Spoilers The Walking Dead: Dead City - Season 2

[TREK_GOD_1]

Anyway, the journey through Central Park and meeting with the people there as well as the Croat sending Negan in to try and flush the New Babylon team out was good and it nice to get some insight into the kind of impact the Dama had on Hershel.

Hershel seems too easy to manipulate; he's raised by Maggie and spent most of his early years around survivalists who had to deal with manipulative individuals / groups, so that--in theory--should have conditioned him against the next violent group...especially one who kidnapped him.

While I had a feeling the New Babylon Governor was going to be killed relatively soon (the actress wasn't listed in the main cast, she obviously wasn't going to stick around for the entire season) I am somewhat surprised at the rather disposable way they got rid of her at the start of this episode, where a walker bites her and everyone else essentially shrugs it off and doesn't comment on the fact their head of state is now gone.

That was not Governor Byrd; in E2, she was killed when a direct hit from the Dama's explosive Walker rockets detonated in front of her on the ship's bow.

I mean, I get they need to get Perlie into definite leadership in order to get the storyline going, but a part of me also wonders why, if they were just going to get rid of the Governor so quickly anyway, why didn't they just have her killed in the ferry's destruction last week?

Perlie is in command, but he has Narvaez to deal with; her aggression and anger toward Perlie and Maggie cannot go anywhere good, so I feel Perlie will end up dealing with the distraction of betrayal soon enough. Do not be surprised of Hershel--acting as the puppet of The Dama--makes an attempt on Perlie's life.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

The Walking Dead: Dead City
Season 2 - Episode 4 "Feisty Friendly"

THE DAMA / NEGAN / THE CROAT / BRUEGEL I: Somewhere at Bruegel’s HQ, he sits caressing a large rat, talking to someone—or something behind a sheet about the possibilities of being on the grid again. Filled with anticipation, he tosses the rat into a bucket in front of the sheet, where a hand pulls the bucket behind it and the squeals of the rant are heard…caused by the person eating the rodent…
The Dama’s caravan drives up to the dilapidated Metropolitan Museum of Art for the meeting with Bruegel; The Croat criticizes the plan, arguing that Bruegel should be coming to them, the group that demolished an armada without his help, adding Bruegel is a ”slippery eel” looking to feed himself. The Dama insists they still need Bruegel and his men to forge a larger army.

Negan triggers a Walker inside of a tow truck and does not flinch, something The Dama recognizes, explaining they needed him for that reason, as The Croat is emotional & volatile, which is the opposite of what is needed for the meeting, so she’s relying on Negan to keep The Croat on a leash, of sorts. Negan refers to The
Dama as ”boss” in a most condescending manner, but this is countered with The Dama mentioning Negan’s family crossing the Appalachian—a very treacherous pass. Negan is visibly seething at the emotional screws she turns…

NEW BABYLON FEDERATION / FORAGERS I: Maggie and Perlie (with Hershel present) discuss the Negan situation; she reveals she—contrary to Perlie’s earlier belief—was not working with the man who murdered Hershel’s father, but she did trade Negan for her son—a move Perlie would’ve mirrored if he were in the same position.

Perlie believes they need to find Negan, who is now with the Burazi, and if so, he knows something about the methane operation. Maggie wonders how this will be explained to Narvaez, who was led to believe he killed Negan (going a long way toward earning his promotion); Perlie hesitates, but states he will think of something to deal with Narvaez. Hershel mentions he did not tell Ginny he ran into Negan, but reveals she’s in possession of a gun, and he believes she hid it as if she’s saving it for someone. The three agree to keep this discussion between themselves.

THE DAMA / NEGAN / THE CROAT / BRUEGEL II: The Dama’s party are greeted by Bruegel…and a large number of armed guards. The Croat brushes aside Bruegel’s attempts at chit-chat, though he comments on the restored interior—a far cry from its condition when Christos (who lost the museum to Bruegel in one of his games) and his people “owned” the site, using paintings for fire and sculptures as projectiles.
Bruegel is a snark-machine, going so far as to make light of the two methane tanks The Dama’s party brought to the meeting—something The Croat does not find amusing.

NEW BABYLON FEDERATION / FORAGERS II: Perlie informs the NBF-ers—and a pissed-off Narvaez—that he, Maggie and Hershel will form the methane search team, as they’ve been in the city and dealt with the Burazi. Roksanna mentions there’s no perimeter to worry about, as the Dama’s group headed for the museum this morning. Maggie asks a disappointed Ginny to stay behind with the NBF-ers to keep an eye on things, and the girl offers no protest, but her facial expression catches the eye of Narvaez.

THE DAMA / NEGAN / THE CROAT / BRUEGEL III: Bruegel takes The Dama’s group on a tour of the most values paintings still hanging, his favorite being Emanuel Leutze’s Washington Crossing the Delaware for the relevant message he believes it holds for current parties:

BRUEGEL: ”I mean, a small federation of colonies taking on a powerful island? Or rather, a small island taking on a federation of powerful colonies?”
The Dama is slightly irritated by Bruegel’s deliberate, switching word-play, while The Croat & Negan stare in the moment.The ever-observant Croat takes this as the moment to focus on how Bruegel obtained the museum through a game pitting Walker against Walker. The Croat gets Bruegel to admit he’s won around twenty-six matches in a row, adding that if “Lady Luck” had frowned on him the way it did Christos, he would wonder how Bruegel’s champion could be so persistently successful. The statement—barely concealing an accusation-- makes the flamboyant leader quite nervous. The Dama is also fearful (looking to Negan to salvage it all), thinking The Croat is going to destroy any talk of an alliance.

Taking The Dama’s look as his cue, Negan chimes in, providing an “explanation” in the form of the oversized “Frankenstein” of a Walker for Bruegel’s success, a fact the shaky Brugel immediately supports. The Croat—losing his takedown momentum—glares at Negan.

NEW BABYLON FEDERATION / FORAGERS III: Perlie leads Maggie and Hershel through the park; when Hershel questions how Perlie always knows where he’s going in the area, Perlie recounts how he and his brother used to cut class to hang out in the park. Perlie and Maggie exchange their “most missed food” choices; Maggie mentions a Kit Kat bar, which moves the two to sing the ”Break me off a piece of that Kit Kat Bar” TV spot jingle. Maggie smiles at the memory, until she recalls the last time she had a Kit Kat was on her birthday, three years into the apocalypse, a thought removing the smile from her face, as its clear someone no longer living (Glenn) gave her the confection.

