The Walking Dead franchise has a reputation for highlighting morally gray characters and making them the central characters of the narrative. However, previous shows made it clear who viewers were likely meant to root for, such as wanting Rick’s group to come out victorious and defeat every antagonist that tries to thwart their survival or security. In the current environment of the apocalyptic universe, this line has been blurred, making the audience question where their loyalties should be.

No other spin-off in the franchise has focused on villains like The Walking Dead: Dead City to the extent of making the main characters both beloved personalities and undeniably morally gray. Maggie and Negan are the stars of this plot, but they both have shaky and unwilling alliances with dangerous antagonists hungry for power. This forces the storyline into the uncomfortable and shocking dynamic of Walking Dead villains, making the outcome of this overarching plot more unclear than any before it.

The Heroes Of Dead City Are Up For Debate

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Dead City became controversial among Walking Dead fans before it was even released, as it featured the storylines of two complicated, long-running characters. While Maggie has a strong fan base in the universe, she isn’t the first choice for many viewers, and many fans believe her storyline has long since felt overdone and lacks entertainment. Some viewers show far more interest in Negan’s storyline, but that largely concerns his history as a villain and his potential to contribute to the narrative in a dark and twisted way.

Regardless of the reservations viewers have about the two main characters, it initially seemed like Negan and Maggie would be the heroes of Dead City. However, the series quickly proved that the dynamic between these two characters makes it impossible for either to be an obvious hero in this storyline. While Maggie’s betrayal of Negan, using him to get back her son from the Croat, made her morally gray, Negan’s embracing his previous villainous persona (even under pressure) further emphasized his villain status in The Walking Dead franchise.

Dead City Season 2 has firmly established in the first couple of episodes that there are no characters that are supposed to be favored as the heroes viewers are meant to root for. This isn’t to say that many fans aren’t coming back to the series with each new installment to see what becomes of their favorite character, but the show has clarified that taking sides doesn’t necessarily mean supporting the inevitable hero who overcomes the villain. The franchise has increasingly complicated the concept of villain vs hero, but Dead City has embraced this as the central theme of the spin-off.

The Storyline Has Become About Villain Vs. Villain

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At the beginning of Dead City Season 2, New Babylon shows the Bricks a violent display of their power and then demands soldiers to join them in taking over Manhattan for the methane resource. Though viewers know that the Dama and her group are corrupt and looking to create a dictatorship in their area, it’s impossible to ignore that New Babylon has the same desire to control and manipulate others to gain power. Neither group has given any indication that they are the desired heroes of the story, meant to win this ensuing conflict.

The reality of two major villains made the previous battle on the water, as New Babylon attempted to invade Manhattan and Negan aided the Croat and the Dama in thwarting their advance, all the more interesting. After Maggie, Hershel, and Ginny successfully evacuated the ship, viewers have little incentive to care about the other characters on the ship, and certainly weren’t devastated to see Charlie Byrd, the governor of New Babylon, die in battle. There were obviously soldiers involved in this mission who suffered under the impulsive decisions of their leaders, but that just emphasizes the devious personalities of the central characters of this season.

This key battle in Dead City clarified that those serving New Babylon underestimated the power of the Dama’s group, though it’s still unclear how this devastating loss will play into the upcoming conflict to come. However, this second episode highlighted that there are no true villains in Dead City Season 2 because all sides of the ordeal are fighting for immoral or selfish reasons. At this point, viewers have accepted that this spin-off in the Walking Dead universe is more about a violent battle of villains than just another exhilarating fight for survival.

Morally Gray Is Certainly Here To Stay

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One of the biggest complaints viewers have about Dead City is the choice of main characters, which made them question whether this storyline is even worth dedicating their time to. Many fans still have reservations about Negan’s redemption arc, which was further complicated in Season 1 when he was forced to embrace his role as a violent, unforgiving leader. Even those excited about Maggie’s involvement in the narrative are now conflicted about how this new adventure is altering their perception of this once beloved and respected leader.

On the other hand, both of these central characters are complex and have valid reasons for continuing to take part in a war between two undoubtedly villainous organizations. Arguably, the most notable moment in episode two of this season is when the Dama kills Negan’s friend, Victor, after he hesitated to kill children aboard the New Babylon ship. He chooses to kill adults invading the island to steal their most valuable resource, but he also chooses to make decisions such as sparing Maggie’s son, Hershel, and continuing to work with the Dama under threat of his family being harmed, which makes him sympathetic despite him accepting his new role in her army.

In contrast, the show highlights Maggie’s traumatic past in a way that has yet to give her the ability to move forward and grow in a way that Negan has throughout this experience. This plays into Dead City‘s biggest problem, which is what the purpose of this spin-off is, if it isn’t exploring these long-running characters in a way that expands on their previous characterization instead of leaving them stagnant. So far, the series has embraced the morally gray trope of the franchise in a direct and undeniable way, but it still has to prove that this theme adds something to the overall plot.

Dead City Can Be the Darkest Walking Dead Installment Yet

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This isn’t to say that Dead City has completely disappointed viewers by focusing on villains and the dark aspects of the long-running characters. Currently, the narrative still has a lot to prove, especially regarding the character growth of the main characters, but it provides a fresh perspective that the audience is unsure about. In addition to the emphasis on villainous people in this post-apocalyptic world, the show has explored some of the underrated aspects other installments have avoided, such as children of the apocalypse like Hershel viewing their lives and social standards vastly differently from those who experienced the beginning of the end.

The potential of this addition to The Walking Dead universe is unlike other spin-offs of the flagship series, diving into the most disturbing aspects of the apocalypse, such as violent power plays, unresolved trauma, and the manipulation involving loved ones. It also has the potential to end resolved storylines, such as the constant tension and complex feelings between Maggie and Negan. With a storyline that clearly articulates how this conflict influences this area of the world and its people and how it changes the long-running main characters, Dead City can have a positive impact on the wider world of the undead.

Villains have been a constant in The Walking Dead since the first season of the original series, but the franchise has continued to increase the stakes with more formidable antagonists. The Walking Dead: Dead City has made this its most significant theme, not only including multiple villains but focusing on a scenario in which two powerful villains engage in a conflict that could have a major impact on the characters and their communities. Though the reason for this villain narrative is not entirely clear, the unique quality of it has the potential to create an unforgettable effect on the franchise.