The Grand Finale

I’ve had the honor of helping That Shelf cover Game of Thrones’ final season. It’s been a wild ride, to put it mildly. Ultimately, I am of the opinion that the show has never been better, in terms of the technical work that has been put into creating such a TV show, but the writing has been lacking in part due to the lack of source material from George R. R. Martin. The biggest mistake for the final two seasons was the decision to cut out a total of seven episodes (three in season 7 and four in season 8). From what I have seen for this season (and last), a lot of the criticism could have been avoided by having those seven episodes to flesh out character arcs and plot points.

In the end, we have what we have. I’m approaching the impending doom – I mean end of the show with this mindset: Game of Thrones season 8 is what it is and I’m going to enjoy it despite all of it’s faults.

With that in mind, I’ve wracked my brain, for the last time, for predictions for some of the most beloved fictional characters we have ever known. Some thoughts are quite tinfoil and out there, while others are plausible.

Predictions

Jon Snow

Jaegon Snargaryen (Jon Snow + Aegon Targaryen) is going to abdicate his claim to the throne after seeing what Daenerys did to King’s Landing last episode. He is sincere in his claim that he does not want to rule the Seven Kingdoms – that he will not challenge Daenerys. However, we saw him retreating last week away from being her supporter. Because of this and his oath to her, he will disappear North, the real North, and essentially become a Wilding.

Perhaps he will form a new “Night’s Watch” (even though that military order is no longer needed). Maybe he will for the border control between the Wildlings and the Southerners that helps keep the peace. Really, I’m just hoping we get some redemption for how he treated Ghost.

Daenerys Targaryen

I think she is going to establish herself Queen of the Iron Throne. However, I don’t think that is going to go very well. The North, the Eyrie, and the Riverlands are all under control of the Lady of Winterfell and probably won’t swear fealty. Dorne has this new prince (who I do not think will play a role with only one episode left). The Stormlands will probably stay loyal to Daenerys because she appointed Gendry Baratheon as Lord of Storm’s End. The Reach however, I predict will stay loyal to Winterfell. The Greyjoys and the Iron Islands are loyal to Daenerys as well.

Not having all seven of the kingdoms is going to be a bee in her bonnet for sure. As much as I would love to see Daenerys rule, I can’t see another way for her except for her to die. And I would not be surprised Arya is the one who kills her. After all, she’s been “going to kill the queen” for a while now.

Arya Stark

Arya will attempt to assassinate Daenerys and in the process have an epic battle with Grey Worm. I think she’ll kill him and he’ll be happy with this so that he can join Missandei, wherever she is. After killing Dany, either Arya will disappear into the world, become the First Sword of Braavos, or rejoin Sansa in the North and be an advisor to her. As much as I would not like it to happen, I could even see Arya, after killing Dany, going to Storm’s End and marrying Gendry.

Ser Brienne of Tarth

I honestly have no idea what Brienne might do. Does she stay in the north with Sansa? That’s a real possibility, and probably the most likely. Or does Brienne go south and back to Tarth? I can’t help but fear we may not get an actual resolution/”what happens next” with Brienne – despite having such an important episode this season (“A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms”).

Sansa Stark

Since I have mentioned her a few times, I might as well dive into the Lady of Winterfell and Queen in the North. Oh wait, that’s what I think she’ll become. Sansa has the North, the Eyrie, and the Riverlands. And I think she will assert their independence from Daenerys vehemently. Somehow Sweet Robyn Arryn and Uncle Edmure Tully will factor into her outcome (if the rumors of the actors being back for this season are true). Perhaps as the leaders of their lands, they will swear fealty to Sansa, thus securing her rule.

I cannot see an outcome where Sansa is not a ruler in some capacity. She has been trained and bred for this her whole life. She’s learned how to and how not to lead from the best (at playing the game) and worst (in terms of morals), with duty and honour pulled in from her father’s teachings.

Does Sansa marry? With one episode left, I highly doubt it – there’s just not enough time for the set up. If she remarried Tyrion, I would be very disappointed. I can see them as friends or Ruler/Advisor but not spouses. Would she marry Sweet Robyn? No, because there is no set up for it. Gendry would be a suitable match however he was legitimize by a queen that Sansa does not recognize so there is a host of problems with that arrangement.

Does she marry Jon Snow? I know there are adamant Jonsa supporters in the world. But looking at it realistically, I don’t think this could happen either. We saw how Jon reacted towards his second love Daenerys when he found out that he’s her nephew. Cousins raised as half siblings would not fly in Jon’s head.

That leaves Sansa to rule as an independent monarch. What does that mean for a line of succession? I have absolutely no idea. All we have is theory because there will be no explanation or dialogue pertaining to this subject in the show – just like we never saw any wartime leaders in any season discuss logistics at any length.