Hershel—at first curious about the conversation—says he does not know what was so great about the old world, when it was nothing—except people killing each other for resources. Perlie counters, saying it was not all abut that, but Hershel pushes back, essentially parroting The Dama in saying the more people try to bring back the old world, it only leads to more fighting and killing.

THE DAMA / NEGAN / THE CROAT / BRUEGEL IV: Bruegel has The Dama’s sit at a massive table (in a Last Supper positioning, no less), treating the guests to a “Feisty Friendly” exhibition match between Walkers, with Bruegel’s giant champion as one of its participants. The Dama claps excitedly at the bizarre spectacle, but The Croat could not be more disinterested, looking at the Dama while impatiently tapping his fork against his plate.

Bruegel serves a meal for everyone, consisting of wine, a single carrot…and a cooked rat, which The Dama will not eat. Former New Babylon Federation historian Pierce—brought to record the meeting—cannot let go of his suspicion that he’s seen The Dama before—in the old world. Eventually, he remembers (to Negan’s amusement) that she was an important theatre critic who could make or break careers with her scathing reviews over the curse of decades. This episode of This is Your Life greatly unsettles The Dama, particularly when he recalls how she once bit a playwright for a thinly veiled attack against her in his play, The Little Empress. Negan smiles broadly, staring at The Dama.

Changing the subject, The Dama asks Pierce to sow her the illustration of the city—the one given to him by Hershel. She admits she knew the NBF had picked him up, and that he was the one who sent the burning tire smoke signal. Negan’s smile melts away, comprehending what Hershel working for The Dama means.
Bruegel’s Walker wins his fight, but it’s the way the Walker wins which catches The Croat’s attention…

MAGGIE / PERLIE / HERSHEL I: From a rooftop opposite of the museum, Perlie and Maggie observe the Burazi watching their cars; reasoning that the methane is not in the museum, they assume something else of value is in there—Negan included. While waiting, Perlie & Maggie begin to share more of their personal lives:

PERLIE: ”Having a kid…it’s the scariest thing of all, especially when it’s just you. All I think about day and night is keeping my girls safe. Making sure they never go through what we had to.”

MAGGIE: ”I know I seem hard on the outside, but deep down I’m terrified all the time. “

PERLIE: ”When I got back from Manhattan, I wanted to take my family and go…but where? Strange to think I’m fighting so hard to bring back a world that my daughters never knew. Is that what they even want? I guess we gotta wonder how much of it is for them, and how much for us?”

NEW BABYLON FEDERATION / FORAGERS IV: Back at the Foragers’ camp, Ginny is confronted by Narvaez, who has discovered the gun (in Ginny’s bag) and knows Ginny is not there for the NBF. Ginny admits she’s with the group in order to kill the man who killed her father (SEE NOTES). Narvaez’s mind works the statement, telling Ginny how Governor Byrd once told her that no society can flourish without the law—no crime…murder…can go without retribution. Ginny collects the gun, but before she leaves, Narvaez asks if the man Ginny intends to kill is Negan. Ginny looks back at Narvaez…

THE DAMA / NEGAN / THE CROAT / BRUEGEL IV: While the crowd watches yet another Walker cage match, Bruegel makes an energetic speech about the need for service, his group joining with The Dama’s, and how together, no lawman or mainlander will ever attempt to exercise their authority or enter the island.
Unabashedly opportunistic, Bruegel proposes the establishment of a second methane plant in the museum, an idea that shocks The Dama, and angers The Croat.

The Croat reminds Bruegel that he offers nothing—that it was The Damas group who defeated the New Babylon invaders, and holding all of the cards. Bruegel tries to ”certain point of view” The Croat’s position, but is interrupted by the man himself, who returns to the subject of how Bruegel’s Walker champion can win so many matches…how Bruegel and his cronies only grow richer, while others around them sink further into poverty.

The Croat suggests Bruegel’s Walker—with the quicker than normal reflexes—might be injected with Methylphenidates or Dextroamphetamines, adding that traces of the chemicals can be found by administering Fenproporex, and if eternal loser Christos found out about it, his people would not be happy. The Croat—knowing he’s placed Bruegel on the defensive, says he will not run the tests, because they are all “friends”, leaving a fuming Bruegel speechless.

Negan picks up the baton, making the offer for the methane if Bruegel’s Walker wins. If it loses, Bruegel’s group must join the alliance with no addendums. The Dama—watching her authority slip just a bit—accepts the challenge.

MAGGIE / PERLIE / HERSHEL II: The NBF trio spot Negan and his guards capturing the tow truck Walker…and a can of oil; the trio make their way into the museum, but they need a distraction in order for Maggie to meet Negan alone. The method she will use is not at all to her liking…

THE DAMA / NEGAN / THE CROAT / BRUEGEL V: The Croat tries in vain to convince The Dama that the control of methane is too important to risk in a game; Bruegel gives Negan a rundown about the rules, weapons, etc., but is quite pleased to see Negan’s Walker champion being an undersized creature with no armor or weapons. Negan’s rationale: he likes the underdog. Suddenly, Bruegel is alerted about a fire—set to Washington Crossing the Delaware. Panicking, Bruegel has his people gently put out the blaze, while The Dama questions Negan’s sense in his choice in Walker champions. When The Dama’s attention is drawn back to a door carefully closing, Negan—closest to the entrance—hears a familiar sound: his infamous whistle from his Savior days. Taking the bait, Negan follows the sound to an empty section of the museum, where he comes face to face with Maggie:

NEGAN: ”Maggie. You came back. Why?”

MAGGIE: ”Not for you.”

NEGAN: ”Be a little strange if, uh, you came back to bust out the guy that you threw in the slammer.”

MAGGIE: ”If you can call this the slammer. Looks to me like you’re a free man. Like you’re holding up just fine.”

NEGAN: ”Yeah. So what? Forget a credit card or something?”
Maggie looks up to a 2nd story walkway, getting Negan to follow the gaze to see an armed Perlie.

