The most recent episode of The Strolling Lifeless: Lifeless Metropolis falls sufferer to the identical sluggish pacing that plagued the later seasons of The Strolling Lifeless—nothing a lot occurs. In comparison with the present’s most iconic episodes like “Days Gone Bye” that seamlessly delivered pressure, emotional depth, and motion suddenly, “Why Did the Mainlanders Cross the River?” feels obviously insufficient. Sure, it’s an unfair comparability, however if you’ve acquired solely eight episodes to work with, wasting your narrative area is a daring selection. Sadly, it’s not a superb one. Let’s overview.
 |
| “Why Did the Mainlanders Cross the River?”– THE WALKING DEAD: DEAD CITY, Pictured: Logan Kim as Hershel. Photograph Credit score: Robert Clark/AMC © 2025 AMC Networks Inc. All Rights Reserved. |
The episode’s central focus is on Herschel’s (Logan Kim) grooming and coming underneath the corrupt affect of the Dama (Lisa Emery). The Dama and Herschel’s storyline, that might have been gripping, stays frustratingly underdeveloped. The second Herschel parrots the Dama’s phrases to Maggie concerning the metropolis—”broken, ignored, abandoned”—as one thing that may nonetheless be remodeled was attention-grabbing. And but, the actual revelation was what Herschel noticed in these phrases—himself.
The Dama vegetation a seed: “When you go home, there are things you’re going to have to do.” Was one of many ‘things’ Herschel needed to do was sign when the mainlanders deliberate to assault? After all, it was—as a result of Herschel is properly on his strategy to changing into one thing new. The true query is: What else is Herschel keen to do for the Dama?>>
The Dama-Herschel flashbacks—whereas fantastically shot—blur into present-day scenes with such little distinction that viewers are left guessing. A easy “six months earlier” caption or a black-and-white filter (just like the Season 6 premiere, “First Time Again”) might have cleared issues up with out requiring a forensic investigation.
Herschel’s angsty back-and-forth with Maggie (Lauren Cohan) might irritate some viewers, however his “don’t give a shit” angle towards Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) is a direct response to his mom’s fixation on vengeance, which has, in his eyes, led to his neglect. That stated, Herschel’s interplay with the dying forager lady was one of many few emotionally resonant moments within the episode. He offers her his drawing, presses his brow to hers, and totally participates within the group’s ritual. It is a symbolic act not one of the different mainlanders cared to affix. If nothing else, Herschel has proved that in relation to human connection, he is forward of the curve.
 |
|
“Why Did the Mainlanders Cross the River?”–” – THE WALKING DEAD: DEAD |
The writers maintain dangling a dynamic between Herschel and Ginny (Mahina Anne Marie Napoleon) however refuse to elucidate it. Herchel’s territorial outburst within the final episode—”She’s, my mom!”—suggests an intriguing pressure, particularly as each kids grapple with their weird, unstable relationships with Negan. But, with a 3rd of the season already gone, these threads stay frustratingly underexplored. Do the writers have a plan, or are they simply winging it? Jury’s out.
The Croat (Zeljko Ivanek) vs. Negan storyline additionally feels stagnated. Negan’s half-hearted try and pry the Croat away from the Dama is met with predictable counters, because the Croat—suspicious as ever—is aware of precisely what Negan values: kids. Sending Negan after the mainlanders, due to this fact, feels pointless. Negan was by no means going to hurt anybody in Maggie’s crew. The Croat knew that, too, which is why he despatched Waylen (Tom Ukah) together with Negan to the ‘no man’s land’ in Central Park. Negan is a real nowhere man—adrift between the Gangs of New York, the Mainlanders, and even his family, but really belonging to none. How for much longer earlier than he catches a break?
 |
| “Why Did the Mainlanders Cross the River?”–” – THE WALKING DEAD: DEAD CITY, Pictured: Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan. Photograph: Robert Clark/AMC © 2025 AMC Networks Inc. All Rights Reserved. |
After all, Negan returns alone, having dispatched Waylen utilizing the time-honored throw-walkers-at-your-enemy trick. Whereas the scene delivered stable motion, Waylen’s miraculous survival simply to later threaten Herschel and the feral lady felt compelled. Negan explains to the Croat that the park is crawling with the lifeless, and that the mainlanders had been “pretty much dead already.” The Croat, ever the smug chess grasp, responds with a understanding: “Accidents happen.” Whereas this, together with the story of how he turned companions with the Dama, gives perception into the Croat’s character, it fails to ship significant story development.
In the meantime, Main Narvaez (Dascha Polanco) and Colonel Armstrong (Gaius Charles) stay undeniably generic. Armstrong tiptoes between protecting Maggie as an ally and protecting Narvaez’s energy performs in examine. Narvaez, nonetheless, barrels ahead along with her single-minded pursuit of conscripting the foragers—regardless of their full indifference towards acquiring the methane. She lacks the appeal and tactical intelligence of villains just like the Governor, the humor and harmful unpredictability of Negan, and the braveness and compassion of Maggie. As a substitute, Narvaez is reckless—a blunt instrument in a world that requires a a lot sharper software.
 |
| “Why Did the Mainlanders Cross the River?”–” – THE WALKING DEAD: DEAD CITY, Pictured: Gaius Charles as Armstrong, Dascha Polanco as Narvaez. Photograph Credit score: Robert Clark/AMCC © 2025 AMC Networks Inc. All Rights Reserved. |
The episode does ship hanging cinematography, however its world-building stays half-hearted. The ritual—the place Roksana (Pooya Mohseni) and the foragers give the lady’s coronary heart to the lifeless so she will roam amongst them—was an eerie addition. Sadly, the mainlanders’ awkward, wide-eyed gawking—extra like clueless vacationers than considerate observers—stripped the chilling cultural second of its impression, lowering it to little greater than a grotesque sideshow.
The writers have arrange Herschel as Maggie’s foil, very similar to how Carl was for Rick relating to Negan. Carl noticed an opportunity for redemption—Rick needed vengeance. Maggie is caught in her grudge, whereas Herschel is rejecting her want for revenge fully. Whether or not this distinction deepens their parent-child battle or pushes Maggie to lastly let go is probably the most attention-grabbing unanswered query of the season up to now.
 |
|
“Why Did the Mainlanders Cross the River?”–” – THE WALKING DEAD: DEAD |
It might be unfair to match Lifeless Metropolis to the unique Strolling Lifeless, however the intent isn’t to tear it down, it’s to focus on that the canon gives loads of examples of the way it might be higher. Because it stands, this episode was a irritating waste of time with glimpses of potential. Course correction is required—and shortly.
Will Herschel and Maggie’s variations make their battle worse, or lastly assist Maggie transfer previous her feud with Negan? Share your ideas within the feedback.
Total Grade:
5:10
Lynette Jones
