We have a fresh batch of photos today from the Game of Thrones set in progress in Zumaia, Spain. The HBO crew is readying the site along the beach for season 7 filming and WotW reader Luka Nieto has shared with us the updated look of the new location. We can see they’ve added more texturing to the faux battlements, and they’re creating even more new structures.
In addition to the building of sets, Game of Thrones is preparing in another way in the area: extras casting began in Zumaia this morning. According to Baleike, locals began lining up last night for their chance to be a part of season 7. By 9 am in Zumaia, the line stretched down and around the block. Only a small number of men will make it onto the show, though the exact number is not yet known. We have heard from friends attending that the casting assistants seemed to show a preference for men with big beards.
The new photos of the Game of Thrones set in Zumaia:
Hodor?
Hodor
LUKA!!!
Thanks for the new pics. How exciting it must be that filming takes place so close to you.
Still keeping my fingers crossed for you to be an extra.
Newbietothegame,
Likewise. That said, there were a ton of muscular, tall guys with beards, so it’s quite likely I won’t make the cut. But oh well… Here’s hoping! 🙂
This is Dragonstone!!!
Luka Nieto,
I am wondering about the beards. The only bearded lot I can think of come from the North. So this is intriguing. Here is to hope.
Please that be Dragonstone!! I’m shaking!
Thanks for the photos, Luka. I’m rooting for you but even if you don’t make it, I’m sure the experience of being on a set might be very cool still.
Newbietothegame,
And ironborn, too, let’s not forget. And the ironborn may be all over the map next season, so it doesn’t tell us much.
Having been there, that’s my thought as well. But it’s just a thought.
https://twitter.com/ibonpereztv/status/785496234396123136
The structures even remind dragons imagine if they CGI them.
It would be fitting for Dany to ‘go home’ so to speak and start her conquest from Dragonstone. Hmmm, if they are looking for extra Ironborn does that mean Euron is waiting there for her fleet, or did she arrive and will be attacked? I lean towards the latter, those professional rowers must be coming in to place somewhere.
Yeah, the beard thing is interesting. I would have thought dothraki, but they specifically asked for white/ Mediterranean looking men. So that seems to rule them out, it also makes Lannister/ Tyrell/ Martell army less likely. It has to be the Ironborn I guess, as I don’t see how the North gets involved in this.
Really hope this is Dragonstone – I would love to see Daenerys and her fleet land there, and the beach is reminiscent of the sheltered bay in which we see Davos speak to Salladhor Saan in season two. Dragonstone would be a good place for her to land for provisions before setting off to conquer the Westerosi mainland, and there would be an added poignancy to her returning with her army to the island she was forced to flee as a small baby.
Also, Varys states in season six that they know Stannis is dead – unless Kevan has successfully re-taken the island in season six (doubtful given that his main priorities were restoring order and trying to secure Margaery’s release) then it is not impossible that Dragonstone will have minimal personnel defending the castle, and that Varys is aware of this. Stannis set of for Braavos unsure of the welcome – and funds – he would receive from the Iron Bank, and so would need to take as many military men north with him as possible.
thanks for the photos. It’s fun to see all the “backstage” things.
Thank you, Luka! Hoping, hoping, you get cast. You really deserve it.
Dragonstone, I hope!
Kargaryen,
yeah it looks like dragons. I hope it’s Dragonstone.
Nobody is thinking Casterly Rock at all? It’s on the coastline right? When I saw the pic with the beach it screams Casterly Rock to me. Eh, maybe I’m wrong guess we won’t know for sure until the show starts (or someone spills the beans)!
Arya Serious,
It could be Casterly Rock, sure. It doesn’t really fit the description from the books (this is way too low), but we haven’t actually seen the place in the show, and CG does wonders anyway. Whatever it is, it’s certainly not gonna be a big setpiece. At least not for the standards of this show. You just can’t film an elaborate battle scene in a single week, with 200 extras at most, even if there’s lots of CGI involved. I mean, it will surely be impressive, but not the setpiece of the season. Which rules out a major engagement, I believe. Daenerys merely arriving in Dragonstone or the Stormlands; a minor engagement in Casterly Rock… sure. But nothing more. That’s how I see it, anyway.