NEGAN: ”Oh, shit. I get it. Finally got you on the payroll. So, coming to me for help? I mean, I am sensing a bit of a pattern here, Maggie. “

PERLIE: ”I won’t bullshit you. I know we don’t got a lot of time. We need to secure the methane, and the whole operation. It’s for a just cause. It’s gonna help a lotta
people. Anything you can tell us…where it’s being processed—how we--”

NEGAN: ”Good to see you, too.” (Turning to Maggie) ”You know what? I wanna hear it from you.”

MAGGIE (To Perlie): ”I’ll meet you and Hershel back at the rendezvous point.”

Perlie reluctantly leaves.

NEGAN: ”—the Hell are you doing coming back here? What are you thinking?”

MAGGIE: ”Do you think I want to be here?” I don’t give a shit about the methane. Sooner I help them, sooner Hershe and I can go back to living our own lives in fucking peace!”

NEGAN: ”And so I’m uh—putting up the risk as always.”

MAGGIE: ”I don’t need anything from you, just a location.”

NEGAN: ”I can’t help you. I can barely help myself. I give you anything, even something small, then the people I’m looking out for…I—I can’t.”

MAGGIE: ”Who? Annie and Joshua.”

Negan’s answer is in his pained expression, but he still gives her some intel:

NEGAN: ” 51st and 5th—St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Maggie, there’s something else. Its Hershel. She got to him somehow. He is helping her.” (SEE NOTES)

MAGGIE: ”Who? Who got to him?”

NEGAN: ”Listen to me…you can’t trust him.”

MAGGIE: ”No!”

NEGAN: ”Look, I am telling you—that’s how they knew—“

MAGGIE: ”You don’t know what you’re talking about!”

NEGAN: (hearing approaching footsteps) ”You have to go. Right now. Go.”

Maggie slips away just as the crowds head back toward the arena with Negan. Maggie cannot believe what she’s heard, but cannot simply leave…
Hershel makes his way down another hall to a room where The Dama stands waiting.

THE DAMA / NEGAN / THE CROAT / BRUEGEL VI: In the Arena, the Walkers are prepped for “combat”. Negan’s only addition to his walker is pouring a bottle of motor oil all over the creature. On the 2nd story walkway, Maggie studies the scene; she’s spotted by Negan (who says nothing), but she may have been seen by The Croat on two occasions.

The Walker warriors fight, but the oil on Negan’s Walker causes Bruegel’s to slip & crash to the floor; before Negan’s Walker can bite into his opponent, Brugel hods his bare arm over the fence, calling to the Walker—a ploy which works, while angering Negan. Turnabout being what you might believe it to be, Negan jumps into the arena to attract Bruegel’s Walker to the arena entrance. While this chaos unfolds, Maggie sets her eyes on The Dama—at last she knows the real woman behind Hershel’s sketch. The Dama locks eyes with Hershel’s mother, until the arena fight distracts her.

Bruegel’s Walker is caught on the arena door, allowing Negan to come face to face with it…noting its eyes are not that of a Walker, but a living man, thus answering the question about Bruegel’s endless game victories. The Waker breaks free, falls on Negan’s creature and kills it, leaving a scornful Croat and Dama watching their methane fortune paced in jeopardy. Bruegel calls out in victorious glee…until Negan whispers something in his ear, leading a now nervous Bruegel to announce that in the spirit of trust, he’s joining the alliance…with no strings (i.e., methane operation) attached.

The Dama cannot believe what she’s seeing—or Negan’s apparent skill in turning anything into an advantage.

Outside, The Dama praises Negan (much to The Croat’s annoyance), but she refers to his family in the past tense (angering Negan once again), then “corrects” herself before asking Negan to join her in the back seat of the car chauffeured by a tense Croat.

BRUEGEL: The defeated leader speaks to his Walker warrior—a man named Tony (his former old world bodyguard), who chews on rats like an animal. Bruegel notes that they’ve had a good run, but now that their secret’s been exposed, Bruegel no longer has use for the man. In an instant, Bruegel activates a blade from his watch, and slices Tony’s throat. Tony dies in agony, Bruegel talks to himself, stating he’s not out of moves just yet…

NOTES: Four episodes in, and we can see the potential for numerous disasters to erupt from every direction.
As it stands:

Hershel - is completely corrupted by The Dama. Unless the writers subvert expectations, having him turn the tables on The Dama, et al., I cannot see him being redeemed by the end of the season. In fact, his not returning Maggie’s hug on the rooftop—along with his bank expression leads one to believe he will attempt to set up his own mother for death. Some might argue that he’s not too far gone, but The Dama revealed what I suspected: Hershel set the tire pile fire to signal the NBF ship’s location. He’s complicit in mass murder, considering the lives lost aboard The Liberty Queen, and he lacks any normal emotional reaction to it. In one of the few times the following can be said about Negan, he was 100% correct about Hershel.

The Croat - feels pushed aside by The Dama in favor of Negan (and did not say a word to defend him against Bruegel’s mockery); although he knows she does not trust Negan—considering her continued verbal threats against his family—it’s not out of the realm of possibility that she feels The Croat is a usurper-in-waiting, thus placing his life at risk.

Narvaez – Disrespecting Perlie’s authority and his trust in Maggie, she too is in the throne-swiper’s role, and to improve her odds by convincing—under a law and order” mindset--Ginny to kill the man who kill her her father, and one can imagine Narvaez believes its Negan, or is I Perlie? In this way, Narvaez either eliminates a wanted man, or the opposition leadership, and considering the inherent danger of Manhattan, a girl she likely feels is not fit for the NBF communities.

Negan – despite neutering Brugel—forcing him to accept The Dama’s terms without obtaining methane—he is always reminded that his family’s lives depend on his unwavering service to The Dama. Now that The Croat has spotted Maggie, and knowing Negan spared her son (he prisoner exchange and the boat), he’s suspecting Negan is double-dealing in a position which he feels he’s earned. It will not be a shocker if The Croat attempts to use Negan’s family—or Hershel—against him in some sadistic manner. Of course, with The Dama having her own sick interest In the boy, The Croat would be placing his head on her chopping block.

