Maggie & Negan’s Shocking Decision Changes Everything in The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 2 Finale

As the final episode of Dead City unfolds on Sunday, Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) grapples with what lies ahead, while Maggie (Lauren Cohan) must figure out how to progress with her son Hershel (Logan) by letting go of their shared past. This ‘old tale’ revolves around the 15-year grudge that Maggie has held against Negan, a feud that was ignited on The Walking Dead when Negan brutally killed Glenn (Steven Yeun), depriving Maggie of her husband and their unborn child.

In the final episode of “The Walking Dead”, Maggie and Negan reached a tense truce. Negan apologized for killing Glenn, but Maggie admitted that she couldn’t find it within herself to forgive him. She expressed, “I no longer wish to harbor hatred towards you. I don’t want to feel the pain as intensely as I have, and I don’t want my child to witness anyone having such power over me.” With this, Maggie moved the Hilltop colony to a new location called the Bricks, while Negan departed Virginia with his wife Annie (Medina Senghore) and son Joshua.

How is the Dama alive?

It seems that the Dama met her unfortunate end during a violent encounter with the Croat, who had long been disregarded for his genius in creating the methane that fueled her empire. A fight broke out, and the Croat shoved her onto a table, knocking over candles that ignited into a fire. As he departed, leaving the Dama trapped beneath an overturned wardrobe as the room was engulfed by flames, she succumbed to her injuries.

In the final scene, it turns out that the blackened body resembling Dama was merely “one of the previously deceased,” as she clarifies to Maggie. She had allowed the zombie to continue burning until it became extremely crispy, though we are left wondering how Dama managed to elude death and create this deception with a walker.

What does the Dama want with Hershel?

In a more straightforward manner, we could say: Dama exerts influence over Hershel, and he harbors resentment towards his mother because Negan has controlled Maggie’s life since its beginning.

Since Hershel has no knowledge of the “old world,” the Dama clarifies to Maggie, he’s well-equipped to aid in constructing the new one. She shares with Maggie that her son might conceive ideas beyond what we could imagine, and they’ll require someone to safeguard this new creation.

The Dama aimed to make Negan her enforcer, initially threatening Hershel and later using Negan’s family as bargaining chips. However, when Negan turned the Croat against her and almost caused her harm, the Dama deceitfully convinced Maggie, who had lost her husband at Negan’s hands, to pursue him instead. Hershel had praised Maggie’s abilities to the Dama, so she set the widow on the man responsible for her husband’s death.

Why does Maggie go after Negan?

Previously, Negan had revealed to Maggie the location of the methane needed by New Babylon, but cautioned her about Hershel aiding the Dama. In the recent episode, Hershel guided the Dama to his mother, and now we find Maggie in captivity as a result.

In a way I had assumed we shared the same sentiment, desiring Negan’s demise. Yet, I comprehend your predicament now, Dama. When Negan rises, there’s an urge to bring him low. But when he falls, it seems you must support him again. It feels like a cycle from which you can’t escape. You can’t let it be. Can’t let him be. And truly, how could you? He was the one who took your husband away – brutally, joyfully. After losing so many dear ones – your mother, father, sister, and now your son – he left an indelible mark on you.

The Dama persists, questioning Maggie’s ability to support Hershel when she couldn’t help herself. “It’s alright, Maggie,” she says, hinting at the chance to redeem herself regarding Negan. “Negan is still out there, causing pain and suffering. You are the one who can stop him, you are the one who can kill him. Don’t do it for me, do it for yourself. Do it for Hershel. Break free from this bondage.

How does Maggie feel about Negan?

Maggie confides in Hershel that, despite her efforts to overcome it, the pain Negan inflicted on her is something she’s yet to fully move beyond.

As a film critic, I find myself still grappling with the aftermath of that emotional scene. Maggie, her voice heavy with heartache, confides, “I’m still struggling to move on. I’ve never truly managed to let go.” Her thoughts are incessantly preoccupied, not just with him, but also with the weight of his actions. She acknowledges the need for forgiveness and release, yet admits, “Despite my best efforts, it seems I can’t shake off the past.” In a moment of vulnerability, she offers, “I’m sorry.”

