From the season 3 promotional material released by AMC, we have learned that Merle is making a reappearance this season on The Walking Dead. But how will Daryl react to his brother’s return?

Norman Reedus and Michael Rooker – Daryl and Merle, respectively – chatted with The Hollywood Reporter yesterday as a part of their “7 Days of ‘Walking Dead’” leading up to the new season premiere. Spoilers!

Daryl has definitely changed since he lost his brother; he’s become an integral part of Rick’s group. And with the way Rick left Merle handcuffed to the top of a building in Atlanta, we can only assume that Merle won’t be too pleased with Daryl’s dependence on the Ricktatorship.

Of the first reunion, Reedus says, “Their first interaction is huge and a giant story point this season. It doesn’t go how two brothers who are lost would want it to go.”

Rooker knows his character, Merle, inside and out, and knows how he has changed since last seeing Daryl’s group. He’s had some time to think about how they left him.

“When they do come face to face with a person that he knew from the past, there are a lot of questions he has for the group from the rooftop. Daryl has carved out a really nice niche place in the group. In a way, they’re brothers yet Merle is definitely much more aggressive and flamboyant now that the group is ready to kick ass and give chase to get his point across. Daryl is much more laid back and a bit more introverted.”

Many fans have been waiting for Merle’s return, and finally they’re going to get it. But he’s going to be different from the Merle we met in those first few episodes of season 1. Rooker explains:

“That first episode with Merle when you first meet him, he was completely high. He had so much up his nose that he didn’t know who he was.”

We can expect a much more developed character this season, though.

“You’re going to see a lot of different shades of Merle. The basic Merle is still there. It’s going to be interesting to see how this character has evolved and how his relationships are with everyone.”

Now that he’s part of a group, maybe he feels like he has more purpose. According to Daryl, Merle was never really the great brother he had hoped for. But now this loner had found a group of his own.

“He’s always been somewhat of a black sheep, lone wolf type but now as time has passed, we’ll see what happens.”

We’re excited to see how Merle’s return changes the dynamic of the show. How do you think his reintroduction will shape the rest of the series?