Let’s get something out-of-the-way right now so there’s zero confusion.

Here’s what I’ll do: I’ll warn you with a “Ready? Here we go” when I’m moving on to the spoilers. Fair enough?

I saw “No Sanctuary” — the season 5 premiere of The Walking Dead — a week or so ago. Thrilled to get an advanced screening of it, I viewed it twice. I relished in it.

For Dead fans, it’s been a long haul since “A,” the season four closer that aired back on March 30th leaving us wondering the fate of the group corralled in that box car by the residents of Terminus. (And don’t tell me that was a spoiler — I can’t imagine anyone not being up to date on the series.)

So … here are several thoughts on “No Sanctuary.” Ready? Here we go …

Know what would have been nice? Had we lost a character of substance. (Not the nicest sentiment, I agree. But losing someone would have made the premiere infinitely more interesting.) Doing so would have shot a “no one is safe” reminder going into the new season.)

Of course, like anyone fond of the series, I don’t really want to see any character get offed.

Still … I lean toward the idea of the show living on the edge rather than the cushy feel-good warm fuzzies the episode left us with detailing the reunion of everyone (with the exception of Beth) free of Terminus, whole and hale.

Don’t get me wrong: Carol’s “homecoming” and her touching re-acquaintance with Daryl was pleasant enough. Same with Rick and Carl’s realization Judith was in good hands and back in the fold.

But … it was too comfortable, too complacent, too convenient.

Lord knows the group has contended with its trials and tribulations. And most recently with the events at Terminus. I expected a lot more from the opener, though. The truth of the matter is I was mildly disappointed with it.

More than not, it was a lot of same old same old. Blazing firepower against devious enemies and relentless walkers, a timely rescue courtesy of Carol (contributing to Rick gainsaying his previous thoughts and actions toward her), lots of coincidental circumstances “just in the nick of time” avoiding the demise of some familiar faces (Glenn, Rick, more) and the tough luck happenstances of others with which we’re not so acquainted (the many Terminans).

However it may appear, I’m not quite that heartless. I have soft spots here and there for many of the group. I just hope the writers got some of those television tropes out of their systems for the time being. (They won’t. They sure did fill the opener with stuff that seemed more filler and fodder than anything else.) But they will continue to surprise us unexpectedly as in the past. Those are the times I relish most.

Carol’s diversion — blowing up the propane tank at Terminus — was nice. (I guess.) Seeing various events taking place at Terminus, Carol naturally saw a call for action. But … you see what I mean about things being a little too convenient? Convenient and somewhat cheese-fest? Though, in the grand scheme of things, her efforts did set up reestablishing herself back in Rick’s good graces. But that was “safe” story telling. I want something more jarring and innovative. I’ve seen enough walkers blasted and stabbed and mown down with round after round after round of ammunition.

One of the biggest puzzles of Terminus is still up in the air. Were they cannibals? Those bins stenciled with “Burn, Feed, Wash” — what were they all about? Were the Terminans actually processing corpses for their own consumption? Surely they knew of infection, maybe not. Maybe they knew that eating fresh kills didn’t make any difference so filet of biter was on the menu. Or were they simply accommodating any who strolled into Terminus as a gesture of welcome? “Hey buddy … you look famished. Care for some nice BBQ?” Lots of questions going on there which we may still never learn the answers.

Or … do we?

There were a few nifty moments during the hour. The “then” segments in the show revealed much about the Terminans. They used to be “good guys,” untarnished and still discerning, still decent. We learned Mary is Gareth’s mother. Gareth’s mother?!? Who was right at home a few episodes back, flipping slabs of meat behind the grill for Maggie and Glenn and Bob and the others?!? Yikes! While that was a nice little jewel from the writers, did it solidify in anyone’s mind the Terminans are out and out cannibals? Still, thoroughly enjoyable bookends to the episode. (Plus … we’re not quite finished with Terminus just yet. *cue drama button*)

Best of all, the writers left Beth’s fate from last season wide open. Not everything was tidied up with a neat, clean red bow. Something to look forward to.

The Walking Dead is back. Finally. For me, this was somewhat a low key, *meh* chapter to start a season. But I know it will improve going forward. Later in the week I will publish talks with some of the cast from this summer’s Comic-Con that will shed some light on what’s to come.

Stay tuned …

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The Walking Dead deviated from its usual M.O. in the season 4 penultimate episode. Taking a different approach, it didn’t knock off a major player for the first time in its relatively young history.

And that can only mean one thing: Viewers will be saying “Sayonara!” to someone during the season finale instead.

Because let’s face it — it’s The Walking Dead. Shocking as the deaths of Mika and Lizzie were in “The Grove,” that can’t be all the show’s producers have in store for us death-wise. Surely, someone else dies. And a big someone at that.

My TWD partner in crime Bob Degon and I believe someone else is targeted … and here’s what we’ve been bandying about:

How about Rick kicking the can?

Michael: I doubt Rick is on the chopping block. There’s still more output from him … and I’m willing to stake that output comes in the form of a major event, not the likes of additional “Farmer Rick” tales, etc. as seen at the start of this season. Granted: Offing him would stir things up and tug at the hearts of viewers, something not out of the realm of possibility. But I just don’t see it at this juncture.

Bob: I agree from a story standpoint, but this isn’t the comic book where story is the only factor in the matter. I think the only real reason that Rick would be killed off the show is if Andrew Lincoln wants out. With the announcement that he’s going to be on the couch on The Talking Dead for the first time ever after the finale on Sunday, I think there’s a chance (maybe not a big one) that we may see the end of Rick. I doubt it though.

Are Glenn and/or Maggie riding off into the sunset metaphorically speaking?

