Negan Smith proves he remains one of the most dangerous men in the Walking Dead universe after executing a man in cold blood during the latest episode of Dead City.
The August 23 episode of The Walking Dead: Dead City titled “Imperialis” reminded viewers why Negan (played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan) was once the most feared villain on television. The character, who spent years trying to redeem himself, crossed a line that left fans questioning whether he has truly changed.
The episode showed Negan shooting Fabian in the head right in front of Renata, despite her begging him to stop. The killing happened at Dillard’s bar after Fabian became upset and blamed Maggie (played by Lauren Cohan) for his family’s struggles. Fabian was carrying a gun and made it clear he saw Maggie as the source of the community’s problems.
Negan took Fabian’s gun and executed him on the spot. He refused to listen when Renata arrived and tried to stop him. The moment showed that Negan still believes in solving problems through violence, even when other options exist.
Negan Refuses to Be Weak Like the Newcomers
Negan’s actions in “Imperialis” came from his belief that hope and weakness lead to death. From his point of view, real strength comes only from killing those who pose a threat. When he realized Fabian was planning to kill Maggie, Negan did not hesitate.
What made the moment even more disturbing was Negan’s reaction after pulling the trigger. He showed no regret for Fabian’s murder. Instead, he seemed to enjoy letting his inner demons take control. The character who had spent years trying to prove he had changed appeared to embrace his old self.
At the end of the episode, Renata declared Negan was under arrest. But Negan challenged her to try to cage him. He made it clear he had no intention of returning to a cell or following anyone else’s rules.
The Killing Reminded Fans of Negan’s Brutal Past
Negan’s execution of Fabian brought back memories of his most notorious kills from the original The Walking Dead series. In the Season 7 premiere, Negan brutally killed Abraham Ford with his barbed-wire baseball bat named Lucille. He lined up Rick Grimes’ team and played a cruel game of “Eeny, meeny, miny, moe” to choose his victim.
Glenn Rhee was also killed in that same episode as punishment after Daryl Dixon lunged at Negan. The scene remains one of the most shocking moments in television history.
Negan has spent years trying to prove he understands the damage he caused. During the final seasons of The Walking Dead, he protected Judith, helped defeat the Whisperers, apologized to Maggie, and accepted that she might never forgive him for killing Glenn. Dead City continued that growth by showing his guilt and his willingness to protect people without demanding loyalty in return.
But “Imperialis” showed that his darker instincts remain close to the surface.
Season 3 Puts Maggie and Negan’s Partnership to the Test
The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 3 premiered on July 26, 2026, on AMC and AMC+. The season consists of eight episodes, with the finale scheduled for September 13, 2026.
The new season follows Maggie and Negan as they attempt to build a stable community in Manhattan. For the first time, the longtime enemies are working together to create the first thriving community in Manhattan since the apocalypse.
The season introduced new cast members including Jimmi Simpson, Aimee Garcia, and Raúl Castillo. Kim Coates from Sons of Anarchy also joined the cast in a recurring role.
Episode 5, “Imperialis,” aired on August 23, 2026. The episode followed the destruction caused by an earthquake in the previous episode. With supplies running dangerously low, Maggie, Negan, Dillard, and Renata went looking for a way to keep their people alive.
Maggie and Negan had been working surprisingly well together. Their uneasy partnership became possible after Season 2 ended with them agreeing to move forward together. But Fabian’s death created a serious problem for Maggie.
Negan protected her from someone he believed was preparing to kill her. But he also ignored the rules that Maggie and Renata were trying to establish. The community’s biggest problem now comes from inside the community itself.
Negan once again decided that his own judgment matters more than the community’s laws.
Fans React to Negan’s Return to Violence
The episode sparked strong reactions from fans of the franchise. Many viewers expressed concern that Negan might be turning back into a villain.
Some fans pointed out that Negan killed Fabian to protect Maggie, not to gain power or create fear. The old Negan killed people to maintain authority. Season 3 Negan killed because he believed Fabian remained a threat.
Other viewers worried that the show was undoing years of character development. Negan’s redemption arc had been one of the most compelling parts of the franchise. His decision to kill Fabian suggested that he might never fully escape his violent past.
The episode also raised questions about Maggie’s future. She now faces a difficult choice between supporting Negan and upholding the community’s rules. If she defends Negan, she risks losing the trust of Renata and others. If she condemns him, she loses her most powerful ally.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who plays Negan, has teased that the season will show a “different side” of the character. But Episode 5 proved that the old Negan is still there, waiting to come out when the situation demands it.
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What Happens Next in Dead City Season 3
Episode 6, titled “Genesis,” arrives on August 30, 2026. The fallout from Negan’s decision will likely become the immediate focus. Renata will have to decide how far she is willing to go to enforce her authority.
Maggie will also face pressure to choose between Negan and Renata after Fabian’s death. The community is already dealing with food shortages and the aftermath of the earthquake. Internal conflict could tear apart everything they have built.
The season has already shown that Negan is willing to kill prisoners and ignore orders. In Episode 2, he killed the Dama despite Maggie deciding to keep her alive. His actions in Episode 5 followed a similar pattern.
Negan’s character growth has never followed a straight path. The real question is whether he will accept responsibility for his actions or continue using protection as an excuse to regain control.
The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 3 airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on AMC and streams on AMC+. The season finale is set for September 13, 2026.
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