Ok, so Emilia has been in Ireland for the past few days.
Logically, we can assume she is shooting either at Winterfell, Kingsroad which is closed for 15-16 oct or other indoor scenes.
Zumaia shooting is scheduled to start on the 21st oct so if Emilia is spotted on a flight to Spain between 17-21 we can safely asume she will moor her fleet to the shores in the photos and settle at Dragonstone for the rest of season 7. Here is why:
She cannot directly attack the capital because she had Euron’s fleet to deal with and it’s just not reccomended from a strategic stand point.
Plus Dragonstone is very close to the capital and she’ll have the geografic advantage. Also Stannis is dead in the series so Dragonstone is free and relatively unoccupied.
I have said it before and I am now 100% sure that she will not take the Iron Throne this season but the story in s7 will be centered more in the North and on the Walkers and the northern families (all new cast members are northeners), Sansa, Jon, Brienne etc
Dany will look for allies in the North, Sansa and Baelish storyline will see a conclusion and Sansa and Tyrion will probably meet again
The Wall will come down at the end.
Alba Stark,
How would Dany land her fleet at Dragonstone though. It’s a small island . Even if she did somehow land all her ships there, Dragonstone is too small to host her entire army.
I wonder if she will split her forces before landing, whether by choice or by force (a fierce storm would probably scatter her forces all along the coast)
I don’t understand all the “I hope it’s Dragonstone” comments.
Why? What’s so special about depicting Dragonstone as opposed to anywhere else? I don’t understand.
It may well be Dragonstone. Or it could be somewhere in the Stormlands. Or as somebody else has mentioned, somewhere near Casterly Rock. I don’t think Dorne has been completely ruled out yet, although it’s less likely in my opinion.
Those stone statues could just as easily be changed by CGI into stags, lions, or even serpents’ heads, as much as they could dragons.
Sure, Daenerys capturing her ancestral home would be cool. But so would her attacking the ancestral home of the Usurper. Or attacking Casterly Rock.
Sorry, I’m just a bit confused by all the enthusiasm for it to be Dragonstone over anywhere else.
Newbietothegame,
If it’s Dragonstone, the attacker could be Jon, as well. First of all, he would have an interest: he and/or his team knows that there is dragonglass there and the North needs dragonglass desperately. Secondly, resources: Jon has no fleet, but I assume Lord Manderly can get a ship or two + they have Davos who knows Dragonstone, has experience in sailing and smuggling, and can command the surprise attack from the sea. Some wildlings may also have certain experience in sailing/rowing: the ones we met in Hardhome had their coats decorated with seashells or cowries and Hardhome was a fishermen village itself. Moreover, Osha told that she and her companions sailed to the North by a boat. So, under the right command, the wildlings or at least some of them could be quite capable of taking Dragonstone by surprise. And the wildlings are mostly tall and bearded which fits the casting call for extras.
Of cause the Ironborn and the Dothraki cannot be ruled out. However, the Ironborn we saw were not so bearded and I don’t see the Dothraki as a forefront landing force (IMO, Dany has to use the Ironborn for such purposes as much, as Cersei).
So, in general the crazy idea of Jon (or rather Davos) attacking Dragonstone with wildlings in order to get dragonglass looks almost reasonable. It’s hard to tell who mans the castle at the moment: I suppose whatever garrison Stannis left behind declared to Tommen after his death but I don’t think it would be large and motivated to fight to death for Cersei, especially if they see their good old Davos on the other side. And it might be fun, if Dragonstone gets woven into Jon’s story as a sign of his Targarian identity…
But I am open to criticism and look forwards to that.
