Negan's evil side made him one of the best antagonists in The Walking Dead history during his few years as the Saviors' leader, and a scene from Dead City season 1 indicates his villainous ways could be back for good when the spinoff returns. Despite terrorizing Rick and his allies for several seasons throughout The Walking Dead, Negan was able to find slight redemption and slowly win over some of his former enemies. He still has one of the highest kill counts in The Walking Dead and his brutality will never truly be rectified, but progression has undeniably been made.
Rather than fleeing the group at the first available opportunity or holding a grudge for years of imprisonment, Negan actually worked on becoming a better man and saved the main group on multiple occasions. Although certain members of Alexandria and the Commonwealth never learned to embrace the former villain, even they recognized his value as a survivor and granted him freedom. However, Dead City has teased Negan's return to villainy, and while this may seem like a red herring at first glance, an intense scene from season 1 suggests his sinister traits could be back permanently.
Negan's Head Smashing Scene From Dead City Season 1 Proved His Dark Savior Persona Still Exists
The Former Antagonist Used Sadistic Tactics To Intimidate His Enemies
While Negan has shown real development to go from a detestable villain to an almost sympathetic anti-hero, his Savior persona isn't truly gone, as Dead City season 1's "Knock Knock" scene proved. Having turned a corner and put his darker antics aside, Negan looked like he had found much more humanity, even when forced to kill. He was responsible for both Alpha and Beta's deaths, but these were part of a war for the greater good and there weren't many theatrics involved in Negan's kills. However, the spinoff's most vicious scene proved he was still capable of his evil performances.
In classic Savior fashion, he uses the Burazi member to send a message, smashing his head through some glass while chanting "knock knock" to the antagonists below. Not only does he threaten them with playful jokes and insults, but Negan brutally murders his hostage by cutting his throat and stomach, making puns about the weather as blood spills onto the rest of the Burazi. While he may have justified his antics by claiming it was simply to scare off the villainous group, the scene was reminiscent of Negan during his Savior days, proving there is still evil within him.
More Evil Negan In The Walking Dead Would Be Great, But Would Completely Undermine His Redemption Arc
Another Run As A Villain Would Make Negan's Character Development Pointless
Jeffrey Dean Morgan has been great ever since he joined The Walking Dead, but his best scenes have undoubtedly come while playing the role of a villain. Therefore, it would be incredibly entertaining to see Negan have more moments embracing his evil side, but this would also undermine his redemption. Given that Negan is one of The Walking Dead's most popular characters, the franchise has worked hard to try and rectify his past sins and make him more heroic in the eyes of the audience, but this would all be undone if Dead City made him an antagonist once again.
Season 2's trailer certainly hinted at him readopting his Savior persona, as he was seen holding a baseball bat and smiling on what looked like a throne. Working with the Dama and the Croat - who idolize his former personality - makes it seem almost unavoidable that Negan will have more scenes like the "Knock Knock" one from the previous outing, but this risks making all his good deeds completely pointless. Having him save his former enemies and earn their respect only to go back to savagely killing people will hurt his character, and make a full redemption arc impossible.
Despite how great it would be to see Negan regaining some of that authority and power that made him so menacing, it can't come at the expense of his humanity, but there may still be a way to do both.
How The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 2 Can Bring Back Evil Negan Without Ruining His Journey
Posing As A Villain While Feeling Guilty About His Actions Would Be The Perfect Story For Negan In Season 2
Bringing back evil Negan in any capacity is risky, but Dead City season 2 has the perfect way of pulling it off without hurting the character's recent legacy. With the former antagonist essentially being blackmailed into a ruthless leadership position, he can put on displays of brutality and carry out sadistic actions, all while secretly regretting it. The wicked smile and supposed embracement of his new position seen in the trailer could all be for show, and he may be forced to take innocent lives while pretending to enjoy it, all to keep the show's villains happy.
Negan's season 2 arc should be all about how conflicted he is about readopting his Savior personality, as part of him still enjoys it, despite him knowing it's wrong. That way, we can get some classic Jeffrey Dean Morgan scenes by having aspects of Negan's savage personality returning, yet he can still show remorse for his actions in solo scenes where we see just how much he's struggling to keep it together.
Having him attempt to escape Manhattan and take down the main antagonists while remaining undercover could be a compelling story for the ex-villain, and it would also showcase his vulnerable side. Doubling down on the fact that his evil persona is all a performance - one that he secretly hates yet has a small addition to - is the perfect way to highlight how complex his character is, and if it results in him saving the day in Dead City while committing to being a better person, we may get the best of both worlds in season 2.
