'The Walking Dead': Daryl Absolved Of Guilt In A Long-held Fan Theory

A long-running and thought-retired fan theory surrounding Daryl and the prison sickness in The Walking Dead Season Three has officially been crushed by writer and creator Robert Kirkman.

The theory was brought to Kirkman's attention during a panel aboard the Walker Stalker Cruise. A fan stated that Daryl blatantly licked his fingers before shaking hands with Patrick, just before Patrick was the first to come down with an illness which would claim several lives in the prison setting.

"I do enjoy when Norman's character gets blamed for deaths," Kirkman said, in reference to Glenn's Season Seven premiere death which was prompted by Daryl's punching Negan in the face.

"All the time," Reedus said. "It's never my fault."

As for this particular prison illness instance, though, Kirkman says there is no connection between Daryl's finger-licking handshake and Patrick's coming down with an illness. "I would say that one was definitely a coincidence," Kirkman concluded. "If anything, he lived long because he had Daryl's saliva on him!"

As for Glenn's death in Episode 7x01, Reedus admitted to ComicBook.com his Daryl Dixon character carried it with him. "I think it weighs heavily on him," Reedus said. "I don't know that anybody in that group blames him for anything, but he blames himself more than anything. It really brings him down to a certain level where whatever shitty thing is thrown at him, he is just going to take it."

Of course, since Reedus' remarks to ComicBook.com, Daryl and Maggie have opened up to one another about the guilt over Glenn's death. Maggie appeared to pardon him of any guilt. Now, with Kirkman relieving him of having caused the disease outbreak in the prison, Daryl's steps might be getting a little bit lighter.

The Walking Dead returns for the second half of its eighth season on February 25, 2018. Fear the Walking Dead will debut its fourth season after The Walking Dead concludes its eighth, at 10 pm ET on April 15. For complete coverage and insider info all year long, follow @BrandonDavisBD on Twitter.