Reasons Behind the Croatian Character Leaving Negan’s Saviors in The Walking Dead

Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2, episode 3, “Why Did the Mainlanders Cross the River?” The Croat stands out as one of the most erratic antagonists introduced in The Walking Dead universe. Once a close ally to Negan, the Croat’s departure from the Saviors is a focal point of the Dead City narrative. Following a strong presence in the first season, this complex character continues to play a pivotal role in Negan’s journey, keeping a close watch on his former leader while serving the enigmatic Dama. Their intricate relationship unfolds throughout Dead City, revealing that despite their chaotic history, the Croat harbors a lasting admiration for Negan.

The Croat perceives Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s Negan as a powerful figure who embodies ruthlessness, even urging him to embrace his darker instincts within the world of The Walking Dead. This dynamic not only enriches their scenes but also provokes curiosity about why the Croat chose to leave the Saviors, especially as he maintains such esteem for Negan. Fortunately, Dead City elucidates the circumstances that led to their rift and sheds light on the Croat’s journey thereafter, offering deeper insights into one of the spinoff’s most compelling figures.

Why Negan Deemed the Croat Too Dangerous

The Croat’s Behavior: Too Unhinged Even for Negan

During his tenure with the Saviors, the Croat served as their chief interrogator and torture specialist. However, his violent tendencies eventually grew too extreme to align with Negan’s vision. Negan, despite his sadistic reputation, possessed boundaries and somewhat of a moral compass, which led to his eventual redemption arc. Yet, the Croat, known for relishing in the pain of others, crossed the line that ultimately prompted a breaking point in their relationship.

Dead City clarifies their tumultuous history, revealing that Negan attempted to eliminate the Croat after his brutal methods spun out of control. This confrontation resulted in the Croat losing an ear when Negan fired a shot at him. Remarkably, this life-threatening incident did not seem to tarnish the Croat’s admiration for Negan long term; however, it served as a critical wake-up call that compelled him to abandon Sanctuary.

Rather than harboring resentment, the Croat even presented Negan with an electrified version of Lucille, underscoring his complex feelings. Acknowledging that his life was under threat, he distanced himself from Negan and sought refuge in Manhattan, a destination he had not originally planned.

The Croat’s Path After Leaving Negan

A Journey to Croatia that Ended in Manhattan

After his departure from the Saviors, the Croat took to the seas with a boat aimed at returning to his homeland, Croatia. However, his plans unraveled due to an unforeseen storm that ultimately wrecked his vessel near the shores of Manhattan. The exact duration of his stay in America remains ambiguous, but his determination to travel home appears audacious given the dire state of the world.

His harrowing journey culminated in a collapse in a theater, where he was discovered on a sofa, covered with a blanket and surrounded by candy. This scenario suggests that the Dama might have taken care of him during his vulnerable moment. The Croat’s loyalty to her, coupled with his ability to overlook her more cruel tendencies, positions him as one of the most intricately developed characters in Dead City season 2. Since then, he has remained a steadfast ally to the Dama, solidifying his significant influence in the spinoff series.

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