The Walking Dead: Dead City season 1 was a big hit for the franchise, but season 2 must make one critical character change to find success. After The Walking Dead season 11’s finale, the zombie series continued through spinoffs, with Dead City kick-starting this new era. The spinoff focused on Maggie and Negan heading to New York in an attempt and rescue Maggie’s son, Hershel, after he was taken by a new group of enemies. The reviews for season 1 were positive and the show broke viewership records for AMC+, highlighting just how strong Dead City‘s debut was.

These achievements mean Dead City‘s story will continue in season 2, as the spinoff was officially renewed and has reportedly begun filming. Although Maggie was able to reunite with her son in season 1’s finale, she had to trade Negan in the process and the next installment will seemingly focus on Maggie attempting to help Negan escape New York, despite her mixed feelings towards him. While this story has created a lot of momentum heading into season 2, Dead City now has to make one major character change if it wants to replicate the success of its first outing.

Maggie & Hershel’s Relationship Needs To Be Better In Season 2

Dead City Season 2 Can’t Continue Their Hostile Relationship

Despite Maggie risking her life to save Hershel in Dead City, they had a fairly hostile relationship during their reunion which must change come season 2. Maggie was delighted to embrace her son after handing Negan over to the Croat in exchange for Hershel; however, he didn’t share the same enthusiasm. Hershel criticized his mother’s obsession with Negan and gave her a frosty reception despite all the hardships she went through to get him back, creating a fractured relationship. While Maggie does have some obvious flaws, she has been a great mother, making Hershel’s reaction strange and unwarranted.

Although Hershel’s resentment towards Maggie adds extra drama and tension to Dead City, it offers very little to the show overall. Hershel’s comments did seem to inspire Maggie to head back to New York to rescue Negan, setting up the plot for season 2, but his reasoning still came out of the blue. The time jump between The Walking Dead’s finale and Dead City season 1 could explain the two drifting apart, but the spinoff hasn’t put much focus on this. Rather than continuing this divisive relationship, Dead City season 2 must fix Maggie and Hershel’s problematic relationship to avoid disaster.

Proceeding with this angle will only make rooting for Hershel more difficult, as his moody teenage antics don’t garner much sympathy. Considering Glenn is a fan favorite and Maggie is also incredibly popular, having their son become nothing more than a bratty teen would be a huge waste of the character, making it essential that Maggie and Hershel patch things up in season 2.

Hershel’s Sour Attitude Is Reversing A Positive Walking Dead Trend

The Walking Dead Has Historically Done A Great Job With Its Younger Character

Regardless of whether Hershel’s attitude towards Maggie is justified or not, the character’s negative traits are reversing a great Walking Dead trend. Many shows struggle to make their younger characters compelling, especially in such a violent setting, yet The Walking Dead has done a great job over the years. While it would be easy for the series to fall into the trap of making younger characters a bit of a hindrance to the main survivors, the zombie franchise has managed to avoid this as both Carl and Judith Grimes are some of The Walking Dead‘s best characters despite their youth.

Hershel is approaching that young adult stage but seems to be developing all the wrong traits, turning the audience against him and reversing this positive trend.

Although Carl faced some criticism during his early days, he became a fan favorite years later while Judith has remained popular despite her young age. The likes of Lydia, Enid, and Beth were more young adults than children, but they were still incredibly fleshed-out characters who had plenty of likable traits. Even Lizzie was a great character despite her unhinged nature, showing how well the franchise has dealt with its younger characters. In contrast, Hershel is approaching that young adult stage but seems to be developing all the wrong traits, turning the audience against him and reversing this positive trend.

Why Improving Maggie & Hershel’s Relationship Is So Pivotal To Dead City’s Second Season

Hershel May Become A Central Character In Dead City Season 2

Improving Maggie and Hershel’s relationship is crucial for season 2, considering how pivotal it could be to the plot. Maggie and Negan’s complicated alliance may have been the focal point of season 1, but it may not come into play until later in season 2 given their current situations. As a result, Maggie and Hershel’s dynamic could become central to the story since Hershel may be given an elevated role now that he’s free from the Croat. Therefore, Hershel could assist Maggie on her quest to find Negan, putting their relationship at the forefront of Dead City season 2.

This could essentially replace Maggie and Negan’s season 1 dynamic, making it all the more important they don’t repeat the tense and bitter atmosphere. Maggie and Hershel’s relationship remaining hostile could become frustrating to watch, especially as Maggie and Negan’s alliance wasn’t too dissimilar. If they amend things and convey a strong mother-and-son relationship, it will be a great story that the franchise hasn’t really gotten to tell; however, if it remains divisive, it could become tiring. This makes it essential that the duo make up in season 2; otherwise, Dead City risks alienating its audience.