In the middle of a generally grim episode, the scene where Maggie & Perlie reminisce about Kit Kat candy bars and their TV spot’s jingle was an unexpected moment, only for it to send Maggie sinking into sadness over a specific memory of her birthday and who gave her the same snack. The two do have a cautiously growing friendship, which would be fascinating to see grow as the season moves forward, but we know how the attempt to form a relationship in The Walking Dead universe can lead to an unpleasant end for someone.

This is how to create a fantasy drama with weight.

GRADE: A+.

 

[The Wormhole]

I finally put my finger on what this season was missing so far, it's that, despite playing characters who hate each other, Lauren Cohan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan just work so well together when they're onscreen together. Now, I get it, Negan and Maggie aren't characters you can keep teaming up for an adventure without straining credibility to the extremes, but damn, when the two of them had their scene together this week, there was magic in the air that hadn't been there previously this season.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

I finally put my finger on what this season was missing so far, it's that, despite playing characters who hate each other, Lauren Cohan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan just work so well together when they're onscreen together. Now, I get it, Negan and Maggie aren't characters you can keep teaming up for an adventure without straining credibility to the extremes, but damn, when the two of them had their scene together this week, there was magic in the air that hadn't been there previously this season.

The story finally has them on the same emotional page: family in danger by those pulling their strings, so for the first tit--a least in this episode--they are not attempting to harm the other, but realize they might need to be strained allies. Of course, this is further complicated by Ginny and her revenge story--if she's honest about killing Negan, and if so, she--like Hershel--is a threat from within. Considering The Walking Dead TV franchise's history of killing child and adolescent characters, and the antagonistic nature of Hershel and Ginny, I wonder if the two might have a short future ahead of them.

 

[ELCHawk]

Great episode. I hope Bruegel stays awhile. That character is the best TWD villain since Alpha and Beta.

A lot of of the recent TWD villains have been generic. The Croat is interesting too.

You would think in the new world teens would not have the time to be annoying and mopey. His parents are two of my favorite characters in the Universe, but I don't really care about Hershal.

I think Perlie and Isabella (Dixon) are the best new characters of the three post TWD shows.

 

[The Wormhole]

Of course, this is further complicated by Ginny and her revenge story--if she's honest about killing Negan,

I suspect there might be something more to Ginny's storyline besides a desire to kill Negan. If it's just kill Negan to avenge her father, that seems a bit simplistic. I keep expecting some twist in that storyline, though that could be me grasping to make what is probably the season's least focused storyline have more meaning than is currently apparent.

And it's possible the twist could just be nothing more than what is established this week with Narvaez seeming to take Ginny under her wing.

 

[ELCHawk]

Should we be worried that Dead City hasn't been renewed yet for season 3? While Dixon is already working on season 4?

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

Should we be worried that Dead City hasn't been renewed yet for season 3? While Dixon is already working on season 4?

Worried? I'm not certain. Perhaps the creatives believe this concept (the Maggie vs. Negan plot) is not sustainable beyond two seasons. Ether she goes back to her TWD series finale position of accepting Negan's apology (but not forgiving him), or she stagnates as a one-note character--the one thing you do not want in a continuing character series (Daryl runs the risk of that in his series, as he's still more of a bull-headed atheist, even after his experiences with Isabel and Laurent, which shows zero growth)..

There's four episodes left in this one, and to be honest, I cannot see the Dama/Croat storyline continuing well into into a third year, and more importantly, why Maggie would need more contact with Negan once she somehow deprograms Hershel / ends the islanders' threat?

One way to end the series is to have Maggie pack up her life and return to Alexandria / learn about the expanded Commonwealth communities, or at least have the characters say they're heading back, similar to Morgan and Mo's departure from Fear the Walking Dead.

 

[The Wormhole]

Should we be worried that Dead City hasn't been renewed yet for season 3? While Dixon is already working on season 4?

Darryl has always had rapid renewal announcements. It was renewed for season 2 a month before season 1 even premiered while Dead City wasn't renewed for season 2 until the week the season 1 finale aired. Granted, in both cases, those announcements came at Comic Con.

As for whether we should be worried about Dead City, unclear, really. There are rumors circulating that could indicate it'll continue or it could end. I'm certainly not sure where Maggie and Negan's character arcs could go after this season, but I'm not confident enough this will be the end to put money on it. I guess we'll have a better idea in about another month when the finale airs, and we'll know for certain either way at Comic Con this July.

 

[oktay]

Darryl has always had rapid renewal announcements. It was renewed for season 2 a month before season 1 even premiered while Dead City wasn't renewed for season 2 until the week the season 1 finale aired. Granted, in both cases, those announcements came at Comic Con.

As for whether we should be worried about Dead City, unclear, really. There are rumors circulating that could indicate it'll continue or it could end. I'm certainly not sure where Maggie and Negan's character arcs could go after this season, but I'm not confident enough this will be the end to put money on it. I guess we'll have a better idea in about another month when the finale airs, and we'll know for certain either way at Comic Con this July.

I think it will be renewed for a third and final season.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

I'm certainly not sure where Maggie and Negan's character arcs could go after this season

That's the issue: Maggie was another type of character pre-Negan, but after the infamous line-up, the showrunners spend a bit too much time / seasons trying to make Negan her eternal Green Goblin to her Spider-Man. Yes, her feelings of loss and hatred of Negan were raw and potent drama early in its plot life, but to give it a resolution of sorts in The Walking Dead's series finale, only to kick the Dead City-era relationship back to TWD season 7 emotional territory sort of erases the power of TWD's Maggie/Negan conversation.

I do suspect Maggie will reach another resolution with Negan if Ginny is plotting to kill him, and she prevents the attempted murder. Although I can guess the following will not happen, Maggie might sacrifice herself to save Hershel, and the boy ends up being "adopted" by Negan / joining his own family in a series finale. Or the reverse with Negan's sacrifice.

 

[Morpheus 02]

This show feels in some ways like Galatica 1980 and Star Trek Voyager



Galactica in that they are using things from the previous show, but still feels like a different show, and the past references are way fewer than if it was a real sequel.

It’s like Voyager in that they don’t speak or use what they don’t have to form a previous show…maybe to not pay previous creative?

