The Walking Dead: DEAD CITY – Season 3, Episode 5 “IMPERIALIS”

We’re already more than half way through season 3 of ‘The Walking Dead: DEAD CITY’ on AMC & AMC+. EPISODE 5, “Imperialis” just dropped tonight and we got a ton of suspense, some hilarious moments, and a side of Maggie that Negan had never seen, and that Maggie forgot she had.

The apocalypse version of New York City doesn’t come with the 24/7 availability of amazing food. With the events of the last episode, those food options are even less, and the natives are getting restless. To calm the masses a plan is put into place. While the plan at first seems fitting of the title X-Force on a windy day, things go a different direction. As everything seems to be going well, Negan decides to Negan as this episode ends with a complicated mess that won’t be so easy to get out of.

If you’re not caught up on DEAD CITY, check out the spoiler free review for Season 3 HERE. 

If you are caught up, feel free to proceed for a spoiler filled break down.

***WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD***

Last Seen on The Walking Dead: DEAD CITY

Last week we saw Maggie get some closure for the first time in a long time. While tension was felt the entire episode, that was more so because this is a show about the undead. She had a delightful and successful road trip with Luis. They got the medical supplies they needed, and met some amazing people who enjoy full moon parties. Back at home in the big rotten apple, Negan was offered a nice and spacious place in the city. Unfortunately rent control does not seem to be on his side, as Renata tells him the price, is no more killing. A price he’s not sure he can afford. We then wrap with an intense moment of the ground caving into a subway system, walkers everywhere, and the food for the community in jeopardy.

Check out a FULL recap of last week’s episode: “FOUND/LOST”

The Story for “Imperialis”

With the new food supply issue, the New Yorkers are not happy. They’re worried and angry. To ease tensions a plan is put into place to collect more walkers, so electricity can be enjoyed 24/7. Collecting zombies who can kill you with a simple bite doesn’t seem worth the risk for a couple extra hours of light during an apocalypse, so a guaranteed, no one dies team, is put together. Who needs Nick Fury when you have Negan, and his new unhinged and hilarious BFF, Dillard? Of course Negan does not participate in group projects voluntarily. Renata tells him he’s got to help, or she’s gonna tell Maggie, that he killed The Dama.

Putting Together the Walker Collecting Plan

Cue the f****** montage baby! A little bit of suicide squad with a sprinkle of Deadpool, and it’s go time. After Negan’s ball filled motivational speech, the team is ready with a full proof plan. While no one dresses in drag and does the hula, live bait is the plan. Dangling a still living person above a room of hungry zombies, definitely creates an intense scene. As the line slips, it becomes clear Negan is not about to attempt a rescue making an already intense scene even more intense. Fortunately, he made the right call. After a sigh of relief is had, it’s celebratory time at Dillard’s bar.

As the celebration continues, Negan pours Maggie some of his home grown liquor he distilled all by himself. He then tells her he didn’t take an apartment because Maggie isn’t the one in charge. He doesn’t think Renata has what it takes, but he knows Maggie does. A joke is then made about Negan’s liquor making you blind, and Maggie genuinely laughs and enjoys a moment with Negan. His response is half shocked, and half genuine happiness. He’s never seen her look like that. It’s an incredibly sad moment as he realizes he’s the reason she rarely feels joy in that way anymore. He had no idea she even had that in her.

Hershel’s Medical Training Continues

Meanwhile, Hershel continues to learn under Dr. Luis. Last week Dr. Luis trauma bonded with Maggie, this week he’s trauma bonding with Hershel. One lost their wife, one lost a dad he never knew. These are two things everyone should be doing at this point, if any bit of a life is to be enjoyed, rather than just survived. They need to pass down usable knowledge, and process the God awful crap that has happened to them all over the last 16 years. We then see Hershel putt his art skills to use in memorializing lost loved ones, particularly Luis’ wife. A shockingly healthy way to grieve, in a world where emotional and healthy rarely get used together.

Negan Just Can’t Help Himself

After getting caught stealing food when food begins getting rationed, the disgruntled thief talks crap about Maggie, to Negan. Negan eggs him on. However, despite making her a widow, and her life a living hell, Negan has grown to have a huge soft spot for Maggie. He respects her, and he’s protective of her. After seeing her enjoy a moment with him he’s not backing down. Negan manages to get a gun on the thief. With timing that only Hollywood can deliver, Renata walks in. She tries to convince him to stop, but Negan’s only mission now is to protect Maggie, and he shoots the thief dead. Renata insists she’s going to arrest him. After his time at Alexandria, he’s not going back. He tells her to bring her army, as a look of regret seems to wash over his face.

Final Thoughts

I really loved the intense moments, as well as the bit of levity we got to enjoy in this episode. Additionally, I have loved seeing Maggie and Negan’s relationship grow. Is their relationship realistic? This is show about walking corpses. However, crazier things have happened in real life. While we’ve seen them have moments over the years, the blind/liquor joke seemed like a real pivotal moment in their relationship. They haven’t just started to move on (unlike a huge chunk of the fan base…rightfully so), they’ve grown very comfortable with each other. I’ve really loved watching them together, and can’t wait to see where they go from here. I also look forward to a day when Negan stops getting in his own damn way.

Head back every Sunday for the next few weeks for my spoiler filled reviews after the show! They’ll drop after 10 p.m. EDT.

Check out more reviews from Lauren

In addition to Lauren Cohan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, season three also stars Jimmi Simpson, Raúl Castillo, Aimee Garcia, Logan Kim and Michael Emery. The Walking Dead: Dead City is executive produced by Scott M. Gimple, chief content officer of The Walking Dead Universe, showrunner Seth Hoffman, Lauren Cohan, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Brian Bockrath and Colin Walsh. Director for episode 5: Sylvain White; Writer for episode 5: Justin Boyd.

Did you watch Season 3 Episode 5 of DEAD CITY? What are your thoughts?