Ramsay’s 20th Good Man,
We are just as confused as to which location this will be. It would make Dany come ‘full circle ‘ so to speak if she would come back to where she was born. We are guessing here. What’s wrong with that? You sound miffed.
Just ten days or maybe a fortnight until filming starts in Spain!
One thing I keep wondering about: where is King’s Landing this year?
Inga,
We are in uncharted territory now. I am always open to other folks thoughts. I am not discounting anyone’s theory at this point.
Newbietothegame,
A guess is along the lines of “it could be Dragonstone”.
But a number of people have clearly expressed excitement at the thought of it being Dragonstone. I’m a bit miffed by the apparent excitement.
Especially since we’ve already seen Dragonstone on the show. If I was going to hope that it was anywhere, I would hope that it’s somewhere that we haven’t seen yet.
Capturing Dragonstone would be cool, but I don’t think we need to see her actually attacking such a place. They could simply show her in the “Chamber of the Painted Table” looking over the Westeros shaped table that Aegon the Conquerer sat at after she’s capture it.
What would depicting an assault on Dragonstone achieve? As somebody has already pointed out, with Stannis dead the island is probably not fully manned nor would it likely be defended particularly desperately either, unlike other locations in Westeros.
Showing an assault on Dragonstone wouldn’t really serve any purpose. Whereas assaults in the Stormlands, Westerlands or Dorne have more potential to develop the plot and narrative.
ghost of winterfell,
There is one more major problem concerning the possibility of attacking King’s Landing from Dragonstone: the Blackwater Bay is full of sunken ships, the show-runners showed that specifically in S3. And sunken ships can easily block the sailing channel of any port. In other words, the attempt to attack King’s Landing from the Blackwater Bay is a very bad idea which may destroy Dany’s fleet even without any counteraction from the side of Cersei/Euron. Stormlands and/or Dorne would be much more appropriate for her.
The only possibility how she could land on Dragonstone would be forced landing due to some storm or Euron’s attack. But the problem is that we have already been hearing rumors about a major battle on a seashore evolving around some wagon train ambush and resulting in someone’s epic fall into the water, which implies that Dany will be landing in Westeros mainland, not on the Dragonstone.
So, as I wrote before, if it’s Dragonstone, it will be attacked by Jon rather than Dany. If it’s not, it should be either Euron attacking Dorne, or Dany attacking Stormlands.
Starfall?
Ramsay’s 20th Good Man,
Dragonstone makes no sense. She can’t even house and feed all her people there. It’s tiny as hell. Not to mention she’d be repeating Stannis’ season 2 arc if she attacks from there.
The sets really coming on, great pics Luka!
I’m leaning towards Dragonstone now..my previous thoughts of Dorne were clearly off (I know nothing).
As someone said, Dany will come full circle and especially if she strikes land in the midst or after a huge storm in the same manner of her birth. Also- it’s the symbolic landing site and seat of the Targaryens, and has a mahoosive cache of obsidian, which she can bring to the great war to come.
Yaga,
Filming for the extras that were cast today, which will include filming in Zumaia AND Bermeo, will take place from the 21st to the 30th of October. They didn’t specify how much time would be employed in each location… but I’d say the bulk of filming in those 9 days will be in Zumaia, considering the elaborate set and larger beach in Zumaia (they haven’t built anything in Bermeo).
Ramsay's 20th Good Man,
As someone mentioned earlier Dragonstone would be to small for all of Dany’s forces. Maybe it is Casterly Rock? I would not mind some change in scenery.
Inga,
Yeah, that’s what I thought too, if Dany lands at Dragonstone, it will be because she was forced to due to a storm or Euron’s attack.
The Jon theory is interesting, I don’t know how likely it is though, so far the popular guess has been that next season the northern politics and Sansa/ LF will keep him busy.
Luka Nieto,
Yes! I hope you get in and have fun… Even if that means you’ll be under an NDA.
But I also hope that some passers-by will manage some snapshots of actual actors. Because that will spoil us a lot.
