There is a sense of dread that annually falls over Walking Dead fans when a season finale nears. And the heartbreak grows with every beloved character's downfall.
If Beth's death during the mid-season finale didn't signify the end of innocence, hospital mate Noah's brutal dismemberment in "Spend" assured viewers that even the most promising of Alexandria's residents is not safe.
Which brings us to tonight's Season 5 finale titled "Conquer."
Growing tension between Rick's group and Deanna's reached a head last week when Rick confronted Pete and Jessie about blatant domestic abuse occurring. Deanna wasn't going to address it so Rick turned a police matter into a personal matter, throwing Pete through a window and point a gun at anyone who tried to stop their brawl.
If Father Gabriel's ominous warning a few weeks ago to Deanna didn't signal an oncoming fight, this surely did.
There will be casualties. At this point, all viewers can do is speculate. Here are five things to keep in mind heading into Sunday's finale.
1. Would Rick's group support his exile?
Deanna is the hosanna anyone living in the zombie apocalypse dreams of. Alexandria has fortified walls, running water, and luxurious houses. Would Glenn and Maggie, who've hinted at starting a family in the past, give that up? Would Eugene? The faux-scientist who can't wield a butter knife, let alone a gun.
Loyalty only goes so far, especially when finding something too good to be true.
2. Who is carving "W's" into walkers?
Last week, Daryl and Aaron found a walker with a "W" carved into his forehead tied to a tree. The difference between this walker and other with similar marks is that the most recent victim was apparently alive when branded.
Could the culprits be Alexandria's exiles? And why are they cutting up body parts for walkers to feast on?
Whoever is leaving the calling card is near. They are essentially outside Alexandria's walls. Come Sunday, everyone in the community may find out who they are.
3. Where is Morgan?
Morgan - the delusional father Walking Dead fans met in the pilot and in Season 3's critically acclaimed "Clear" - hasn't been seen since tracking the group to Terminus. He was hot on their heels after finding Rick's initials engraved in a map but hasn't been referenced since the "sanctuary" was destroyed.
It's only a matter of time before Morgan and the sheriff who tried to save him reunite.
4. Will Maggie expose Father Gabriel?
This may be a moot point if the Rick's group and the Alexandrians' go to war, but Father Gabriel has no faith in the group that saved him. For church-going man that secluded himself while family and friend died outside, Gabriel seems to be more forgiving of Deanna's effort to maintain her paradise than Rick's attempt to keep all its residents' alive. If and when Maggie exposes Gabriel, he may not get a second reprieve.
5. Who will die?
During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Norman Reedus told readers to "bring your Kleenex and you'll be screaming at your television," during the Season 5 finale. While Daryl's death would surely cause riots across the country, there are a few characters whose deaths wouldn't be as surprising. Pete is a dead man walking. Rick's reached for his gun on multiple occasions in his presence, and nearly killed him before being restrained.
Nicholas also has it coming. And viewers can look to Glenn to deliver that final blow, one that would serve as some kind of redemption for Noah's death.
Then there's the possibility Reedus was hinting at Daryl's own death. The fact that he's selling his Atlanta home doesn't inspire much confidence.
When it comes to season finales, one never knows.
Watch the 90-minute season finale via live steam on AMC at 9 p.m. EST.
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