My favorite part of the season premiere was how it made Negan fall back into his old ways, even if he is being forced to turn on his villain mode by the Dama and the Croat. I felt like episode 2 had fun exploring that fine line between Negan pretending to be a villain and actually going back to his old self. There was one particular moment that made me believe his evil side was coming out, but episode 2's shocking ending confirmed that Negan not only has changed, but his violent tendencies will be focused on the Dama.
Dead City Season 2 Proves That You Should Never Underestimate Maggie
Negan's Complex Layers Come Out In Very Different Moments
While The Walking Dead: Dead City has yet to put Negan and Maggie back together, episode 2 has both of them involved in the New Babylon Federation war with New York's criminal organizations. Before the attack in question, something that I expected to happen came to pass, which was Hershel running from his community to join his mom as the group went to war. I'm excited that we are getting more time with Hershel this season, and I love all the emotional moments we had between him and Maggie in episode 2.
When Jeffrey Dean Morgan's character claimed the Dama needed a "spectacular defense," exploding walkers were not on my mind.
Before the action started, I found it interesting that Negan had a little bonding moment with Victor, his new violin-playing friend, and the Croat. More than that, they bonded over an old story of Negan's time with the Saviors and how he killed an entire group with walker meat. I could see a glimpse of the old Negan there, as he was proud of it and even finished the story himself. That said, when it came time to explode the ferry with their methane walkers, Negan saw Hershel and stalled for the survivors to escape, confirming his complex nature.
The Walking Dead Spinoff Ends The Episode With A Tragic Death
Negan's Actions Are Shown To Have Consequences In Two Ways
I believe the main theme of episode 2 is consequences. New Babylon did not listen to Maggie's warnings, so they lost their ferry, their leader, and are now forced to heed Maggie's leadership as they hide away in New York. In The Walking Dead: Dead City's season 1 finale, Negan told Ginny that he was the one to kill her father, which he revealed so she would go away and be safe. However, Ginny is revealed to have brought a gun with her as she returns to NY, which could mean she wants revenge. It makes me afraid for Negan's life.
The Dama is a frightening character, and that was reinforced by how she easily slashed Victor's throat in front of Negan to show him that she is the one with all the power.
The other huge consequence in this episode is also connected to Negan saving people. The Croat realized that Negan had stalled before sending out the last wave of walkers to explode the ferry, and after he told the Dama what was happening, we were treated to one of the show's most tense-filled moments so far. The Dama is a frightening character, and that was reinforced by how she easily slashed Victor's throat in front of Negan to show him that she is the one with all the power.
