Have you dried your eyes from all of the tears that “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” imparted upon you? No? Me neither. And yet here we are, prepped with our Kleenex and wine to say goodbye to too many characters, for the Battle of Winterfell is here.
The preview opens up on the Unsullied soldiers, lined up in formation to face the threat of the oncoming storm. The quick edited shots rotate through our roster of favorite characters as they get ready to face the onslaught of the White Walkers, from the vanguard to the battlements and even down to the crypts, with Sansa ominously stating that “the most heroic thing we can do now is look the truth in the face,” and Jon even more ominously warning that “the Night King is coming.” A quick shot of Daenerys on Drogon flies by. “The dead are already here,” she says. Our hearts start collectively pounding before Brienne’s (Gwendoline Christie) call to arms rings out into the night, with Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) raising his sword under her command.
Take a deep breath. Are you ready?
HODOR
I know she is high up on people’s ‘to die’ list, but I refuse to believe Brienne dies. I think she or Jaime will be seriously injured but they will make it to the end. Otherwise I won’t be able to see the rest of the episode through my tears.
In an interview GC said that “Now what we see is Brienne the woman making her own choices and taking control of her life and responding to her own wants and desires, rather than just being in service of someone else and I think that is powerful and necessary and that’s one of the reasons why I love it.” This could obviously refer to her Knighthood but I’m keeping the hope alive. We’ve had boatsex and forgesex, I want oathsex dammit!
Oh so ready but dreading the losses just the same. Sunday is still so far away.
That knighting ceremony WAS oathsex 😛
Luka Nieto,
That is actually true, it’s the best sex scene GOT has ever done imo. If we get nothing else, that will be enough (still want to see it though lol).
Once a king, always a king,
but once a knight is enough.
No, Akash! I’m not ready!! I am hardening my heart for the worst. That Sansa voiceover sounds like “the truth” people will have to face is death and basically being heroic by accepting it. I expect Tormund, Beric, Greyworm or Missandei, Jaime or Brienne, Pod, Edd, Theon, and Jorah to die next week. Also based off of Arya running through the castle, and in the season trailer where we see wights climbing over the parapets – I’m assuming they overrun Winterfell? Or at least a few of them do. Looks like shit goes down in the Godswood too.
I expect to lose Jorah in heroic take down of at least a few Walkers, saving Danerys’s life at some point
Jamie saving Brienne’s life and losing his in process
Beric saving the Hound’s life and all memory is lost
The crypts won’t be safe, perhaps Messandei is even lost, but Tyrion will save the lives of a few, like Sansa… not sure how, but he always does something amazing and he needs some redemption right about now.
Don’t think Danerys can lose both Jorah and Grey Worm…. so maybe Jorah survives, but he sort of foreshadowed his own death.
I can’t get past these that I’m willing to give up!
My plan is to assume everyone I care about will die, so each one of them who does survive is a massive bonus. I prefer all the spoilers so I’m emotionally prepared and the ones we have aren’t in-depth enough. I won’t be able to watch until Monday evening, so I’m going to read everyone’s reactions on here first to ease myself into the inevitable all the feels meltdown.
Logically speaking there are three lengthy episodes after this one so quite a few of our faves have to survive: it’s this army who have the knowledge to take out the AOTD, not Cersei and her KL allies. Unless of course the Night King wins and the rest of the series is just him killing everyone, which seems a bit unlikely.
We have a who-gets-the-throne sweepstake at work and I got the NK, so I win the cash if I’m the last person standing. Everyone who dies has to bring in sweet treats, so there’s also that to look forward to as some small consolation. I’ll be at my desk sobbing into some cake wailing “Noooooooooo! Not character X, they had so much more to giiiiive! Waaaaahhh”.
The thing that intrigues me is that episode 3 is Miguel Sapochnik .
So far Sapochnik has hit each GoT episode he has worked on out of the park!
So look-it! Sapochnik is also directing episode 5 , hmmm, does that mean there is enough characters and story to trump episode 3?!
I am very excited about episode 5.
I’m with all of you and prepared with my box of tissues to have a horrible night! When Dany looks at Jon and says “the dead are already here” she doesn’t have a look on her face that I expected. I’m wondering if the fact that Jon is really her nephew is going to cause a really big problem. Let’s hope not. Looking forward to Miguel Sapochnik doing this episode, but pretty sure it will be the saddest episode of them all. Would like to be wrong, but not holding out much hope. I think of all the quick shots in the sneak peek the one that frightens me the most is What Is Happening In The Godswood???
i just hope Sansa becomes zombie lunch, but very unlikely,
grey worm
podrick
theon
are 3 i expect to meet their maker
Lulus Mum,
I am taking the same attitude. I do think it is very possible that the more central characters survive this episode only to face death in the last three. A subset of Grey Worm, Edd, Beric, Pod, Missandei, Varys, Gilley, Davos and Gendry are the most likely but I would not be surprised if we get a more major character death as well. I do fear for Jorah and Theon. Arguably their arcs are complete although there is room for them.
My death predictions are:
Beric, Edd, Pod, Gendry, Jorah, Theon.
50/50: Jaime, Ghost, Grey Worm.
I’m f*cking hope not dies: Tormund, Hound.
And i think the rest is safe. For now.
Same here. I’ll need to read the recap waaaay before I watch it on Monday evening just to be prepared. And even knowing what will happen, it will still be rough to actually watch it.
I’ve been thinking Theon is doomed all along, but yesterday I had a thought – I feel like maybe he still has to square off with Euron, there is a lot of tension and bad blood between them, so maybe he will survive. There’s a small chance, at any rate. Other characters, like Jorah (sniffle), it feels like their story is done. I feel like he passed the torch in the last episode when he endorsed Tyrion to Dany.
