Negan Just Gave Another Walking Dead Villain A Fate Worse Than Death, And It Shows How Much He's Changed Since Season 11

Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2, episode 6, "Bridge Partners are Hard to Come by These Days".While Negan has hurt plenty of characters during his time in The Walking Dead franchise, he gave one villain a fate worse than death, proving how much he has changed in the past few years. After spending several seasons as one of the franchise's most terrifying villains, Negan underwent a journey to find redemption, one that has continued in Dead City. Although he has struggled to maintain his morality and hold himself together while aiding the main villains, he has remained motivated by his family, yet Negan disappointingly sent Annie and Joshua away in the spinoff show to protect them.

His bold choice is one of several signs that he could be going back down a dark path, but so far, Negan's Dead City story has proven he has actually changed for the better. He was already becoming a better man by the time The Walking Dead season 11's finale rolled around, but his sacrifices throughout the spinoff project have been nothing short of selfless. Crucially, his confrontation with the Croat epitomized how much he'd evolved, as he decided to show mercy, which unintentionally provided the villain with a far worse punishment than death itself.

Negan Decided To Spare The Croat In The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 2

Rather Than Killing The Croat, Negan Let Him Leave The Burazi & Told Him To Never Come Back

After the villain murdered Christos' group earlier in episode 5, I was convinced Negan would kill the Croat in Dead City to provide a sense of justice, but surprisingly, Negan banished him instead. Having put together a plan to divide the Burazis leader, Negan killed the Dama's rat and made it look like the Croat's doing, pitting the duo against one another. Using his manipulation, Jeffrey Dean Morgan's character continued pulling the strings and inspired the Croat to stand up to the Dama, with their conflict eventually ending in the latter burning to death.

Considering the Croat had always looked up to Negan, the Dama's death gave the protagonist more control over the Burazi and his own future. Negan even got the Croat's blessing to leave with his family when they arrived in Manhattan; however, after the antagonist discovered that Negan had killed the rat and set everything in motion, the two had a major dispute. The Croat tried to attack Negan with an electrified baseball bat, but the former Saviors leader turned the tables and reminded his former follower that his entire persona was inspired by his time with the Saviors.

Surprisingly, the Croat agreed with this assessment and yielded, but rather than killing him, Negan decided to exile his foe instead. He told the villain to leave and never come back, ensuring he never had to see his former ally ever again. It was an unexpectedly merciful choice by Negan, especially after everything the Croat had done, but it seems like a significant moment in his journey. Whereas the old Negan may have been quick to dispatch anyone who crossed him, his redemption allowed him to find a sense of forgiveness and spare the Croat.

Negan Banishing The Croat Shows How Much They’ve Both Changed

Negan Is Much Less Kill Happy Than He Used To Be, While The Croat Is Far Less Dangerous

Negan letting the Croat walk away with his life may not seem overly significant at first glance, but it shows how much they've both evolved since their time in The Walking Dead. While the Croat never physically appeared in the original series, he was a part of the Saviors before they clashed with Rick's group. Although Negan and Simon were portrayed as the most violent and dangerous in the group, the Croat was allegedly even more unhinged, acting as the faction's interrogation expert. However, as time went on, his actions became more and more sadistic, prompting Negan to take action.

He attempted to kill the Croat, but his shot hit the villain's ear, hence why it's missing in Dead City. This forced the Croat to leave the Saviors and flee Sanctuary, but the fact Negan didn't try to kill him this time around proves he's not nearly as big of a threat. While the Croat still has many flaws and seems to enjoy having power, he is a lot older and less intimidating these days, a far cry from how menacing he was while with the Saviors. Additionally, Negan showing mercy proves that he has also changed.

During his days leading the Saviors, Negan was rarely lenient, as proven by his tradition of killing one member from each group he came across to force them into submission. The fact he tried to shoot the Croat alongside killing Simon and the Saviors' doctor reinforces the idea that Negan used to be much more ruthless and didn't offer second chances. In contrast, exiling the Croat in Dead City season 2 shows that he'd rather find a peaceful resolution and doesn't take nearly as much pleasure in killing, confirming that Negan is a much more honorable man these days.

Had their confrontation taken place towards the beginning of the apocalypse, there is no way Negan would have let the Croat live due to his own nature as well as how terrifying the Croat's behavior was. Now, they are both significantly different people, hence the Croat accepting his banishment, despite it being arguably the worst possible outcome for him.

Being Banished Is A Worse Punishment Than Death For The Croat

The Croat Desperately Seeks Purpose & Guidance In His Life, Something Negan Has Removed By Banishing Him

Getting another fresh start after everything he's done should feel like a huge relief for the Croat, but in reality, it's arguably a worse fate than death for the villain. Even after Negan tried to kill him, the Croat continued to admire his former leader, mainly because serving the Saviors gave him a purpose. He had a sense of belonging during his time with the faction, and he was more than content to do the dirty work; however, that all changed after he was forced to flee.

After failing to make it home to Croatia, the Croat washed up in Manhattan and was completely empty until finding the Dama. Working with her reignited that spark inside of him, giving him yet another cause to dedicate his life to. He was comfortable being spoken down to and mistreated, as he felt in the Dama's debt, which is why he helped her rebuild the city. Having that guidance seems to be a crucial part of his life, but with no leader or a group around him, the Croat is completely lost, hence why his banishment is so significant.

There are no signs that he wants to lose his life, but dying for a cause would probably be more fulfilling for him than being all alone again, making his current situation poetic. The Croat hurt so many people and tried to bring Negan's evil side back in The Walking Dead, yet rather than being killed, which may feel like mercy, he is forced to live with everything he has done. Based on the Dead City season 2 trailer, we will presumably see the Croat once again, and it'll be fascinating to find out how he copes with the isolation.