The critical reception of Dead City has been mostly positive, but the moderate to poor reviews from the audience suggests this Walking Dead spin-off does not satisfy most of the die-hard fans. Viewers are skeptical if it’s a worthy continuation of two popular characters like Maggie and Negan. While previous installments of The Walking Dead universe have been able to shock the audience with some exceptional twists, Dead City has not left most fans remotely shaken or uncertain, as most of the popular fan theories have been confirmed.

One major fan theory for Dead City Season 2 was that Hershel Rhee would take a turn into the dark side. This was confirmed in the latest episode of Dead City, but the eerie twist to the theory gives viewers hope that the show still has the potential to be refreshingly unexpected.

Fans Suspected Hershel Was a Villain

Dead City Season 2 Confirms This Theory

Image via AMC

Since its premiere, Dead City has highlighted villains, but Season 2 has placed a larger focus on antagonists and morally gray characters. One of the most controversial parts of Dead City is its lack of true heroes, which was complex but still clearly defined in other Walking Dead shows. However, the most shocking aspect of Dead City Season 2 so far is the confirmation that Hershel Rhee is a villain. By the end of Season 1, viewers suspected Hershel had a complicated relationship with the Dama. This was because he was seemingly drawing her, even though she kept him captive to manipulate his mother and gain access to Negan.

Though there have only been a few episodes of Season 2, Dead City has already clarified which side Hershel is on. He loves Maggie and doesn’t want to see his loved ones harmed, but he has actively ensured New Babylon does not disrupt the Dama’s vision of the future. Fans first knew Hershel was working with the Dama and the Croat when Dead City revealed he had set the fire, which signaled to them that New Babylon’s army was preparing to cross the river into Manhattan.

This action cannot be excused as a young man trying to prevent a conflict or attempting to rescue his mother by sabotaging an upcoming battle. Hershel had first-hand knowledge of the Croat’s cruelty, which makes it entirely plausible that he knew if the New Babylon ship set sail into Manhattan, everyone on board (innocent or otherwise) would become a victim of these ruthless people.

Hershel’s Shocking Backstory Further Supports This Theory

The Dama Mentored Hershel

Image via AMC

In Dead City, Season 2, Episode 3, “Why Did the Mainlanders Cross the River?,” it is confirmed why Hershel has such an interest in the Dama and her mission. When he was being tortured and confined to a chair by the Croat, the Dama made a show to prove how kind and understanding she was. At that moment, she didn’t just allow him more comfortable living arrangements, such as a bed and food. She literally took the cloak off of her back and brought food offered from her own hand, signaling to the abused youth that she had an active interest in his well-being.

After the Dama learns that Hershel has a strained relationship with Maggie, due to his father’s traumatic death and her obsession with Negan, she gives him the nurturing he has been lacking throughout his upbringing. In addition to the necessities, she ensures he has art supplies and then visits him to praise his artistic abilities. This was a calculated effort by the Dama to prove she isn’t just cruel and domineering, but actually has a passion for things Hershel can relate to. When Hershel “escapes” his room and the Dama kills the walkers that threaten his life, it’s obvious that she had a thoughtful plan to convince him she cares.

This history between the Dama and Hershel was crucial to understanding Hershel’s perspective, because he wasn’t just a captive that trauma bonded to his captor. The Dama became a mentor, offering Hershel a comfortable space and encouraging his continued projects of envisioning a beautiful and fresh future for Manhattan. By sharing her views of the world and her desire to embrace the world as it is, she successfully manipulated Hershel into believing he finally has an adult who sees his true nature and potential.

The Dama’s Manipulation Can Have Serious Consequences

This Has Already Caused Hershel Harm

Image via AMC

This isn’t to say that Dead City’s Dama is a complete manipulator without any complexities or depth to her characterization. The audience saw her being cruel and murderous when she saw her vision of the future being threatened, but she hadn’t hidden her desire to embrace the new world and make it something new without the confines of the past. Some could argue this isn’t much different to Negan’s perception when he was the Savior’s leader, leaving viewers to wonder if this villain is also multi-faceted and capable of redemption.

Despite the Dama’s possible complexities, there isn’t any doubt she sought to manipulate Hershel to do her bidding. She even made a deal that, when he went back to the Bricks, he would still be working toward their vision of a revolutionized Manhattan. The Dama could be sincere about appreciating Hershel’s love of art and the future of the post-apocalyptic world, but convincing him to join her side was a calculated attempt to thwart New Babylon from gaining the upper-hand. She’s also made it clear that she’s not opposed to killing anyone that stands in her way, which likely includes Hershel.

Unfortunately, Hershel has fallen for the Dama’s manipulation, which has already caused serious harm, such as most of the New Babylon army dying during their attempted invasion of Manhattan due to Hershel signaling in Episode 2. As of now, the confused and traumatized teenager is conflicted; he’s dedicated to the Dama’s cause but doesn’t want to see loved ones, like Maggie and Ginny, get hurt. With his allegiances so divided and currently causing conflict, this complicated relationship between Hershel and the villain is sure to continue causing issues.

The Walking Dead Will Never Be the Same

Dead City Confirming This Theory Has Injected Fresh Life Into the Franchise

Image via AMC

Currently, Dead City has an unfortunate trend of appeasing critics while falling short of impressing the audience, leading to conflicting ratings. A major reason for this is the show’s unusual concept in centering Maggie and Negan, who have been intense enemies since Negan killed Glenn in The Walking Dead. However, some viewers love the focus on the villains, as it makes the storyline more nuanced and debatable, and it could even renew die-hard fans’ interest in the spin-off.

While characters like Maggie have become increasingly morally gray throughout the years, a major shock in Season 2 of Dead City was a child of the apocalypse becoming a villain. As the son of two beloved and respected original characters, fans assumed Hershel would live up to the hype of those such as Carl and Judith Grimes, who were always the type to fight for goodness and equality. Hershel is not currently a villain that is irredeemable or without positive attributes, but has certainly opposed the expectations of a legacy character.

Since The Walking Dead’s audience has been so conflicted about Dead City, the creators are taking a huge risk by turning Hershel Rhee into a morally gray character with villainous actions and alliances. Confirming this major fan theory with a refreshing twist is just the type of boldness that could make this controversial spin-off worthwhile.