest of the group's survival was a byproduct of the love that the two shared.
     I think the turning point for Merle was when he saw the scars on his brothers back. He was deeply hurt by the fact that he wasn't there to save his brother from their dad when they were younger. He wanted to show his brother that he was there for him, that he never really meant to leave him, and he cared but not knowing how, he did the best he could...by trying to kill the Governor. If the threat was gone by Merle's hand then maybe Daryl would forgive him and the rest of the group would respect him. Things, however, did not go as planned. So close to ending the atrocity of the Governor by a shot to the head, but stopped by someone stepping in the way, Merle's life was going to end at the hand of the enemy.
     The cruelness of the Governor is revealed when we realize the Governor does not prevent people from becoming zombies, but actually creates them. The scene when Daryl happens onto his brother, now a zombie, is heart wrenching. Two brother's who loved each other so much they would die for each other, were facing off and Daryl's only option was to kill him or be killed. The lost of Merle, although I never thought I would say this, was devastating.  He gained the love of fans in that swift, brave move. For trying to right his wrongs, for loving his brother, for accepting responsibility, for attempting to protect other people, for risking it all and gaining nothing, for that I tip my hat to Merle Dixon, a hero.

O'Neill, P. (2013, March 29). Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 15. Retrieved May 22, 2013, from Radio and TV Blog: http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/mar/29/the-walking-dead-season-three-episode-15