Michael Rooker, insists that Merle is simply misunderstood. A positively delightful individual who did nothing wrong on that roof before he was handcuffed and left to die back in season 1.
On this week’s InsideTV Podcast, Rooker explains what makes Merle so gosh darn swell. He also offers his theory as to where Merle has been all this time. (The Michael Rooker Walking Dead chat starts at 21:45.)

Ha ha Merle = Mr. Delightful :-D. Someone give him a hug already. I do look forward to any parts Michael Rooker gets a chance to be a part of. Merle may be a douche but Michael Rooker makes him a delightfully misunderstood douche.