No actor is ever happy to be killed off a show, however on The Walking Dead its assumed to eventually happen. Still Michael Rooker is speaking out against his character’s death believing the fans deserved more.

Michael Rooker, who plays Merle Dixon, spoke with TV Guide following his character’s death and revealed that it left a sour taste in his mouth. It was just two weeks before the episode was shot that he found out about it and his first reaction was relief that he would no longer have to wear the arm/knife his character made. Rooker says his first thought was, “Thank you, thank you! I don’t have to put the god**** thing on ever again. But then I thought, Oh sh**, I’m out of a job.”

After his initial reaction Rooker then found himself disagreeing with the decision. He explains feeling as though it was a shame and unfortunate decision on the show’s behalf. “It was a big build up and you really didn’t get the true payoff. We had a great through line for this season, but the fans want more,” He said. “They’re not very happy. I don’t think a lot of the true Walking Dead fans are happy with this.” He went on to say that he realizes as an actor he doesn’t really have a say in the matter.

He also doesn’t agree with how the episode ended up being edited. According to Rooker the way they shot the scene Merle only missed killing the Governor because he was attacked by a walker. Rooker explains, “The way it was edited, it looked like Merle actually missed The Governor, which is kind of dumb. But that’s my own opinion. There’s no reason why he would’ve missed except for the zombie hitting him and causing him to miss.” Adding, “It was unfortunate that he didn’t shoot The Governor in the head.”

However, Rooker was happy that they gave Merle some redemption in the end. For once Merle was doing an act for someone other than himself. The way Rooker see’s it his character knew very well he was on a death mission. “Merle was on that mission knowing good and well that he may not return,” He said. “He was doing it for his brother so he could take out as many of The Governor’s men — and The Governor, if possible — so that Daryl would have a better chance of surviving. That was the thought in my mind behind what he was doing.”

Do you agree that Merle should have been given a better story line?

Photo credit: Gene Page/AMC