If history is any indication, a character may die during this Sunday’s Walking Dead mid-season 5 finale.

Season 2’s fall finale found Sophia getting purposely shot by Rick when her zombie transformation began. Season 4’s found Hershel and the Governor getting killed during battle.

There was no death in the middle of season 3, and none during season 1 because it was only a six episode season.

In other words, there’s a 50% chance that someone will die during this Sunday’s mid-season finale.

Does someone have to die during a mid-season finale? Definitely not, but it can add to the importance of an episode which is ideal since we’ll be waiting until February for a new episode of The Walking Dead season 5.

The show may’ve already hinted at who could die. In recent seasons, thanks in part to showrunner Scott M. Gimple, The Walking Dead has spent more time developing each character’s story before letting them bite the bullet (the most recent example is Bob, who we learned had romantic feelings towards Sasha).

The past few episodes of season 5 have spent a lot of time on several major characters. One episode focused primarily on Eugene and Abraham. Another looked at Beth and Carol. The purpose of shining a spotlight on these characters may’ve been to build up our emotions so that they can be torn to shreds when these people die!

Carol is obviously in a bad position right now at the hospital after getting hit by a car, but the fact that she’s been in danger for more than one episode tells us it’s unlikely that this fan favorite is about to go. Viewers have less emotional attachment towards Eugene and Abraham because they’re relatively new to the story. Eugene, as he’s said himself, is useless, so his absence would not present any sort of problem for the group. Losing Abraham would be significant because they’d have one less strong fighter on their team.

Then there are other characters like Noah, another newcomer who’s recently joined the group to go at it against the hospital.

As Rick and the gang break into said hospital, blood will likely spill. The question is: Will it only leak from the skin of Team Dawn? Or will the show say farewell to one of its recent – or long-running – characters?

Let’s hope it’s only Team Dawn and a minor character like Eugene or Noah who die during the mid-season 5 finale.

Do you think someone is about to die on ‘The Walking Dead’?

Besides the thought of death, there’s also the question of what type of cliffhanger the show will leave us on after this Sunday. What will the group’s new mission be in light of Eugene not knowing anything about a cure in Washington D.C.? Will their motives be influenced by Morgan, a character we saw earlier this season who’s been lurking in the shadows?

We can’t wait to find out.

The Walking Dead season 5, episode 8 airs Sunday, November 30 at 9 p.m. eastern/pacific on AMC.