Hershel, in a bid to make amends for his past transgressions, attempts to console his mother. He empathizes with her struggle, admitting, “I know you’ve tried to move on, but it hasn’t worked.

Hershel expresses his desire for us to become a family and move forward, free from the past. He believes there’s only one way to do this, after which we can close this chapter and start anew. Maggie responds by promising Hershel, ‘I’ll take care of it.’

The Dama smiles, having maneuvered Maggie into taking out the rogue Negan.

New Lucille, Old Negan

At St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Negan’s flamethrower-armed group, Burazi, assault Bruegel’s Silk Stockings gang, following Armstrong’s discovery that Ginny had sought refuge with Bruegel as she plotted against Negan to avenge her father. Despite an attempt on his life by Ginny, Negan braved the danger to secure antibiotics and a ventilator for Ginny, who was critically ill due to an infection worsening from an impalement during a conflict between New Babylon and the Foragers in Central Park.

1. Armstrong prevents Bruegel from pursuing Ginny using a flamethrower, but eventually, they’re both detained by the Burazi. Bruegel accuses Armstrong’s followers of orchestrating the coup and seeks an alliance with Negan to acquire methane, conquer New Babylon, and restore the world to its former state.

2. Armstrong halts Bruegel from chasing Ginny by brandishing a flamethrower, but eventually, both are nabbed by the Burazi. Bruegel pins the uprising on Armstrong’s followers and attempts to negotiate a pact with Negan for methane, overpower New Babylon, and resurrect the old world as it once was.

3. Using a flamethrower, Armstrong keeps Bruegel from pursuing Ginny; however, they are eventually caught by the Burazi. Blaming Armstrong’s associates for the rebellion, Bruegel endeavors to strike a deal with Negan in exchange for methane, defeating New Babylon, and reviving the world as it was before.

4. Armstrong uses a flamethrower to halt Bruegel from pursuing Ginny, but ultimately they’re both apprehended by the Burazi. Bruegel imputes the insurrection to Armstrong’s followers and seeks a partnership with Negan in order to obtain methane, vanquish New Babylon, and reestablish the world as it was previously.

5. With a flamethrower, Armstrong dissuades Bruegel from pursuing Ginny; later, they are both rounded up by the Burazi. Blaming Armstrong’s followers for the mutiny, Bruegel seeks an alliance with Negan to secure methane, conquer New Babylon, and bring back the world of yore.

Bruegel doesn’t only ask for a few streets, but the entire city, even the whole world,” Bruegel begs. “Then, you and I will regain our dominance once more, victorious with all the rewards… just as it was before.

While Maggie secretly observes, Negan – armed with a newly crafted electric bat (Lucille) by the Croat – compels Bruce and Armstrong to kneel for a round of “eenie, meenie, miney, mo.” game. Maggie shudders in disgust upon recognizing this chilling scene: Negan, clad in a black leather jacket, menacingly swinging a bat adorned with barbed wire, selecting victims from a lineup, much like he did back then with Glenn.

Who dies in The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2 finale?

As I ponder my next move, the classic playground rhyme echoes through my mind: “Eenie, meenie, miney, mo.” But today, it’s not about choosing a game or a friend; it’s about deciding who to confront among the group of survivors. Negan, with an icy glare, zeroes in on Armstrong, but then, he has a change of heart. Instead, his eyes lock onto Bruegel, the one he truly wishes to eliminate. As Bruegel pleads for mercy, Negan reaches out and seizes a tube from the flamethrower tank. With a chilling determination, he forces the tube into Bruegel’s mouth, making him inhale methane, hoping that this will be the end of his life.

Negan seizes a flaming torch, ignites Bruegel’s large opening, followed by a brutal blow with the bat on his skull, reducing Bruegel’s intellect to mush – this gruesome act stirs an intense emotional response in the cold and trembling Maggie.

