Character Profiles: The Walking Dead: Dale Horvath

Now that the much anticipated Season 2 of The Walking Dead has begun, each week I’ll continue to be bringing you a special look at our beloved cast of characters. This week we’ll look at Dale Horvath.

Playing Dale Horvath is Jeffery DeMunn. Dale had planned to spend his retirement traveling the country with his wife in their RV. Unfortunately she passed away from cancer before their dream came true. While traveling on his own he came across Andrea and Amy when the apocalypse occurred and took them under his wing. Dale’s age, calm experience, and RV provide the center around which the small community of survivors has formed. He is like the wise elder of the group. He is sometimes profound and is very respected by the group. Dale is also feisty and not afraid to speak his mind and call others out for mistakes in judgment.

Over time he forms a family unit with Andrea and Amy. He finds that spending time with them has brought him back to life. Dale is a very self-sufficient man and is a keen observer to the changing dynamics among the survivors. In relation to the comics, Dale’s story is relatively the same. Fans just need to pay attention to his relationship with Andrea. It’s not certain what’s truly in store for them.

Main Relationships:

Andrea: Dale feels indebted to Andrea and her sister Amy for making him actually feel something besides grief. When Amy dies he tries his best to be there for Andrea. He saves her life during their final moments in the CDC. Trying to give Andrea something to live for, Dale convinces her to not commit suicide. Now it seems like their relationship may change. Dale cares greatly for her but she doesn’t want to live in this world. What will become of their relationship? Andrea has become bitter, she doesn’t want to live in this world but now seems ready to stand on her own two feet alone.

Amy: Dale feels like he owes a lot to Andrea and Amy. They made him feel alive again in ways that he hadn’t anticipated. He also sees Amy as an innocent kid and tries to be like a watchful father. When Amy dies it leaves a void within their family unit. Andrea is devastated and Dale is just as torn up about it. He really cared for her.

Dale’s relationships with the other survivors vary. He is not afraid to let his opinion be known and give advice when need be. His RV is extremely useful and the survivors rally around it. The RV gives them the greatest advantage against the walkers. When Jim was alive they were close. They would always work on the RV together and look out for each other. Dale is a strong observant father-like character and knows just what to say during dark times.

What would you do if you were in his shoes? How would you adapt? What would you do and say to the people you have grown to care about?

Have I forgotten to mention anything else about Dale? Who is your favorite character in the series or comic? Please sound off in the comments section and look out next week for the next Character Profile: The Walking Dead: Daryl and Merle Dixon. Revisit the first season on DVD and Blu-ray and continue to read The Walking Dead comics. You’ll be glad that you did. Don’t forget to tune into AMC at 9 pm every Sunday for a new episode! This season promises to deliver twists and change our characters.

Sources: The Walking Dead Wiki (Dale Horvath)