The Walking Dead: Dead City review, Episode 4 “Everybody Wins A Prize”

The latest episode of The Walking Dead: Dead City is bound to be a fan pleaser. While the story continues in Manhattan, we’re also taken back in time to the middle of The Walking Dead’s All-Out-War storyline, where we’re reacquainted with an old fan-favorite. Let’s get into it!

Here’s your SPOILER warning!

Welcome back, Simon… briefly

“Everybody Wins a Prize” opens with a flashback back to when Negan reigned supreme in the Sanctuary. He’s in his office, Lucille by his side, when he’s approached by Simon (Steven Ogg), who requests his help. Turns out the Croat is torturing kids from the Kingdom, and despite the numerous immoral things Negan’s Saviors do, there is a line they won’t cross.

This scene is very much fan service. It didn’t necessarily tell us anything we didn’t know already. I suppose it just reaffirms how evil the Croat is.

The battle begins…

The show does a great job building tension with a gritty, foreboding atmosphere and ominous music. When the group is together, they hatch a plan to infiltrate the arena and retrieve Hershel. This involves Negan drawing out the Croat by sneaking around and blowing his infamous Savior whistle while Maggie searching for her son.

They also talk about where Luther disappeared to. Of course, we know that he was killed by Negan in the previous episode, but some assume that he’s left the group after disagreeing with their plan to attack the Croat directly. Negan is totally in his element; he’s always two steps ahead of everyone else in the room.

The plot of this episode is pretty straightforward. They hatch the plan, they execute the plan, and it all goes unexpectedly wrong.

As Maggie and the rest of the group (including Amaia and Tomasso) enter the arena, they are greeted by…nobody. Rather, the Croat plays “Proplakat Ce Zora” over the loud speakers while creating noise outside by blowing up barrels in order to draw in hordes of walkers. We get a really good battle scene with Maggie and the others holding out in the middle of the arena while walkers attack from all angles. It’s honestly like something from a video game. Up until this point, my biggest criticism of the show was the lack of walkers, so it was nice to get an extended fight sequence.

Ginny, having just arrived in Manhattan, joins in the battle. She fights alongside Maggie, so Negan isn’t aware that she’s on the island yet.

In order to escape the onslaught of walkers, they seek refuge in the sewers. Something tells me this isn’t gonna go down well. Just imagine some of the disgusting walkers that can be found down there!

As for Negan, he continues to toy with the Croat, luring him and his goons out into the open. They’re very similar characters. In fact, when they come face to face, the Croat offers Negan the opportunity to join him and create a “new Sanctuary” on Manhattan. It gives off cliche “we’re not so different” vibes, but it’s entertaining enough.

Despite seemingly knowing everything, the Croat misunderstands Negan’s motives. He thinks Negan is after Perlie Armstrong, but Negan literally saves Perlie’s life when the Croat throws him off the balcony. Perlie has a knack for eluding death. In any realistic scenario he’s be long dead by now!

Regardless, Negan returns him to safety… only for Perlie to pull a gun on Negan. He has got a bounty on his head in New Babylon, after all.

Verdict

This was easily my favorite episode so far! It had a little of everything, from fan service to an epic walker battle.

The plot might be a bit hollow, but the execution of the battle was absolutely fantastic. We’re seeing why setting the show in an enclosed space like Manhattan was such a good idea.

Episode Grade: A

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