Why Maggie Rhee’s Hard-Won Freedom in The Walking Dead Is Shockingly Lost in Dead City Season 2

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Various perspectives exist concerning Maggie Rhee in the Walking Dead series, particularly regarding whether or not she should forgive Negan. This topic, marked by deep emotions, proves challenging to reach a definitive conclusion. However, regardless of her relationship with Negan, one point that is universally acknowledged is Maggie’s unwavering dedication to her community – a commitment she will uphold till her final breath.

As a devoted fan of “The Walking Dead,” I’ve witnessed the evolution of this character since her debut in Season 2, standing firm as a protector of her family. Her leadership at Hilltop, established in Season 7, only served to magnify her resilience. Viewers of “The Walking Dead: Dead City” know that Hilltop was eventually abandoned, leading to the formation of the Bricks community under her guidance.

However, unlike before when she managed to secure her people’s autonomy due to her support and strength, Season 2 of this journey saw a devastating loss that stripped her of her freedom.

Maggie’s Fight for Independence in The Walking Dead Season 11

Hilltop and Commonwealth Never Saw Eye to Eye on an Alliance

As a film enthusiast, I found myself utterly captivated by the plot unfolding on screen. After the intense Whisperer War, our surviving communities (Alexandria, Hilltop, and Oceanside) were grappling with the idea of integrating into the Commonwealth’s vast network of settlements. The Commonwealth, a city reminiscent of a pre-apocalypse society in many aspects, offered both security and familiarity, along with the hope for a future where the undead no longer held dominion over our world.

The predicament was that the future retained the bleak aspects of the past: class disparity, where the affluent and influential exploited the flawed system. As people became increasingly desensitized to violence as a solution, it led to the Commonwealth resorting to kidnappings, assassinations, and mass killings in order to preserve its reputation.

Initially, Maggie found the advantages not exceeding the disadvantages when considering the Hilltop, which offered autonomy and equality for all its residents, something that was not negotiable with the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth’s unwillingness to compromise led to a fierce conflict, with Hilltop standing firm against the city’s powerful forces. Eventually, Maggie managed to gain independence from the Commonwealth. However, this freedom proved bittersweet as it opened up new opportunities for exploration, but ultimately resulted in more pain for Maggie.

Why Did Maggie Join New Babylon?

New Babylon Becomes Maggie’s Boss in Dead City Season 2

In the gap between the final episode of Season 1 and the start of Season 2, it’s revealed that the Bricks have allied with New Babylon – a city much like the Commonwealth, aiming to restore order in the world. However, unlike its counterpart, New Babylon enforces rules in cruel and inhumane ways. Smaller settlements are effectively controlled by New Babylon, being compelled to sign treaties that allow them to conscript citizens into their military at will, with failure to comply resulting in execution. The Bricks manage to escape this fate only because Maggie steps forward to take the place of 20 soldiers, thus sparing their lives.

Why did Maggie, who had spent most of a season on The Walking Dead battling the Commonwealth’s autocracy, end up in New Babylon? It wasn’t as if she had many options. New Babylon isolated her trading partners and put her in a position where she was either compelled to join them or let her people go hungry. Maggie may be proud, but she always prioritizes herself and her people above all else. However, that doesn’t mean she’s pleased with her new superior.

Given Maggie’s seclusion from her old friends in the Commonwealth, The Bricks are lacking the necessary support network to triumph in this conflict. However, Maggie does have an ally within their ranks through Perlie Armstrong. This could be a protracted struggle waged covertly, shifting power dynamics one individual at a time. Fortunately, they can take heart from past struggles and lessons learned.

New episodes of The Walking Dead: Dead City premiere every Sunday at 9 PM ET on AMC and AMC+.

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2025-05-05 07:44