We're officially back in the world of The Walking Dead as the second season of Dead City has kicked off with a bang. Maggie Rhee has once again found herself on a journey to New York City (for a potential reunion with Negan) while Negan himself has seemingly found the performer within, returning to his darker roots at the behest of The Croat and The Dama.
The premiere dabbled with all of that as the New Babylon Federation looked to take what the villains in Manhattan have built up in the hopes of using their methane to supply the future. The question is: Can they make it back to the island even with Maggie by their side?
That's a question that the second episode, "Another Shitty Lesson", looks to answer.
Three's a crowd
Maggie is reluctantly helping the New Babylon Federation in their quest to take Manhattan from The Croat (and The Dama, who they don't yet know exists). But she's already having a tough time with it because - to absolutely no one's surprise - they're not very good at listening, even to the experts like her. And thus, much of her advice goes unheard - specifically because of Marshall Lucia Narvaez, who thinks she's way more badass than she actually is.
Ginny has accompanied her there too and the two still aren't getting on too well. But Maggie assures her that she's there if she needs anything. This may have begun to sink in as Ginny doesn't seem quite so defensive. But speaking of defensive, Maggie makes her case for why the New Babylon Federation should not make their way across the water on a ferry as The Croat will be ready for them. Her ally on the inside, Marshall Perlie Armstrong, completely agrees with her, but he tells her that its going to take some convincing to make the governor see things their way.
Shortly afterwards, Maggie notices a fire burning near the docks - a smoke signal to warn The Croat, perhaps. There is a blue rag within the fire as Maggie attempts to put it out. However, she crosses paths with her son, Hershel, who has followed her there. She's angry at first but understands that he didn't want her to leave. But before she can figure out a plan to get him home, they are surrounded by the New Babylon officials.
Maggie tells the governor, Lucia, and Perlie that she needs to get her son home, but Lucia drones on about her flawed lore and how abandoning her mission would be treason. For Maggie and Hershel. And, well, Maggie doesn't take too kindly to a threat to her son's life and she punches Lucia in the face. This results in the pair being imprisoned below deck on the ferry that is absolutely setting sail despite Maggie's best efforts to convince them otherwise. Perlie argues in her defense, saying that The Croat will know... unless they leave tonight and surprise him.
The New Babylon Federation like this idea, but Maggie is outraged by it. Of course, they decide to move ahead with the plan and that means Hershel is going to be dragged back into the craziness as a prisoner aboard their ferry.
The dark days are back
Meanwhile back in New York City itself, Negan was at odds with what he had just done. Although no lives were lost, he wasn't a fan of the fact that he had just reverted to his old ways as the barbaric leader of The Saviors - performance or not. As a result, he sat silently in his cell, even though he was no longer a prisoner, staring at the floor.
His friend, Victor, who was keeping watch at the door, arrived once again and began to play the violin. Victor recounts how he struggled to find a style of music that really spoke to him when he was younger. But the he found Bach, and it all became clear to him: That was his music. And so, he played some Bach for Negan. The pair clearly have a bond and it's the only real connection that Negan has had since being imprisoned by The Croat and The Dama.
Negan is summoned by The Dama, who reveals to him that New Babylon Federation is coming to try and take their methane away from them. The Croat has a plan and he explains it to both of them. Although Negan is hesitant to take part in it, he eventually offers some feedback: Make it splashier, bigger, and more eye-catching. Make a statement. The Croat eventually agrees and they get to work on planning. While planning, he and The Croat reminisce about one time Negan fed walker meat to a bunch of invaders back in the Savior days; something that got a smile out of him, The Croat, and Victor who was helping them.
The plan works too, for when they spot the ferry coming in, they begin firing off fireworks directly at it (and by fireworks, I absolutely mean walker bodies charged up with explosive methane). The ship obviously takes a lot of damage and, with Maggie and Hershel at the bottom, they are most vulnerable. That is, until Ginny arrives and sets them both free. And with that, they come up with a plan to get off the boat. In the commotion, Governor Byrd is killed by the exploding walkers.
Negan, overseeing the dramatic fireworks display, notices Hershel getting off the ferry. He heistates for a moment, telling Victor who is by his side not to fire just yet. Of course, The Croat notices this too, watching him until he finally tells him to fire. The trust between the three men that was seemingly forged earlier that night may have just evaporated as an awkward silence falls upon the proceedings.
Back in the church, The Dama questions Negan about the hesitation. Clearly, The Croat felt like reporting back to her, landing his former friend in some real hot water. Negan struggled to provide an answer just as Benjamin Pierce, the New Babylon Federation's historian, was brought before them; he had survived the ferry explosions and washed ashore. The Dama seems interested in the possibility of having a historian around and tells him to watch the proceedings as they unfold.
The Dama brings Victor to the stage and tells him to play his violin for them. Negan sees where this is going and confesses that he was trying to save a child; he doesn't like killing children. The Dama carries on conversing with Victor, who chooses to play Bach - seemingly deeming this opportunity to play for her an honor. As he does so, the evil mastermind begins to circle him, initially praising Bach before remarking about how they are planning to move forward not back. With that, she uses her pen to cut his throat open, forcing Negan to watch him die.
Dead City season 2 episode 2 ending explained: New York, New York
With their ship destroyed, Maggie, Hershel, Ginny, Perlie and the rest of the New Babylon survivors make their way to the shore. A bunch of walkers - their former allies now undead - come towards them and Maggie tells them it's time to retreat. They all then head into the city in the hopes of avoiding any kind of spotlight or notice. More than that, they are just hoping to survive.
As daylight arrives, they stay out of site from The Croat's army. Maggie comforts the survivors and attempts to put a plan of attack into action. Perlie backs her up when talking to Lucia, telling them that Maggie has been right this whole time. However, when looking over at Hershel, Maggie notices him helping to patch people's wounds up, particularly the blue rag he is using - the same kind of blue rag that she found in the fire earlier on. As he hugs her close and apologizes for his recent behavior, she can't help but wonder if - or, more importantly, why - he was the one who alerted The Croat to the ferry's imminent arrival. Was he the one who lit the smoke signal?
As the survivors head into the park ahead of nightfall, there are more questions than answers, particularly about who can be trusted and what the future holds for the New Babylon survivors. They don't have a plan and they don't have a way home, but they are on The Croat and The Dama's radar - and now we know just how ruthless that latter is. Is a run-in with Negan inevitable, and how will Hershel react if - or when - that happens.
Speaking of Hershel, he has been through a lot and that could explain his bizarre behavior lately. But he clearly wants to get the attention of The Croat and The Dama. The question is why, and at what cost? Members of the New Babylon Federation's crew died because of Hershel's signal to the villains in Manhattan, so what else will his apparent quest for an audience with them cost?
The Walking Dead: Dead City airs on AMC and AMC+ on Sundays.