Like the BRICKS feels more like a bootleg Hilltop. It’s a different community farther away from the Commonwealth, so I guess that’s where the New Babylon Federation comes in. It also seems to ignore the Civic Republic, whose HQ is in Phillie, (smack dab between Alexandria and NYC), and had a major research facility in NYC.


And How is it they don’t even mention Glenn’s NAME? That makes no sense.



And we won’t even see any flahsbacks… maybe not of Glenn (as the actor is over a decade older than his character), but Negan’s wife??? That was only a few years ago. And I don’t think the actress is so expensive and/or busy that she couldn’t appeaf for some scenes.



Even with Perlie, though… not a flashback with his girls? That part feels more like a very low budget.


Some other issues for me:

Last week, when Negan hesitated because he saw Maggie & Herschel…. I am surprised he wasn’t smart enough (from the writers) that he didn’t immediately pivot and say something like how he d make an example, or how he wanted to give them hope….false hope. Seemed like they made him “too human” in that moment.


I am wondering with Herschel’s storyline – is this a sort of variation for what happened to Herschel in the comic? He’s definitely different than his Ghostbusters character….so my problem isn’t with his acting but the way they are writing/directing him. He’s just not likeable.



Ginny seems more “realistic”

The Kit Kat bar scene --- while it also feels “realistic” it also felt like product placement. Forgot to check the commercials.

And regarding renewal --- unless they have a lot in the pipeline with a comparable budget, it might get renewed just for the sake of having SOMETHING with just a “guarantee” of success. They are really squeezing everything they can out of Walking Dead.


Sorry for all the negativity. I honestly don’t see why @TREK_GOD_1 rates it so high.

I WILL say that I have been enjoying Željko Ivanek’s performance as the Croat…. Though it definitely seems like he is about to self-destruct….which seems crazy that he survived all this time without cracking!

 

[oktay]

This show feels in some ways like Galatica 1980 and Star Trek Voyager



Galactica in that they are using things from the previous show, but still feels like a different show, and the past references are way fewer than if it was a real sequel.

It’s like Voyager in that they don’t speak or use what they don’t have to form a previous show…maybe to not pay previous creative?

Like the BRICKS feels more like a bootleg Hilltop. It’s a different community farther away from the Commonwealth, so I guess that’s where the New Babylon Federation comes in. It also seems to ignore the Civic Republic, whose HQ is in Phillie, (smack dab between Alexandria and NYC), and had a major research facility in NYC.


And How is it they don’t even mention Glenn’s NAME? That makes no sense.



And we won’t even see any flahsbacks… maybe not of Glenn (as the actor is over a decade older than his character), but Negan’s wife??? That was only a few years ago. And I don’t think the actress is so expensive and/or busy that she couldn’t appeaf for some scenes.



Even with Perlie, though… not a flashback with his girls? That part feels more like a very low budget.


Some other issues for me:

Last week, when Negan hesitated because he saw Maggie & Herschel…. I am surprised he wasn’t smart enough (from the writers) that he didn’t immediately pivot and say something like how he d make an example, or how he wanted to give them hope….false hope. Seemed like they made him “too human” in that moment.


I am wondering with Herschel’s storyline – is this a sort of variation for what happened to Herschel in the comic? He’s definitely different than his Ghostbusters character….so my problem isn’t with his acting but the way they are writing/directing him. He’s just not likeable.



Ginny seems more “realistic”

The Kit Kat bar scene --- while it also feels “realistic” it also felt like product placement. Forgot to check the commercials.

And regarding renewal --- unless they have a lot in the pipeline with a comparable budget, it might get renewed just for the sake of having SOMETHING with just a “guarantee” of success. They are really squeezing everything they can out of Walking Dead.


Sorry for all the negativity. I honestly don’t see why @TREK_GOD_1 rates it so high.

I WILL say that I have been enjoying Željko Ivanek’s performance as the Croat…. Though it definitely seems like he is about to self-destruct….which seems crazy that he survived all this time without cracking!

The current TWD series has a budget of $13.5 million per episode. and you have a small number of episodes like 8. If it was 16, 22 or 24, the issues you mentioned in the beginning would have been covered. Other than that, probably very little of the $13.5 million is given to the actors. Everything else is spent on production. So maybe they didn't want to pay Glen and Negan's wife. If the wife you're referring to is the black woman and child that was on the show in the TWD finales, they will be shown in the season finales. or they may have been killed.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

This show feels in some ways like Galatica 1980 and Star Trek Voyager



Galactica in that they are using things from the previous show, but still feels like a different show, and the past references are way fewer than if it was a real sequel.

Keep in mind that Dead City is not on the same timeline as The Walking Dead's final season, The Ones Who Live, Daryl Dixon or the final season of Fear the Walking Dead, the latter's time scale finally matching the parent series, from what has been said of Morgan's final FTWD episode. That means Dead City's characters are truly independent of the others, and for all anyone knows, Maggie has not seen or heard from the WD characters in several years.

Her story is not dependent on references to the other shows, which is why Dead City is compelling (for the time being), because she is that rare example of how someone in ZA world simply picked up and moved with no intent of ever going back to Virginia. We've witnessed other sort of regular characters depart TWD-TV universe series before (e.g., Althea from FTWD), but this is one of the rare occasions where that post-main series life is explored.

NOTE: I was not going to reference Morgan, since he was a continuing guest on TWD, then took over an existing, established spin-off, unlike Maggie with her own show.

And How is it they don’t even mention Glenn’s NAME? That makes no sense.

Is it necessary to mention Glenn by name? Anyone watching a Maggie headlined series knows who she's talking about when mentioning her late husband, or Hershel discussing his father.

And we won’t even see any flahsbacks… maybe not of Glenn (as the actor is over a decade older than his character), but Negan’s wife??? That was only a few years ago. And I don’t think the actress is so expensive and/or busy that she couldn’t appeaf for some scenes.

Why are flashbacks necessary? Longtime TWD-TV audiences can follow a narrative, even one that may occasionally call back to earlier series without the visuals. Regarding Negan's wife and child, while the Dama tried to play mind games with Negan by speaking of his wife and child in the past tense, then correcting herself, she may have been hinting at their fate, which would not be too shocking for a WD series.

Perhaps Negan will adopt the girl who is trying kill him...well, if she survives...

