Everybody Wins A Prize – The episode opens with Negan Smith (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) creating a sketch when Simon (Steven Ogg) alerts of an existing problem. The Croat (Zelijko Ivanek) announces their female hostage “confessed.” He says the King sent her, as they suspected. Reminding him of the King’s order to set her free, Negan scolds him for disobeying. The Croat asks who discovered the location of the weapon stockpile. Simon assures him that they would have eventually found it before calling him a “Slavic, psychopathic nutjob.” Humping his shoulders, The Croat says it was necessary to be sure.

Back to the present, Amaia informs Negan and Maggie Rhee (Lauren Cohan) of Luther (Michael Anthony) missing. The Scavenger Woman (Aixa Kendrick) claims to have seen him last night. Tribeswoman (Jenna Hellmuth) is surprised by Luther’s unexpected disappearance. Tribesman (Randy Gonzalez) questions if he just walked away. Negan reminds everyone of Luther’s disapproval of their plan to breach The Croat’s sanctuary. Tommaso (Jonathan Higginbotham) warns that any delay will not play in their favor. Negan expresses his flurry of emotions about seeing The Croat again. A harmonica jogs Maggie’s memory. When he asks about his matches, she denies seeing them.

Amaia leads the group down into the subway. They carefully make their way along the track, stepping around and over zombies. Maggie spots a 34^th St. Penn Station sign. Maggie checks several doors before finding Hershel Rhee (Logan Kim) restrained in a chair. A closer look reveals a walker (James Jackson) resembling Hershel. Tommaso, Amaia, and the others set out in a different direction than Maggie and Negan. While questioning his strategy to lure the Croat, Maggie looks at a matchbox in her hand. When she holds up Luther’s tin can, he offers an explanation. Refusing to listen, she heads to their destination.

The Croat demonstrates how to play a DVD player. Sensing his fear, he suggests Hershel is scared of him. He says from the moment he saw him, it was apparent he was smart. He expresses pride in watching him transform into a “strong, confident protector.” He says to never fear him before giving him candy. A whistling noise urges him into the corridor. He calls Negan’s name.

Entering the garage, Maggie climbs into a taxi with the keys in the ignition. She turns to see Ginny (Mahina Napoleon) before she flees. Maggie emerges from the vehicle to follow her. The Croat repeatedly calls, “Negan.” Negan approaches the taxi where Maggie was supposed to meet him. It is empty, except for her screwdriver on the passenger seat. Maggie catches up with Ginny as Amaia says no one is there. Negan climbs into the taxi. A whistle brings about a dozen Burazi. “Proplakat Ce Zora” by Miso Kovac begins to play over the intercom. Seconds later, the compound explodes. The Croat and Burazi rush to the garaged vehicle. Soon, Tommaso’s group finds themselves surrounded by walkers with nowhere to go.

The Croat stays behind as the Burazi leave. Maggie and the others fight off groaners. Amaia can only watch in horror as Tommaso is overtaken. The Croat spots Negan. Maggie, Amaia, and the Scavenger Woman join Ginny in an MMA cage. Negan ascends the stairs with The Croat, Cabby Buraz (Frank Bal), and young Buraz (Allison Wick) in tow. Maggie and the others utilize a corner cushion to push through the zombies. Tommaso reappears in time to save Amaia from being killed. They flee to a room utilized for the storage of large barrels.

The Croat and Negan face off with a weapon. Calling a truce, he puts his weapon to his side. Negan holds his stance while The Croat reminds him that he took off part of his ear before asking after Lucille. Kegan says she is gone. He suggests not fretting about the loss of his statuary in the war between the Kingdom and Hilltop. He excitedly urges him to join in his effort to erect a statuary spanning the entire island. Pretending to believe Kegan is there for Marshal Perlie Armstrong (Gaius Charles), The Croat orders his men to bring him out. Kegan tells him that he is there for Hershel. Smirking, The Croat asks what Maggie offered him for Hershel.

Proving his “brotherly love,” The Croat shoves Perlie over the banisters. Kegan grabs Perlie to keep him from falling to the door. As he holds on, The Croat fires a spear into Perlie’s leg. He turns the reel to pull back the spear when Perlie rips it out of his flesh. Negan helps him across the platform.

Tommaso, Amaia, and Maggie push a large natural gas tank in front of the door.  A “Warning Sewer Pipeline” sign gives Maggie the idea of them escaping through the sewer. Amaia warns of the dangers in the underground tunnels. He says there is no other option before they start their journey.

Negan helps an injured Perlie into an “Express Shoe Repair” shop. Placing his weapon on the counter, he checks the corridor. When he turns, Perlie has him at gunpoint. Perlie calls off his crimes. Negan calls him a “dick.”

Tommaso leads the way into the sewer. Maggie stays behind to push the barrels back in front of the exit as the episode ends.

 

The Walking Dead: Dead City Review

Maggie and Negan, along with Tommaso’s people, make their way through the subway to The Croat’s compound. The facility is empty except for one walker similar to Hershel. Negan lures The Croat to him. The Croat asks Negan to join him in building a sanctuary spanning across Manhattan. To show his true brotherhood, he shoves Perlie offer a railing. Negan saves Perlie before they move to a safe location. His carelessness allows Perlie to get control of his gun.

Amaia and Tommaso are the only survivors of their group. Ginny follows them through the sewage tunnels. Maggie urges her to escape with them back through the sewer.

It sounds messy because it is messy! The poorly written script makes the story difficult to follow. The series is becoming more unrealistic and unbelievable by the episode. The plan to find Hershel and kill The Croat was a disaster. Not to mention all the other inconsistencies.

The episode deserves a 5.5. Get more Walking Dead: Dead City recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating to our platform. Learn how our onsite advertising can help build your brand awareness by clicking the link.