A major spinoff issue in The Walking Dead: Dead City can be corrected by one character and their arc in season 2. The Walking Dead: Dead City‘s season 1 ending set up season 2 to follow Negan likely turning back to his Savior-era ways under The Dama’s wishes. Additionally, The Dama’s shared her aim to keep her group’s methane power supply confined to them. Moreover, the New Babylon Federation showed interest in seizing this methane supply, thus setting up the major conflict for season 2 to revolve around this.

Unlike season 1, it appears as though Maggie and Negan’s feud will take more of a back seat as they are currently separated, with Negan in the city and Maggie at The Bricks. While there are very few The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2 details confirmed, there’s room for the sophomore season to provide both protagonists with new story arcs that make the most of the distinct setting in a way that season 1’s storytelling didn’t. How it can help ensure a fresh and new direction for season 2 is with one particular character’s relationships.

The Walking Dead: Dead City Repeated 2 Stories From The Walking Dead

Negan and Maggie’s Walking Dead feud was reignited in Dead City & the saving Hershel arc repeated.

The Walking Dead: Dead City retconned the flagship show, which ultimately added to the tired storytelling in season 1. The Hilltop location changing to The Bricks’ factory setting was less a storytelling issue than the undoing of Maggie and Negan’s final moments together in the main show. Maggie showed less anger toward Negan in The Walking Dead‘s final episode, yet her need for vengeance was front and center in Dead City season 1.

Moreover, Maggie and Negan have already embarked on a rescue mission for Hershel in season 11 after the Commonwealth took him. However, The Walking Dead: Dead City used the same scenario as a means of motivation to justify why Maggie’s revenge mission against Negan reached similar levels to her season 10 and 11 viewpoint. Reusing the Hershel rescue mission and re-fueling Maggie and Negan’s feud was a lazy way to propel the story forward, and it’s something season 2 has to avoid, especially given how Maggie and Hershel’s season 1 story ended.

Dead City Season 2 Needs To Lean Into Maggie & Hershel’s Relationship

Maggie seemed more willing to focus on Hershel instead of her anger towards Negan.

The Walking Dead: Dead City‘s final episode provided a turning point in Hershel’s relationship with Maggie because he openly expressed his frustration about her obsession with Negan. He went on to explain that even when with him, Maggie was always on the lookout for Negan. Based on Maggie’s supposed confusion over his words and her later heart-to-heart with him, the conversation was a welcome moment in their relationship as it helped her have more perspective on how her behavior had impacted Hershel. This could be a gateway to bettering their relationship.

Maggie opened up to Hershel later, saying that she’d end her ongoing feud with Negan. She admitted she was not sure how she’d finish it, but that she wanted to let go and move on. While she could mean killing Negan, her passivity and admission that her constant fighting prior would lead to her losing what and who she already has suggests a less violent end. Maggie also opened up to Negan earlier in the season about feeling like she was failing at parenting her son. Thus, building on Maggie’s growth and attempts at developing her relationship with Hershel is crucial to avoid repeating season 1’s mistakes.

How A Better Relationship For Maggie & Hershel Can Fix Dead City Season 2

A stronger trust and relationship between Maggie & Hershel could give them the upper-hand against The Dama.

Hershel and Maggie’s heart-to-heart in the car set up room for more open communication between them, which could strengthen their relationship in season 2. If her and Hershel are closer, it could involve helping Negan from the outside to take down The Dama and avoid an all-out war between the Burazi and the New Babylon Federation. Given that The Dama had extended time to get to know Hershel and even used him as an incentive (cutting his toe off to show Negan she’s not afraid to harm him), Hershel’s allegiances in season 2 could drastically affect how the story plays out.

Moreover, Maggie finding drawings of The Dama in Hershel’s room indicates her awareness of her strange hold over him and his trust in her. It’s almost certain that Maggie will encounter the newest main Dead City villain on her journey to end things with Negan, meaning it’s even more crucial to establish a solid foundation of trust with Hershel. Instead of repeating the cycle of punishing Negan, The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2 can draw on Hershel and Maggie’s relationship by getting them on better terms to then take down an even bigger threat than Negan.