Thinking outside the box a bit, I wonder if some paparazzo couldn’t plant a bug or a camera on the set. I wonder if that would be illegal? Those are public places, after all.
I think it’s Storm’s End.
D&D have made a concerted effort to synthesize elements of Railroad’s books, and I’ve got to believe that Aegon taking Storm’s End before marching on King’s Landing/Old Town, etc. is relevant.
What’s the point of Dany landing in Dorne anyways if she’s already got the Reach in her back-pocket and the Storm Land’s are decimated?
I also think the extras casting is for northern soldiers. Does it have to be an attack, though? Jon wouldn’t attack the only person who has the means to help him in the great war. Not to mention the fact that he wouldn’t attack an island currently inhabited by 3 dragons and thousands of dothraki. Not even a crazed Cersei would do such thing. My guess is that Jon and everyone else in Westeros will hear about Dany’s arrival and he’s going to reach out to her or Tyrion, or maybe Dany will reach out to him first, since he rules half of westeros. Either way, she’s gonna want him to bend the knee and he’s gonna want her help in fighting the Night King, so they are bound to meet rather sooner than later IMO.
Flayed Potatoes,
Totally agree.
jdtargstark,
I believe the suggestion was that perhaps Jon goes after/attacks Dragonstone’s current inhabitants to get dragonglass RATHER THAN Daenerys and her army landing there. I was initially going to reply the same way but I read it more thoroughly.
I personally think Jon would try to gain access to the dragonglass through talk (first) rather than risking his limited numbers and supplies in a warring effort, regardless of who is there.
Mike,
I’m inclined to believe that she’ll be attacking the Stormlands too.
She won’t land her fleet at Dragonstone, for reasons people have already discussed.
There’s no point landing in Dorne, which is already allied to her. The only reason to land in Dorne would be to relieve them if they are under siege/assault by Lannister or Greyjoy forces. But I think that would risk getting her bogged down in Dorne, which is a bottleneck, whereas opening a new front elsewhere in the Seven Kingdoms could be more advantageous.
She’s not going to assault King’s Landing immediately and directly.
And she’s unlikely to sail all the way around to the Westerlands, adding weeks to her journey and giving the Lannisters more time to organise their defences.
Needless to say, she’s not going to start her campaign by invading the North during winter, nor the Vale which is still at full military strength (to their knowledge) and which has an impenetrable stronghold at its core.
So it’s a choice between the Reach and the Stormlands.
Like with Dorne, the only reason to land in the Reach would be to come to the aid of her allies. But she could come to their aid by opening a second front and drawing the Lannister/Crown forces away from the Reach.
For me, the only logical place for her to land her fleet is in the Stormlands. They’re weak and leaderless after the war. Taking Robert Baratheon’s lands would be symbolic. And they’re well placed to aid her neighbouring allies and attack the Crownlands.
That’s my take on it anyway.
jdtargstark,
If my prediction is correct, Jon won’t be attacking the island with three dragons and everything else. One way or another, I see Dany landing south of KL (most probably in the Stromlands) and having a battle with Cersey shortly afterwards in the same area. That means she will be in the south till episode 4; she might go northwards seeking refuge after her defeat, but not before that.
Based on these assumptions, I can see to options for Jon’s attack on Dragonstone (and yes, rumors about the involvement of professional rowers imply, that this will be an attack, not a peaceful landing). It may happen either before Dany lands in the south (say Ep3), or after her defeat, when Jon loses hope for his aunt’s victory. And wouldn’t it be fun, if Dany sought refuge in Dragonstone too, and two Targarians met at the ancestral seat of their family?
That said I have to admit that Casterly Rock cannot be ruled out too. It looks like Zumaia will be combined with Bermeo and Bermeo filming location is that magnificent rock with a hermitage on top which can be easily “replaced” with a castle. In this case Jon’s attack from the sea would also be possible – something for the finale combined with Dany’s actions in KL, but still my preferences lean towards Dragonstone as for now.
