Norman Reedus’ Favorite Walking Dead Episode Sparked a Divisive Shift in the Series

When The Walking Dead exploded onto screens in 2010, it promised a gritty survival tale amid the horrors of a zombie apocalypse. But over time, the show evolved beyond gore and guts, often diving deep into quiet, character-driven storytelling. And according to Norman Reedus — who brought the iconic Daryl Dixon to life — one of the most controversial pivots in that direction is still his favorite.

Reedus revealed to Entertainment Weekly back in 2015 that season 4, episode 12, titled “Still,” was his standout. The episode is a somber detour from the usual chaos — no zombie hordes, no shocking deaths — just Daryl and Beth Greene (Emily Kinney) bonding in the aftermath of the prison’s fall. It’s a quiet, melancholic meditation on grief, survival, and reluctant vulnerability. But it also marked the beginning of a new storytelling trend for The Walking Dead — one that left fans divided.

A Simple Bottle Episode with Profound Impact

“Still” was the first episode to isolate two characters, slowing the pace drastically after weeks of action. For Reedus, it was a rare chance to explore Daryl’s emotional depth. “It was those two characters learning about each other as those two actors learned about each other all on the spot,” he said. “I loved watching her get that opportunity to just explode like that.”

In the episode, Daryl and Beth search for alcohol and shelter, and in the process, peel back layers of trauma. Daryl’s drunken breakdown and Beth’s quiet resilience revealed a side of both characters that had rarely been seen. For Beth, it was a chance to grow beyond being Hershel’s daughter. For Daryl, it was a painful reckoning with his past and his guilt.

That emotional intimacy, however, didn’t sit well with all viewers.

The Episode That Changed Everything

“Still” marked a creative gamble. Its subdued tone and lack of plot progression drew criticism from fans expecting high-stakes drama. On IMDb, it’s the lowest-rated episode of season 4 — a surprising title for an episode with such emotional weight. Yet the series would lean harder into this formula with episodes like “The Grove,” “Here’s Not Here,” and “Swear” — slow-paced stories that emphasized character over plot.

This introspective style allowed the series to spotlight secondary characters and explore philosophical questions. But for others, it felt like the story was stalling. As the cast ballooned and major arcs became more sprawling, episodes like “Still” felt like detours that disrupted momentum.

A Dividing Line in TWD Fandom

While some hailed episodes like “Still” as brave and poetic, others saw them as filler. Fans who were hooked by the adrenaline-pumping survival story felt sidelined, while others appreciated the show’s willingness to dig deeper emotionally. In retrospect, “Still” became the blueprint for the show’s later seasons — a focus on smaller, intimate narratives rather than just the fight for survival.

Yet in hindsight, “Still” holds an important place in The Walking Dead's legacy. It gave Daryl Dixon a new dimension, solidified Beth Greene’s importance, and set up one of the show’s most heartbreaking deaths in “Coda.” More importantly, it challenged what a zombie show could be — not just about death, but also about life, loss, and the people we cling to in the dark.

As The Walking Dead universe expands with spin-offs and new arcs, episodes like “Still” serve as a reminder that even in a world of the undead, humanity is the heart of the story. And sometimes, the most powerful episodes are the quietest ones.

Source: Entertainment Weekly