"The Walking Dead's" Daryl Dixon is one of the AMC series' most beloved characters, so things would be infinitely different if actor Norman Reedus wasn't involved in the story. Given what we know about the TV show and comics, here are five places where Daryl's absence would be felt the most.
1) Rick Needs A New Right Hand?
If Daryl wasn't a part of the AMC series, there's a huge chunk of season 3 and 4 episodes where Rick Grimes would be without a right hand man. Especially after Shane, Rick turns to Daryl as a faithful companion. That being said, by season 5, Grimes seems to have replaced Dixon with Michonne more than anyone else. In that sense, Daryl's absence as a leader would be most impactful prior to her rise in rank.
Those that have read the comics know that Rick has a series of alternate right hands who could have been leveraged on the show. For quite some, time Rick and Tyreese are very close to one another. Maybe without Daryl they would have introduced Tyreese earlier and kept him on for longer. The other question is where current right hands like Paul Monroe might fit into the future story. Either way, without Daryl, we'd likely see more of those other faces.
2) What Would Happen To Beth?
Following the events at the prison, Beth and Daryl form a strong bond with one another. In few words, Dixon teaches the young girl how to cope with her losses, and she reminds the man that he still has a human side. These moments were exceptionally huge for Beth's character development. It's where she initially found the strength that pushed her to act so brazenly at Grady Memorial Hospital.
If Daryl wasn't there to help Beth come out of her shell, her entire story might be different. In this case we don't have a comic book counterpart to provide us with direct clues, so the possibilities are basically infinite. Would she have died in the woods after the prison raid? Would she be on the show today? More so than other survivors, Beth was greatly influenced by those around her. One major source of inspiration was Daryl. Without him, her path could lead just about anywhere.
3) Would Carol Go Rogue?
Another strong relationship is the one that Daryl has with Carol Peletier. Similar to Beth, Daryl has been instrumental in helping the abused woman find her inner strength. The two characters bonded over Carol's losses, and she eventually channeled that energy to become one of the show's most resilient survivors.
Those that have read the comics, however, know that Carol's path in that plot is drastically different. She found a protector in Tyreese, but, when that dynamic changed, she unraveled completely. One has to wonder if Daryl's inclusion in the TV series is what allowed that fundamental change in her character to occur. Dixon has been a faithful friend and confidant to Carol. If she didn't have that, who knows what might happen to her?
4) Would Rick, T-Dog And Carol Be Dead?
This article has focused on the broader impact of Norman Reedus' character, but let's take a look at some specific scenes where Daryl saved main characters from death. In season 3, the Dixon brothers help an ammo-free Rick when he's attacked by zombies near the prison walls. If Daryl and Merle weren't there to save him, would Carl's father be walker meat?
The same is also true for Carol and T-Dog as well. Peletier was presumed dead for a large chunk of season 3, and it's Daryl who finds her in poor condition in an empty prison cell. For T-Dog's fate, one has to rewatch the season 2 premiere. The man is defenseless and being approached by walkers, but it's Daryl's blade that saves T-Dog in the end. It may not matter as much for Theodore's story specifically, but "The Walking Dead" without Carol and Rick would be a very different show.
5) The Ladies Would Need A New Crush
Stepping outside of the series for a bit, it's also worth noting that many fans would perceive "The Walking Dead" differently if Daryl weren't a part of it. There's no denying that Reedus has situated himself as a cast heartthrob, so who would take his place in that regard? Fans all over the world have fostered crushes for Daryl, so it's hard to imagine things any other way.
Maybe folks like Rick's Andrew Lincoln or Tyreese's Chad Coleman would have gained a few more fans. The role of a sex object is somewhat important in shows like "The Walking Dead" that feature lots of characters, so it would need to be filled somehow.
How do you think AMC's "The Walking Dead" would be different without Daryl Dixon or Norman Reedus? Let us know in the comments section!