A Missing Walking Dead Character Finally Returns After 12 Episodes, But There's A Big Catch

As The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2 reaches its conclusion, a missing character finally made their proper return in episode 7, but not in the fashion we all expected. The spinoff show has had no shortage of new characters, with the likes of the Dama, Bruegel, and Narvaez all having significant roles throughout the season. Likewise, Maggie and Negan's Walking Dead stories have continued in Dead City, and while their journeys have been much more separate in season 2, their paths have still crossed. Hershel, Ginny, and Perlie have also featured regularly, each with their own unique storylines.

As a result, it feels like pretty much every major survivor is accounted for, but there is one crucial character to the story who is yet to feature despite being mentioned in the spinoff's very first episode. Having played a critical role in Negan's overarching story - particularly in season 2 - Annie finally showed up in "Bridge Partners are Hard to Come by These Days", marking her first franchise appearance since The Walking Dead season 11's ending. Unfortunately, her role was very brief, but she was thankfully brought back in episode 7, albeit with a huge catch.

Annie Returns In The Walking Dead: Dead City, But She Isn't Real

Negan Hallucinated His Wife & Son In Dead City Season 2's Penultimate Episode

After Annie and Joshua's disappointing The Walking Dead return last week, Dead City season 2's penultimate episode made up for this short cameo by giving Annie a much bigger role, but it's still not the reunion we've been waiting for. Rather than Annie and Joshua finally interacting with Negan for the first time in years, they appeared in the form of a hallucination, meaning they weren't actually present during the hospital scene. After Negan suffered a head injury while searching for medical supplies, he had visions of several loved ones, including his wife and son.

It was great to see Medina Senghore again after her minuscule cameo in episode 6 and getting to watch her interact with Jeffrey Dean Morgan's Negan was long overdue. It was a reminder of how important Annie is to Negan's journey, who has essentially sacrificed aspects of his morality and risked returning down a dark path just to protect her and their son. However, the fact it wasn't the real version of Annie does make the scene a little more bittersweet, especially after Negan turned down the chance to see his family in the previous episode.

Annie's role does set up an interesting conclusion for Negan in Dead City season 2's finale, but as exciting as it was to see the character on-screen once again, she needs a proper appearance before the project comes to an end.

The Real Annie Still Needs To Play A Role In Dead City Season 2

Annie's Presence In Manhattan Would Make Negan's Role In The City's Power Struggle Even More Compelling

With Medina Senghore back in The Walking Dead, now is the perfect time to give Annie a proper role in Dead City season 2's story. While some fans may feel that Negan doesn't deserve a happy ending based on his sinister past, his redemption has been one of The Walking Dead's most compelling arcs in recent history, and I'd personally love to see him find peace while settling down with his family. It would also mirror Rick's current situation in the franchise, which adds another interesting layer to their relationship, making Annie's involvement in the finale all the more necessary.

Having Annie defy Negan's request for her and Joshua to leave Manhattan would add extra jeopardy to the ongoing power struggle in Manhattan, and with Negan slipping back into villainous ways in The Walking Dead spinoff, she could help set him back on the right track. Considering his entire arc in the second season has revolved around keeping his family safe, Negan's Dead City story would feel a little bit incomplete without crossing paths with Annie again in some capacity.

Whether it's a reunion after the major conflict is settled or an attempt to help with the battle in Manhattan, Annie needs to be involved in Dead City season 2's finale, regardless of whether another season is in the works or not. Thankfully, with Senghore now technically having back-to-back appearances in the spinoff, Annie and Negan coming face-to-face looks more likely than ever, and I can't wait to see how episode 8 plays out.