Even in the seasons where zombies are a greater focus, The Walking Dead has always been a heavily character-driven show. Many of the plotlines are driven by the specific actions of characters, whether heroic or antagonistic, and many of the biggest developments in the show are related to character development.
The actions of characters drive some of the most important moments of the show, and often finalize the developments brought about by smaller moments or through dialogue. Characters often say one thing and then do another entirely, or their actions confirm the things they say beyond a shadow of a doubt.
8 Gabriel Joining The Battle Against The Walker Herd
For a long time, Father Gabriel Stokes is an antagonistic figure in the show, a man who travels with Rick and his group but doesn’t fully trust them due to fearing their violent ways. Particularly upon arriving in Alexandria, Gabriel proves a thorn in Rick’s side, who often makes things worse while proclaiming moral intentions.
Despite attempts to redeem himself over the course of Season 6, Gabriel often fails to gain the respect of either the characters or the audience. It is only when Gabriel charges into battle against the herd occupying Alexandria that many begin to realize the change in him, and it marks a major change in his popularity.
7 Merle Freeing Michonne & Attacking The Governor
From his very first appearance, Merle Dixon gives off the impression of a loathsome character. A violent racist and misogynist, he is clearly not a character the viewer is meant to feel sympathy for despite his horrific predicament. His return in Season 3 makes him a more complex character, but he still claims to be a bad person, doing the dirty work of delivering Michonne to the Governor.
Before he reaches Woodbury, however, Merle has a change of heart. Despite openly claiming that he plans to hand Michonne over, Merle can’t bring himself to do it, and he sets her free. Furthermore, he launches a suicidal attack on the Governor, proving himself to be a better person than all prior impressions of him.
6 Daryl Dixon Looking For Sophia
Daryl Dixon has delighted fans since his very first appearance, but it is Season 2 that cements him as one of the show’s truly popular characters. Throughout the early parts of the show, Daryl insists on a gruff loner exterior, rejecting the friendship of the group and even snapping at Carol when she tries to talk to him about Sophia.
However much Daryl insists, however, he spends much of the show’s second season as the only person actively looking for Sophia. He spends days out trying to track her, suffering horrific physical injuries at times, but never falters. It is through these actions that Daryl demonstrates the kind heart and moral center that his words deny.
5 Shane Pointing A Shotgun At Rick
One of the show’s first major character arcs is the descent of Shane Walsh from a pragmatic and ruthless hero, into an outright villain who wants to murder Rick and take over his life. It takes a full two seasons for the confrontation to come to a head, but there are signs from the very first season.
In the fifth episode, “Wildfire,” Shane and Rick argue heading to the CDC while checking the perimeter of their camp. Shane, although frustrated, gives off the impression of a man trying to argue for the right thing, not somebody plotting mutiny. While doing this, however, he also points his shotgun at Rick, letting the audience—and Dale—know exactly what path he is headed down.
4 Simon’s Acts Of Rebellion Against Negan
Although they are brutal, authoritarian, and unquestionably evil, the Saviors follow relatively strict rules regarding their handling of the settlements they claim to control. Negan wants people subjugated, but not completely broken, and so prefers a rigid philosophy of obedience, and targeted reprisals against settlements.
Simon is one of Negan’s top lieutenants, and openly claims loyalty to his leader. When Negan isn’t looking, however, Simon butchers nearly every single one of the Scavengers despite his orders; and when Negan goes missing, he attempts a power play. His actions reveal his disloyalty, and Negan kills him for it.
3 The Governor’s Assault On The Prison
When the Governor returns in the show’s fourth season, he appears to be attempting to turn over a new leaf, setting himself up with another group and becoming attached to the Chambler family. He claims to want nothing more than to protect them.
After some time, however, the Governor murders Martinez to take over the group himself, and leads them to war against the Prison group. Despite the Governor’s claims that he is looking out for his group and the Chambler family, these actions—and the brutal butchering of Hershel—show that he hasn’t really changed.
2 Daryl Preparing To Leave Merle Behind
When Merle reappears in Season 3, the enmity between him and the other members of Rick’s group forces Daryl into a difficult choice between his biological brother and the group he’s come to see as a family. Daryl, claiming to be more loyal to Merle, leaves with him for a time.
It isn’t long-lived, however. When Merle attempts to rob a family they saved, Daryl turns his back on his brother, preparing to leave him for the more moral prison group. Although Merle ultimately follows Daryl, it still shows that the group means more to Daryl than he will admit, and that he is done defending Merle’s behavior.
1 Eugene Sabotaging The Saviors’ Guns
Eugene Porter spends a lot of his screentime on The Walking Dead as an unpopular character. After initially faking being an important scientist for his own protection and getting some people killed, he earns some audience forgiveness—and then loses it again when he willingly helps the Saviors after being kidnapped.
In conversations with other characters, Eugene claims to be on the Saviors’ side and a coward, not willing to do the brave thing and stand against them. When the Saviors ambush the Militia, and appear to be in a position to wipe them out, however, their guns backfire on account of Eugene sabotaging their bullets. Despite his claims, he proves himself to be brave after all.
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