One of the last times The Walking Dead Universe had a war on the scale of what we're currently seeing in Dead City season 2 was the All Out War storyline from the main show, which pitted the Alexandrians against the Saviors. What's the connection to that war, you may be asking? Well, Negan is once again at the epicentre of things.
However, the Negan we're seeing in the battle for Manhattan is a very different person from the ruthless, cut-throat one who led the Saviors back in the day. Given the fact that he's caught between a rock and a hard place by being blackmailed into being a leader by the Dama, Negan is reluctantly going about his duties. There's something very introspective about Negan this season. On the one hand, you can tell by the occasional wry grins that there's a sadistic side to him that enjoys being reunited with "Lucille 2.0." On the other, the weight of regret he holds for his past has certainly changed his outlook and actions; this is amplified by a decision he makes to save Hershel later in the episode.
Meanwhile, Maggie prepares to return to Manhattan with the rest of New Babylon. Despite leaving Hershel in the relative safety of the Bricks, he finds his way to her (the most predictable outcome ever). He's a teenager, after all; there's no way he'd stay put while everyone else goes to war.
The group determines that they'll enter the island by sea... but Maggie knows such a route is way too obvious, leading to conflict between Maggie and the rest of the group. Similarly to Negan and the Dama, Maggie is blackmailed into playing by the rules with threats towards her people and even her son, Hershel.
Say one thing for Maggie: she wears her heart on her sleeve. It's not long before she throws punches and finds herself, and Hershel, imprisoned on a ship that's heading right into Negan and the Croat's trap. The battle (or better yet, demolition) that ensues sees their ship get destroyed by bombs, some placed in the Hudson and others catapulted. As we're a Game of Thrones fansite, I'd compare it to the Battle of Blackwater...except with bombs instead of wildfire.
Believe it or not, it's actually Negan who pulls his punches, secretly sabotaging the mission to allow Maggie and Hershel to make a quick escape on a raft. Most likely, this is Negan's more sympathetic side shining through. After murdering Maggie's husband Glenn all those yars ago, he simply can't follow through with killing Hershel. There's a growing heart within him, which is underlined later by his utter devastation at the Dama killing his one and only friend after learning that he's been holding back.
This was another fun episode. I find myself more drawn towards Negan's side of the story, perhaps because Jeffrey Dean Morgan is simply electric; whenever he appears I'm glued to the screen. His relationship with the Croat is another fantastic aspect of the show.
Maggie's relationship with Hershel is very much the beating heart of the season. Actor Logan Kim brilliantly plays Hershel. He encapsulates the character's heart and the rebellious nature of a teenager.
Now that Maggie, Perlie, Hershel, and their team are on Manhattan, there's no doubt chaos awaits them!
The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2 airs new episodes Sunday nights on AMC.
To stay up to date on everything fantasy, science fiction, and WiC, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and Twitter account, sign up for our exclusive newsletter and check out our YouTube channel.