The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2 premieres this Sunday, May 4 on AMC, and the season 2 premiere episode did not disappoint. Once again, my husband and I ventured into New York City with friends to watch the premiere episode, this time at The Paley Museum.
Scott M. Gimple, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Lauren Cohan, Kim Coates, Gaius Charles, and Dascha Polanco were all in attendance for a panel after the episode aired. While I will spare specific details and spoilers, the first episode picks up a few months after the season 1 finale, where audiences get reacquainted with the likes of Maggie, her son Hershel Jr., Ginny, Negan, The Croat, The Dama, and Perlie.
The first episode wastes no time in providing the reason why Negan and Maggie are going to reunite in The Big Apple. Not surprisingly, the reason, as provided in the season 1 finale, is due to the methane.
A plethora of new characters are either introduced or revealed, including Coates (who is giving off Swearengen from Deadwood vibes) and Polanco. The tone and theme of the series does not miss a beat, transporting audiences into a post-apocalyptic world that indeed feels and looks different from others we've seen in The Walking Dead Universe.
While this is simply my opinion, Dead City is easily the most underrated and best Walking Dead spinoff yet. If audiences can get past the never-ending feud and bad blood between Maggie and Negan, they'll find a deep, dark, yet enthralling and addictive story.
Post-apocalyptic New York City is dramatic, massive, and stays with you long after the credits roll. It feels grander, more dangerous and somehow more relevant than the CRM.
Perhaps it is because the island is its own world, as it's completely cut off from the rest with the only way in or out being by air or sea. It's secluded, fending for itself, which is why the methane is as much beneficial as it is dangerous.
Perhaps Dead City is better because I live nearby and frequently visit the city. Perhaps it is because I find Negan and Maggie to be some of the better-developed and written characters of the flagship show.
Or perhaps it is because I am obsessed with Ian Hultquist's work on the show (seriously, the soundtrack after just watching one episode is already amazing beyond words). Who is to say?
I simply love it and cannot wait to watch the entire season (thank you, AMC for the screeners!). The panel after the episode aired was full of good times, laughter, and insight.
I legitimately did not know Kim Coates was that funny and charismatic. The cast is always very warm and welcoming with each other and with the audience itself.
If Gimple or AMC is seriously considering another TWDU spinoff, the audience (myself included) made it clear; we want Aaron to be the focus. The panel was a pleasant reminder of how tight-knit the cast has been since the beginning days of The Walking Dead.
I can only hope that the connection and bond continues on regardless of how many more years we have of TWD.
Get caught up and watch The Walking Dead: Dead City season 1 on AMC Plus.