The Walking Dead: Dead City's Jaw-Dropping Twist Makes Croat Far Deadlier Than Negan

The central antagonist in The Walking Dead: Dead City is Croat, a character who bears striking similarities to Negan, and that's not necessarily a negative thing. Serving as a direct continuation of the immensely popular original series The Walking Dead, Dead City introduces Maggie Greene and Negan as an unlikely duo. Negan, who infamously murdered Maggie's husband Glenn Rhee, joins forces with her to embark on a journey through the post-apocalyptic landscape of Manhattan in order to rescue their son Hershel Rhee from the clutches of The Croat.

Although The Croat did not appear in The Walking Dead, he was once a member of Negan's brutal group known as the Saviors. However, even by Negan's ruthless standards, The Croat went "too far" and subsequently took control of the monstrous-infested wasteland of New York City. Despite his reign, Negan still looms large in The Croat's thoughts, as he seeks both revenge and adopts elements of the Saviors' ideology. The Walking Dead: Dead City presents The Croat as a Negan imitator, an antagonist who compels the supposedly reformed Negan to confront his past and the traits that once defined him.

5 The Croat Offers Walking Dead Survivors “Sanctuary”

The time the Croat spent with Negan influenced his own distorted approach to leading a group. While in charge of the Saviors, Negan establishes the Sanctuary, a fortified community that not only provides protection against Walkers but also boasts a substantial population. Negan maintains his dominance and access to abundant resources by oppressing others. Despite offering them a "sanctuary," as evidenced by the community's name, Negan coerces other groups of survivors to pay him tribute and responds to any resistance with brutal violence.

Similarly, the Croat's faction, known as the Burazi or "the Brothers," also offers safety and comforts in exchange for loyalty. They function as a twisted version of the Saviors, adhering to a "kill or be killed" mentality. The Croat claims to have the intention of safeguarding stray survivors, but this encompasses not only protection against Walkers but also safeguarding them from the Croat himself. Those who reject the Croat's proposition are relentlessly pursued, subjected to torture, and ultimately murdered. In episode 3 of Dead City, the Croat declares to a captive, "What we have constructed here is a sanctuary, and everyone is welcome."

4 Negan Said The Croat's "People Are A Resource" Line First

The Croat showcases his exceptional ingenuity and resourcefulness by manipulating the masses of walkers in Manhattan using music. Prior to the zombie apocalypse, the Croat was a scientist, which leads to a disturbing revelation. In episode 3 of Dead City, the Croat pays a visit to his latest captive, Perlie Armstrong (played by Gaius Charles), the marshal from New Babylon who is determined to bring Negan to justice.

Inside the Burazi compound, Perlie is confined to an extravagant cell that includes amenities such as music, wine, and a plated dinner. The Croat reveals to Perlie that his expertise prior to the apocalypse was in alternative energy. He explains, "I couldn't help but wonder, what is the most abundant natural resource on this island? Death. The sewers are filled with it. The decomposition of bodies produces methane, and due to the weak intermolecular forces, this gas can be pressurized into a liquid fuel at regular temperatures."

Later, the Croat commemorates a fallen Burazi member, asserting that death is not the ultimate end but rather a source of motivation. In essence, individuals are viewed as valuable assets to the Croat. This sentiment resonates with Negan's statements in The Walking Dead. He not only explicitly declares, "people are a resource," but also consistently reminds the survivors residing in the Sanctuary that people are the cornerstone of their endeavors.

3 The Croat's Tactics Are Exactly What Negan Did In The Walking Dead

In The Walking Dead, Negan declares to his followers, both willing and unwilling, that they are the ones bringing civilization back to this world, asserting that their role is to provide security for others. In a similar fashion to the Croat, Negan portrays his mission as noble, driven by his concern for humankind. Despite the obvious deception, his persuasive rhetoric still manages to sway the desperate survivors who find themselves under his control. Moreover, Negan cleverly presents himself as not the creator of the established rules, but merely a messenger of a higher power.

He consistently uses language like "I wish" to convey that merely adhering to the rules is his only option - without them, the Sanctuary would fall apart. Perhaps this is true since Negan maintains his power through violence and manipulation. Emotional manipulation plays a significant role - he professes concern for others, their safety, and growth, while making it seem as though murdering people with Lucille is beyond his control. It's something that cannot be avoided.

Similarly, the Croat informs Perlie that he cannot truly provide him refuge with the Burazi until he no longer perceives Perlie as a threat. It's as though the Croat has no say in the matter. This warps the situation, as it portrays the Croat as merciful and "reasonable" (relative to the apocalypse standards) when he eventually allows Perlie to stay. Just like how the Saviors proved themselves to Negan, Perlie must demonstrate his worthiness to the Croat through violence. And, similar to Negan, the Croat makes a point of expressing his disgust for violence.

2 The Croat's Dead City Episode 3 Kill Mirrors Negan In Episode 2

The Walking Dead: Dead City often seems to go to great lengths to rewrite Negan's history within the franchise. The show wants viewers to forget just how evil Negan was in the original series. Maggie is justified in her distrust of Negan, the man who took pleasure in brutally killing Glenn, and she remains suspicious of his supposed reformation. Dead City attempts to depict Negan as someone who has always had a moral code, even if it was somewhat loose, by highlighting the animosity between him and the Croat.

According to the story, Negan believed that the Croat went too far with his violence during an interrogation, leading to their fallout in Dead City. It's difficult to believe that Negan had limits prior to his encounter with Glenn, and it's even harder to believe that he has completely rid himself of his violent tendencies after his shocking actions in episode 2 of Dead City. Following a Burazi raid, Negan seeks revenge on a remaining member of the Croat's group through brutal torture. He forcefully thrusts the man's head through a glass pane and gruesomely kills him over a balcony. This violent callback to Negan's past sheds light on his current state of mind.

1 The Croat Is Motivated By Loss And Revenge

In the third episode of Dead City, while engaged in a conversation with Perlie, the Croat discovers larvae in his meal. Feeling insulted that the Burazi would serve him spoiled meat teeming with life-threatening bacteria, the Croat exhibits his anger by repeatedly slamming the server's head against a railing, ultimately causing his neck to snap. In a final act of disdain, the Croat pushes the lifeless body over the ledge, resulting in it landing on the floor below. This event draws a striking parallel to Negan's brutal murder of Glenn in The Walking Dead, emphasizing the unmistakable similarities between Negan and the Croat.

After enduring an unimaginable tragedy, the Croat confides in Perlie that he tragically lost his entire family in one fell swoop. While he was desperately searching for nourishment, a separate group of survivors resorted to the unthinkable act of killing and consuming the Croat's beloved wife, two precious daughters, and cherished son. This horrific experience plunged him into an abyss of darkness, ultimately leading him to cross paths with Negan, who imparted the brutal lesson of safeguarding one's loved ones through barbarism. As avid followers of The Walking Dead have witnessed throughout its various installments, the profound impact of loss drives survivors to navigate their harrowing journeys in a multitude of ways.

Maggie, in spite of her grief, finds motivation to move forward and discover a new purpose. She may have made regrettable choices, but she has not allowed her loss to drive her towards committing atrocious acts. Conversely, Negan and the Croat have allowed their anger and inclination towards violence to define who they are. Instead of working towards preserving what they have, both characters strive to take away from others. While Negan's plans to dismantle Rick's group did not succeed, the viewers will have to wait and observe the unfolding of the Croat's ambitions in The Walking Dead: Dead City. The Walking Dead: Dead City is broadcasted on Sundays at 9 p.m. EST on AMC.