THE WALKING DEAD: DEAD CITY, Season 2, Episode 2, ANOTHER SHITTY LESSON

Written By:

Rich Cross

Maggie in the second episode of the second season of The Walking Dead: Dead City

Neither Negan nor Maggie are in control of the jeopardy that they find themselves in on different sides of the barricades, as the conflict between the New Babylon Federation and the Dama’s Manhattan enclave heats up in the fireworks of Another Shitty Lesson. Episode two of the second season of Dead City continues the fast pace established in Power Equals Power, moving antagonists into position at speed and drawing sharp battlelines between them in contested territory.

Blackmailed into the role of chief military strategist for the Dama’s forces by the abduction of his family, Negan urges a show of spectacle and excess to dissuade the expected New Babylon Federation raiders from ever returning. Resentful at once again being forced to take on dirty work for others’ benefit, Negan is encouraged by his new ally, the violinist Victor, to view his predicament differently. Victor recalls how he would endure the instructions of his music tutor by thinking about his preferred composer. “If I could just focus on Bach, then maybe I could get through another shitty lesson,” he explains. Quite the post-apocalyptic life lesson – and one that Negan can see the relevance of.

Led by Governor Charlie Byrd, the New Babylon Federation’s advance party assembles on the riverbank and prepares to board the Liberty Queen – a civilian passenger ferry rather than a military craft. Maggie is having a tough time, failing to convince the federation’s commanders to call a halt to what appears to be a suicide mission, and trying without success to connect with the ever-petulant Ginny. Her mood worsens when Hershel appears – the son she joined the mission to protect from conscription – and again when she lashes out in rage at Lucia. Given how significant Hershel’s return is – rendering his mother’s sacrifice pointless – his arrival is treated in a surprisingly low-key way, as he simply wanders into shot. The moment ought to have been afforded more emotional impact.

High up on the Manhattan skyline, Negan is joined by the Croat as he takes charge of the effort to repel the invaders, just as the Liberty Queen sets sail. The one-sided river battle that plays out is a “cinematic” moment, on paper at least, as the ship’s captain manoeuvres to avoid the barrage of incoming walker-laced munitions and floating mines. The on-screen realisation is far less impressive, and is the first moment in the second season when the showrunners’ ambitions visibly strain against the limitations of budget. One of the recurring features of Daryl Dixon’s first two series, which infused the show with a palpable sense of place, was its ability to utilise real-world locations across France. The makers of Dead City cannot repurpose present-day Manhattan in the same way, but the impact of the attack on the Liberty Queen is diluted because the shelling from the battlements is so clearly shot on a soundstage and intercut with a blend of water-tank work and CGI footage.

With the action feeling pretty underwhelming, the stronger elements of Another Shitty Lesson are found in some of the character dynamics. Although Maggie’s relationship with both Hershel and Ginny seemed stuck in a repetitive stasis, the evolving connection between Negan and the Croat is more intriguing as, for the first time in a long time, Negan has a voice at his ear encouraging his ruthless, heartless nature to the fore. As the twisted echo of his conscience, the Croat also notices that Negan pulls back from landing the killer blow on his target, musing that sentiment might still be getting the better of him. Maggie’s association with Perle seems more fruitful, as he begins to prioritise her battle-hardened street smarts over the ideological certainties of his New Babylon Federation compatriots.

The energetic narrative drive of Dead City again propels the action forward, bringing the battle back to the ruins of Manhattan in just two episodes. With that full reset now secured, the showrunners need to refocus on the astute storytelling and stylish execution of action set pieces that made season one so impressive.