Sorry for all the negativity. I honestly don’t see why @TREK_GOD_1 rates it so high.

Excellent character depth, performances and high stakes there are no easy answers for. That, and they're doing it without reminding the audience of past events having no bearing on this series. For The Ones Who Live that was fine, as its core structure was Michonne's continuing search for Rick, a journey which began on the parent series, TOWL is more of a direct sequel than "expanded universe" production.

If the wife you're referring to is the black woman and child that was on the show in the TWD finales, they will be shown in the season finales. or they may have been killed.

I'm leaning toward the latter as being their ultimate fate. It would be nice if that was not the case.

 

[Morpheus 02]

I haven't fully digetsed it, and a littl eimpatient for @TREK_GOD_1 's in-depth and comprehensive review, but a few thoughts


Did Negan develop his "People are a resource" philosophy after the Croat left? Because, especially at this stage of the apocalypse, "people are a resource" is much more valuable and truthful than when Negan first proclaimed it. This seemed like a natural time for him to speak up on that, and again remind the Croat of what "worked".

Oh, and they are following post-TWD trends of basiclaly massacring societies who have survived over a decade...they must have been doing SOMETHING right, but now they are all gone.... and let me get to them:

Christos and his group -- OK, so they really just took out him and his leadership. For the Dama, yeah, that made sense. But still a shame for that.

I give some credit for 1) I had to look it up, but methane is ind eed odorless, so definitely could affect people unkowingly (and in my research learned that "natural" gas actually has an odor ADDED to it, so the average person can detect a gas leak) and 2) Christos and his wife speaking Dutch (I am half Dutch, and 1/2 Indonesian, which was a Dutch colony, and my dad learned the language)

The Central Park group, though -- maaaaaaan, another society wiped out. I mean, for them to survive a decade there, it was just ridiculous for them to be wiped out. ANd i know she was essentially a cult leader, but i would think they could still function without her, instead of literally just standing there.

It would have been nice in the future if Maggie could have repaid the group when THEY were in need. It just feels like plot convenience that the one group, in the whole decade of survival they decide to help, wipes them out. Just really bad message, and not always reality.


Navarez and her crew were just idiots, not hightailing out there at the first sign mass walkers. Sure, eliminates them as a threat, but seems too tidy / standard villain stupidity that does them in.

Though it WAS satifying seeing her getting what she deserves.


Now that they eliminated 2 of the main antagonists, it seems like they are wrapping up everything, and not really leaving room for a 3rd season (or maybe they just weren't sure where things would land).


With the Dama... on one hand, her manipulation of Herschel actually feels realisitc, and THAT type of behavior made her into formidable, and original villain. She definitley deserved her fate, but man, still seems like her "leadership" seems convenient, or more like domething that could work during season2 or even 4 of TWD. LOng term, someone would have gotten her like the Croat finally did.


ANd lastly -- so Ginny got bit? So i guess she DOES just have an episode or 2 to get her resolution with Negan set. He survives, and yet ANOTHER new character gets wiped out.

So is next episode it for the season?

 

[The Wormhole]

So is next episode it for the season?

There are eight episodes this season, with an additional three set to air. The finale will air on June 22.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

The Walking Dead: Dead City
Season 2 - Episode 5 "The Bird Always Knows"

THE DAMA / NEGAN / THE CROAT I: The Croat strolls in a 6th Avenue clothing shop, trying on suits; on the streets outside, a group of men kill The Croat’s guard, then move to cut the wires to a substation’s fuse box, plunging the clothing shop and the street outside into darkness….

Back at the church, Negan peeks into The Dama’s room for a little chat, and observes her lovingly playing with a city rat, running it though a tabletop maze. He backs off instead of letting his presence be known, right as The Croat—wearing a burgundy silken coat—purposely walks up to have his own meeting with The Dama. The Croat tries—without much success—to convince the woman that the 6th Avenue power loss was minimal. The Dama lashes out at The Croat, shifting the conversation to a forthcoming meeting with Christos.

Negan reminds The Dama of the deal to release his family after Christos’ group joins the alliance. The Dama—ever the serpent—says “was” is the operative word about that deal. The Dama states her disappointment in Negan not living up to the hype, but he coldly fires back, informing her that he is as good as it gets, and he’s all she has. The Dama counters, stating she’s not so sure about that… Continuing her mockery of his concerns, she offers to “pinkie swear” regarding the deal, leaving Negan scowling at her.

The Dama belittles The Croat by assigning him “clean up” duty for the 6th Avenue incident (insulting his choice in clothes as making him look like a bellhop), while giving Negan the job of meeting with Christos.

The Croat takes a long look at The Dama.

NEW BABYLON FEDERATION / FORAGERS I: Maggie, Perlie and Hershel make their way back into the park wilderness. Hershel is distant, if not clearly troubled. He asks his mother what was it like seeing Negan again—what did he say to her (SEE NOTES).
Returning to the Foragers’ home, the trio are surrounded by NBF armed soldiers and taken to Narvaez, who announces Roksanna has been arrested and placed in a makeshift cell for being an enemy of the Federation. Perlie questions her lack of authority to arrest anyone, but Narvaez turns the tables (Ginny complicit in the betrayal), calling for Perlie’s arrest for the charge of mutiny—tied to the lie that he killed the “outlaw” Negan. Maggie steps up for Perlie, claiming she saw Negan die, but Narvaez orders Maggie’s arrest, too, until Perlie admits he allowed Negan to live in order to learn the location of the methane—ad that Maggie is the only person Negan trusts.

Maggie accuses Ginny of betrayal, but is interrupted by Narvaez, who promises to do “nothing” if she’s told the location of the methane…unless Maggie breaks the law.

Narvaez does not buy much of Maggie’s warnings, but she receives confirmation from Hershel that they can trust anything Negan says. Narvaez orders Maggie to find Negan and announce the NBF’s surrender—only if Negan and The Croat are brought to the boathouse to escort the NBF-ers off of the island.
Being no one’s fool, Maggie knows that’s a set up to kill the men, and openly doubts the NBF—along with Roksana’s people could take on the Burazi. Narvaez coolly explains Maggie will lead the Burazi int the park, where the dead will take care of the enemies, but she promises Ginny that Negan will be saved for her. Maggie wonders why would she agree to any of this plan, which is answered by Narvaez keeping Hershel at the camp as Maggie’s incentive. Maggie soon departs, throwing a look of pure hate at the smug Narvaez.

