Despite The Walking Dead introducing countless survivors over the years, Rick and Daryl remain two of the most memorable characters and their friendship is easily the best in the franchise, which is made better by their very first scene together. Although the zombie series has been around since 2010, Rick and Daryl have both been part of it since the very beginning. Rick made his debut in the pilot, which is still one of The Walking Dead's best episodes, and Daryl featured just two episodes later, with both continuing to be a part of the franchise 14 years later.
Although Andrew Lincoln left The Walking Dead in 2018, he returned for The Ones Who Live, while Norman Reedus has played Daryl every single year since first appearing on the show. As a result, Rick and Daryl shared plenty of screen time throughout the seasons, as they were frequently involved in the main storyline. Given how long the duo have known each other, it is no surprise they became strong allies, but the fact they developed the best friendship in the entire franchise was hard to see coming based on their very first scene back in season 1.
Daryl & Rick’s First Interaction Makes Their Friendship Even More Special
The Walking Dead's Two Biggest Characters Had A Hostile First Encounter
While Rick and Daryl went on to have a wonderful friendship, their very first interaction in The Walking Dead was far from civil. After Rick reunited with his family having survived his coma, he had to awkwardly break the news to Daryl that he left his brother handcuffed to a roof in Atlanta, and the protagonist didn't exactly ease into it. Naturally, Daryl was angry and emotional at Rick's actions, and although he didn't have the context behind the decision to abandon Merle, he can hardly be blamed for taking a swing at Rick with his knife.
Luckily, Shane was quick to tackle him and helped defuse the situation, but their very first conversation nearly ended in bloodshed, making it a miracle they became so close. Given Daryl was present during many of Rick Grimes' best Walking Dead moments and vice versa, the fact they started on the wrong foot adds to their legacy. It took some time to earn each other's trust and mend their relationship from its opening stages, but they became reliant on each other, and although they still had some mild altercations in later seasons, their mutual respect is undeniable.
Daryl’s Loyalty To Rick Shows Just How Far They’ve Come Since Season 1
The Duo Overcame Their Differences & Are Important Parts Of Each Other's Lives
Alongside becoming good friends, Rick and Daryl ended up being very loyal to one another, as evidenced by Rick's disappearance. After the bridge incident in season 9, Daryl spent years of his life isolating himself and looking for the protagonist, something he didn't even do for his own brother. While Daryl did look for Merle in season 1, he didn't spend day after day searching for him like he did Rick, showing how significantly their bond developed. Going from a hostile introduction to nearly inseparable is a clear indicator of just how much they cared about each other.
Both men always had the other's back, as Rick and Daryl fought many battles together and overcame dire odds. Had they not proven their worth or stepped up when it mattered, it's unclear if they would've co-existed for so many years, but over time, Daryl accepted Rick's leadership of the group, and the protagonist made Daryl his right-hand man, with their loyalty becoming unquestionable. Unfortunately, despite them becoming the best duo in the show, Daryl and Rick's Walking Dead reunion is still six years in the making, and fans are still desperately waiting to see them together again.
Why Rick & Daryl’s Future Reunion Is So Crucial To The Walking Dead
The Franchise Will Feel Incomplete Without Rick & Daryl Interacting One More Time
With The Ones Who Live finally giving Rick the chance to see his children after years of being trapped in the CRM, the protagonist's reunion with Daryl seems inevitable, and it's crucial to the franchise. Original fans have been watching the two survive the apocalypse side-by-side since 2010, and alongside Carol, they are the only remaining characters from season 1. While viewers have been treated to plenty of Daryl and Carol content in Daryl Dixon season 2, it has been over six years since Lincoln and Reedus had an on-screen interaction, but their journey means it needs to happen.
Not only would seeing them together again be a nice throwback to the early days, but the series would be able to properly conclude if they reunited. The Walking Dead season 11's ending wrapped up the main show's ongoing storylines, but with Rick still away from the central group, it was never going to feel truly complete. The Grimes family finally being together is also a nice point to wrap up Rick's story, but without him interacting with his longest-surviving ally, the franchise will always feel unfinished, meaning these flagship characters need a final scene.
Although Lincoln's return may not be permanent, the fact he and Reedus worked on Walking Dead projects in the same year will make it a real slap in the face to viewers if their characters remain apart.
Although Lincoln's return may not be permanent, the fact he and Reedus worked on Walking Dead projects in the same year will make it a real slap in the face to viewers if their characters remain apart. Hopefully, the zombie series will have some sort of collaborative project in the future that brings all the key survivors back together, and we can finally get the Rick and Daryl reunion that their story deserves.
