Anyway, in case you haven’t guessed: ‘tis the season for a new round of Winter Finale questions!

Last year, I came up with three dozen questions about S5’s “Expired”— some I tried to answer myself, others I left wide open— to theoretically keep us deep in speculation-land during what was feared to be a looong winter’s nap for TGD. It wasn’t that long after all… and, lucky us, S6 will resume even sooner (January 23, last I heard). But it’s still a long enough break for me to keep us busy!

Only 30 questions this time, though. Ready to take them on?

Question 18: All that aside… Do you think “Clim” are really in for the long haul? 

Sorry, but I say “no.” I want them together too, but while I believe Clay’s intentions are true as can be, I have a tough time believing they have a firm enough foundation to weather whatever comes after Lim recovers.

Question 23: Are you as concerned for Perez’s survival as Jordan is?

Here’s the easiest answer I’ve got: DON’T BE. Brandon Larracuente (who plays Perez) was promoted earlier this season to series regular, so it’s very unlikely he’s going anywhere.

Question 24: Do you think Jordan and Perez will truly connect as a couple anytime soon?

Unfortunately— yep, here I go again— I don’t see how they can. Perez’s need to focus on staying clean is obvious; Jordan’s feelings about all this remain to be seen, but I doubt they’re simple enough to push for a relationship now. 

And finally… Lea is pregnant again! Let us count the questions for this development alone:

Question 26: Was there anything not to like about this twist?

The improbability (see above)-- but hey, I’ll get over it.

Question 27: What did you like the most?

Speaking for myself: In that moment, in that scene, it was Shaun’s reaction— the processing (faster than usual, given his intimate understanding of the situation at hand), the recollection of Lea’s own words as a beacon of hope, that careful way of enveloping her in his arms. Sometimes it’s astonishing to think of how much he has grown since Season 1– I know someone says this at least once an episode, but it really shone through at the end of “Broken or Not.” 

(I also loved the way Lea told him, almost in a whisper… almost as if she was afraid of awakening all the painful possibilities if she spoke too loudly about it.)

Generally speaking, I’m very much up for whatever this pregnancy has to offer. My immediate question was “Why did they send Shea through the tunnel of despair just two episodes ago if they were going to have her pregnant this soon?”... until I answered myself with “It’s the drama, dummy”...The shock, the surprise, the joy overshadowed (for now) by grave concern for both Lea and the child to come. 

For me, the upswing of all this is that this time we already KNOW the basics of the battle ahead for Shea. First time out, the options were wide-ranging– Shore and Co. could have given us a mostly lighthearted, straightforward, B-plot pregnancy and delivery…. OR a bumpy-road, A-plot version… OR have the journey end prematurely, letting the drama stem from that sorrow.  We saw what path they chose last time. And I think we already see the path ahead. I like this one a lot better.

Question 28: Do I think Lea will carry to term this time?

Yes.

Question 29: Do I think the baby will be completely healthy from the start?

I’ll get back to you on that one.

Question 30: Boy or girl?

I’m thinking BOY this time… and that we won’t get that confirmed until his day of birth.

OK, now it’s your turn! What developments are you thinking about the most? What answers have you come up with? What questions remain unasked? Let me know in the comments!