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It's almost time.
Tonight, we begin the annual tradition of trying not to get attached to characters only to bawl our eyes out and shake our fists at the sky. Or in other words, welcome to Season 5 of The Walking Dead.
The premiere tonight ends months of waiting to find out how Rick and his merry band of survivors not only escape the train car, but how they flee Terminus. We know they’ll do both, of course, and Gareth and the Terminites will prove to be fine adversaries for at least a few weeks.
AMC also was nice enough to give us the first four minutes of the opening episode to tease us more.
--- VIDEO: AMC RELEASES FIRST FOUR MINUTES OF TONIGHT'S EPISODE ---
Every season begins with questions. This much is apparent when reading the official Season 5 teaser synopsis, which states we’ll find out the truth behind Terminus (Soylent Green is people!) and that stories will break apart and intersect. The synopsis raises the biggest question: “Who do they become?”
This points to plenty of changes in those we’ve grown to know over five seasons or less in the case of some. It’s not easy living in the zombiepocalypse and life isn’t going to be getting any easier any time soon.
Life will be in a much different place 16 episodes from now. We’ll lose a lot of folks along the way, too, as is the case every year. Last season, we lost The Governor, Hershel, Lizzie (still looking at the flowers), Mika, Karen (bad, Carol), Zach (we only knew you for five minutes), Violet the pig (Swine Flu spreader), Martinez (fore!), Lilly (unceremoniously off-camera) and countless, nameless folks.
Last season’s death toll was the greatest thanks to the convergence of three larger groups: the Woodbury holdovers, those already at the prison and The Governor’s new friends. This season’s count won’t be as high until we meet new people. But there will still be many difficult deaths, as main characters are given proper and emotional sendoffs.
Who goes this season? Here are my picks:
Bob: They’re teasing that it happens in the premiere, but something tells me we won’t see any of the boxcar kids being killed off … yet. I fear a sad ending for Bob, one that might involve his new flame, Sasha.
Glenn: There were a few times last season it seemed he was a goner. Maggie is a stronger character and it would make sense for Glenn to go out while saving her.
Tara: Her growth is evident. I just don’t see her lasting through 16 more episodes.
Eugene: The man with the cure is anything but. He’s bound to get himself stuck in a bind that he won’t escape.
Beth: No, she’s not dead already despite what some would like to believe. That said, it would put Maggie in a dark place when she loses the last two parts of her “family.”
Rosita: Yes, it seems as if pretty people don’t die often in these times. And Rosita was made for selfies. But she’ll be lost along the way.
What will happen this season? Here are a few things to look out for:
-- Are the Terminites currently or will they become the group known as The Hunters? It’s clear they already dine on humans and it’s also clear there will be carnage as Rick and Co. break free. The Hunters were made up of five men and one woman (Star Trek lady) in the comics and it would stand to reason the remaining Terminites will want revenge. Whether Gareth is a part of that is yet to be determined.
-- I think Gareth will prove to be cunning and I wouldn’t be surprised if he talks his way into the group somehow. Perhaps he “turns” on the evildoers or shows allegiance in some way to sway Rick. Or perhaps he becomes The Governor 2.0.
-- We’ll see the rise of more coupling. Will Daryl and Carol rekindle the flame? That’s a definite possibility and you can bet he’ll be happy to see her. How deeply will Sasha and Bob fall? And will we see Tara find companionship or will they fear showcasing a true lesbian relationship?
-- The reunion of Rick, Carl and baby Judith will be interesting. The duo left the prison firmly believing Judith became Walker food. How will Rick react? I believe there’s a good chance he will be turned off emotionally, as he “moved on” before and her return will dredge up memories of Lori (we all know how that went the first time).
-- We’ll quickly find out what role Father Gabriel Stokes will play. I wouldn’t be surprised if Beth is with him, too. New characters always take the story in intriguing directions and this won’t be any different.
-- We’ll also see an increase in intensity this season. You have to up the ante and all accounts are showing this to be the case. The only question is, will we see Rick go off the rails even more? I mean, he did rip out a guy’s throat with his teeth, which was pretty cool. The bar has been set, Mr. Grimes.
-- Speaking of Rick, we’ll see the growth of the friendship between him and Abraham. The two will be like brothers in arms and will go to great lengths to protect each other. Rick could badly use a confidant, too.
-- Finally, how long will Daryl live? Producers say no one is safe. However, Daryl has quite the following, especially among the female demographic (it’s the hair and biceps) and there is a real concern of losing a huge chunk of the audience when and if he goes. I think Rick and Carl are close to the “untouchables” but you have to wonder if Daryl is on that list as well.