As a seasoned survivor who has witnessed the rise and fall of various characters within the Walking Dead universe, I can say with confidence that Negan Smith is one of the most divisive figures to grace our screens. Having borne witness to his brutal introduction and subsequent transformation over seasons 6-8, my personal opinion remains unchanged – he’s a complex character, but ultimately unredeemable.
In the universe of “The Walking Dead,” one of the most debated characters is Negan Smith. Debuting in the season 6 finale, Negan led the Saviors, a group that unquestioningly obeyed him. Over the course of the series, Negan undergoes a remarkable transformation, leading some viewers to believe he had repented for his past misdeeds. However, despite these apparent changes, one might question whether they were genuine or simply part of his survival strategy.
A large number of spectators are unlikely to ever pardon Negan for his gruesome murders of Glenn Rhee (Steven Yeun) and Abraham Ford (Michael Cudlitz). Not only did he brutally kill them with a bat wrapped in barbed wire, which he affectionately named Lucille after his late wife, but he took pleasure in the act. From seasons 6 to 7, Negan derived great satisfaction from tormenting Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and the inhabitants of the communities.
In season 8, Rick locks up Negan due to his wrongdoings, where he stays for more than seven years. However, when Father Gabriel accidentally leaves his cell door unlocked, Negan manages to escape and explores the world that has undergone significant changes. Eventually, he decides to return to his cell. Over time, Negan develops a tender side towards children, which is evident with Judith Grimes (Cailey Fleming) and was first shown with Carl Grimes (Chandler Riggs) and Ginny in the early episodes of Dead City (Mahina Napoleon).
In the heat of the Whisperer War, an enigmatic escape from confinement happened for Negan. This sneaky release enabled him to blend into the Whisperers’ encampment and gain their trust, ultimately positioning himself near Alpha (Samantha Morton). This strategic move provided him with the chance to eliminate her. Later on, he presented Alpha’s decapitated head to Carol (Melissa McBride), who masterminded the entire operation.
In my gaming world, after that single action might’ve won back some trust, I made sure to pile up more deeds proving my transformation was genuine. By the final chapter of The Walking Dead, Negan found himself remarried to Annie (Medina Senghore), who carried our unborn child. Stepping away from the communities became a necessity for me, as I knew it was only a matter of time before Maggie (Lauren Cohan), wife of Glenn, exacted her revenge on me for past deeds.
The Walking Dead: Dead City season 1
In the opening scene of Dead City, Maggie sets out to find Negan with a crucial mission: rescuing her son Hershel (Logan Kim), who was kidnapped by a former follower of Negan known as The Croat (Željko Ivanek). However, what Maggie doesn’t initially disclose is that she has a secret plan to barter her own son in exchange for Negan’s freedom. This betrayal will later come to light.
As they continued their search for her son, Negan seized an opportunity to return to his old self, finding it effortless to revert back to the “Old” Negan. In the second episode of Dead City titled “Who’s There?”, they encounter a group called the Tribespeople. To save this group and Maggie, Negan confronts The Croat’s Burizi. True to his character, he cracked a Knock-Knock joke before fatally wounding him: “Knock, knock. Who’s there? Butter. Butter who? Well, you better take out your umbrellas because it’s about to pour.” With that, he sliced open the man, spraying those below with his blood.
Instead of finding it challenging, Negan easily slipped back into such conduct. The query lingers: Was his path to redemption authentic, or was he merely acting in a way that ensured his survival?
The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2
In 2025, the second installment of “Dead City” will debut, with Negan being held captive by Dama (Lisa Emery), an associate of The Croat. Towards the end of season 1, she requested Negan’s aid in seizing control over Manhattan. A sneak peek of the upcoming season, unveiled at SDCC, showcases Negan, sporting his Savior whistle, a revamped Lucille, and his signature leather jacket, suggesting he is about to address a crowd, much like he did at the Sanctuary.
Currently, it seems Negan might be revealing his true self again, either reclaiming the role he once hid or perhaps driven by the threat Dama posed to Hershel during their first season encounter. After all, Dama had cut off Negan’s pinky toe and hinted she could take more, which could potentially compel him to align with her and resurface as the man he was long ago. While viewers are aware of his affection for children, it’s also possible that he feels indebted to Hershel due to his role in the death of Hershel’s father.
In Season 2 of “The Walking Dead: Dead City,” the adventures of Maggie and Negan continue, promising a thrilling new installment. Catch it on AMC and AMC+ in 2025.
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2024-08-07 17:39