Who’s There? – The episode opens with Negan Smith (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and Maggie Rhee (Lauren Cohan) ascending the stairs after Esther (Eleanor Reissa) who has possession of their bag. Esther scales across a zip line to an adjacent building. Sending the pulley back across the zip line, she urges them to follow her. Negan jumps aboard, leaving Maggie to face a flock of walkers. Reluctantly grabbing the pulley handle, she sails across the zip line, stopping just a few feet from the adjacent rooftop. He offers to assist but she declines before reaching the destination.

Nina (Pallavi Sastry) escorts Ginny (Mahina Napoleon) through the compound. Mr. Alzawa (John Wu) introduces her to the class.

Catching up with Esther, Maggie grabs her bag. Esther offers Negan some pigeon in exchange for an item from the bag. He asks if she would take them to the adjacent building. She responds in Hebrew which he interprets as heck no. He suggests following her instead of trekking back to where they came from. Perlie Armstrong (Gaius Charles) comes through to see the room filled with walkers. He looks at Joel’s address at Oliver St. As Esther, Maggie, and Negan descend the stairs, they find themselves at gunpoint. In her native Hebrew language, Esther tries to convince Tommaso (Jonathan Higginbotham) and Amaia (Karina Ortiz) to not shoot. Maggie suggests the group is not associated with The Croat (Zeljko Ivanek). Tommaso warns they have thousands of members located throughout Manhattan. Maggie claims they were on their way to Canada when a storm washed them ashore. Amaia calls her story “bulls**t.

In a flashback, Maggie reminds Hershell Rhee (Logan Kim) of his missing weapon training. She stresses the importance of him always being prepared. When she compliments his sketch, he wads it up and says it “sucks.” Back to the present, Negan blames Maggie’s fake story for their being trapped there. She asks if the outcome would have been better if she told the truth. He suggests they utilize the group for information and manpower. He explains his relationship with The Croat. He claims their relationship reached a point that The Croat called him his brother. She asks if he utilized The Croat to torture people. He says The Croat took it too far by killing a girl who he thought was a scout. He admits to missing his only opportunity to kill him. She asks why he never told her that The Croat will try to kill him.

Perlie goes to Joel’s apartment to find him dead. It appears as if he committed suicide by shooting himself in the head. Covering his lifeless body with a sheet, Perlie lays a rosary across his lap. Walkers are trying to get through the broken door. He takes the fire escape to the alley below where he walks into a trap.

Chaos can be heard outside the door when Tommaso forces them out at gunpoint. Blaming them for leading the Buraz to their location, he suggests killing them. Negan assures him that he and Maggie are not affiliated with the Burazi. Grabbing Tommaso from behind, Negan puts a knife to his throat. After releasing him, he claims they are there to assist them. Amaia returns their bags before fleeing with her people. Amaia shoots a Buraz assaulting Tommaso. Luther (Michael Anthony) twists another Buraz’s neck. Negan tries to convince a Buraz holding Esther at gunpoint they aren’t their enemy. After injuring Esther, Kegan grabs him and removes his mask. Tears rolling down his cheeks, Tommaso ends Esther’s suffering.

While everyone leaves, Negan forces the Buraz back inside the building. As more Burazi enter the building, he utilizes Buraz’s head to bust through glass panels. Neckbeard Buraz (A.J. Paratore) orders the others to stop. Maggie observes from a short distance away as Negan slashes Buraz’ throat and gut. The blood covers the Burazi below. Issuing a warning, he tosses the boy’s body over the railing. He turns to make eye contact with him.

Ginny stuffs food into her bag before heading out the door. She waits until the night guard walks away to access a moped.

Amaia gives Tommaso a necklace. They thank Maggie and Negan for helping them. He admits to lying about their numbers. She says there are no supplies to take. He warns that there is no way off the island. Maggie tells them that they have come for The Croat who is holding her son, hostage. Amaia offers to help but only if they expect to be killed in the process.

Walkers tug at Perlie when the Burazi approach. After killing the groaners, a Buraz cuts the rope sending the net and Perlie to the ground. The Croat removes his helmet to expose his face.

 

The Walking Dead: Dead City Review

Esther leads Negan and Maggie to a building where her people are staying. Tommaso holds them hostage until the group comes under threat by the Burazi. After Negan and Maggie help save Tommaso and Amaia, they are released.

Maggie secretively watches Negan brutally kill a Buraz in front of other Burazi. Maggie tells Tommaso and Amaia the purpose of their trip to Manhattan. They agree to help them find Herschel.

Perlie discovers Joel shot himself in the head. The Croat captures him in a net trap. With the Burazi’s help, they take him hostage.

While not terrible, the show lacks the “oomph” as the early seasons of “Days Gone Bye.” It doesn’t help, poor lighting renders visibility in interior and night scenes nearly impossible.

The Burazi’s reaction to Negan slaughtering one of their own is unbelievable. Having a manpower advantage and The Croat on their side, it’s doubtful, the Burazi would have walked away.

The episode deserves a 6.2. Get more The Walking Dead: Dead City recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link. Learn how our onsite advertising can help you build your brand awareness by speaking to our customer support.