Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2, episode 6, “Bridge Partners are Hard to Come by These Days”.WithThe Walking Dead’songoing story continuing through spinoffs, fans are naturally interested to see characters from the original series pop up in these projects, butDead City’slatest return was extremely underwhelming, suggesting there must be more to come. WhileDead City’s first season didn’t feature many big surprises, the other spinoffs utilized the main show, asCarol reunited with Daryl Dixonin their series, and she has become a major part ever since. Likewise, Gabriel and Jadis both showed up inThe Ones Who Live, providing plenty of value to the project while on screen.
This put pressure on Maggie and Negan’s show to deliver its own interesting cameo, butDead Cityseason 2’s complicated timelinemade this difficult, considering the show takes place several years after any otherWalking Deadproject. Still, episode 6 finally brought back a character from the original series - Negan’s wife, Annie.Alongside her son Joshua, Annie showed up in Manhattan where it seemed as though she would finally reunite with Negan, but after featuring for less than a minute, the duo was sent back to Tennessee without a single line of dialogue, creating questions about their future.
The Duo Were On-Screen For Less Than A Minute Despite Their Cameos Being Built Up All Season
As excited as I was to finally see Annie and Joshua feature inDead City, that can’t be all we get of them. Their short appearance saw them arriving on a pier in Manhattan, with Negan looking at his wife and child through a pair of binoculars. This is the only perspective we see of them, andwhile it’s difficult to tell at first glance if Medina Senghore even reprised her role as Annie, she was credited for the role. Therefore, it would seem like a huge waste to bring back these characters for such a minor cameo.
Dead Citycould have explained that the duo made it to Manhattan without even showing them if it really was their only appearance, indicating that there must be more to the story. It would be a grave mistake not to haveAnnie and Joshua more involved in Negan’s currentWalking Deadstory, especially since his main goal was protecting them. Additionally, his family’s arrival has been built up all season and is the main reason Negan agreed to help the Dama and the Croat in the first place, hence why I struggle to believe they won’t have another scene.
Negan’s Family Are Extremely Important In His Fight To Become A Better Man
Although it has been entertaining seeing Negan reluctantly embrace his villainous side while also taking down the Burazi from the inside, his story still needs Annie and Joshua to conclude properly. Even if he were to take down Bruegel and stop what is left of New Babylon from taking control of the methane operation in Manhattan, bringing peace wouldn’t seem like a true ending to Negan’s story. It’s still unclear ifDead Citywill have a third season, butif the spinoff finishes with Negan staying in Manhattan all alone, it will feel pretty underwhelming.
Ginny could still kill Negan inDead Cityseason 2, but having the former villain die without reuniting with his family would also leave an unsatisfying taste in the mouths of viewers. In addition, episode 6’s conclusion pointed towards Negan potentially fixing his relationship with Ginny, and while the latter forgiving her father figure would be a slightly better climax to Negan’s journey, it still needs Annie and Joshua to feel complete. Had it not been for their lives being on the line, Negan would likely still be sitting in a cell eating cockroaches.
Episode 5: “The Bird Always Knows”
June 30, 2025
Episode 6: “Bridge Partners are Hard to Come by These Days”
Episode 8: “If History Were a Conflagration”
August 02, 2025
Instead, he risked his life alongside his morality to keep them safe, and while they may technically be in less danger away from him, Negan deserves a chance to embrace his wife and son again. His entire arc for the better part of a decade has been finding redemption and becoming a better man, but the only way he can do this is by being in his family’s lives. Therefore, if Negan survivesDead Cityseason 2, the spinoff should bring back Annie and Joshua to have a scene with the entire Smith family which would provide a fitting conclusion.
The Walking Dead: Dead City
Cast
A spin-off/sequel of the dramatic horror series, The Walking Dead: Dead City follows two significant characters from the main series - Maggie and Negan.
The Walking Dead
The Walking Dead is a television series that premiered on August 03, 2025. It follows Sheriff’s deputy Rick Grimes, who awakens from a coma to find a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. He embarks on a journey to locate his family, encountering various survivors amidst the chaos.
