Season 4 of AMC's "The Walking Dead" kicks off Sunday night (Oct. 13) at 9 and there will be blood! Hopefully there will also be some major plot developments and not just a bunch of survivors hanging around a prison in sweaty undershirts as cicadas buzz in the background. Here are some of the top questions we're dying for answers to this season - Andrew Conrad
Is there a government?
( AMC )
As we deal with the continuing government shutdown in real life, the more important question becomes: Is there a surviving government in a fictional television show? There is the Governor (pictured), and Woodbury, and a few small bands of ex-military guerrillas, but we all want to know if Bob Dole is tottering around in a secret bunker under the Washington Monument crafting a game plan to save humanity.
What is the Governor up to?
( AMC )
Last we saw, the Governor was flushed out of Woodbury, threw a temper tantrum and laid waste to the majority of his constituents. He is confirmed as a main character for Season 4, so we know that he'll be around, but in what capacity?
What's up with Morgan?
( AMC )
Morgan Jones, grieving widower and father, appeared in the pilot episode and then one episode in Season 3 before Rick and company left him again to stockpile weapons and spray-paint the word "Clear" on all of the walls in King County. Is that how Morgan will spend the rest of his days?
How does the disease work?
( AMC / October 8, 2013 )
Season 1 teased us when the band of survivors visited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, but instead of answers we were treated to a giant explosion that killed five people. Will Season 4 actually give us some concrete science behind the disease: How it started? How it spreads? How much of the Earth is affected?
What new characters will be introduced?
( Getty / October 4, 2013 )
Season 3 saw the introduction of popular comic book characters such as the Governor, Michonne and Tyreese. It will be hard to top that roster of rookies in Season 4, but we're bound to see some fresh faces. Spoiler alarm: "Twilight" star Christian Serratos will play Rosita Espinosa and "The Wire" veteran Lawrence Gilliard Jr. (pictured on the right) will play former Army medic Bob Stookey.
What will come of the power struggle between Carl and Rick Grimes?
( AMC )
Little Carl (pictured) has been getting a little big for his britches in some viewers' opinions, including mine. Can an armed 13-year-old in a comically oversized sheriff's hat really run the show, or will Rick and his addled mind come to his senses and restore order?
Will the band of survivors continue to hole up in prison, or seek out greener pastures?
( AMC )
Season 1 had Atlanta, Season 2 had the farm and Season 3 had Woodbury. Now the prison location, which was the main setting for much of Season 3, is starting to approach its expiration date. What new backdrop will be introduced in Season 4? I'm hoping the producers will take a nod from Scooby Doo and go with an abandoned amusement park, or a mall, a la "Dawn of the Dead."
Who will die?
( AMC )
"The Walking Dead" has become infamous for killing off main characters in their prime without a second thought. In Season 3 we -- SPOILER ALERT -- bid farewell to Merle, Andrea, Lori, Milton and, who could forget, T-Dog? Who will get it in Season 4? Hershel, the peg-legged sitting duck, or Tyreese (pictured) and his devil-may-care ball peen hammer-swinging ways are prime candidates to meet an early demise.
Is there a cure?
( AMC )
There isn't much time for charitable fun runs and research institutes in the zombie apocalypse, so humanity's greatest hope for a cure was left in the hands of the Milton Mamet's of the world. Now that Milton is gone, who will pick up the torch of trying to find a cure for the common "reanimating as a corpse" dilemma?
Can Rick Grimes cling onto his sanity?
( AMC )
Rick was close to succumbing to madness in Season 3, as he had conversations on an unplugged phone and experienced hallucinations of his deceased wife. He might be just one prison fence breach away from climbing back on board the crazy train.