I know I’m kinda obsessing about these damn merlons (and hell, I was wrong about then before), but if you take a look at stills of Dragonstone from the show, and especially from the opening credits- the very shape and style of those merlons are commonly found on the castle. Also- there are lower battlements at the shoreline on the opening credits that are similar in design to this set.
Storms end is certainly another viable option though… I guess we’ll find out in the coming weeks
ghost of winterfell,
I don’t see how the northern politic could keep Jon busy for the entire season, and whatever conspiracy Littlefinger is going to brew will need Jon’s active actions and probably his absence to provoke misunderstanding, criticism and discontent – all that stuff that leads to chaos. So, Jon will absolutely have to go south by mid-season: the question is only where exactly and for what reason.
Thanks for the pictures Luka, they’re great! Nice to have wotw readers as extra spies for the site.
Why does Jon need to go south, and more to the point why would he? Winter has set in, and the WWs are almost on their doorstep. He’s the KITN and needs to mobilise the northern forces to face what’s to come- he’s not gonna bugger off on a 3000 mile round trip at the such a critical time. Besides which, in doing so he’d be repeating the same mistake that Robb made, which led to the downfall of their house. The Northern lords would never allow it… especially given what Lord Grover said last season.
At best he may send an envoy (perhaps Davos) to retrieve the dragonglass and any residual Baratheon men, but I really don’t see Jon leaving the North.
Apollo,
Trying to retrieve dragonglass by negotiations would be rather tricky in these circumstances. As I have wrote already, the Dragonstone garrison should have declared to Tommen after Stannis’ death, which means that now Dragonstone is under Cersei’s control – at least officially. So how do you imagine peaceful negotiations between Davos, for instance, and some chief officer? Who would allow Cersei’s enemies to mine dragonglass right outside the castle? No, to get dragonglass, Jon will have to put a dagger to the throat of whoever is in charge at Dragonstone.
Inga,
I agree with you that political stuff in the North doesn’t feel like a enough (or exciting enough) to be the entirety of the season for that group. Unless something major happens at The Wall early/mid season I’d still say they have to pull The Riverlands into play in some fashion. I guess there’s also the possibility that Cersei and/or Euron attempt to break Jon as well. We all assume that she’ll immediately have her sights set on Daenerys, but perhaps initially she doesn’t fear the rumors and stories about the force on the way. After all, she has been hearing things for years from her father and advisors that Daenerys isn’t that much of a threat.
I also agree with the idea that The Stormlands is a likely first ‘invasion’ point, especially if most of The Reach follows House Tyrell to ally with Daenerys. I also still like the idea that she splits her forces from that point or Dorne, sending some with Yara to the Iron Islands and The Westerlands (Casterly Rock), only to have them fail at first.
Inga,
But why would Stannis’ remaining forces bend the knee to a bastard born of incest, who was a Lannister? That makes no sense.
At this point in time the castle would either be manned by a skeleton crew or more likely deserted as the remaining men would’ve fled at the news of Stannis’ death.
Cersei has had no time or the capacity to focus on the castle of an extinguished Lord…she’s only just grasped power after a long imprisonment and will now have much more pressing concerns such as the Dornish, the Reach, Dany’s impending invasion and news of a new Northern alliance with the Vale. All of which she has to face with dwindled forces (even including the Ironborn).
If anyone arrives at DS, I imagine it’d be a simple landing and a minor skirmish.
And if Davos were to go as envoy then that’d be without any bloodshed (especially if residual Baratheon men are still there).
While it is the largest by area, The North is also the least populated region in Westeros. It would be like all of Canada invading the US through Montana and North Dakota and they tried to hold them off alone. 😛 He’s seen just a portion of the NK’s army and it already far outnumbers the men he can gather from the The North alone. They don’t have the advantage of cold, rugged terrain against the wights that they’d have against living armies either. Yes, he needs to prepare his current forces but he needs far more. He may not go far or at all personally but he has to attempt to get more men or it would be suicide.
