The Walking Dead Reveals What Happened To Central Park After The Zombie Outbreak

Warning: SPOILERS ahead for The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2, episode 3!The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2, episode 3 reveals what happened to Central Park after the zombie outbreak and how it's evolved ever since. Dead City season 2 showcases a deeper exploration into just how much Manhattan has changed in the post-apocalypse. Not only has it revealed more about the Dama's plans to protect the island from the New Babylon Federation, but it's also given a glimpse at some notable new groups. This includes one led by Bruegel, and another led by Christos, both of which expand the apocalyptic history of New York City.

However, Dead City's characters have mostly been confined to the city itself, with many of the surrounding areas going unexplored. That was until Dead City season 2, episode 3, which saw Maggie and the rest of the New Babylon group venture into Central Park after coming ashore. However, nearly two decades into the apocalypse, the once-vibrant part of the city has become an entirely different location. This made the trek through the park precarious right from the start, proving deadly not long after the group's arrival.

Central Park Became A Dangerous, Overgrown Wilderness Filled With The Dead

Zombies Are A Constant Danger In The Park Now

After the apocalypse, without anyone tending to Central Park, the New York landmark evolved into a dense, overgrown area filled with unseen dangers. It's first established that the area is populated by monkeys, hinting at the idea of escaped zoo animals thriving in the location. However, zombies are also shown to be sneaking around too, with the New Babylon Federation soldiers getting attacked while traversing through the tall grass. They're shown to be very quiet as well, indicating they may have evolved to hunt within the park's foliage.

Some open areas of the park still exist, though, such as a fountain that Hershel finds in the episode. However, the danger of zombies is still ever-present, especially because it's unclear just how many have made their way into the park. This is exacerbated by a new mystery, that being some Walkers that have holes stabbed into their chest. Because of how prevalent this is, it becomes clear right away people in Central Park are dying in similar ways. This shared injury between multiple zombies is soon revealed to be associated with another group living in the area.

The Walking Dead's Central Park Is Home To One Unusual Community

The Foragers Have Called Central Park Home Since The Outbreak Began

While trying to escape the zombies in the tall grass, Maggie and the New Babylonians are ushered into a former cafe by a group called the Foragers. The group was formed when the outbreak began, with many of their members having been fourth grade students on a class field trip when everything started. They've since lived off nature, not dissimilar to other groups like the Scavengers from The Walking Dead. However, the episodes of Dead City have proven that even similar groups like theirs have some key differences that make them stand out.

In the case of the Foragers, they see the zombies as protectors against worse dangers in Central Park, although it's unclear what these are as of writing. In season 2, episode 3, their leader, Roksana, removes Joan's heart after she dies, confirming they're the ones leaving holes in the zombies - who are, in reality, former group members that have died. They have a symbiotic relationship with the Walkers, which is part of why Roksana refuses Perlie's offer for her group to join New Babylon.

After such a long time, Central Park has become home to both a plethora of zombies, and the Foragers who use them to protect themselves. However, their isolation from the other groups in Manhattan also make them a potentially easy target should New Babylon follow through with their plans to invade. It's unclear if this will be the last The Walking Dead: Dead City shows of the landmark, but there's still plenty of exploration that could happen as the series progresses.

New episodes of The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2 arrive Sundays on AMC and AMC+.