You go off the assumption that the AMC version will exactly mimic the comix version, which I think, come season 2, you will see them split.
What I'm seeing is Merle going off as some quasi-religious zealot. In a world gone mad, it won't take much for a
plagued race to find a religious type to flock too. The governor won't be the same as the comix. Some similarities, sure, but i'm going to guess you're going to see a departure in season 2 from the established story, mostly because sticking 100% to an established storyline is just asking to become the next Watchmen.