As much as we might like to think that The Walking Dead season finales are huge bloodbaths that see characters picked off left and right, that’s not exactly been the case in past seasons. Yes, major characters are often killed off on mid-season finales (Beth, Hershel, Sophia, The Governor), but that doesn’t hold true for season finales. Here’s who has died, thus far, in season finales:
Season 1: Minor characters Jacqui and Jenner
Season 2: Minor characters Jimmy and Patricia
Season 3: Minor character Milton and major character Andrea
Season 4: No major deaths
Yes, bad guys are often killed off in season finales, but with the exception of Andrea, major characters have been largely spared.
I think that will continue to be the case in the fifth season finale. We already know that Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride, and a “surprise guest” will land on The Talking Dead. The announcements of Reedus and McBride all but assure that Daryl and Carol will live. The Talking Dead no longer announces guests who will die in an episode ahead of time. However, the “surprise guest” could be a character that dies.
I don’t think it will be a major one. In fact, I think it’s more likely to be Scott Gimple or Robert Kirkman, or even an old favorite like Michael Rooker (Merle). We can also assume that Rick won’t die because he’s Rick, and the same goes for Carl (because the show can’t handle the death of someone else close to Rick at this point). They wouldn’t kill off Maggie or Glenn without first giving their romantic relationship a feature episode in order to enhance the sucker punch. We can also safely assume that Michonne won’t die; there’s been no hint of that.
Who does that leave? Sasha? I don’t think so. I think the funk that she is in is building toward a redemption, in which she uses the sharp-shooting skills she’s illustrated over the last few episodes to good use by, for instance, picking some of the Wolves, who will probably make their way toward Alexandria in the finale.
It could be Eugene, but I’ve heard several interviews with Josh McDermitt lately, and he speaks often of the future of his character (plus, he’s got a home out in Atlanta now). Killing off Abraham would be a complete waste of Michael Cudlitz, because they haven’t done nearly enough with him (although, he could be a casualty of the Daryl Dixon problem). Tara and Rosita are essentially minor characters, and the show typically likes to build up characters with featured episodes before killing them off. I think it’s more likely that Tara pulls through from her injuries (giving the finale a hopeful note) and Rosita stays where she always stays: In the background. Maybe she gets two lines this week, which is as many as she’s had this half season.
What about Father Gabriel? God, I hope so. He deserves the Noah treatment, but on the other hand, he’d also be good to keep around as an antagonist next season. He would, however, make for a good “surprise guest” on The Talking Dead given our love of Seth Gilliam from The Wire. Plus, check out this shot from the season finale preview: Is Gabriel being exiled?
Otherwise, none of the Alexandria citizens are safe with the exception, maybe, of Jessie (when Alexandra Breckenridge signed on, there were indications that she’d stick around beyond this season), and Sam (Carol’s heart couldn’t handle losing another surrogate child). Pete’s definitely going to die, either at the hands of Rick, Carol or — if she grows a pair — Deanna, who may also die, clearing the way for Rick to take over Alexandria next season. Nicholas is probably a goner. He’s holding Chekhov’s gun, which will either get him killed or, I think more likely, make him a martyr if he sacrifices himself to save someone else simply to prove that he’s not the coward Glenn has made him out to be.
Yeah, you ask, but what about what Daryl said about the season finale?
“Wow, bring your Kleenex, and you’ll be screaming at your television.”
Is that a hint that Daryl might die? Maybe, but I think the Kleenex is more likely going to be for either Aaron or Eric. If either one of them dies, the other one is going to be so heartbroken and distraught that we might find ourselves grabbing a box of Kleenex. After all, they have the deepest love of anyone on the show right now.
Then again, don’t count Enid out, either. That might turn Carl into a quivering mess.
The point is this: The Walking Dead is not known for killing off major characters in season finales, and I don’t think that will change in the 90-minute fifth season ender.
