Like Jean. Sarah Jean!

I HAVE A THEORY.

Merle is The Governor's man on the inside. I think the whole arena battle between the Dixon's was something Merle knew was going to happen in advance to get someone inside the prison group. As we know, the Governor doesn't like anybody with armaments or with tactical experience. They want their stuff, of course, but not their people. When the Governor realizes how well armed and how good at survival Glenn & Maggie are, he's concerned that he'll lose Andrea yes, but he's also concerned that the prison poses a threat to his idyllic little wonderland that is Woodbury. Maybe some people decide they don't much like it there. Maybe they want to go to the prison. The Governor loses numbers doesn't get to exert that control he's become accustomed to.

The fact that he's now crazy with vengeance over (SPOILER)Penny's death at the hand of Michonne, and the fact that Michonne is still alive adds to his determination BUT... but. I think there were moments after the capture of Daryl when he devised a plan. If he drives Merle away with Daryl, then maybe he can find a way to break down the prison from the inside. Maybe Merle can feed him information in the future that will be useful to breaking down the prison group.

So, evidence? Yes, The Governor knew that Daryl existed and knew he was somewhere out in the world. But he didn't know him. Didn't know what he looked like. And Merle doesn't seem the type to carry around a wallet photo of his dear brother and show him off. Now Daryl DOES know that Merle is in the town before gets caught, but do you really think Daryl, after being captured by the people in Woodbury, would be all "Hey captors, my name is Daryl Dixon, have you seen my brother?" I don't think so. That doesn't seem very Daryl-esque. So how else would they know?

We never actually see Daryl get captured, so I question what happened between the capture and Rick et al finding him in the arena. MAYBE DARYL IS IN ON IT TOO. MAYBE HE FAKED ALL THAT STUFF ABOUT RICK. No, I doubt it, because of all the woods talk.

BUT. I THINK MERLE WILL HURT THEM AND IS STILL WORKING FOR THE GOVERNOR.

Also I do not want any of the characters to die. D: