My experience at the PaleyLive Walking and Talking: An Evening with The Walking Dead: Dead City

by

This coming Sunday, May 4, is when the second season of “The Walking Dead: Dead City” airs on AMC, and let me tell you, it didn’t disappoint! My husband and I, along with friends, headed to New York City for the premiere screening, this time at The Paley Museum.

At the panel following the broadcast, Scott M. Gimple, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Lauren Cohan, Kim Coates, Gaius Charles, and Dascha Polanco were all present. I won’t delve into specifics to avoid spoilers, but let me tell you that the first episode takes place a few months after the end of season 1, allowing viewers to catch up with characters like Maggie, Hershel Jr., Ginny, Negan, The Croat, The Dama, and Perlie once more.

In the opening episode, we don’t waste a moment setting up why Negan and Maggie will meet again in New York City. As hinted at in the final episode of Season 1, the catalyst for their reunion is linked to the presence of methane.

As a movie critic, I found myself immersed in a fresh wave of characters, with Coates channeling the grit of Al Swearengen from Deadwood and Polanco adding another layer of intrigue. The series maintains its distinctive tone and theme, offering a post-apocalyptic experience that stands out in the vast landscape of The Walking Dead Universe – a world that feels uniquely different yet eerily familiar.

In my view, “Dead City” stands out as an exceptional and underappreciated spinoff of “The Walking Dead.” For those willing to look past the ongoing conflict between Maggie and Negan, they’ll discover a rich, shadowy narrative that is both captivating and hard to resist.

In a simple and engaging manner, one could say: The post-apocalyptic version of New York City is breathtakingly vast, ominous, and lingers in your mind even after the movie ends. It appears more imposing, perilous, and strangely resonant than any Customer Relationship Management system (CRM).

It might be due to the fact that the island is isolated, having no land connections and accessible only through the air or sea. Being separated like this gives it a self-reliant nature, leading to the methane being both advantageous and hazardous.

It might be that I prefer “Dead City” since it’s conveniently located, as I often visit the city. Additionally, I appreciate the depth and writing of the characters like Negan and Maggie from the main series.

Maybe it’s due to my fascination with Ian Hultquist’s work in the series. His soundtracks, even after a single episode, are truly remarkable, almost indescribably so.

I’m absolutely thrilled about it and can hardly contain my excitement to binge-watch the whole season (cheers to AMC for providing us with advance copies!). The post-episode gathering was chock-full of fun, jokes, and enlightening discussions.

It came as a surprise to me just how hilarious and charming Kim Coates actually is. There’s always an inviting, friendly atmosphere among the cast, extending even to the audience themselves.

If Gimple or AMC are contemplating another spinoff of The Walking Dead, it’s evident that the viewers (including myself) have made their preference known: Aaron should be at the center. The panel served as a delightful reminder of the close bond the cast has shared since the early days of The Walking Dead.

I sincerely wish that our connection and relationship endures, no matter how many more years the Walking Dead series unfolds.

Get caught up and watch The Walking Dead: Dead City season 1 on AMC Plus.

Read More

2025-05-05 16:14