Lilly's Fate
Lilly isn't coming back in Episode 5, or Season 3. The reason for this? Well, both Nicki Rapp (Lilly's VA) and Gavin Hammon (Kenny's VA) have expressed the opinion that they do not believe that Lilly will return - not just in Episode 5, but EVER. However, neither of them has confirmed the reason for this belief. I've spoken to both of them (briefly) about it online, and after pushing Gavin Hammon for some details, he did drop a few hints about the situation...
First, when I asked why Telltale were wasting such amazing character potential by not bringing Lilly back (which, let's face it, would increase the drama and intrigue in the story ten-fold, whether you like Lilly or loathe her), he confirmed what I had already suspected - that it was not an issue with the writing.
So, that means that there's some mysterious outside factor that's preventing Telltale from using the character again. They clearly wanted to, as Gavin also confirmed that Lilly was originally going to make a comeback in Episode 5 of Season 1 (after Kirkman had caused Telltale to chance her connection to the comics, thus freeing up her character for further use), which shows that Telltale were keen to bring Lilly back into the story, even before the conclusion of Season 1...only to be prevented (probably) by the same issue that's keeping her absent from the game now.
Question is , what is this issue?...well, its a strange one, but I asked Gavin if she being prevented from making a return because of some legal issue involving her original connection to the comics (Telltale had to get special permission to use her, Glenn & Hershel first time around), he said that I was “very close actually", so...that makes it sound like it IS indeed some kind of legal issue with regards to who owns the rights to her character (rather an issue of simply writing her back into the story).
And on the subject of Lilly dying, I have to say that (in my opinion) I'm convicted that she's still alive. As you may know, she was originally meant to be Lilly Caul from the comics, having made it to Woodbury (potentially after being abandoned in a bandit & walker infested area without any food, water or weapons to defend herself) and survived until the prison raid, which occurs well over a year into the apocalypse (meaning that she survived for months after leaving the Macon group). Not only that, but Lilly Caul is actually still alive to this day, running the New Woodbury in place of the Governor. Now, although they're no longer the same character (thanks for that, Kirkman), it still doesn't change the fact that they were intended to be...and I can't see someone that capable just dropping dead off screen (especially as Telltale originally intended for her to survive longer than any of the other Season 1 characters, barring perhaps Clementine). Gavin Hammon also thinks that she's alive, which leafs me to believe that the writers must have hinted as much to him.
Comments
It's not a legal issue as well, but also a continuity issue as well.Telltale's Lilly and another Lilly was suppose to explain the background of the Lilly that was with the Governor. However, someone or a bunch of people, screwed up and gave the "okay" to okay to them without realizing the potential conflict of continuity.
Why people love Lily so much beats me. Minor character, murderer, yeah. Carley was way better.
Carley was also a minor character. A character being minor in comparison to others doesn't really affect if people like them or not.
As for murderer... well, first of all, murderers have their fans in the TWD fandom too. Carver, Nate, etc. But the difference here is that Lilly was not evil or committing horrible acts to benefit only herself. She was a flawed, interesting, and conflicted character who had the group's best interests at heart, but did something horrible in the name of that as we witnessed her fall. Quite different from the usual "murderers" in the series.