The Walking Dead Season 3 Predictions (Part 2)

The Walking Dead returns to AMC on Sunday and fans are just about jumping out of their skin in anticipation. The Governor’s dark side has begun to boil to the surface, and his taste for sadism seems to have Andrea on the fence. Daryl and Merle have been reunited under the least appealing circumstances imaginable. Rick’s now fully aware of the dangers that Woodbury presents... so many impacting turns, so much time to wait... until all the madness gets resolved.

Damn it.

The third season of this gripping survival horror piece has been nothing short of awe inspiring. All Hell is slowly breaking loose, series staples are dropping like decapitated walkers, and fans have a new villain of epic menace to juggle. The fact that we’re only midway through the season seems absolutely baffling. But such is the case, Season three resumes Sunday with episode nine,The Suicide King.

The latest episode should provide an immediate outline of Daryl’s future. There are only so many ways to stretch this specific obstacle, and given the resilience of Daryl and Merle, this subplot seems likely to work itself out sooner rather than later. Episode nine should also teach us the immediate fate of Tyreese and his band of traveling survivors. Michonne’s next move remains a mystery, but knowing her, the route will be littered with decaying extremeties. The bottom line is this, if the number two was ever poised to hit the fan for this collection of colorful personalities, it’s now, so duck and take cover because this should get nice and messy.

Take a look at some bold predictions for the second half of The Walking Dead’s third season. I’ve been extremely hit or miss in the past, so don’t rush to make any friendly wagers after reading this, but take note, I may just be right, from time to time!

Daryl Lives to See Another Season: Poll 1000 fans and ask them who their favorite character on The Walking Dead is, and I’d bet you at least 40-percent would say Daryl. He’s particularly polarizing, equal parts compassionate and ruthless, he’s done a terrific job in taking over as Rick’s right hand man and he’s got a soft enough side to relate with just about anyone. Wanna talk shootouts and beer chugging contests? Daryl’s in that conversation. Wanna talk the relevance of survival and optimism, even in a post apocalyptic world completely overrun by emaciated ghouls? Daryl’s in that convo too.   

The dude has even become somewhat of pop culture sensation. You’ll spot Daryl on just about as many TWD promo goodies as you will Rival, or his new arch-nemesis The Governor. Come on, the character was even featured in a Super Bowl ad this past Sunday. If that’s not certified fame, who’s to say what is?

Daryl Dixon is simply too popular to kill off at this point. He’s an integral part of the series, and while writer Robert Kirkman has hinted that some major players won’t survive to see the season finale, I can’t see Daryl being one to meet his demise, yet. That said, you just never know with these guys, shock value seems to be a driving force in the machine.

Merle and Daryl, Brothers No More: Daryl has pledged his dedication and life to Rick’s group. He hangs ‘em on the line whenever need be, and he’s spent plenty of time away from his brother, who’s fueled by something unbelievably dark. Merle could easily be referred to as evil, while Daryl embodies hope and the idea of overcoming adversity. How can the two ever gel as a cohesive unit again? It’s doubtful that they can.

The first half of the season reached conclusion in tense fashion, with both Daryl and Merle cast into The Governor’s deadly arena. He’s got plans to see these two duel to the bloody end, and it might just happen. But one look at the attached video, a preview of what is to come, tells us that Daryl survives the ordeal in the arena. He’s spotted in the woods, warning Rick that the “Governor’s on the way to the prison right now.”

I see a permanent separation in store for the Dixon brothers. If Merle survives his violent dance with Daryl, he doesn’t seem to stick by his brother’s side. Once seemingly inseparable, these two have grown to be polar opposites, and even if they can somehow find a way to coexist, there’s virtually no chance Merle squeezes his way back into Rick’s ranks, and it’s improbable that Daryl allows his course to be swayed by his brother.  

Carol Bites the Dust: I do indeed believe we’ll see one of the few original survivors bite the bullet inside the next eight episodes. It almost feels... appropriate. I’m not confident that Kirkman and company will showcase the gall required to eliminate Daryl, and Glenn should play a major role in future events (if the live-action remains remotely near faithful to the comic). That leaves us with Carl, Andrea and Carol as potential nominees.

Carl’s not going anywhere. He’s slowly evolving, transitioning from boy to ice-cold soldier. There’s a lot of story left in those young eyes, and I suspect we’ll see Carl make a long, long run in this series. Andrea’s created a unique conflict, having split her loyalties, and that is simply to engrossing to cast aside in exchange for one jaw-dropping sequence. That leaves Carol, who’s role in this group has become somewhat of a non-factor. For some time it seemed she was being groomed to step in as a mother figure to Lori’s baby, but that didn’t quite pan out.

Carol’s been around since the early goings of season one. She’s one of just a few surviving members of the original group, but it’s time for a familiar face to be chewed on by a walker. Carol gets the vote.  

Tyreese Fills Daryl’s Shoes: I suspect we’ll see Daryl distanced from Rick’s group for some time. His troubles won’t stretch the remainder of the season, but I don’t think he escapes Woodbury and slides right back into the prison ranks next episode. While he’s away, Rick’s going to need a little muscle to help him establish and implement a defensive plan.

The Governor wants that prison, and Rick alone can’t fend off the vile characters overseeing Woodbury. Tyreese is going to earn his keep early, by fighting for Rick, and fighting hard at that. If this story arc plays true to what fans were gifted by the comics, Tyreese likely doesn’t have all too long to live.

My bet is Tyreese steps up to fill the (briefly) vacant Daryl Dixon’s shoes. By doing so he’ll establish positive rapport with the group as well as home viewers. His actions will endear him a hero, and that’s going to make the moment, early in season four, that The Governor executes the burly fellow all the more heartbreaking.

Two predictions in one there, take that to the bank!

Season Three Concludes with the Loss of Rick’s Right Hand: If you follow the long running Image Comic that inspired this beautiful chunk of television history, you know that Rick Grimes loses his hand inside of 30 issues. As you may have guessed, it’s The Governor who lops off Rick’s hand, shortly after the two first become acquainted.

Robert Kirkman has noted on more than one occasion (he spoke at the at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con, stating, "one thing I'm adamant about is I don't think that we should cut Rick's hand off [on television].") that he’s not wild about the idea of taking Rick’s hand in AMC’s rendition, but Kirkman is a tricky dude who likes to throw the occasional misleading quote out there, just to lull us into some form of false comfort.

It’s apparent that AMC is nurturing The Governor and this specific story arc, and that leads me to believe we may not see the current problem resolved by the end of this season. I’m thinking The Governor creates problems for Rick and company up through season three and well into season four.

So how do you go about ending a spectacular season in spectacular fashion? Fall back on your past declarations and cut your hero’s hand off, that’s how. The season finale features a wild engagement between Rick and The Governor. Rick escapes, but it costs him.