THE DAMA / NEGAN / THE CROAT II: In the basement of the clothing shop, The Croat is quick to anger with his men searching for the cause of the power outage, growling that it makes them appear weak. Eventually, The Croat discovers the cut wires…and something on the ground near it, which brings a smile to his face…

Elsewhere in the city, Negan and three Burazi men (with methane tanks as a negotiating ploy and offering) pull up to the shambling headquarters of Christos, but are quickly surrounded by the latter’s soldiers; taken to Christos, Negan’s offer to join the alliance is rejected again by the angered Christos, who reminds Negan that he shamed him in front of his men at the church. Christos takes control of Lucille 2.0, telling Negan he does not have the bat, the Burazi or the methane…because Negan is in Christos’ house, now.

As Christos prepares to swing for Negan’s head, a few small children emerge from an adjoining room, circling Christos, who instantly changes his demeanor from survivalist beast to caring parent. As he speaks Dutch to a woman who collects the children, Negan emotionally slouches, realizing Christos is protecting his family, just as he intended to. Negan states he will not do anything to endanger the lives of children, because he can relate. For the first time, Christos sees the real Negan behind the swagger and threats.

NEW BABYLON FEDERATION / FORAGERS II: Perlie sits in the makeshift cell with Roksana; Perlie believes his life will end soon, but laments the idea of his three daughters thinking he died a traitor. Although Perlie feels he’s out of options, he suggests Roksana join New Babylon and help Narvaez, otherwise, she will be executed. Ad she would have died for nothing. Roksana recounts the experience of her uncle being conscripted to fight in the Iraq war—a conflict he knew nothing about—he was the one dying for nothing, as opposed to Roksana, who seems to believe she has something worth dying for.

Outside, Maggie stealthily kills off NBF soldiers, making her way into the Foragers’ building; she finds Perlie and Roksana, but is put off by Perlie warning the NBF will hunt her and Hershel down. Locking Perlie & Roksana back in their cell, Maggie makes her way to a room where she overhears Narvaez asking questions about Maggie’s dynamic with Negan, and if others (Ginny included) failed to kill Negan; Hershel watches as his mother grabs Narvaez, placing a knife to her throat. In stumbles Ginny, coldly aiming her gun first at Maggie, then at Hershel, which serves achieves its intended effect: Maggie drops her weapon.

THE DAMA / NEGAN / THE CROAT III: Christos explains how his people’s lives have regressed over time, including being prevented from scavenging for basic survival needs thus they were forced to engage in the rigged games with Bruegel. Negan implores Christos to join the alliance—in that way, he’d have a “seat at the table” / a path forward rather than having his group’s fate decided by New Babylon or Bruegel. Not a moment passes between Christos considering Negan’s offer and The Croat with several Burazi barging in; Negan speaks up for Christos, saying they might have common ground, but The Croat—felling very confident—observes that the ground has been “demolished”, accusing Christos’ people of sabotaging the substation fuse box, along with hard evidence: a bone-handled knife of a kind only used by Christos’ group.

Negan pleads with The Croat against seeking revenge, but its too late, as The Croat explains, because he’s had the methane tanks releasing their gas for some time; Negan is overcome, and flops back into a chair, as The Croat and his men don gas masks, watching as Christos and his own men fall dead. Negan is dragged out of the building as The Croat’s men stab the heads of the fallen, so they will not reanimate and attack the children.

In The Croat’s car, the man justifies his actions (to Negan) with the protection of their methane operation. A depressed, worn Negan asks if The Dama ordered the murders, but he receives no answer.

THE DAMA / NEGAN / THE CROAT IV: Back at the church, Negan’s wheels turn, as he tells The Croat he’s on his former associate’s side, adding how he does not like The Dama treating her rat better than she treats The Croat, but he (Negan) supports The Croat.

NEW BABYLON FEDERATION / FORAGERS III: From his cell, Perlie watches a handcuffed Maggie led away; Perlie regrets not doing more to stop her. Roksana replies with more of her cryptic statements:

Perlie: ”I should’ve stopped her.”

Roksana: ”From getting caught? From death? That’s how you see it, isn’t it? Something to back away from. It’s what gives them power over you. If you stop fearing what you’re so sure are the endings, you start to see they’re also the beginnings.”

She continues, metaphorically linking the NBF’s quest to restore the old world as a negative, with taking another path toward something else she sees as positive—including numbers on their side…

THE DAMA / NEGAN / THE CROAT V: Despite Negan crediting The Croat with saving his negotiating party’s lives from Christos, The Dama is irate, twisting her authoritative knife into The Croat…with an unexpected result:

The Dama: ”Why do you keep insisting on compromising every fucking thing I’ve built?”

The Croat (Having his fill of The Dama): ”You’ve built? What am I? Just a rat in your fucking maze? No—worse than the rat! At least he has a little prize waiting for him!”

The Croat slumps in one of the pews, fuming, leaving The Dama momentarily petrified with shock.

The Dama: ”We’ll speak about this once you’ve gotten a hold of yourself.”

The Dama walks away, leaving Negan with ever the slightest smile as he cuts his eyes to The Croat.

NEW BABYLON FEDERATION / FORAGERS IV: NBF soldiers lead the handcuffed Maggie, Perlie and Roksana out to the courtyard, where a noose has been tied to a pole. Narvaez struts around, fully confident she runs the show. As a noose is tied around Roksana’s neck and she’s forced to stand on table, Narvaez gives Roksana one last chance to change her mind, an offer only met with Roksana’s last words to her people:

Roksana: ”Don’t be afraid. I‘m not leaving you. I’m joining you. I’m only going where we’re all going. Where we’ve always been. I’ll see you all very--”

Navraez orders the table to be kicked out from under Roksana, who drops to her death with a flat snap of her neck. Hershel and Ginny cringe at the cruel spectacle; the surviving Foragers all moan in unison in tribute to Roksana. The NBF-ers grab Maggie, preparing her to meet the same fate as Roksana; despite his struggling & cries, Hershel is prevented from intervening.

