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Summary
For nearly a decade,The Walking Deadfranchise has been haunted by one of its most enduring and emotionally charged conflicts—Maggie’s hatred for Negan. Ever since Negan brutally murdered Glenn inThe Walking DeadSeason 7 premiere,Maggie’s journey has been defined by grief, anger, and a relentless struggle to reconcile her personal loss with the post-apocalyptic world’s ever-changing morality. While this vendetta was once a compelling source of tension, it has now reached a point where it feels like a repetitive cycle, preventing both characters—and the franchise itself—from moving forward.
The spinoffThe Walking Dead: Dead Cityinitially seemed like it might push Maggie and Negan toward a resolution, forcing them to work together despite their past.However, the Season 1 finale saw Maggie betraying Negan, handing him over to The Croat and the Dama, suggesting that she still cannot let go of her hatred. Yet, Season 2 appears to be setting up another twist—Maggie possibly leading a raid to rescue Negan. If this is truly where the story is heading, then it must be the final chapter in their long-standing feud. Rather than continuing to recycle the same emotional beats,Dead Cityshould use this opportunity to establish an uneasy butnecessary alliance between Maggie and Negan, allowing the franchise to evolve beyond their stagnant dynamic.
From the momentMaggie and Negan were thrown togetherinDead City, it was clear their unresolved history would play a central role in the show’s narrative. The tension between them was palpable, and their forced partnership made for some of the spinoff’s best moments. But as gripping as their interactions were in Season 1, the decision to have Maggie betray Negan in the finale felt like a frustrating reset rather than meaningful character development.
Maggie’sanger toward Negan has long been justified—Glenn’s death was one ofThe Walking Dead’s most harrowing moments. However, the world has changed drastically since then, and so have both characters. Negan has spent years atoning for his past, evolving from theruthless leader of the Saviorsinto a man willing to protect those around him. He has shown remorse, saved Maggie’s son Hershel, and even acknowledged that he can never undo what he did. Maggie, too, has been through countless hardships, yet she remains stuck in the same cycle of hatred. Her decision to betray Negan at the end of Season 1 not only felt like a step backward for her character but also dragged the conflict out unnecessarily.
IfDead Citytruly intendsto have Maggie rescue Negan in Season 2, then it needs to mean something.This should be the moment where she finally understands that her quest for vengeance has become a burden rather than a source of justice. The show should not simply revert to more mistrust and conflict between them—it’s time for a real shift in their relationship. Ending this storyline once and for all would allow both characters to find new directions rather than being trapped in the past.
Beyond justDead City, resolving Maggie and Negan’s rivalry wouldbenefit the entireWalking Deadfranchise.The Walking Deadhas always thrived on character-driven storytelling, but its spinoffs need to break free from rehashing the same conflicts in order to explore new dynamics, threats, and alliances. Keeping Maggie and Negan locked in an endless cycle of resentment and reluctant teamwork only holds back the series’ potential.
Negan’s redemption archas been one of the franchise’s most compelling transformations. He has gone from a sadistic warlord to a deeply flawed but ultimately redeemable figure.If he and Maggie are destined to continue interacting, their relationship should evolve into something more complex than outright enmity. They don’t have to become friends, but they should at least reach a point where their history no longer dictates their every move.
They don’t have to become friends, but they should at least reach a point where their history no longer dictates their every move.
Meanwhile, Maggie needs to reclaim her own agency outside of her grief and anger.She is a strong leader and a survivor in her own right, but her character development has been stunted by her inability to move past Glenn’s death. If she rescues Negan inDead CitySeason 2, it should serve as a turning point—one that allows her to finally put the past behind her and focus on the future.
At its best,The Walking Deadhas been about adaptation and survival. To keep the franchise fresh, it must let its characters grow and change rather than remain stuck in old rivalries.Ending the Negan vs. Maggie conflict would open the door for new stories, new threats, and a reinvigorated franchise that doesn’t rely on decade-old grudges to drive its drama. It’s time forDead Cityto be the show that finally brings this chapter to a close and allows both characters—andThe Walking Deaduniverse—to move forward.
