The Walking Dead has the perfect opportunity to explain an ongoing mystery thanks to the long-awaited return of Rick Grimes. After nearly five-and-a-half years away from the zombie franchise, Andrew Lincoln finally reprised his role as The Walking Dead's protagonist at the beginning of 2024, setting up all sorts of possibilities. His spinoff highlighted what happened to the character after the iconic bridge incident from season 9, and The Ones Who Live's ending reunited Rick and Michonne with their children, hinting at a reunion with the main group which could potentially help viewers understand an unexplained mystery.
The franchise is no stranger to secrets and lingering questions, often using this as suspense to help drive the story forward. It's only in recent years that The Walking Dead has begun revealing how the outbreak started, yet there are still plenty of unknowns regarding the origins of the virus. Still, season 11's finale wrapped up most of the main show's storylines, but the spinoffs introduced plenty of new mysteries that need to be addressed, and with Rick presumably back among the central survivors, the reason behind one duo's departure from the Commonwealth can finally get some clarity.
The Walking Dead: Dead City Didn't Properly Explain Why Negan & Annie Left The Main Group
Negan's Detachment From The Main Group In Dead City Remains A Mystery
During Dead City's first season, Maggie recruited Negan to help find her son, but the former antagonist was no longer with the main group. Although the Commonwealth became the home of the central survivors, Hilltop and Alexandria also remain operational, yet Negan isn't with any in Dead City. Instead, he left the Commonwealth with Annie and their son, who he sent to Missouri in order to keep them safe after a bounty was placed on him. While a lot about what happened to Negan after leaving the main cast is explained in the spinoff, his reasoning is kept a secret.
Although Dead City's timeline creates various plot holes, the show at least confirms it's set several years in the future, giving plenty of time to unveil the exact motivations behind Negan and Annie's departure. The former Savior leader may have still had plenty of enemies in the Commonwealth, but he'd earned his place among the community and won over some survivors, suggesting he'd at least have a safe place to raise his son. As a result, it must have taken something pretty substantial for him to leave such a fortified location behind.
Given how big of a character he is, Negan's decision to exit the Commonwealth seems like the type of subject that Dead City will inevitably address at some point. However, season 1 may have had a good reason to exclude the truth behind Negan's exit, as Rick's return could have had something to do with it.
Rick Grimes' Return May Have Been The Reason Negan Moved Away
The Bad Blood Between Them Would Explain Why Negan Chose To Step Away From The Commonwealth
Assuming Rick did reunite with the other survivors at the Commonwealth, it could have led to Negan ultimately stepping away from the community. While Rick and Michonne may have felt more comfortable back in Alexandria, their children have become accustomed to life in the Commonwealth, meaning the duo would probably put Judith and RJ's happiness first. However, having the Grimes family settle down there would mean Rick and Negan being part of the same community, which is far different from when Negan was Rick's prisoner in Alexandria.
Despite Rick sparing Negan in the hope he'd one day be redeemed as Carl hoped, putting the past behind may be too much for the protagonist, especially after Rick spent years in CRM captivity. Additionally, Judith's soft spot for Negan may also be something the main character resents, as his daughter never witnessed Negan at his worst. As a result, Rick may have asked the former antagonist to leave or even forced him out, and the majority of the main survivors are likely to have taken their long-term ally's side.
Even if Rick tried to coexist with Negan, their history might have created a toxic environment in the Commonwealth, with Negan having the foresight to leave.
Even if Rick tried to coexist with Negan, their history might have created a toxic environment in the Commonwealth, with Negan having the foresight to leave. Previously, he may have thrived in the conflict and embraced Rick's hatred, but having undergone massive changes and gained more remorse, Negan making the selfless decision to leave for the sake of the group isn't out of the question. If Rick's return did play a role in Negan's departure, it makes sense why Dead City season 1 didn't mention it, but either way, the franchise has to clarify this mystery sooner rather than later.
The Walking Dead: Dead City Should End With Negan Living Among The Main Group
Dead City Should Continue Negan's Redemption Arc & Give Him A Happy Ending Despite His Dark Past
Throughout Negan's Walking Dead journey, he has delivered some truly awful moments and been responsible for some of the franchise's most controversial scenes, but despite this, he should still end Dead City back among the main group. Although Dead City season 2 has teased evil Negan's return, it feels like it could be a red herring as he may have to play the villain while finding a way out of New York, meaning the next installment could actually continue his long-running redemption arc. While his recent actions don't make up for his past, his progress shouldn't be for nothing.
He has helped save both Judith and Hershel's lives throughout the series, proving his heart is in the right place, and no matter how many people hate Negan in The Walking Dead universe, he arguably holds himself to account more than anyone. His self-reflection and isolation have allowed him to own up to his sins, with the once villain seeming genuinely remorseful. Therefore, his spinoff story ending with him being accepted back into the community with a chance to raise his son and potentially even getting Rick's approval would complete a wonderful journey that gives Dead City more meaning.