Clob,
Remember that they now have the Glovers, Cerwyns, the Manderleys, 15 Mormont men (or so), numerous other Northern houses and the remnants of TBOTB. Not to mention the Valemen. They have a pretty large army now of god knows how many thousands of men.
If they need more troops (and I agree they still do), then Davos makes more sense as an envoy than Jon abandoning the front line (cos that’s how the Northern Lords will see it).
That’s not what a king does.
Apollo,
ALL of The North even with The Vale is nowhere near the number the NK has, not even counting his reanimating more. Remember, Robb gathered most of the fighting men from the banner houses, which included all of the houses at the time, and his army was less than 20k. They’ve lost a lot of men since the beginning of the War of the Five Kings. This is why, if the NK does invade south of The Wall their only chance in a battle is a united Westeros and the aid of a dragon or two.
In all due respect, I don’t think Jon, who is a warrior, would personally travel from the north, in the winter, with the eminent invasion of the WW, down to the southern locations to ask for southern troops. I would imagine he would send someone (maybe Davos) for that type of support when the time comes. I do agree, however, that they don’t have enough troops in the north.
Clob,
I agreed with that – they do need as many men as possible. But the KITN would send an envoy like Davos, who is skilled at this (as shown last season with House Mormont and numerous times before). ?
Additionally- Jon is the one who is the best equipped to fight the WWs and has one of the few remaining Valyrian swords left in Westeros. To leave the North now would be way too risky-it’d be madness in fact.
Apollo,
I don’t disagree with him sending an envoy, in which Davos is just about the only one that makes sense. I suppose the show could use Manderly and Glover also/instead. (For the show) I can see them having Jon going as far as The Riverlands though just because it feels more involved for the character than having him hang out at Winterfell. I expect there to be a good deal of “fast travel” in the remaining episodes. I also don’t think we’ll see any big time action at The Wall until the finale of season 7 which would mean several episodes of Jon preparing for that event…
The more I think about it the less I think Jon will go south; past KL; board a ship to get to Dragonstone to get more dragon glass. We have at the most 14 episodes left. It’s just not possible spending this much time on travels and not for the impending onslaught of WW and wights.
Nobody here thinks that this may be a flashback location? Lots of talk of Jon and Dany’s movement. But what of Brans visions? Tower of Joy was a bit more obvious last year, but it was a location that had leaked photos just like this location. Just saying that I still think Bran will have a lot more visions to come.
I personally think this will be Starfall and we’ll learn about Ned and his trip down with Jon and the sword Dawn. “Lovely Lady” that was in a cast call might be Ashara. Look at the location. Starfell is in an island of the Summer Sea. Zumaia would be perfect for Starfall. There’s so much history of Dayne’s we don’t know about because I believe grrm has big plans for the house in book six and seven.
If Dany doesn’t land at Storms End I will eat my proverbial hat. 🙂
Yay! Someone else who wants to see Starfall! I said in a post a while back that I think they should show us Ashara and that was next on Ned’s journey after the TOJ so I think it makes sense that they could show us Ashara at Starfall next. I realize the show isn’t going to touch on everything the books might, but to me she is an important character in the backstory for Ned and they mentioned her in the show so why not?! I think she is Jyana and has been hiding out with ol’ Howland Reed who hasn’t left the neck since the Rebellion. Maybe because he is hiding his purple eyed wife!!! Ok the last part is just my crazy theory but I would love to see Starfall. It also showed Ned with the Daynes sword so yep I’m sticking with that is my hope ?
Newbietothegame,
Team-Jon can easily sail to Dragonstone from the White Harbor: it don’t need to go past KL. And of cause, I can see Jon entrusting this mission to Davos instead of going there himself. The only problem is that Davos is not a battlefield commander: he made some major mistakes during the Battle of the Bastards and, though Jon showed himself poorly too, he might still decide that he must lead this mission in person. And I don’t expect much skirmish based on the filming duration and also from the point of story-telling: this season Jon should be getting easy victories before the Wall goes down.
