Our long wait is over.
“The Walking Dead” returns after several months off and not even a full marathon and a mini-run could satisfy our hunger for Walkers and Rick doing stuff and thangs. Sunday’s midseason premiere is the first of the final eight episodes in Season 5. It also will enlighten us on what Rick and the gang have been up to since losing Beth.
In case you missed it, the younger Greene sister didn’t make it to Episode 9. She was the second of the Greene family to die in a midseason finale and her death will have a ripple effect on many characters. Based on previews, I think Daryl and Maggie will be crying through most of the rest of the season.
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We’ll find out how long has passed since Episode 8. I’m guessing it’s at least a month, as Rick’s beard is fuller than in previous episodes. I’m no scientist, but I do have a beard and mine grows fast and it would take a good three or four weeks without trimming to get that sort of scruffy.
The group is again on the move, as evidenced by Rick’s passionate “this is how we survive” speech, which he’s given about 25 times. There is no doubt the group is fractured at this point. They turned down a chance to stay at Grady Memorial Hospital following the Beth incident and will need to find something stable soon or else, well, you know what will happen.
Maggie’s mindset is only one of the burning questions heading into the premiere and the rest of the season. Here are a few quick points and thoughts on what might go down in the coming weeks.
-- There will be more deaths, of course. We lost Bob and Beth, a bunch of Terminites and a few baddies along the way. Bob and Beth were on my list of six predicted deaths this season. Also on the list were Tara, Rosita, Eugene and Glenn.
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I’ll stick with those four and add Tyreese and Sasha to the list. Glenn’s death will be a pivotal point for Maggie, who will have lost everything at that point. I said it would make her a different person, especially if Glenn dies while saving her…
-- The next big threat is coming, but when? It’s known that Negan will appear in some fashion, but we’re not sure if it’s this season. They need to build to another stellar finish and introducing the eventual next evil guy will help the momentum. He’s out there. They’ll find him…
-- One thing is certain: Daryl’s hair will still look fabulous. His coif has come a long way since the short cut in the first season. It’s apparent he makes a detour to the haircare aisle during every supply run…
-- We need to learn more about some characters before they go. Little is known about Rosita’s and Tara’s former lives, for example. The show has done well to give us some backstory, but it takes a while for some (see: Michonne)…
-- This is where we learn who is strong and who will fold. It’s easy to be strong when you’re comfortable. It’s not easy when the crap hits the fan. My money is on Father Gabriel and Eugene being among those who crumble…
--- I expect Morgan to play a larger role during the second half. He's been so close to reconnecting with Rick this year and he'll bring a new dynamic to the group. That is, if he learns to walk faster...
-- Finally, will we see a lot more intensity in the second half of the season? There were times when there were lulls in the first half, but like I’ve said before, those are needed to help the viewer rest. You can’t have it all fierce all the time, but something tells me we’ll see a heavy final four episodes this year…
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