Ok guys I know this is like running through an airport shouting Jihad but hear me out before you start lighting your torches and sharpening your pitchforks.
For me Daryl's continued survival is detrimental to the character development of several major characters. Daryl has had the coveted spot of Ricks right hand man since about season 2 now. This is all well and good but Daryl hogging this role means that other characters from the comic coming in are left directionless.
Firstly Tyreese. Now in the comic Tyreese comes into the fold a lot earlier (issue 7 if memory serves), and pretty quickly becomes Ricks right hand man. Tyreese in this role became a huge fan favourite, and Rick and Tyreese's relationship was an interesting one. Despite liking and respecting each other, the fact that Tyreese had influence on Rick meant that when they disagreed we got to see a great dynamic between them where they come to blows. Including an epic fist fight that ends with the two barrelling over a railing to the floor below. So when during the Governors final assault on the prison
However in the TV show, Tyreese came in swinging with all his hammer wielding glory but spent his time hanging around with that woman whose name I don't know, fannying around in woodbury looking confused, pulling his :0 face when two people who I didn't care about got served extra crispy by Carol. He is directionless. Its all well and good bringing in characters from the comic but if their story and position has already been filled its kinda redundant.
Casting spoiler:
Finally Jesus. Jesus is Ricks current right hand and possibly the most badass character in comic history. He is 100% team Rick. He believes not only is Rick a great leader but Rick has what it takes to change this world for the better and stands by him as they face oblivion heading into war with (my favourite character and avatar) Negan.
So back to Daryl. Daryl is hugely popular with the ladies and selected gentleman. He is a moneymaker when it comes to merchandise, and those hugely annoying 'if daryl dies we riot' posts are springing up everywhere like a pimple on prom night. But the fact is, there are many many many epic and badass characters in the walking dead world. But if Daryl sticks around forever (which we know he will. Yea that's right I call bullshit on the 'nobody is safe' thing) we will never get the most out of these characters when we meet them.
I can take the hate if you feel its warranted but that's what I think.
So Iv rambled on enough for one post, Ta Ta.