Warning: SPOILERS for The Walking Dead season 10, episode 14.
It took some time, but The Walking Dead season 10 has finally redeemed Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) for his actions as the leader of the Saviors in seasons 6, 7, and 8. Clearly, Negan isn't the villain he was years ago, and for a while now, The Walking Dead has been taking him on a redemptive path. Now, thanks to his efforts to help Alexandria and the Hilltop against the Whisperers, that journey has reached an end.
Naturally, Negan hasn't been an easy character to redeem. His actions in The Walking Dead season 7 premiere cemented his status as one of the show's most sadistic and ruthless villains. Negan delivered two of the show's biggest and most gruesome deaths in one single episode when he executed Glenn (Steven Yeun) and Abraham (Michael Cudlitz), instantly earning him the hatred of Rick (Andrew Lincoln), Maggie (Lauren Cohan), and nearly everyone in attendance. After a season in servitude to the Saviors, war was declared, and at the end of it all, Rick overcame his need for revenge and decided to have Negan imprisoned permanently.
Though Negan was allowed to live, his punishment was severe. The effect his imprisonment had on him became clear during a confrontation with Maggie, who realized that Negan had become a broken man. Negan, who remained locked up for seven years, has certainly paid a significant price for his actions, but despite the consequences, it was unclear if it was possible for him to ever redeem himself. After all, Negan had committed crimes that seemed unforgivable, and it was worth wondering if The Walking Dead could redeem someone like him in a way that wouldn't seem forced or out of character. But Negan's season 10 story has shown that it was possible. Finally, The Walking Dead has managed to redeem Negan.
Walking Dead Season 10's Negan Story Explained
Negan displayed a potential for change in The Walking Dead season 9 finale when he saved Judith (Cailey Fleming) during a snowstorm, but his search for redemption really began to take off in season 10. Early on in the season, Negan was paired with Aaron (Ross Marquand), someone who still held a grudge against him over the war with the Saviors. During a battle with the Whisperers, Negan saved Aaron's life. It was another sign that he wanted to show that he could be better than what he was before. After being set free from his cell, Negan expressed genuine disgust when Brandon (Blaine Kern III) murdered a young boy and his mother. And so, Negan retaliated by killing Brandon.
Later, Negan approached the Whisperers and convinced them to let him become a member. After gaining the trust of Alpha (Samantha Morton), Negan officially joined the Whisperers and helped them coordinate a successful assault on the Hilltop. After the battle, Negan captured Lydia (Cassady McClincy) and used her to get Alpha alone. Alpha, who wanted to rid herself of her biggest weakness, followed him into a trap and had her throat slit by the former Savior. As it turned out, Negan's plan to infiltrate the Whisperers and kill Alpha was all part of a scheme hatched by Carol (Melissa McBride). Carol agreed to help convince Alexandria and the Hilltop that Negan had truly changed if he would kill Alpha. Negan completed his end of the bargain, but Carol wasn't ready to go back just yet. This led to a confrontation with a skeptical Daryl (Norman Reedus) and a small group of Whisperers.
Negan Had The Chance To Be A Villain Again (But Didn't Take It)
The scene with Negan, Daryl, and the Whisperers is the moment where Negan truly proved himself in The Walking Dead season 10, episode 14. Negan and Daryl were accosted by Whisperers who were quick to bow down to Negan as the new Alpha. Since he killed Alpha two episodes prior, they believed him to be her rightful successor - not Beta. Negan briefly went along with it, but turned on them to save Daryl. What's so important about this is what this decision says about Negan's character development.
All season, Negan has been intent on making amends with the people he wronged, but it could be said that he wanted so much to be a part of their communities because there was nothing else for him to do. The Walking Dead already demonstrated this when Gabriel (Seth Gilliam) accidentally left the door to Negan's cell open. Negan escaped, but came back because he discovered that there was nothing out there for him. But the latest episode showed that there are other opportunities out there for Negan. He had an option to have back the power and control he so enjoyed as the leader of the Saviors, but he turned it away because he no longer wanted it. It's more clear than ever that Negan isn't trying to fool anyone; he just doesn't want to be the villain anymore.
What's Negan's Future On The Walking Dead
What does this mean for Negan's future on The Walking Dead? How the people of Alexandria and the Hilltop respond to what Negan did may help determine what's next for Negan. As the leader of the Saviors, Negan brought harm to a lot of people, so even if Carol or Daryl were to vouch for him, the leaders of the communities are unlikely to let Negan run free if so many of them are opposed to it. Daryl's response may be the best indicator of how people may treat Negan now that Alpha is dead.
Daryl, who made an alliance with Maggie to go against Rick and kill Negan, is obviously one of the characters who hates him the most, and the scene where he's shown sitting down with Negan toward the end of the episode is quite telling in terms of how he views the former villain now. Daryl clearly hasn't forgiven Negan, as he still doesn't want to look him in the eye, but he doesn't try to have Negan tied up again. Daryl also doesn't mind turning his back on him. This scene says a lot about how much Daryl's attitude toward Negan has changed. He still doesn't like Negan, but that doesn't mean he'll have him locked up again.
So if Daryl, of all people, can develop a different opinion of Negan, then it may not be so hard for others to put the past behind them as well. Now it's likely to take a long time for Negan to become someone people can trust - and for some, that may never happen - but he at least may become a character they can tolerate and perhaps even use to their advantage. The fact that he was able to take down Alpha speaks volumes about what Negan can contribute to the communities going forward in The Walking Dead season 10 and 11.