The Walking Dead: Shocking Character Deaths Ignite Controversy, Leaving Fans Begging for Answers!
Major character losses in Dead City's latest episode raise concerns for future Walking Dead spinoffs, leaving fans worried about the fate of new heroes Can the show salvage the introduction of these characters? Find out
Warning: Spoilers ahead for episode 5 of The Walking Dead: Dead City.
The deaths of Tommaso and Amaia in episode 5 of The Walking Dead: Dead City indicate potential trouble for future spinoffs of the popular series. This penultimate episode of the season drastically reduced the number of survivors, with only a small group remaining. Unfortunately, casualties included Tommaso and Amaia, who were Maggie and Negan's key allies in their mission to defeat the Croat and save Herschel.
The Walking Dead: Dead City Episode 5's Deaths Are Ruthlessly Economical
Although all three Walking Dead spinoffs focus on returning characters, it's inevitable that they introduce mostly new casts. Since these spinoffs only retain a few of the main show's protagonists, they must introduce fresh characters for them to interact with. Dead City has already done this for Maggie and Negan, and AMC has already confirmed a cast to support Daryl's adventure in France with Daryl Dixon. It's likely that Rick and Michonne's spinoff will follow suit, allowing viewers to meet an array of new Walking Dead characters in the upcoming months.
The approach of The Walking Dead: Dead City towards its new characters was relentless. Tomasso and Amaia's role was limited to the extent of their usefulness. Their understanding of the Croat and the dynamics of Manhattan proved vital to the show's plot. Without their presence, the characters Maggie and Negan would have been completely unaware in their battle within Dead City. Their inclusion in the series not only provided companions for Maggie and Negan but also facilitated their journey towards the Croat. Gradually, the show systematically eliminated the members of the group, particularly Luthor, whose demise occurred in episode 4, followed by the deaths of the remaining members in the subsequent episode.
Do Walking Dead Spinoffs Care About New Heroes?
The fate of Tommaso and Amaia, the last surviving members of the Manhattan group, exemplifies their existence solely for a specific purpose. Once Maggie embarked on her journey to confront the Croat in the anticipated Dead City season finale, the show permanently cast aside the group. Their deaths were even more disheartening as they lacked any significant significance. Shortly after exposing Tommaso as a long-standing spy for the Croat, Dead City abruptly concluded their narratives by subjecting them to unforeseen zombie bites. Evidently, once the stage was set for Maggie versus the Croat, the franchise no longer had a need for them.
The prospects for any new characters entering the Walking Dead universe, as seen in Dead City, are bleak at best. The recent fate of Tommaso and Amaia raises concerns about the franchise's commitment to nurturing fresh heroes. Furthermore, the franchise's decision to introduce a new group led by Maggie and Negan, only to dispose of them in the second-to-last episode of the season, establishes a troubling precedent for future spinoffs. Dead City's swift elimination of Amaia and Tommaso suggests that safeguarding the supporting casts of these new shows is not a priority.
Instead, it's possible that, similar to the case of Tommaso and Amaia, the sole purpose of the new characters is to support the existing stars of the franchise. This is not entirely surprising, as it makes sense for Maggie and Negan's spinoff to revolve around them and consider everyone else expendable. While this approach stays true to the show's premise of being solely about Maggie and Negan's adventures, it hinders the growth of the Walking Dead universe. By introducing new characters who could potentially become popular in their own right, the franchise could have more opportunities to expand. Unfortunately, AMC seems to imply that their commitment to The Walking Dead is limited to the veteran characters. If the deaths of two characters in episode 5 of Walking Dead: Dead City are any indication, it appears that nobody else matters.
Dead City Can Still Save Some New Walking Dead Characters
Clearly, this is not a good situation for the supporting characters remaining in Dead City. However, it is possible for more than just Maggie and Negan to survive the finale of season 1. There is a strong chance that the Croat will meet his demise at the hands of Negan, Maggie, or possibly the new enigmatic antagonist of Dead City. On the other hand, Ginny and Perlie may have a chance to live on for another day.
Although the franchise has been known to kill off child characters in the past, it is difficult to envision Ginny dying despite this history. She is likely to survive. Depending on how she is utilized, she could symbolize the new generation that the franchise is developing with characters like Judith and Fear the Walking Dead's Mo. As for Perlie, he is currently alive and could potentially return alongside Negan and Maggie if the spinoff receives a second season. Alternatively, he could end up in their company wherever they end up next, if The Walking Dead: Dead City does not continue.
