Negan’s Dark Influence: Glenn’s Son Becomes a Villain in The Walking Dead!

Heed this notice: Spoilers for The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2, episode 3! As The Walking Dead: Dead City progresses into its second season, the character development of Glenn and Maggie’s son, Hershel, takes center stage. Hershel was born in the original series but unfortunately never got to meet his father, Glenn, who was killed at the beginning of season 7 by Negan. Despite Negan undergoing a transformation later on, his strained relationship with Maggie remains, even more than a decade after in The Walking Dead’s timeline.

In season 1, the tension between Hershel and the Croat was significant when the Croat seized Hershel, insisting that Maggie bring Negan to Manhattan to free her son. Maggie agreed due to her suspicious relationship with the ex-villain. Interestingly, while all other characters in Dead City chose a side, Hershel maintained allegiances with both Manhattan and the New Babylon Federation upon his return. This dual loyalty has been evident throughout season 2, hinting at his ongoing ties to his former captors, which are deeply intertwined with Negan’s role in the storyline. This complex alliance is shaping Hershel’s character development and may foreshadow a possible turn towards villainy in future seasons.

Maggie’s Obsession With Negan Has Ruined Her Relationship With Hershel

Maggie & Hershel Aren’t Close & It’s All Because Of What Negan Did

In the original series of “The Walking Dead,” Negan significantly influenced Maggie and Hershel’s relationship, making them less close than one might expect from a mother-son pair. Maggie frequently doubted whether Negan had truly changed, going so far as to become fixated on his actions that led to Glenn’s death. The series finale seemed to resolve their conflict, with Maggie stating she could accept his transformation but not forgive him for his past actions. However, in “Dead City,” it is shown that this obsession persisted even after their last conversation in the original show.

In the finale of Dead City season 1, Hershel expresses his disapproval towards Maggie, as she’s held onto a grudge for years over Negan taking Glenn’s life. This prolonged resentment has strained their relationship because he feels neglected by her preoccupation with avenging her husband rather than providing emotional support to him. The aftermath of Negan killing Glenn has had far-reaching consequences, as Maggie’s sorrow and anger have driven a wedge between them. This longstanding animosity makes it challenging for her to move on and heal their bond.

This helps explain why she grew anxious over Hershel’s sketches of the Dama and New York. She hasn’t identified the real ruler of Manhattan yet, but she suspects that Hershel is deceiving her when he claims the woman in his drawings was someone he saw on a billboard. These sketches add to the mistrust, as it becomes clear early in season 2 that Hershel is concealing information about his time in Manhattan and its secrets. If Negan hadn’t damaged their relationship with Maggie, maybe Hershel would have been more truthful about his drawings and the true events of his captivity.

Negan’s Connection To The Dama Has Accidentally Led Hershel Astray

Hershel Trusts Her More Than He Does Maggie

In the third episode of Dead City season 2, it was disclosed that despite being imprisoned, Hershel enjoyed a degree of liberty at the hands of the Dama. She permitted him to draw and even allowed him out of his cell so he could sketch the Manhattan skyline. Their interactions suggested that the Dama showed him a form of care, a maternal affection which Maggie never seemed to provide him with. Though it’s evident the Dama was attempting to recruit Hershel as a spy within the New Babylon Federation, this treatment struck a chord because he had never experienced such kindness before.

In season 2, episode 2, this action prompts him to send a smoke signal, alerting the Dama that New Babylon intends to explore Manhattan with a reconnaissance mission. As a result, Negan and the Croat explode their boat using zombies filled with methane, leaving them on a life raft and ultimately claiming the life of Charlie Byrd, the group’s leader. The group ends up drifting in Central Park due to Hershel’s decisions. Yet, it’s important to note that he isn’t solely responsible; if Negan hadn’t attracted the Dama’s attention, the young boy wouldn’t have been caught in the struggle for control over the city.

Negan’s relationship with the Dama was the catalyst for Hershel’s capture by her, causing him to turn against his own mother. This implies that Negan, as a previous antagonist, holds some responsibility for the predicament he finds himself in now. The bond between Negan and Maggie has drawn Maggie into the struggle over Manhattan, setting off a chain reaction that could see Hershel becoming the next major antagonist of the series, given his recent betrayal of his mother. If Hershel continues to draw closer to the Dama, there may come a time when it will be impossible to save him from his destructive path.

Negan Really Wants To Protect & Help Hershel In The Walking Dead

Negan Cares For Glenn’s Son & Clearly Wants To Make Amends

Despite causing a divide between Maggie and himself, Negan remains determined to assist Maggie’s son. His intentions are driven by his personal sense of morality, which abhors harming children, and a desire to atone for past transgressions. This is why he safeguards Hershel by slaying a Burazi member in season 2, episode 3, covertly going against the group while pretending loyalty. Hershel demonstrates conflicting feelings about this situation, firing at Negan with his weapon but missing him. Eventually, Hershel disappears, allowing the Foragers to save the young boy.

Unlike Maggie, Negan remains unaware that Glenn’s son is collaborating with the Dama. They both envision a future for Manhattan that is at odds with New Babylon, a fact that will necessitate a significant shift in Negan’s protective strategies. As he continues to aid the Dama in uniting Manhattan’s populace against New Babylon, he must be cautious not to further alienate the boy towards the Dama. If this occurs, it could jeopardize Maggie and Hershel’s efforts to reconcile their strained relationship.

In the world of “The Walking Dead: Dead City,” Negan could potentially step into the role of the next antagonist if he fails to realize his manipulation. This transformation would necessitate significant shifts in various characters’ stories, particularly Negan becoming more overt in his betrayal of the Dama and Maggie finding closure from her past. If other characters don’t guide Hershel towards a brighter future, then unintentionally, Negan might have transformed him into a significant adversary instead.

New episodes of The Walking Dead: Dead City air Sundays on AMC and AMC+.

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2025-05-24 19:21