Review: ‘The Walking Dead: Dead City’ Season 3 is Everything the Franchise Should Be
The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 3 re-works the entire spinoff pretty much from the ground up — and once it gets going, it’s the best season of any of the sequel spinoffs yet. Here’s our spoiler-free review.
Since The Walking Dead ended in 2022, the franchise has continued to build out its wider story through a slate of sequel spinoff projects; look no further than The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, The Walking Dead, Daryl Dixon, and The Walking Dead: Dead City. The latter was the first of these spinoffs to hit our screens, and it was the weirdest from the outset. The series follows unlikely duo Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), chronicling their adventures, trials and tribulations in Manhattan, New York City.
The first two seasons of Dead City garnered mixed ratings; there were high points in both, but the story never quite struck the right chords. However, in its third season, the show goes back to Walking Dead basics, utilising a similar structure that early seasons of the mother show took, and delivering an 8-episode New York rollercoaster that uses the setting to its advantage, but more importantly, keeps its core characters front and centre.
From the outset, Dead City Season 3 alters the dynamic between Maggie and Negan. They’ve been at each other’s throats for so many seasons, later becoming unlikely allies aligned with common goals. In this season, the show doesn’t double down, but shifts the perspective: Maggie and Negan are allies by choice, working together and using their individual strengths in an attempt to usher in a better future. This doesn’t make them warm friends, and they don’t always align on strategy, but it gives them both a sense of belonging in chasing the same purpose. The history between the duo and the magnitude of it is still there, nor has it totally faded — but the show doesn’t get caught up in bringing it up at every turn.
Whether or not we can all agree on their civility is one thing, but for two seasons Dead City has hit roadblocks in moving past their pasts, and this season shifts the gears and prioritises the progression of the story. For once, the writers strike the balance perfectly: there’s plenty of retrospective and looking to the past (look no further than the alternate reality episode), but it ushers in an exciting future of the show. For this, I think we can absolutely celebrate the arrival of long-time Walking Dead executive producer Seth Hoffman, who took over show-running duties for this season.
It’s not perfect, but it’s always moving forward. The season struggles right from the start; the premiere is undeniably the weakest of the season. But from there, once it starts forging out a new path for itself, that’s the point where it shines. The new cast members are all stand-outs: Raúl Castillo as Luis is a wonderful addition. However, I was most impressed with the arrival of Jimmi Simpson as Dillard, an inherently strange and quirky character who lives in a bar, striking a weirdly unique bond with Negan.
Outside of newcomers, I was delighted with the handling of Hershel, played by Logan Kim. Not only does he clearly continue the legacy of Glenn, but the show also makes a point to show echoes of his grandfather Hershel; philanthropic, supportive, and kind. He’s come a long way from the rebellious teen we see earlier in the series, now becoming one of the most likeable stars of the show. Kim is outstanding.
As always, Jeffrey Dean Morgan retains his electric energy as Negan. The quips and wisecracks come in droves.
The series also offers some nice surprises, not least the return of fan-favorite Beth (Emily Kinney) in an episode that moves away from the present. Given that they could wrap the story up before 8 episodes, the writers had some extra scope to experiment, and they used that added bit of wiggle room to get creative, something I can appreciate: it’s not a gimmick move, and makes sense to the story.
Of course, while the story, structure, and tone is all great, the show still suffers from some rather suspect special effects at times. I can’t help but constantly feel that Manhattan was a little too much of a step up, and that budget-wise AMC bit off a little more than they could chew. But I am willing to cut the show some slack: the effects are serviceable, not great. But the zombies themselves are as awesome as ever.
Overall, The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 3 marks a series high, and represents the best effort of a sequel spinoff to date. It doesn’t try nor want to reinvent the wheel, but plays on what Walking Dead fans have adored for years. For the most-part, it feels like The Walking Dead of old — and that’s one of the biggest compliments I can give.
