Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2, episode 8, “If History Were a Conflagration”.
When the Saviors first arrived on The Walking Dead, they were easily the most menacing group the franchise had ever seen, but Negan’s new version of the faction is significantly weaker. Negan’s debut scene remains an iconic piece of television, as his followers rounding up the show’s main survivors allowed the villain to make an instant impression. He has since gone through a lengthy redemption arc, with Negan even becoming a fan favorite among Walking Dead fans, but his sinister nature back in seasons 7 and 8 made him truly detestable, which wouldn’t have been possible without the Saviors.
Their numbers completely dwarfed communities like Alexandria and the Hilltop, making the antagonists seem extremely dangerous and intimidating. To make matters worse, the faction’s tradition of killing a member of each settlement they came across showed how ruthless they could be, cementing their status as one of The Walking Dead‘s most powerful villain groups. However, Dead City has seen Negan become the leader of a new gang, and while he did showcase some of his darker traits while in charge, his Saviors replacement is nothing like the original community, which was demonstrated by their defeat in season 2’s finale.
Negan’s Burazi Are Easily Overwhelmed By New Babylon In The Walking Dead: Dead City
New Babylon Took Control Of Manhattan Without Much Of A Fight
Although Negan’s Burazi spent the majority of Dead City season 2’s ending feuding with Bruegel and his group, their vulnerability was exposed by New Babylon’s arrival. The Burazi have been presented as the biggest faction in Manhattan, as they were responsible for kidnapping Hershel in season 1, alongside creating a supply of methane to power the city. With Negan taking charge of the group, it seemed like they could become a real force to be reckoned with, but New Babylon showed just how weak they really are by easily taking control of the island without any resistance.
A large chunk of the Burazi fell to Bruegel’s group, making it easier for New Babylon to sweep in and seize Manhattan, which further proves how fragile the group is.
A large chunk of the Burazi fell to Bruegel’s group, making it easier for New Babylon to sweep in and seize Manhattan, which further proves how fragile the group is. Despite the authority they had in Manhattan, the Burazi are still relatively small, making a large community like New Babylon far too much to handle. Not only did the villainous group make it to the city undetected, but they completely overwhelmed the Burazi, and while it’s not clear how many of Negan’s new group survived, it’s a worrying sign that they were defeated with such ease.
It’s Hard To Imagine The Saviors Losing So Quickly
The Saviors Were A Far Bigger Faction With A More Solid Strategy Than The Burazi
New Babylon’s size hasn’t been fully revealed in Dead City, but based on season 2’s finale, it seems like they have plenty of soldiers. Still, it’s hard to picture Negan’s former group going down so easily based on how powerful they used to be. It took several communities and multiple seasons for Rick to eventually defeat Negan and the Saviors, suggesting The Walking Dead‘s New Babylon Federation would struggle to waltz into a city under their control and snatch power from them.
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It seems likely Bruegel’s gang and any other factions in Manhattan would already have been dealt with, meaning New Babylon wouldn’t have the element of surprise. Likewise, the numbers would probably have been more even, and the Saviors would have been better prepared for an invasion, making it difficult for New Babylon to simply sail ashore. As a result, even if the Saviors did ultimately lose this war, it would certainly have lasted a lot longer and brought many more casualties on both sides, showcasing the differences between Negan’s two factions.
Why Negan Became The Leader Of Another Savior-Like Villain Group
Taking Over The Burazi Allowed Negan To Lean Into His More Ruthless Side So He Could Defeat His Enemies
Although he never actually planned on taking over the Burazi, leading another Savior-like group was key to fleshing out Negan’s Dead City season 2 story. His entire arc throughout the second season saw him trying to reject his old ways while the Dama and the Croat utilized his leadership and charisma to unite Manhattan’s factions. Still, despite trying to fight these urges, Negan’s old persona ultimately consumed him in the finale as he used his violent methods to get rid of his enemies, which proved effective when it came to banishing the Croat and killing Bruegel.
The Walking Dead: Dead City‘s entire second season is available to stream on AMC+.
From Negan’s point of view, taking charge of the Burazi allowed him to devise a plan that would hopefully end his conflict in New York and be with his family. However, from a narrative perspective, his new group tested his resilience and highlighted that Negan’s Savior personality was still inside him, confirming that he is still a flawed individual trying to overcome his past. Overall, seeing Negan’s evil side return in The Walking Dead provided some of his most compelling moments in Dead City season 2, and it set up a very exciting future for the character.
