Entertainment Extra - Your source for on screen entertainment from the Logansport Pharos-Tribune
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2 ENTERTAINMENT EXTRA By Dana Simpson TV Media T he world of horror is pretty equally divided when it comes to fan preferences about the undead. Fast-moving versus slow-moving zombies is one of the most controversial debates of the genre, with fans in each camp planted resolutely in their beliefs as to which one is scari- er and why. One new series, however, is dedicated to bridg- ing the gap — or at least appealing to both sides of the argument — by introducing some fast walkers into a tradi- tionally slow-moving zombie franchise. "The Walking Dead: Dead City" is the newest addition to the TWD universe and it pre- mieres Sunday, June 18, on AMC and AMC+. With four other series having already pre- miered (many of which have also concluded) in the franchise, including "Fear the Walking Dead," "The Walking Dead: World Beyond," "Tales of the Walking Dead" and the original, "The Walking Dead," it only makes sense for the newest series, "Dead City," to up the stakes a bit. The series derives its name partly for the flagship series and graphic novel, and partly from its unique setting. Despite most of the other TWD story- lines taking place in relatively rural areas across the United States, "Dead City" follows two of the franchise's most popular characters, Negan and Maggie (played, respectively, by Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Lauren Cohan of "Supernatural") as they travel away from their familiar dwellings and into the wide, terrifying post-apocalyptic expanse of New York City in search of Maggie's son, Herschel (Logan Kim, "Ghostbusters: Afterlife," 2021). But just like everything else in the Big Apple, the walkers move a bit quicker. "We're in New York City," said Scott M. Gimple, the origi- nal series' former showrunner (seasons 4 to 8) and current chief content officer. "The tone of the story is a little different, the visuals are different." Meanwhile, "Dead City" showrunner Eli Jorné ("Wilfred") shared slightly more detailed information with the public, as shared by Collider this past January. "The universe has never really lived in a city the way it will," Jorné noted. "Just environmen- tally and architecturally, there are so many new ways that we can experience walkers that you couldn't have. There's the verti- cality of the city, and that alone has been the gift that keeps on giving with walkers. ... In 'The Walking Dead,' they fought a lot of walkers in the woods, but there were a lot of stretches of woods where you could just hike and camp out. You don't get to do that as much in the city." Collider also shared more information provided by Gimple, who appears to be keeping rather tight-lipped on the spe- cifics to avoid giving spoilers. "There are a number of hor- rific walkers, but there is a mind-bendingly horrific walker coming up that I wasn't on set for, and I'm glad I wasn't," Gimple noted. "I got to experi- ence the horrific magic at home, and it is magic. It quite possibly will make you throw up. I would just have something handy nearby as you watch it." But if gory walkers aren't your bread and butter, fret not: there is plenty of very human drama to keep the plot rolling as well. As full-franchise viewers may have noticed, Negan and Maggie are quite an odd pair- ing to be hitting the road together on a quest to reunite family members. For those who may be entering the TWD uni- verse with "Dead City," howev- er, here is a bit of the backstory. (Spoilers ahead for "The Walking Dead" Season 7.) Herschel, the son Maggie and Negan are searching for in the city, is the child Maggie shares with Glenn (Steven Yeun, "Minari," 2020), who met his demise during "The Walking Dead's" Season 7 premiere, titled "The Day Will Come When You Won't Be." His death coin- cided with — and was a direct result of — Negan's introduc- tion to the series in the Season 6 finale, "Last Day on Earth." In "The Day Will Come...," Negan makes his grand debut by beating Abraham (Michael Cudlitz, "Band of Brothers") to death with his bat, which he has named Lucille, right before turning on Glenn and doing the same to him right in front of his own family, Herschel and Maggie. While the mother and son were naturally terrified and outraged, Maggie and Negan called a truce four years later, in the two-part Season 11 fina- le, after Maggie threatened to kill Negan, Negan left her for dead and the pair ended up having to work together to escape a tunnel full of walkers. Schwering Realty 2 x 2" Pear Tree Gallery 3 x 2" On the Cover Lauren Cohan in "The Walking Dead: Dead City" TWD does NYC in 'Dead City' Chase Center 3 x 2" American Legion Post 60 2 x 3" Thrifty Muffler 2 x 2.5"