Of cause, I agree with those who say that Jon should stay in the North and his decision to go south for whatever reason would be met with discontent by northern lords. But that’s what GoT (and any real war) is all about. No commander has ever had the luxury of simply standing at the chosen position and waiting for the enemy to attack. So, one way or another Jon will be facing frustrating decisions be it because of the necessity to get dragonglass, or to help any of his allies including Dany.
Moreover, there might be other reasons to bring Jon to Dragonstone. He will have to accept his Targarian identity, and Dragonstone might be the right place to find out the whole truth about the PTWP prophecy and its connection to the War for Dawn. Basically, it’s quite possible that the Targarians were saved from the Doom and sent to Westeros to deal with the WW when they come. So, there might be some records/carvings on the walls or whatever…
But we have to look for more information and when we get it all this beautiful theory may simply go to the bin.
Inga,
But Jon does have Stannis’ ships that are presumably still at Eastwatch. I guess he would have claim over them as King in the North if nothing else. I think the show will definitely be re-visiting Dragonstone, it’s been established that it has loads of dragonglass which Jon knows is the only effective weapon against the walkers. I dont see Dany stopping there for provisions, Dragonstone would have next to nothing to offer in terms of food supplies.
I would love to see Starfall, but I don’t see that happening. If we see anything else of Jon’s story, it will be related to a living Lyanna and Rhaegar. I don’t believe that Ashara went north with Howland – but I do think that we will meet Howland and that we will see more of Rhaegar and Lyanna (if not in season seven then in season eight). Starfall is something that we may see in the books, but which I don’t think will be included on tv. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t something I want to see.
Alba Stark,
I tend to agree. Ashara Dayne is referenced only a couple of times in the books, and maybe once (if even that) on the show. I really don’t see her or starfall playing any part of the story, especially this late in the game and certainly not to the extent they’d construct a set and film for 10 days there.
Beautiful pictures!
Suerte Luka!
Where are the statues in these pictures? All I see are battlements.
Thanks for sharing, Luka! Good luck!!
Brad Thomas,
Arya Serious,
Alba Stark,
Apollo,
Oh! I would love, love, love to see Ashara (obviously) and anything involving the Daynes, but I am NOT holding my breath. I think that GRRM will expand on them, but that doesn’t mean that GoT will, especially with so little time left.
Yeah, I don’t think we will see much more from them. But as you, I hope GRRM expand on them because I would love to know more about them. They are so mysterious. Arthur Dayne was not only this great knight, but also Rhaegar’s best friend. And Ashara is a mystery. Yes, accounts say she threw herself from a window in pain for the loss of her brother, but there is so much gossip about her…
Plus, I’ve always wondered why is it that Starfall, the Daynes and the Arthur’s sword are mentioned everal times in all the books by different characters. These people died many years ago… why keep mentioning them? The show gave us a partial answer, but idk if it is the same route GRRM will take.
Darjan,
It’s hard to tell anything about Stannis’ fleet for sure. Basically these were the ships of Salvador San Davos hired in Braavos, so they should have sailed back after the contract was done. But who knows: some of the Stannis’ personal ships might be still hanging around. One way or another, there should be some ships in the North and the supposed attack on Dragonstone wouldn’t require much.
As for the Daynes, IMO their basic purpose was to bring the bleeding star (Dawn) to Jon’s birthplace. Of cause, they may be woven into the Dornish storyline in the books, but I don’t see that happening in the show where it has been shrunk to the minimum.
What you say makes sense, but with 7 episodes the show does not have the time to send a supporting character like Davos on individual quests. If somebody from the North is going to Dragonstone, it will be Jon (especially with the added bonus of his Targaryen ancestry).
There was similar speculation last year that Davos would go around the North looking for Rickon (either on Sansa’s or Jon’s behest), instead they had Davos stick to Jon. And this will continue next season as well. Davos won’t get an individual storyline.
