While such a brutal kill would imply that Negan is fully backsliding into his villainous ways, a last-minute act of grace from Maggie sent their dynamic careening in a new direction. At the exact moment that Maggie had the opportunity to finish Negan off with his beloved Lucille, she instead extended a helping hand and formed a new alliance with him and Perlie. Ironically, this step forward in her development cost her Hershel's loyalty, but it does leave the direction that Dead City takes next season wide open.
ScreenRant interviewed Gimple about the status of Dead City after that explosive season 2 finale, its place in The Walking Dead universe as a whole, and the controversial-yet-brave decisions to kill off Bruegel and end Maggie's feud with Negan.
Scott Gimple Reflects On The Walking Dead: Dead City’s Villains, Both Dead And Reborn
“That's The Feeling You Should Have When Somebody Dies”
ScreenRant: Dead City season 2 has seen so many changes in allegiances and power shifts. What motivated the Dama death fakeout, for one?
Scott Gimple: Oh boy, that's one for Eli and the writers because at this level, I'm reviewing everything and I'm talking and when issues come up. But that was one that, even when I first read it, I was like, "Huh?"
All I can say is that they got me good on that one. Just as a pseudo audience member, granted very early in the process, it worked. And I love the makeup job on her return. Hair doesn't get to do stuff like that often, and they did a remarkable job. The hair team told a story through singeing, so I'm down with that.
ScreenRant: Bruegel was a breath of fresh air as a villain, and while his death made for an iconic moment, I was sad to see him go.
Scott Gimple: I concur completely. I hated seeing him go, but that is just an incredible tribute to Eli and the writers' work, and to Kim's work. It was a major, major bummer to see Kim and that character go, but when The Walking Dead is firing on all cylinders, that's the feeling you should have when somebody dies. Well, unless they're a really horrible person, and you want to see them go. Bruegel was a little of both, but it was such a drag to see him go.
ScreenRant: His death also coincides with the culmination of Negan's season-long arc. Negan went from nearly catatonic this season to back in full force when taking down Bruegel. Where do you think he is now on the sliding scale of violence now that he’s teamed up with Maggie and Perlie?
Scott Gimple: I can only speak about the most general thing, which is that one of the main things about The Walking Dead is that the engine of the story isn't conflict, it's change. And so to see him go through that change and to have such a journey of being pushed to be someone he didn't want to be; having to become someone he doesn't want to be anymore, and embracing it in the cost of all that? I thought that was an incredibly good story.
Dead City Season 2’s Finale Leaves Maggie, Negan & Hershel At Cross Purposes
“That Kind Of Hate Becomes Corrosive To The Person Carrying It”
ScreenRant: Hershel’s loyalties have been tested countless times since season 2 began, but the finale sees him definitively choose the Dama. What does it mean for Maggie to let him go, and is it impossible for him to return to her as long as Negan lives?
Scott Gimple: I mean, it's a pretty intense thing. There are a lot of different ways to look at it, whether it could be a parental gambit or it's parental acceptance and faith. I lean towards the latter.
I think Logan played it with longing. I felt a little of that. I felt some pain in there, wishing it could be different, so it's not impossible.
ScreenRant: Maggie relives the death of her husband when Negan kills Bruegel. Were there any talks to get Steven Yeun back as Glenn in the finale for a vision or flashback connected to Maggie’s current storyline? I know Logan Kim has said he’d love to interact with Hershel’s dad in a dream too.
Scott Gimple: I think it comes to mind all the time. In some ways, it's a pretty obvious way to go. But it would obviously be enjoyable for all of us. Steven is a remarkably busy dude, though - not to say that these folks aren't. You never know, I guess I'd say, but we never went that far with it.
ScreenRant: Maggie ponders killing Negan in the finale but chooses not to. How important was it to you to give her this moment of ultimate power to decide his fate after all Negan put her through?
Scott Gimple: It was critically important. It had to get to that space. Maggie is completely justified in feeling the way that she has. It goes without saying that she's completely justified in feeling that, but we've been playing that story for many years because even though it's justified, when anybody carries around that kind of hate, it becomes corrosive to the person carrying it around.
I think Maggie has come to realize that, and that's the most important part of her journey this season.
ScreenRant: This season was a tough one all around. Might the next one, should it be renewed, have more space for lightness?
Scott Gimple: No, I agree. Everything balances itself out, and certainly this has been just by virtue of the story and the nature of the things that have happened, maybe one of the darker seasons. But I think that always gets balanced out in the long term.
All these shows really have to shift their story from season to season. It's a little trickier with these shorter seasons, so maybe it's like every two seasons. But I think we're going to see different vibes than we saw this season.
Dead City’s Proper Place In The Walking Dead Timeline Explained
How The Show Fits Into “The Grand Story That Is The Walking Dead”
ScreenRant: Dead City has the luxury of being the show that is the furthest ahead in the timeline.
Scott Gimple: I'm going to jump in there. I would say talk of the timeline outside the premise or the story unfolding on screen itself is all speculative.
Is it that far ahead? Someone might say, "Well, look at Hershel." And I'd be like, "Well, look at Carl." I would say the timeline of The Walking Dead occurs in somewhat of a dreamlike space.
ScreenRant: Given that loose timeline then, are you talking about integrating any of these spinoffs? Could Maggie or Negan travel to see what Daryl and Carol are up to?
Scott Gimple: I've said over and over that my dream for many years, the plan all along in many ways, has been to see these characters cross, whether it be in small ways or big ways.
There have been circumstances, timing, all sorts of things - network wishes, even - that got in front of that a little bit over the years. That said, these shows have been establishing themselves, and that's a great thing too. So, I guess I'd say I'd love to see it.
ScreenRant: How long do you envision these shows establishing themselves before a greater integration? Is this universe continuing for the foreseeable future?
Scott Gimple: In my mind, yes. Again, circumstances and all sorts of factors go into it. But I don't see a reason why, one way or another, the grand story that is The Walking Dead doesn't continue.
The first 2 seasons of The Walking Dead: Dead City are available to stream on AMC+.
