THE WALKING DEAD: DEAD CITY SEASON SPOILER FREE REVIEW.

The Walking Dead: Dead City is back for season 2. Your spoiler free season review starts now.

 

001. POWER EQUALS POWER.

Snooze fest. This is essentially setting up the scene for the season. Unfortunately, there is little in the way of excitement or uniqueness when it comes to the first episode. As a lot of viewers have stated via social media, that the only thing that held episode one together was Negan’s, as usual, off-color speech in the church.

REVIEW: MAGGIE’S HARROWING WALKER FIGHT AND LUCILLE’S RETURN EP01.

This episode also introduces new characters, re-introduces old ones and spends a lot of time on the mother and son relationship of Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Hershel (Logan Kim).

The New Babylon federation is under barbaric leadership and just might be the gas station version of the CRM.

A major terrifying scene happens involving a corral of walkers and a test.

STAND OUT: Keir Gilchrist as the young historian, Benjamin Pierce, Logan Kim’s subtle yet dramatic monologue.

002. ANOTHER SHITTY LESSON.

 

HERE WE ARE NOW, ENTERTAIN US.

A whimsical character’s backstory is introduced and gives us some much needed musical reprieve.

 

TENSIONS RISE.

There are some major tensions between Perlie Armstrong & Maggie Rhee on how things should be run within the federation. It is vastly different to be on the dictator side of the organization, VS. a grieving mother who is just trying to keep her kid(s) safe. (I’m including Ginny for obvious reasons.)

ARTSY DAMA.

The Dama continues to prove why she is effortlessly creepy and also a deep lover of art. Our surroundings become very classy and aristocratic-like whenever she is commanding the screen.

MAGGIE’S BAD LUCK.

A stowaway has appeared unannounced to join in on the fight, albeit to Maggie’s concern.

Negan must make some hard decisions and some come from the heart.

Our heroes make it back to the island, but at what cost? A boat ride and 4th of July firework in the dead of night, complete with mist and foreboding music.

AN UNLIKELY VILLAIN.

Lives are lost and the death of someone makes room for a more ruthless replacement. This will have dire consequences for the group as time goes on.

…AND THAT DIDN’T LAST LONG.

A well-liked character death hits us like a punch to the gut and will disillusion Negan further from his own group. Pierce claims his place in history.

A MOTHER’S GRIEF.

Maggie starts to unravel her complicated relationship with Hershel as he harbors secrets of his own.

 

003. WHY DID THE MAINLANDERS CROSS THE RIVER?

One of the best episodes of this season, in all honesty. If you thought one and two dragged, this one moves a little quicker and gets more exciting.

There are some dark (literally, can’t see shit) flashbacks from season one with the Dama and Hershel with some eye opening information.

CHILDREN OF THE… CENTRAL PARK?

Central park is not as you remember it! We’ve hit Children of the Corn territory! A nostalgic group becomes an ally and Hershel makes a spunky new friend as a possible love-interest.

Ginny is just being Ginny, yet again.

New York landmarks ahoy!

004. FEISTY FRIENDLY

Another animal death to look out for in the very beginning of the episode, you’ll hear a conversation and then know when it’s coming. Avoid and/or mute for sounds.

BRUEGEL’S BULLSHIT

Negan and The Dama must come to terms with Bruegel’s crew in order to see eye to eye. While Dama and Croat want one thing, Negan is already plotting out another. Is he still on Maggie’s side? Or has he gone rogue?

BRING ON THE ART!

Jadis would love it here, the New York museum of art is showcased in all of its apocalyptic glory. Lines are crossed, dicks are measure (verbally, of course).

Pierce makes another appearance. He’s just everywhere!

CHOCOLATE BARS AND DONUTS.

Maggie and Hershel have a serious talk about if he wants the world to go back to normal, or stay the same. He could be under The Dama’s influence.

Perlie and Maggie go on a field trip, leaving the rest of their group and the newcomers with a ruthless leader.

Another bloody animal is shown being munched on near the very end, along with an actual death of a minor character.

005. THE BIRD ALWAYS KNOWS

The Dama is still up to her schemes, a new character is held prisoner with Perlie as they exchange words of the old world and interesting stories.

Maggie is just done with everyone’s shit, and Hershel is put in harms way.

A former antagonist reveals their actual situation, making Negan change his tune. Unfortunately, lives are lost and The Croat is starting to doubt his worth with The Dama because of a little birdie on his shoulder.

Maggie and Hershel are put in danger that they might not be able to get out of.

One character, and two villains go out in a camping trip gone wrong. Revenge is satisfying, especially for the viewers.

There is a gory animal death aftermath at the very end of the episode, also with a character scraping its gut off of their shoe.

 

006. BRIDGE PARTNERS ARE HARD TO COME BY THESE DAYS.

This episode completely fast forwards a bit leaving the viewers extremely confused. How did we get here?

Negan starts to manipulate people, making dominoes fall one at a time.

There is a possibility that a major character will be reunited with their loved ones, but at a price.

The group must make a tough decision, Ginny is still being Ginny.

FUCKING BEAR.

Maggie and Perlie must come to terms with the plan in the wake of a fallen foe and ally with another.

With a change of leadership, a terrifying character may find a change of heart.

Hershel and Maggie face off against a … zombie bear?

More than three F-bombs, Ginny being Ginny, Negan’s conflicted views on seeing his family again and Perlie’s surprise from Bruegel. A touching moment similar to Negan and Lydia’s father/daughter relationship at the very end and a shocking reveal.

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About the author: Katie Harden is a professionally repped New York-based/bi-coastal musical theater, entertainment journalist, and indie film actress. She is proudly part of the Actor’s Equity Association/SAG-E and frequently interviews colleagues, friends, and celebrities, along with reviewing television and movies. Find her at the bottom of a can of Arizona sweet tea or in the ocean!

Work: AMC, Tribeca, Showtime, HBO, The Emmy’s, The Walking Dead magazine, MGM, Universal, Sony Screen Gems, 492 Elm (editor), Bloody Disgusting (guest writer), and more.

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