The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2 review: Back in the New York groove

Maggie and Negan return in 'The Walking Dead: Dead City' season 2, once again finding themselves on opposite sides in a battle for Manhattan.
ByAshley Hurst|
Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan - The Walking Dead: Dead City _ Season 2, Episode 1 - Photo Credit: Robert ClarkAMC
Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan - The Walking Dead: Dead City _ Season 2, Episode 1 - Photo Credit: Robert ClarkAMC

The Walking Dead: Dead City was always the weirdest spinoff in The Walking Dead universe. Set in New York City, the show focuses on unlikely duo Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). In season 1, the two worked together to break into desolate Manhattan to save Maggie's kidnapped son, Hershel. However, it turned out that it was all an elaborate ploy to put Negan into the custody of Manhattan's leader, the Dama.

Season 2, which premieres on AMC this Sunday, May 4, picks up where season 1 left off. There will be eight episodes of the show this season, up from six in season 1. Check out our SPOILER-FREE review below!

Season 2 kicks off with Negan back behind bars, having denied the Dama's (Lisa Emery) offer to place him back into a position of power. With the New Babylon Federation planning to attack Manhattan with the aim of taking over the groundbreaking methane power system, having Negan as your protector is a good move. But naturally, Negan's ardent denial to get in on the action doesn't last long, especially after the Dama blackmails him by mentioning that they have his wife Annie and son Joshua tracked. Negan is forced, very much against his will, to take up his old habits again.

What's more, the Croat gifts Negan with an all-new Lucille for his newfound position. This time the barbed-wire covered baseball bat has the power to electrocute people. Seriously. It's a cool feature, sure, and also a bit of a gimmick.

As for Maggie, we see how she and Hershel live together and the close bond they share. Previously, especially in the season 1 finale, Hershel was portrayed as an annoying, know-it-all teenager. While that aspect of his character is still there (often in abundance), we also now see a more mature and vulnerable side to him.

In addition, the series dwells heavily on the 'old world'. With Hershel — who was born after the zombie apocalypse — as a focal point, there are lots of comparisons between the old and new. The juxtaposition between the old world and the new is extremely prevalent throughout the season.

Some of the highlights of season 2 include eccentric gang leader Bruegel, played superby by Kim Coates. I also loved to hate New Babylon Federation leading figure Major Lucia Narvaez (Dascha Polanco). Of course, Jeffrey Dean Morgan is absolutely electric as Negan — I'm glued to the screen whenever he appears. Logan Kim smashes it out the park as Hershel, too. Plus, Lauren Cohan does a magnificent job in her role as director of Episode 6, on top of her excellent performance.

While still falling short of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, which remains my personal favorite ongoing Walking Dead series, Dead City season 2 is still a fantastic, entertaining and high-adrenaline ride. It plumbs the emotional depths of the characters, has epic action sequences, and shows us lots of political wheeling and dealing in Manhattan; there's so much to love about Dead City season 2!

Season Grade: B

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