Hershel’s fire in The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2, episode 2, has huge ramifications on the rest of the story, creating questions about why he really started it. After Maggie and Ginny left to participate in New Babylon’s Manhattan mission, Hershel stayed behind in the Bricks, much to his dismay. Although episode 1’s ending showed his frustrations about being left behind, it seemed like he was willing to listen to his mother; however, around 10 or so minutes into “Another Shitty Lesson”, Hershel showed up and disrupted the New York mission, claiming he was worried about Maggie’s well-being.

At first glance, this seemed like a noble reason for disobeying his mother, but it quickly becomes clear there is more to the story. Rather than volunteering to go with Maggie and Ginny, Hershel desperately tried to convince them to abandon the New Babylon Federation’s Walking Dead plan and return to the Bricks. While it’s not clear right away why he was so eager to leave, his increasingly strange behavior finally gets explained at the end of the episode, as Dead City implies that Hershel was the one who lit the fire at the docks, raising questions about his intentions.

Hershel’s Fire Tells The Croat That The New Babylon Federation Is Coming

The Fire Was A Signal That Allowed The Croat To Prepare For New Babylon’s Voyage

Although the fire didn’t seem to do any real damage to New Babylon’s plan or hurt their equipment, it had a much greater purpose. The flames and large cloud of smoke acted as a signal that could be seen from across the water, letting the Croat know that New Babylon was on their way. The Croat had been anticipating the faction’s arrival for some time, but seeing the burning tires acted as a clear indicator that the Federation was ready to start their voyage, allowing him time to devise a strategy that ultimately helped destroy New Babylon’s ferry.

The signal also suggested that Hershel had been working with the Croat since he left Manhattan, and while it’s unclear how or when they devised this method of communication, it proved extremely effective. Despite New Babylon being aware of the Croat’s preparations, they decided to travel anyway and sailed straight into an ambush where they lost several soldiers and resources. Although it was ultimately Negan and the Croat’s plan that put New Babylon on the back foot, it wouldn’t have been possible without Hershel starting the fire, making him arguably Dead City season 2’s most unpredictable character.

Why Hershel Is Secretly Working For The Walking Dead: Dead City’s Villains

Hershel’s Time In Manhattan Left An Impression On Him & He Seems To Have An Attachment To The Dama

With Hershel giving the Croat and the Dama intel about New Babylon’s arrival, it seems clear that he’s working with these villains, leaving the audience to wonder why. He is yet to actually confirm that he is in cahoots with the villainous duo, let alone give his reasoning, but Dead City has already offered some major clues as to what his motivation could be. The most notable detail is that Hershel had drawings of New York and the Dama, indicating that his time in Manhattan left a positive impression, rather than a negative one.

It appears the Dama treated him with more freedom and maturity despite Hershel being a prisoner, resulting in him willingly helping the villain since there are no signs of coercion.

Even though he was being held prisoner, it seems like Hershel enjoyed being treated like an adult by the Dama, resulting in him developing a fond connection with her. Although Maggie has worked hard on protecting her son and helping him become a good person, she has also sheltered him and absolved him of independence, hence the resentment we saw in season 1’s finale. In contrast, it appears the Dama treated him with more freedom and maturity despite Hershel being a prisoner, resulting in him willingly helping the villain since there are no signs of coercion.

Additionally, Hershel throwing his knife sideways in Dead City season 2 rather than overhand like Maggie taught him suggests he wants to forge his own identity, and he may believe helping the Dama could help him find it. There could still be more twists regarding his true goal, but as of now, it seems like he is simply helping the Dama and the Croat based on how they treated him, which is a worrying sign for Maggie going forward.

The Dama Probably Doesn’t Care For Hershel As Much As He Thinks

Hershel Is Likely Just A Pawn To The Dama So That She Can Further Her Control Over New York

Despite Hershel clearly admiring the Dama in some capacity, it doesn’t appear as though the feeling is mutual. Much like how the Croat looks up to Negan despite the latter not having much fondness for his former Savior member, the Dama likely doesn’t care for Hershel as much as he thinks. While the teenager may look to her as a mentor figure, the Dama presumably sees Hershel as little more than a pawn, who has been useful in recruiting Negan and warning her about New Babylon’s arrival. However, her affection seems to stop there.

Victor was a loyal soldier who was undoubtedly a useful part of the Dama’s plans, yet she killed him without a second thought, all to prove a point. Likewise, when talking about a painting she received from Bruegel, the Dama mentioned how it represented Saturn eating his own children so that he wouldn’t be overthrown, indicating that even if she did see Hershel as a potentially loyal soldier, she wouldn’t hesitate to betray him for her own self-gain.

With Dead City season 2 having six episodes remaining, we will hopefully find out more about how the Dama feels about Hershel, alongside why Maggie’s son admires her so much. Until then, it feels like an unhealthy obsession that will likely end in disaster for Hershel if he doesn’t come to his senses.

Hershel Didn’t Intend To Put Maggie & Ginny In Danger In Dead City Season 2

Despite His Seemingly Villainous Role, Hershel Tried To Prevent Maggie & Ginny From Boarding The Ferry

Even though Hershel was willing to sabotage New Babylon’s mission, he never intended to risk Maggie and Ginny’s lives. His arrival wasn’t just to give the Croat the signal, but Hershel also wanted to ensure Maggie and Ginny never made it to Manhattan since he knew those who headed there would be in trouble. It’s unlikely he knew the Croat’s exact plan; otherwise, he may never have boarded the ferry in the first place. Still, it’s clear the teenager regretted letting Maggie and Ginny step into danger, as evidenced by his panic while below deck.

The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 2 Episodes
Release Date

Episode 1: “Power Equals Power”
May 4, 2025

Episode 2: “Another Shitty Lesson”
May 11, 2025

Episode 3: “Why Did the Mainlanders Cross the River?”
May 18, 2025

Episode 4: “Feisty Friendly”
May 25, 2025

Episode 5: “The Bird Always Knows”
June 1, 2025

Episode 6: “Bridge Partners are Hard to Come by These Days”
June 8, 2025

Episode 7: “Novi Dan, Novi Početak”
June 15, 2025

Episode 8: “If History Were a Conflagration”
June 22, 2025

While he presumably wanted to return to Manhattan at some point, given his admiration for the city, Hershel’s immediate plan seemed to involve appeasing the Dama and the Croat by selling out New Babylon. However, he underestimated Maggie and Ginny’s unfinished business with Negan, which is presumably a motivation behind their return to the island, meaning he unintentionally put them in harm’s way. Therefore, with pretty much every central character now in Manhattan, Hershel may struggle to keep his loved ones safe while continuing his secret mission, setting up a thrilling story for the rest of Dead City season 2.