The Foragers’ moaning has attracted dozens of Walkers to the gates—the creatures testing the hinges with their weight; Maggie and Hershel share one last look as the Walker horde break through the gates, first attacking the moaning Foragers, then the NBF-ers. One Walker attacks Ginny, his weight pushing her back into a large nail sticking out of a plank; the girl’s pain gives her the adrenaline rush needed to push the Walker away from her. Hershel breaks free, heading to his mother, but he’s taken hostage by Navraez, who begins shooting Forager and Walkers alike.

A Walker rolls into and knocks the table out from under Maggie’s feet, causing her to drop with the noose around her neck; Maggie strangles, nearly dying until Ginny stumbles to her rescue, placing the table under Maggie’s feet. Perlie frees himself, rejoining Maggie and Ginny (ushering the girl back into the building), just as they spot Navraez holding Hershel as a shield; she turns to shoot Maggie, but is out of bullets—just what Maggie needed to go into action, stabbing Walkers as she makes her way to Navraez.

As Maggie closes in on Navraez, the major sets her eyes on the final shock of her life: the reanimated Roksana marching toward and chewing on the neck of the screaming Navraez, who is taken down and devoured by Walker Roksana and another creature, just as Maggie & Hershel take a last look at the corrupt major before racing back to the building.

Once inside, the quartet sits in silence, not necessarily knowing what to do next. Ginny looks at her wound, but has yet to reveal it to the others.
Hershel admits the elderly woman he sketched was The Dama, and admits he sent the smoke signal to The Croat and The Dama wanting him to help protect the city from New Babylon—and his trauma of seeing the reanimated soldiers emerge from the river. Maggie promises its all over, and they will be going home…just as they hear a knock on the door. Maggie and Perlie step out into the courtyard to encounter Bruegel and his men, finishing off the remainder of the Walkers. Maggie & Perlie exchange glances, not knowing where this is going…

THE DAMA / NEGAN / THE CROAT VI: In her chamber, The Dama makes a gruesome discovery: her pet rat has been crushed to death as if it were stomped by a boot. The Croat arrives to discuss their troubled relationship…

The Dama: ”Are you calling the shots, now? You’re running the show, is that it? Is hat the message you’re trying to send? Enlighten me, please.”

The Croat: ”Dama, I-I don’t understand.”

The Dama (hostile): ”I pulled you out of the gutter! I put you back together! I gave you a new life! And this is how you replay me?!? I should have let you fucking die!”

The Croat: ”I came here to make peace.”

The Dama: ”You are nothing without me!”

The Croat: ”YOU are nothing without ME! I have given you a new life! I have done EVERYTHING! All you do is pick and pick and pick from the comfort of your high throne!! You’re an empress with no clothing!! A proud pathetic little queen!”

The Croat punctuates his truth dump by pointing his finger in The Dama’s face, which the enraged the woman cannot take; she grabs his hand and bites into it, and as the screaming Croat breaks away from her, she crashes into and is pinned under a heavy, metal table, its candles igniting the carpet—and part of The Dama’s robes. The woman cries out to the man she so relentlessly disrespected—

The Dama: ”Help! Mile! Mile! Mile, help me! Get it off! PLEASE! Mile! Help!”

Initially, The Croat attempts to move the table, but stops to look into the pleading eyes of The Dama—her clothes now blazing. The Croat has now found himself at the opportunity he’s waited for. Slowly backing away…

The Dama: ”Mile! Please help me!! Get me out!! Help me! MILE!!”

The Croat runs from the room, as the flames roast the screaming Dama to death.

Back in Negan’s cell / room, he uses a knife to dig rodent entrails from his boot. Negan has successfully moved the chess pieces in his favor…for now.

NOTES:

Major shift in threats and the overall plot’s direction in this episode, one sort of shocking.

As it stands:

The Dama – Nothing like well-crafted characters to make one villain worthy of audience support (temporarily) when he or she goes against another villain. In this case, it’s the Croat standing up to The Dama—questioning her authority. Since her introduction, The Dama has been just as The Croat described: the Empress with no clothes, yet she wielded so much power and influence that’s still a mystery, and its doubtful the series will dedicate much time to exploring that about a dead character. Speaking of her death, one could feel her relationships with Negan and The Croat reaching the point of critical mass, but it was still shocking to see this manipulator so quickly reduced to a position of weakness, and her animalistic reaction (and not defensively) in biting The Croat.

The Croat – He’s finally had enough of The Dama, and thanks to Negan’s planting seeds of dissension in his head, The Croat began to make his own moves for dominance of Manhattan through the methane production he values so much, but I’m fairly certain he will assert his own authority over Negan regarding his family and how to handle his longtime foe, Maggie.

Hershel – Finally coming clean about his tie to The Dama…but that never fully explained how he could consciously lead fellow Bricks / NBF residents to their deaths. One might argue that he was dealing with guilt about what was to come when he was handcuffed in the ship’s hold, yet he continued to be The Dama’s spy, knowing that he led people to their deaths.

At this point, Negan continues to be correct about Hershel, especially after the park bench scene where he was obviously trying to get information about Negan (assuming Negan’s not loyal to The Dama if he’s willing to talk to Maggie).

Narvaez – what else can one say about her? She was a soulless, murderous club who was—ironically enough—so determined to extend the life of New Babylon, yet her every action rocketed her toward her well-deserved death.

Negan – He’s made his power play in engineering—or adding fuel to the fire that was The Dama’s deteriorating relationship with The Croat. Still, I doubt he free of having the screws turned on him where his family is concerned, and with Breugel now making his own moves, Negan may find himself either caught in the middle, or the odd man out, the latter situation likely forcing him to join Team Maggie.

Ginny – the girl has a serious injury (not a bite as originally thought), but she will die without proper care, which is a strong possibility, especially if she only cares to live long enough to kill Negan.

I’ve said it before, and it bears repeating: fantasy trips over itself in utter failure without characters actually acting like real, relatable people instead of cartoon characters seen in too many fantasy productions. That should be an obvious goal, but so often, its never met. Dead City’s cast delivers the raw, compelling performances in every episode, which makes this season superior to its first overall.

GRADE: A+

 

[oktay]

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies