Image via Complex Original
Welcome back. Yes, technically now that there are approximately 999 networks, 876 of which only like broadcasting on Sundays, there's good TV year-round. But as of now, fall is still the heralded TV season. Network premieres abound, the cable channels have plenty of Emmy-bait to choose from, and the DVR is on overload. And since so much of the TV worth watching this autumn are dramas, that means death is bound to visit at least three of your favorite shows before the year is up. It's suspenseful but also stressful, and in some cases, downright emotional. We've got you covered with a primer on who you should expect to meet the TV Guide in the sky. Don't say we didn't warn you.
Juice (Sons of Anarchy)
Yes, Juice in all his exiled, self-destructive loner glory would be the safe bet. Which is exactly why Kurt Sutter says this season's first big death, won't be the wayward Son. Despite our desire to see Juice's melodrama come to a swift end, the actual bets should be on: Unser, Chibbs, and Nero. (Since this is the last season though, really, everyone qualifies.) Unless, of course, Sutter's comment is a misdirect and Juice will meet "Mr. Mayhem" before episode nine. Only the Reaper knows.
Will die by: Mid-season
Eli and Nelson (Boardwalk Empire)
There isn't one Boardwalk Empire fan, day-one or otherwise, who would've placed bets on former Prohibition agent Nelson Van Alden's story twisting and turning to land him as a player in Capone's squad, let alone still being alive this close to the end. And Eli, Nucky's loyal then duplicitous then loyal then duplicitous again brother, has avoided his big bro's wrath only to be trapped in a life of blackouts and misery. Together they've just been co-opted to help bring down Capone, which...we know is not how the great gangster was gotten. History spells trouble for these two.
Will die by: Sunday (or whenever the story returns to Chicago)
Peter Quinn (Homeland)
Fam has been expressing weary within the game for, like, a full season and a half now. At a certain point, he's definitely going to get that exit he's been begging for, but not by pink slip.
Will die by: Mid-season
David Rosen (Scandal)
This guy has too many scruples to stay alive much longer. Justice doesn't exist and yet he's always trying to defend it and stick his neck out for it as though that means something. Sooner or later, this guy is going to get snuffed out. The sooner the better. Sorry not sorry, Abby.
Will die by: The end of November, since sweeps are still a thing for Scandal what with its ABC home and all
Detective Lance (Arrow)
Detective Lance has already dodged a bunch of bullets last season, literally, but season two's end revealed that Laurel and Sara's dad might be dealing with something internal he simply cannot escape. And that's a heart condition. After the third season premiere saw him collapse in battle, clutching his chest in pain, Lance's heart certainly won't be able to recover once he finds out that his youngest daughter was just murdered in cold blood by an unknown assassin. It's only a matter of time 'til Arrow's sidekick cop becomes another fallen hero of Starling City.
Will die by: November sweeps because, again, network.
Dandy (American Horror Story: Freak Show)
This newbie to the American Horror Story troupe is a welcome addition, but if we've learned anything from horror classics of the past, the brat gets his eventually. It may happen next week, it may happen mid-season, but this douchebag's definitely headed for one of the first grisly deaths of the season.
Will die by: The annual Halloween two-parter, perhaps?
Bob or Sasha (The Walking Dead)
In the immortal words of Biggie, "somebody's gotta die." The Walking Dead is in a weird place right now. Its blockbuster status is beyond cemented to a point where everyone duh-scoffed at news of a season six renewal, as they probably will at renewals for seasons seven, eight, and eleven, too. The show has to stick to its guns as a fast-hitting drama, but also, they're settling in for the long haul. Can they really afford to kill say, Daryl, this season when this could conceivably be just the series' mid-point? Bob and Sasha, on the other hand, are perfect picks. They've been around long enough to actually stick in our minds as characters we recognize, so their deaths would register without really eliciting any tears. Plus they've got a budding romance, and this show only has room for one set of lovebirds—whatup Maggie and Glenn?
[One of them] will die by: Episode three
