Producer Breaks Down Key Moment Between Maggie and Negan in “Dead City” Finale

In the final episode of season two of The Walking Dead: Dead City, viewers witnessed a major moment between two of the show’s central characters. Maggie, who has carried the pain of Glenn’s death for years, finally stood face to face with Negan, the man responsible. But when it came time to end things once and for all, she made a different choice.

The episode featured intense moments, especially as Negan went up against Bruegel, a new and dangerous threat played by Kim Coates. The two were fighting for control over a powerful resource, methane produced by walkers, which could restore energy to parts of New York City.

While that played out, Maggie was sent on a personal mission. The Dama, played by Lisa Emery, pushed her to take out Negan for good. It seemed like Maggie was ready. With her son Hershel urging her on and her grief weighing heavy, she tracked Negan down. But just as she had the chance to end it, she stopped.

Executive producer Scott M. Gimple spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about that moment. “We wanted you on the edge of your seat,” he said. But he added that the show has always been about both Maggie and Negan, not just their conflict, but what happens when that conflict begins to shift.

According to Gimple, this was a turning point. “It’s been eight years,” he said. “I want to see Maggie surmount this thing and evolve from it.” The focus now is on what it means to move forward after years of hate.

That decision also affects her relationship with her son. Hershel, played by Logan Kim, is frustrated by Maggie’s choice and chooses to stay with the Dama. Gimple compared it to a hard decision a parent sometimes has to make. “It’s kind of like letting your kid go off and follow a jam band,” he said. “I don’t approve of this, but it’s your choice.”

There’s no official news yet on whether Dead City will return for a third season. But if it does, Gimple hinted the story will shift in a new direction. “They’re not going to be skipping and holding hands,” he said of Maggie and Negan, “but hate is corrosive to the person hating. I do think this is a happy ending.”

Future episodes, if greenlit, would likely explore how Maggie and Negan deal with this new dynamic, and how Maggie and Hershel try to reconnect despite their growing distance.

This episode showed how complicated forgiveness can be, especially in a world where survival often means making hard calls. Maggie’s choice didn’t solve everything, but it opened the door to something new. I think it was the right call for her character and a bold move for the story. What about you? Do you think Maggie made the right decision? Would you want to see where things go in a third season? Let us know in the comments.