The north and the Vale men won’t be enough to fight the WWs. I wouldn’t be surprised if Jon would consider it important to warn the remaining kingdoms as well. And the story now needs to start connecting Jon, Dany and Tyrion together. I am not saying Jon will definitely go south, but it’s not impossible either. I could definitely see him getting involved in the Riverlands at least.
There was similar talk last year as well, that why would Jon leave the Wall when he knows about the WW threat (until the Saintfield filming spoilers cleared it up), but the story required him to go to Winterfell, so he went there. If the story requires him to go South, he will.
I am not saying he definitely will, just speculating on the alternatives.
bon,
I think its Storm’s End.
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3212/5812459386_ce31ca023e_b.jpg
You can also see them for a split second in some of the videos on twitter (and here IIRC).
They look like part of the set but in actual fact they’re original structures… and the indeed look like the gargoyles of Dragonstone. Especially with a little set dressing.
So looks more and more like coastal battlements of DS IMO
Inga,
I was going to put forth that it might be White Harbor, but your theory seems the most sound. Davos of all people will know about the dragonglass on Dragonstone, they go there, meet Dany, strike an alliance (?), and then…..profit?
It makes too much sense that Daenerys would mimic Aegon’s path to the Iron Throne after all.
Apollo,
Oh Yeah ! Dragonstone >>>
youtu.be/cXakDTue4NY?t=25s
Indeed ?
ghost of winterfell,
Actually I remember it being suggested in the books that Jon was returning to Winterfell before he was murdered, so I am not surprised at all that he ended up there. If he survived his murder, I was pretty certain he would leave the Night’s Watch and therefore, the Wall. As far as Jon traveling all the way down to Dragonstone himself in the winter to get dragon glass, I guess it’s possible. A lot of things are possible. I personally don’t think he would leave his post at this point on the story. I definitely think he can send someone down there, however. On other forums there are thousands of very intriguing theories. Some readers are predicting events that I actually haven’t read on this site. A few have proven true, others not even close. But it is fun to speculate.
juji_mee,
There is no way Jon is heading South this season, the White Walkers are approaching the wall (it’s coming down this season almost certainly), he has to deal with the threat from Sansa and Littlefinger, he’s likely meeting Bran and finding out who his real parents are plus the fact that he is probably the air to the Iron Throne.
This battle is Dany losing to Cersei/Euron alliance most likely in epsiode 3 or 4 maybe it happens in Episode 6 only for Cersei to be uprooted by in episode 7 but I suspect what remains of Dany’s forces will move north by the end of this season.
Nobody considers it might (also) be Jorah travelling to DS? The only one ever cured from Greyscale was Shireen (as far as I know), so it could be Jorah trying to find the cure there.
And possibly bumping into Dany again?? Or maybe the Martells, Olenna and some others install a new councill on DS?
So many possibilities 😛
asoiaf reader,
I personally don’t think Jon will go to Dragonstone either nor do I think he will go south beyond the RL at the most. But is it an inconsiderable option? I don’t think so.
If there is somebody from the North going to Dragonstone for the dragonglass, it will be Jon imo, as I don’t think Davos will be going on individual quests anymore.
Luka Nieto,
Fingers crossed for you here as well. *chants like at a sports match* Lu-KA, Lu-KA! 😀
Newbietothegame,
Would northerners be filming in Zumaia? I’m guessing Dothraki…possibly men from Dorne, but less likely.
Did I say they do? I was wondering why the would need only male extras with beards.
Perhaps for the bearded freaking barbarians!
Didn’t Ned state in the 1st book that he could hold the north from the Neck with 200 determined archers when he met Cat in LF’s brothel?
“Once you are home, send word to Helman Tallhart and Galbart Glover under my seal. They are to raise a hundred bowmen each and fortify Moat Cailin. Two hundred determined archers can hold the Neck against an army.”
So Dany landing anywhere above the Neck would be advantageous no?