Rick Grimes is better than Daryl Dixon

He is complex enough that you have to dig deep to see what is really happening in his mind, for he has been known for generally trying to hide his emotions." That I feel is more of wishful thinking. Being dark, sad and trying to hide your emotions doesn't make a compelling character. Unless you can dive into this and show why he is trying to hide certain things it doesn't really matter when everyone and thing is trying to kill you. The writers haven't put him into situations where he has to make the same situations as Rick because he wouldn't put himself into those situations. Daryl isn't a leader, he is a follower and takes orders. That is most evident when he follows Merle out of Woodbury. He struggles with his allegiance to the group and the bond with his brother. In the season 2 finale Rick says "This isn't a democracy anymore." He then gives everyone an out. Daryl does not take it. When there is a panel in the prison we rarely hear an opinion at all from him. The most we hear out of him this season is his outrage with Carol being kicked out. You cannot say well if he was put into these situations that Rick was put into he would rise to the occasion. Daryl wouldn't put himself into those situations. You say that he is more sound mentally and physically. So at this point maybe physically because Rick got the snot kicked out of him but if you take each character and put them into their prime Rick used to kick guys like Daryl's butt for a living. If we get into this hypothetical situation where they have to fight I firmly believe Rick would win. There is no way to prove this because they both have proven themselves at being able to kill walkers and people when they needed to. There is no reference to pull from to say who would come out on top. Mentally Rick is more sound. It doesn't seem that way due to his hallucinating after Lori died but lets get into that psychology. Vaughan Bell, professor in the department of psychiatry at the Universidad de Antioquia, Medell"n, Colombia. Says "Mourning seems to be a time when hallucinations are particularly common, to the point where feeling the presence of the deceased is the norm rather than the exception." http://www.scientificamerican.com... So him hallucinating and mourning is incredibly normal even when the death isn't horrific or in a zombie apocalypse. Daryl lost his brother, that being incredibly sad cannot compare to a life partner. Not saying that in real life one is worse or the other but for this case considering what Rick went through and is continuing to go through he is dealing quite well. We see Daryl dealing with his brothers death by ugly crying and shutting down for a bit. By your own words, Daryl needs to be dug at. We don't know whats going through his head. He might be a ticking time bomb. So that makes for an interesting story but actually makes him less valuable to the group as everyone needs to be at their best. You can say that Daryl's transformations are more dramatic but I strongly disagree with that. Even if you prefer him over Rick, I feel part of the appeal of Daryl is that there isn't as much drama with him. With Rick we have a Love triangle after a major shoot out that landed him in the hospital to begin with. Struggles of a leader, father and husband. What is right when it came to Shane. How to handle certain personalities (Daryl included) and make sure everyone doesn't kill each other. Playing politics with Hershel and The Governor. Daryl owes Rick his life and without Rick this whole series would be dull. Glad I could make you Lol. Though someone explain to me why redneck is a positive adjective! Another debate maybe? Lol