Michael: Has Glenn become tedious? How about Maggie? I mean … they just reunited. Wouldn’t it play into the writers’ interests to have one or the other 86’d for that added bit of tragedy, as the surprise Lizzie and Carol left us with in “The Grove?” One of them exiting would certainly make that happen in grand fashion.

Bob: After seeing Maggie and Glenn finally reunite, I don’t think the writers have the balls to kill one of them off before the end of the season. Yes, even these writers. I think Glenn and Maggie are one of the few rays of hope on this show (along with baby Judith). They’re going to be sticking around for a bit longer, I think.

Where’s Beth? Dead already?

Michael: Beth’s ouster right now, not knowing what really became of her after she was (supposedly) kidnapped by that funeral car, would be a let down. And an outrage. Not discovering who took her or why she was taken, showing up dead somehow would simply be dumb.

However …

Bob: Robert Kirkman has promised us in recent interviews that we have not seen the last of Beth, but he didn’t promise that we would see her again this season. I’m hoping we’ll see her again, though I’m not sure in what capacity. Her disappearance and the true nature of Terminus remain the biggest mysteries left this season.

(*Spoiler alert for non-comic readers*) I’ve seen a lot of chatter and theorizing on the boards across the web and folks have some very interesting ideas about Beth and Terminus. I wonder if the writers are toying with the comic readers. At first it seemed like Terminus was going to end up taking the place of Alexandria in the comics, but now I’m not so sure. Many believe that Terminus, instead, is going to be chock full of cannibals. Could it be possible that brunette Tasha Yar could be fixing Maggie a big plate of her sister? Egads, I hope not.

What about everyone’s favorite, Daryl?

Michael: Talk about a shocker … and something to cause an uproar even more than what happened with Mika and Lizzie and Carol! Everyone would be Up! In! Arms! if Daryl was to take a powder. Might as well prepare the angry mobs, torches and pitchforks. Then! Having Carol discover his demise. Better yet, Daryl dying in her arms! Tragedy! Angst! Yikes!

Bob: The more I’ve considered a Daryl death, the more I’m ok with it. I’m not sure if it’s going to happen, but his character arc feels a bit complete. We’ve learned just about everything there is to learn about the guy: his past, his family, his skills with a crossbow. He’s come a long way from the angry “Merle’s brother” we saw in season one. If given a heroic (or tragic) exit, it might be the right time to say goodbye to Daryl. How tragic would it be if he got caught in the crossfire of a battle between Rick’s group and Joe’s group, with Rick not even realizing he was there?

What say us about “Cough Syrup Quaffin'” Bob Stookey?

Michael: One of my bets involves struggling alcoholic Bob Stookey drawing the short stick. We got a pretty good bead on Bob a few episodes ago, finally drawing us closer to him with the revelation of some of his back story. So now might be the perfect time to take him out of the picture. The ‘ole “bring’em-in-then-take-him-out-quick” bait and switch to elicit a reaction. I can see that working just fine — enough drama to make us feel for the dude, but not so much as it would be for some other major character.

Bob: Yeah, the dude just screams “zombie fodder,” but this finale is shaping up to be fairly walker-free. I say that now, though who knows what really lies in store. It may end up being a quieter finale than we have grown used to … at least for those that have already walked through the eerily unguarded gates of Terminus. Bob seems expendable, though.

Surely Tara and Sasha could be in the mix … right?

Michael: We don’t have much on these two. We delved into Sasha somewhat, but Tara not that much. Either are throw away characters in my book with little investment in either of them. I’d be good with one or the other hitting the road. Of course there would be more heartache on Tyreese’s part with Sasha being his sister … and Tara’s fall would make it easy on Glenn feeling guilty about revealing who she really is with relation to “Brian” (The Governor).

Bob: Yeah, two more expendable characters, but I’m not sure I would read too much into that, unless the episode is going to end up a blood bath. I think there are stories left for both of these characters, especially if Sasha and Tyreese are reunited and her relationship with Bob continues to flourish.

Tyreese?

Michael: Having Tyreese killed at this point after the events of “The Grove” seems rather wasteful. There’s no punch there. He barely has any skin in the game … so I think he’s clear.

Bob: Tyreese is safe. There’s too much potential with the character. He’s a huge fan favorite from the comics who was introduced late. It’s going to be fun seeing him in some of the storylines that he wasn’t a part of in the books.

Could it be Michonne?

Michael: Given her back story, her tragedies, her pain and suffering all around and recent joys with Rick and Carl, Michonne is a good bet to make the grade … or grave, rather. She would be a big enough kick in the gut to viewers and characters alike. Not as big as a Daryl or Glenn or Maggie, but there would be impact there …

Bob: I feel like Michonne is completely off-limits at this point. She’s a huge fan favorite from the comics and we have barely scratched the surface of the character on the show. Her death would annoy me greatly. Probably just as much as Dale and Andrea (who I thought left before their time).

Could Carl be considered in the mix?

Michael: There’s a large enough contingent of fans who would like to see Carl given the heave-ho just the same as there were for his mother Lori last season. There’s a good chance that could happen.

Bob: Doubt it. I would be shocked if we ever saw Carl die. The smart money is never going to be on Carl, regardless of how annoying he is.

And then there are newbies Abraham, Rosita, Eugene …

Michael: I don’t see any of them exiting stage right. No emotional impact, simply no good reason they should go. There’s nothing invested with any of them. So … what would be the point right now?

Bob: They’ve got to get Eugene to Washington! They’re going to save the world!

Okay, readers … your turn. Think anyone is getting the shaft on the finale Sunday? Chime in and let us know.

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