Rather than being grateful that his mother rescued him in Dead City season 1's ending, Hershel's reunion with Maggie was largely hostile. Things have looked a little better in season 2, but it's clear they still have some unresolved issues, with one scene in particular displaying their damaged relationship. While Maggie was looking through Hershel's clothes, she came across a hat with the letters "NYC" written on it, causing a silent and uncomfortable moment between the two. Although the interaction may appear relatively inconsequential overall, the duo's lack of dialog suggests the hat symbolizes something far more meaningful.
Hershel's Hat Is From A Scene In The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 1's Finale
Maggie Gifts Her Son The Hat On The Way Home From Manhattan
Dead City season 2 isn't the first time we've seen Hershel's NYC hat, as it made an appearance in season 1's finale. After rescuing her son from Manhattan, Maggie tried connecting with him and told Hershel to eat something, but despite refusing, Hershel opened their bag of supplies where he found the hat. Maggie informed him it was a gift that reminded her of the hats he used to wear, but Hershel dismissed it as nothing more than a souvenir. However, despite his animosity towards Maggie and her gift, Hershel still holds onto the hat as season 2 highlighted.
Although Maggie and Hershel's relationship is stronger in Dead City season 2, the origin of the hat is proof that neither has addressed their true feelings. Hershel's reaction was needlessly aggressive, showing no appreciation to his mother for not only saving his life but also getting something sentimental in the process. His emotions stem from his frustrations around Maggie's obsession with Negan alongside not feeling fully satisfied at the Bricks, but despite opening up about the topic, his outburst made it impossible to reach a solution.
Likewise, Maggie refused to truly acknowledge her son's concerns during their trip home, opting to deflect or change the subject, rather than face his anger. Even their conversation during the end of season 1's finale doesn't offer complete closure, as despite Maggie promising to end things with Negan, there clearly hasn't been much progress by the time season 2 starts, with the hat's presence representing the lingering problems between them.
Hershel's Hat Represents The Tension Between Himself & Maggie
Hershel Keeps His Hat Hidden Away In Season 2, Suggesting The Two Haven't Fully Resolved Their Issues
Even though both characters have clearly tried to mend their current situation, there is still clear tension between Maggie and Hershel, which the NYC hat represents. It may be a simple bit of clothing, but the hat holds a lot of baggage, as the New York City imagery itself highlights that the duo hasn't fully put that chapter behind them, especially with season 2 indicating that they'll both return to Manhattan. Additionally, Hershel burying the hat underneath his other clothes proves he has bottled up his emotions and has struggled to open up fully about the source of his frustrations.
Maggie holding the hat and turning to Hershel symbolized that she wanted to address the friction between them and resolve their problems, but she ultimately put it back down, leaving their issues unresolved.
Maggie holding the hat and turning to Hershel symbolized that she wanted to address the friction between them and resolve their problems, but she ultimately put it back down, leaving their issues unresolved. Despite the pair trying to move on, the lack of closure inevitably led to more arguments towards the end of season 2's premiere, meaning we will have to wait for the two to truly make up. With Hershel becoming a main character in Dead City season 2, it seems like this ongoing tension will remain throughout most of the season and become a consistently key theme.
Their struggles won't go away until they are willing to listen to each other properly and adapt accordingly, but their feelings remain on the shelf for more pressing matters, just like Hershel's hat. Assuming Maggie and Hershel can put an end to their difficulties, Dead City may even visualize this with Hershel finally wearing the hat his mother got him, suggesting this gift is much more important than meets the eye.
