'The Walking Dead' season 5 finale: handicapping who will die

By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Thursday, March 26, 2015

AMC’s “The Walking Dead” takes the word “dead” seriously.

Already this season, four key members of Rick’s group have died.

Season finales usually mean more people will leave this post-apocalyptic earth for the hereafter.

And there are plenty of impending threats entering this Sunday’s 90-minute season five finale. Is Deanna going to exile Rick after his deranged behavior last week? Why are there suddenly so many walkers outside Alexandria’s walls? What was that light Aaron and Daryl saw in the distance? Plus, who keeps carving “W’s” into the foreheads of walkers?

Let’s handicap who might kick the bucket:

The Untouchables: Rick, Daryl and Michonne are way too popular or crucial for the producers to let go. The backlash would be incredibly harsh - especially from Daryl lovers.

The Originals: Carl, Carol and Glenn are three of five survivors from season one (which also includes Rick and Daryl.) Carol is the likeliest target for the grave given her rather aggressive moves this season, including threatening a little kid and based on an already aired preview scene from this Sunday's episode, his abusive drunken father. Glenn has been stepping up his game as a leader in the group. Hopefully, that's a good thing. Carl? He is just starting to come into his own. It would seem too soon to kill him now.

Abraham's group (Rosita, Eugene, Abraham) Anybody could potentially die here. They haven't been around long enough for viewers to become overly attached to them.

Nicholas: Stupid is as stupid does. He can't possibly last long.

Judith: She's just a baby. Offing her would be cruel - even for this show.

Tara: She's not in good physical shape now. She could die any time.

Maggie: She's the only survivor left from the Greene family. She is tight with Deanna. Will that help - or hurt - her?

Sasha: She seems to be on a death wish. Her demise wouldn't be surprising.

Deanna: As the leader of Alexandria, she has a major X on her forehead.

Jessie, Sam and Pete: Odds are strong at least one of these three family members will be six feet under soon.

Enid: As a potential love interest for Carl, her death would seem premature.