STORY:
Ever since losing his mom, he doesn’t take threats, even non-real ones very well.
As much as protective he is of his new family and friends, Merle’s safety is paramount, to the point he would go thru lengths to assure it; e.g.: Keep her true identity a secret and doesn’t her let go out without constant supervision.

He still has demons to battle and hopefully his family and friends can help him.
As much as he doesn’t want to evolve, he may consider it if he can keep the people he loves safe, especially his sister and if he has no other choice.
If he pulled out his mom’s spoon, this could’ve been a whole lot worse.