The Walking Dead: Dead City: Negan’s final decision

Now that we’ve had some time to truly think about The Walking Dead: Dead City season 1 finale, let’s talk about Negan’s final decision. Once again Negan is the man at the epicenter of the plot but for reasons we might not have seen coming.

Throughout the entire season, audiences were tricked into thinking The Croat, was the man running the show. After all, he had a community, he kidnapped Hershel, and he had a nice setup at Madison Square Garden.

He’s the reason Maggie seeks Negan, only for her to find him unexpectedly as a father figure for young teen Ginny. Although Negan had every right to deny helping Maggie rescue her son, he does so anyway.

We could easily admit that this newer version of Negan is completely selfless. Perhaps to a fault.

The Walking Dead: Dead City: Plot

But as the season progressed, with the Negan and Maggie duo kicking butt at every corner, everything comes crashing down when the truth is revealed. The Croat kidnapped Hershel, in the hopes Maggie would find Negan.

Considering Maggie and Negan’s past, this should have been easy. Quite frankly it was as Maggie is still haunted by her husband’s death and still cannot accept Negan had changed for the better.

Negan is exchanged for Hershel, but the story doesn’t end there. We come to learn the real person behind everything was not The Croat, but The Dama.

She’s been running the show and had The Croat wrapped around her finger. After hearing so much about Negan from The Croat, she knew he was the one she needed to control all of Manhattan.

The Dama only controlled New York City but in order to rule Manhattan she needed a man like Negan. A man who could bring thriving communities to their knees with a threat, a weapon and a presence.

Naturally, with a wife and son several states away and finally freed from New Babylon marshals, Negan isn’t interested. But The Dama is ready to use Hershel against him if he doesn’t comply.

Negan’s decision

While Negan never verbally agrees, his expression tells us everything we need to know. Negan will not only be a leader once more but more like a king, taking over Manhattan piece by piece in the name of The Dama.

Whether you like or despise the man, we can all agree the situation is a heartbreaking one. Here he is, finally freed from Perlie’s pursuit, free to return to his family and now he’s had the tables turned on him again.

He knew what to expect of The Croat but not The Dama. Instead of leaving Hershel in the dust and mess for Maggie to clean up, he’s still choosing their needs over his and his own family’s.

If that doesn’t impact you, I don’t know what will. Once again Negan is trapped and unable to truly restart his life, constantly stuck in this limbo of his past self being hated and desired.

Will he ever catch a break? How will his decision and future actions affect season 2?

We’re curious to know what you think. You can watch The Walking Dead: Dead City season 1 on AMC.

Do you agree with Negan’s decision? How do you think it will affect season 2?

Share your answers in the comments below!