Yeah the character evolutions are amazing. Glenn turning from gen X pizza delivery guy to a real go to get things doner to a family man. Daryl and Merle learning how to be good people (great writing there on the reunion when Merle mentions the original plan was to steal from the encampment, shows their journey was much further than we’d thought). Those backpacker scenes were amazing, and you have to wonder how different it would have been if they hadn’t encountered the Governor, they really hadn’t dealt with bad people before then. Also would they have done things differently if he hadn’t been so loud, kind of showed he wasn’t the brightest survivor out there. Of course first season Rick wouldn’t have cared, he liked everybody.
I think Daryl's evolution was helped a lot by being separated from his brother Merle; and, being mentored by Rick. I think he finally felt like he was worth something. That someone like Rick would depend on him.
As for Merle. I hated this guy, then last week's episode just totally turned him around in my mind. So, at the end, he gets killed and turns and I'm like --- aw, Merle. Then I realize that I don't really like that character. Michael Rooker just shined in that episode. He got almost a whole episode for himself, and he didn't waste the opportunity.