Prior to attacking Negan, Maggie stealthily approaches from behind and secretly thrusts a knife into him. Shaken, Negan discards Lucille – the bat symbolizing Glenn’s death – and swiftly retreats. Maggie retrieves a replica of Lucille, then pursues Negan with the intention of delivering the final blow. As Negan slithers off to escape, Maggie chases after him, determined to bring an end to their conflict.

Does Maggie kill Negan?

In the cell where Ginny had been healing, Negan arrives to discover that she has passed away due to her illness turning her into a walker. Overwhelmed with grief, Negan weeps. Maggie retrieves a knife and, moved by compassion, gives it to Negan, who uses it to end Ginny’s undead existence.

Negan mourns Ginny’s death, and Maggie decides against killing him.

How does The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2 ending set up season 3?

Negan laments the fact that Ginny passed away without companionship, while Maggie returns to Hershel’s location. He acknowledges that she did not take his life.

Negan feels sad because Ginny died alone, and Maggie leaves to go back to Hershel’s place; he understands that she didn’t kill him.

He shouts, “You claimed to comprehend, but when you suggested a fresh beginning, it wasn’t sincere.” As the Damaslips away, he mutters, “It’s just more of the same old thing.”

Or in a shorter version:
“You said you got it, but ‘restart’ was empty talk,” he yells as she flees. “Just more of the usual.

As a cinephile, I’d rephrase it like this: “I was mistaken, Hershel. Things aren’t as we thought they were. Eliminating Negan would only complicate matters further.” I then explained that we won’t proceed in the same way as our past actions. He was livid with my decision and vowed, “Together with the Dama, we will find a way to move forward.

Maggie empathizes, “I understand your feelings,” she says. “You feel like running away and becoming someone else, maybe even wanting to cause me pain. Just remember I’ll always be here for you, no matter what. I won’t abandon the city.”

Hershel, moved by his mother’s words, sets off with the Dama, leaving her in tears as they are forced apart.

In the city, Maggie, Negan, and Armstrong find themselves taking refuge while they observe the New Babylon army’s advance on New York, aiming to capture the methane resources. “Alright, so now what’s our next move?” Maggie inquires.

Earlier in the season, Armstrong was reminded of a riddle shared by Roksana (Pooya Mohseni) from the Foragers. “A man encounters a crossroads while walking through the woods,” Armstrong recounts. “One path leads to his past, the other to the unknown future.” He acknowledges the familiarity and comfort of his past, but ponders if it will be as he remembers. The uncertainty of his future looms, with the potential risk of getting lost. However, he chooses the path that represents his past.

In the narrative, the historian Benjamin Pierce (Keir Gilchrist), who seems to vacillate, guides the New Babylonians towards the methane plant as Maggie continues her explanation of the riddle. “Back at home, he returns to a past state of affairs. However, what awaits him there is an old tale that carries such pain it’s unbearable to recall.

In another location, Dama, accompanied by Hershel, observes as New Babylon seizes the cathedral. “He’s moving forward, but there’s no gain for him either,” Negan muses in a voiceover. “Why plan for tomorrow if you forget yesterday? What conclusion can be drawn without recalling that ancient tale?

Maggie asserts that there is only a single path ahead, a sole method of progressing, and we must tackle the past to reach what lies ahead. Meanwhile, Negan’s voice echoes, “To get to where we’re going.” As Maggie speaks, scenes from their shared history in New York during the early seasons unfold, when they initially encountered adversaries together.

Maggie and Negan’s voices blend together as they speak about their journey: “The road ahead is tough and steep, filled with moments when we think we can’t go on. Yet, there are times when we can see our destination – a breathtaking mountain peak that seems so far away. But then, we stumble, sliding back down to the starting point, leaving us wondering if we’ll ever be able to climb again… Yet, we do. We support each other, and the path ahead becomes more visible now.

In the closing moments of the season, Negan says, “Let’s keep going,” to which Maggie replies, “As a team.” And in their concluding statement, they both agree: “We’ll make it there.