- Carl
- Morgan
- Abraham
- Eugene
- Aaron
- Tyreese
- Beth
- Bob
- Dale
- Gareth
Now for the list:
10. Maggie Greene - Maggie is a great character in the show because it took her a much shorter time to be capable of killing walkers than it did for her comic counterpart. Add to that the fact that she's managed to pull through losing her entire family and even seems to be taking her father's role as the moral compass of the group, and you have a character that I feel is much better than the one they're adapted from.
9. Glenn Rhee - Topping his wife by just one spot is a character that is hard not to love. Glenn is a cool dude, a good friend, a devoted husband, a hardened survivor, and a man who still manages to keep his humanity even in the bleakest of situations. Bonus points for Steven Yeun managing to make him so likable with his performance. 
8. Merle Dixon - Merle is a crazy guy. He's a racist, a misogynist, a drug dealer, and basically just an all-around asshole, and yet we all love him. It was a real treat to see him return in Season 3, and made even better with the character arc it gave him. Merle knew deep down that Rick's group would never accept him for the things he's done, but he at least had to try to find some way to make them trust him. With that comes one of the most badass character defining moments in the series and a sendoff that is both awesome and heartbreaking. Merle may have not been the most pleasant of people, but he certainly was by no means a bad guy. Plus, Michael Rooker was amazing in the part, making him funny, crazy, and awesome all the way.
7. The Governor - This guy has had a mixed reaction from the fandom. Some hate him for being less menacing compared to the Comics Governor, while some love him for being more human. For me, I go with the latter. While he is not as evil as the comics version of the character, I appreciate David Morrissey's take more because he not only makes you fear him, but he also makes you sympathize with him as well. I enjoyed his time on the show and will always remember him as the best villain of The Walking Dead...for now...
6. Hershel Greene - Here's a character that did absolutely no wrong and is leagues better than his comics counterpart. Hershel was a great character because even through it all, he always had the group's best interests at heart and managed to keep his humanity all the way. His part in the Flu storyline was where he was at his best, as he managed to care for the sick people while also fending off zombies. Don't underestimate this old man, because he is one mean motherfucking servant of God. Oh, and how could I forget this.
5. Shane Walsh - Yeah, I'm sure everyone can unanimously agree that this character is WAY better than his comic counterpart, but there is more to him than just the obvious reason. Shane is a very complex character, driven by love and a desire to survive. You feel for him, yet fear him all the same. A lot of that is owed to Jon Bernthal, who really did turn in a great performance with this role. Shane's story sadly did not end well for him, but he was a great character nonetheless, and that is why he makes the Top 5.
4. Carol Peletier - Wow, I mean just...WOW. This character is something else altogether. When we first saw her, she was a battered housewife who lost her entire family and seemingly was nothing more than walking cannon fodder. Then this happened, then this, and finally THIS!!! Yeah, she has come a long way from where she first started, and now I can't even predict what will happen with her because she just seems to surprise you every step of the way.
3. Michonne - Yeah, she is the best female character on the show, and I honestly think I like this version more than the one in the comics. Danai Gurira plays a big part in that, making Michonne feel so human, and the story they laid out for her is great too. I have really felt for her and hope we get more of her being a warm-hearted badass, maybe even see this along the way.
2. Daryl Dixon - Say what you want about him, but Daryl Dixon is a great character. He is strong, he's badass, he's funny, and he has a complex character buried within him. When he first started out, he was no different than his brother, but as time went on, he has changed so much. He now cares for the group and will do whatever it takes to defend them. He has found where he belongs, and I think that's what makes him a great character.
And now my favorite character in The Walking Dead is, of course...
1. Rick Grimes - Well, let's face it, Rick was getting on this list one way or another. I love Andrew Lincoln's portrayal of him and I love his character development. He went from being a caring family man who had a sense of duty to a completely hardened badass who will do whatever it takes to protect his group. He has been through so much "stuff" and has done so many "thangs" that he had to be put at the top. Here's to looking forward to what's in store for him tonight.
10. "Vatos" (Season 1 Episode 4) - What seemed like your standard episode turned out to be one of the biggest WHAM episodes of the series. As I mentioned in my last list, the Atlanta Camp attack was one of the darkest moments in The Walking Dead. This episode was completely unpredictable and that is why I put it on this list.
9. "Four Walls and a Roof" (Season 5 Episode 3) - Season 5 started out with a bang, and while it was short, the Hunters storyline closed with a bang. From Bob screaming tainted meat to Rick keeping his promise to Gareth, this episode was dark, scary, and all around intense. I do wish the Hunters were around for at least the end of the first half, but this episode more than made up for that.
8. "Clear" (Season 3 Episode 12) - This was a great episode. Not only did this episode mark the return of Morgan, but it also produced some of the finest acting I've seen in the show. Lennie James is amazing in the role, and he really gave it his all in this performance. Adding to that are some nice moments between Carl and Michonne, and you've got a fantastic episode where not much really happened.
7. "Days Gone Bye" (Season 1 Episode 1) - The one that started it all. This was just an absolutely amazing series premiere that had so many great moments that were completely faithful to the source material that I could make a list just about that. It is a Walking Dead classic and one that will always be remembered.
6. "Pretty Much Dead Already" (Season 2 Episode 7) - This episode drove the point home that NO ONE is safe on this show. After six episodes of searching, Sophia turned up to be dead as a zombie when she walked out of the barn after the group shot down all of Hershel's undead family and friends. It was shocking and heartbreaking to say the least, and you can tell how broken everyone was after that. This was a huge episode and one that will not soon be forgotten.
5. "The Grove" (Season 4 Episode 14) - This episode is hands down the darkest, most depressing episode in the entire series. Poor Carol really can't catch a break when it comes to losing her loved ones. The moment she pulls the trigger to put Lizzie down is the moment you realize how far this show can go in terms of shock value. All in all, this was a great episode and possibly the best performance of Melissa McBride's run in the show. Just look at the flowers.
4. "Better Angels" (Season 2 Episode 12) - Season 2 has a mixed reaction among the fandom, but if there's one thing that it got absolutely right, then it's the character arc it gave Shane, which was perfectly closed in this episode. Seeing Shane descend into madness is as frightening as it is upsetting since deep down he is just looking after the people he cares about. It was equally heartbreaking to watch Rick have to kill his best friend as well as Carl put down Shane after he turns. All in all, this was Season 2's best episode.
3. "Killer Within" (Season 3 Episode 4) - If "The Grove" was the darkest episode, then this one was the most shocking. It featured not one but two major character deaths, with one probably being the biggest death in the series so far. I really can't go into any more details, but all I can say is that this episode completely changed the course of the series from there on.
2. "No Sanctuary" (Season 5 Episode 1) - This was the best premiere of the series as well as the best episode of Season 5. When I said it started with a bang, I wasn't kidding. This was intense, scary, action-packed, and all around awesome. You are literally glued to the edge of your seat when watching this episode. Oh, and there was also 
1. "Too Far Gone" (Season 4 Episode 8) - This is by far the best episode of the series and what the Season 3 finale should have always been. The build up was perfect, the stakes were high, the action was intense, and the emotions were souring. This episode does have things that could detract from it, but they're microscopically small to what it accomplished, which was wrap up one of the best storylines in a satisfying way. I am curious as to whether it can be topped or not, but as of now, "Too Far Gone" remains the best episode of The Walking Dead.