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Tyrion Lannister

One of three things will happen to Tyrion: he will abandon Daenerys and join Jon as they flee north and then become advisor to, or just a loyal subject of, Sansa; he will remain a Daenerys supporter either out of fear or possibly out of pure loyalty; or, Daenerys is going to roast Tyrion alive – perhaps Grey Worm will gut him. The more I think about it, the more I realize that Tyrion will probably die this episode.

Sam Tarly + Gilly + not-so-baby Sam + future-baby

What a happy growing family. If someone deserves a happy ending it’s Gilly. Maybe Sam will go back to the Citadel to continue his Maester training – though this is unlikely. I think they’ll stay in Winterfell. Gilly and Sansa will have a good relationship and Sam and Bran will record the history of man so that it can always be remembered.

At this point, I am 100% on board with the theory that it is Sam who has written A Song of Ice And Fire (and by association, the story of Game of Thrones).

Tormund

I think Tormund is indeed going to return to the true North. However, since the Wall has fallen and he’s made friends with those in Winterfell, I think he’ll visit often or not leave at all. Perhaps he’ll be the new “Mance Rayder” and unite the Wildlings into their own kingdom.

Ghost

Jon should have given Ghost to Sansa. Either way, he deserves a happy, loving home.

Bran

What was the point of Bran? Will we get any payoff for him being the Three-Eyed Raven? As my list of what needs to be resolved grows longer (see everything above and below), I’m starting to fear we’ll get the number of conclusions we want. And I fear Bran may be one of those loose ends that doesn’t quite get tied up.

Bronn

I take it back – what if Bronn is the one who kills Tyrion? With Cersei dead though, who’s protecting Bronn? I hope he gets his castle. If Tyrion stays loyal and living with Daenerys, perhaps she can be persuaded to give him something.

Ser Davos Seaworth

If Jon does disappear into the night (aka go to live out his days in the True North), I think Davos will join Sansa in Winterfell. He has a very northern personality and fits in well with the people. On the other hand, he could go back to his family (yes he does have a wife) – though this is unlikely.

Podrick Payne

Loyal Pod is going to follow Brienne around to the end of either his or her days. As unlikely as it is, perhaps Brienne will pay it forward and knight Pod. I could also see Pod staying in Winterfell, if Brienne leaves, and remaining loyal to Sansa.

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Ellaria Sand

Technically, as far as we know Ellaria is still alive. Now, did she survive the burning of the Red Keep by Drogon? She probably didn’t roast to death, but if she was in the dungeons she might have been buried alive, like Cersei and Jaime. The thing is, I really don’t think we will get a payoff for her story line.

Daario Naharis

Will Daario come back into the picture for Daenerys? Yes, the possibility is there. Do I think that he actually will? Not with only one episode left. And I never liked the guy in the books or the show so I am not heartbroken over this.

Drogon

I think that the last dragon will die, thus stripping all of Daenerys’ power as the Dragon Queen away. And no, I don’t think that he laid eggs somewhere. The entire story has been leading to the resurgence in and eventual death of magic in the known world. With the death of magic, the dragons disappear too.

Nymeria

I would love for Arya to join Nymeria and rule the Riverlands and the Neck. Will we see any resolution in the show about this long lost Direwolf tonight? Absolutely not. I think that the end of Nymeria’s role was when Arya saw her on the road back to Winterfell.

Hot Pie

Status: Alive. Conclusion: Head Chef of Winterfell. What better way for his story to end?

Meera Reed

She disappeared home after returning Bran to Winterfell. I don’t think we’ll see her again nor do I think she should be forced to do anytime more. She worked so hard and went so far. She deserves to sit on the throne in her bog castle, sipping mossy mai tai’s and enjoying retirement from adventure.

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A Parting Thought

Wow! I went through more characters than I expected. And a lot more are alive than I thought. Of course, some of these characters are more important than others, and I suspect will will not get all of the resolutions we need/want. Let me know what you think and join me after the episode tonight to recap and meditate on what is sure to be an exciting episode.

And now, before the final curtain call, let’s take a moment to remember those who we have lost this season:

Cersei Lannister-Baratheon

Ser Jaime Lannister

Qyburn

Ser Sandor Clegane

Ser Gregor Clegane

Theon “Starkjoy”

Lady Lyanna Mormont

Ser Jorah Mormont

Dolorous Edd

Rhaegal

Varys

Melisandre

Missandei

Beric Dondarrion

Euron Greyjoy

The Night King + his army

Of course there are so many more (like most of King’s Landing and Winterfell), but these are our named favorites who have fallen. Thank goodness none of them can come back as zombies.