I just don’t know what’s going to happen, and all I know is that this series excels at misdirection and surprise. I think it’s very possible that KL is already under attack, and the Golden Company is death headed north; and Euron’s fleet is dead men on their way to attack the “safe” place of the Iron Islands; and the Citadel is burned to the ground; and everyone dies, except Sam, who has to write this story. I’m pretty sure that my own house will soon be under attack, so I think I’ll hide under the bed for a month, and then come out to see what’s up. The suspense is killing me!
Ready? Big no.
Do I want to be ready? Big yes.
We all want episode 3 right now but I think nothing will prepare us for what’s about to happen.
Olli,
I think jorah will die. Grey worm will survive but will find a dead misandei in the crypts.
I can’t wait, but I am so not ready! I was a mess after Ygritte’s death in Watchers on the Wall, and I knew that one was coming. Hold the Door completely wrecked me. How am I going to get through this??? Even with home-made ale and Johnny White Walker whiskey, if Brienne dies, I…..can’t…….
PS, does anyone else have Pod singing, Never wanted to leave, never wanted to leave, never wanted to leave, never wanted to leave…” going in a loop in your head?
But it hasn’t to be Theon… it could be Yara the one that takes Euron down. I still think Theon in a goner. Sadly.
Most curious re this question. I haven’t a clue and eagerly/dreadfully anticipate the answer. Any theories?
Please let noone touch Sam or Brienne!
I’m wondering how long into the episode until the AotD actually get into WF and the battle begins?
Roberta Baratheon,
Yes it’s in my head too!
My predictions after season 8, episode 2, without knowing any spoilers:
Dies in episode 3
– Missandei
– Theon Greyjoy: will sacrifice his life for Bran
– Gendry: will hunt Arya as a wight. It’s one of the few persons she would run from instead of kill him.
– Tormund Giantsbane: The Wildlings will all die
– Jorah Mormont: will sacrifice himself for Dany or maybe Lyanna Mormont
– Beric Dondarrion: his final dead
– Eddison Tollett: The Nightswatch ends with him
– Podrick Payne: dies en Brienne will have to kill wight Podrick
– Maester Wolkan: no further role
– Alys Karstark: almost all the north will be killed, no further role
– Qhono: all the Dothraki will be killed, no further role
Dies in episode 4
– Jaime Lannister: Bron will kill Jaime when he and Brienne are trying to escape
– Bronn: Wight Jaime will kill Bronn
Dies in episode 5
– Jon Snow: dies defeating the Night King
– Bran Stark: dies defeating the Night King
– Lord Varys: mysterious dead by The Lord of Light
– Cersei: Killed by Wight Jaime?
– Gregor ‘The Mountain’ Clegane: Killed by (wight) The Hound
– Qyburn: ?
– Euron Greyjoy: I always thought he would be killed by Theon, but maybe wight Theon?
– The Night King: Killed by Jon and Bran, with help of Sam and Tyrion
– Melisandre: sacrifices herself for the greater good to kill the Night King
– Harry Strickland
– Marei
– Bernadette
Dies in episode 6
– Daenerys Targaryen: Dies giving birth to her kid with Jon/Aegon
Survives
– Tyrion Lannister: Is hand of the new Queen
– Sansa Stark: Queen regent
– Arya Stark: Queensgard, maybe pregnant with Gendry
– Davos Seaworth
– Samwell Tarly: writes down the story
– Gilly: The sweet part of bittersweet
– Brienne of Tarth: returns home, but as a totally different person
– Sandor ‘The Hound’ Clegane: finally found his way in life
– Grey Worm: returns to Naath with Missandei’s ashes
– Lyanna Mormont: returns to Bear Island
– Yohn Royce: returns to Robin Arryn
– Yara Grejoy: Leads The Iron Islands
– Little Sam: The sweet part of bittersweet
– Robin Arryn: Lord of The Vale
– Edmure Tully: Lord of the Riverlands
– Roslin Frey: Wife of Edmure, heir to the Twins, mother of their kid made during the wedding
The people listed in my previous post will die in episode 3. The ones who survive episode 4 will try to flee south in episode 4. Jon and Dany can fly on the dragons, but they might take some passengers like Bran, Sandor Clegane (to help with Bran who probably loses his wheelchair), Sam (+ hopefully also Gilly and Little Sam) and Tyrion. The rest will flee by boat. I think Dany still has ships at White harbor and there might be ships left at Hardhome. I guess all the Northern survivors will flee to Dragonstone, there’s a harbor. Davos may be captain leading the ships safely to Dragonstone.
I don’t think Bronn will arrive while the AOTD are attacking Winterfell, he’ll probably run into Jaime while he’s fleeing south. Bronn wasn’t there when the wight attacked Cersei, so he may not know what is really going on. When he kills Jaime, resurrected Jaime will kill Bronn.
In Dragonstone they will all make plans to go to Kingslanding.
Episode 5 will be in Kingslanding. Cersei and co will be attaced by the AOTD. Cersei will be killed by wight Jaime. The Mountain by (wight) the Hound?
Episode 6 will be the aftermath. There will be a time jump because of the pregnancies. Dany will die will giving birth, buth the kid survives. Arya survives, but is pregnant with Gendry’s kid. A dream of spring will be both kids. Sansa will be queen regent while the kids come of age. I don’t think Sansa will have kids of her own, she reminds me of Queen Elizabeth with the red hair (see film with Cate Blanchett). Tyrion will be her hand. Arya and maybe also The Hound will be her Queens guard. Brienne will have to go home to be lady of Tarth. And Grey Worm will go and protect Naath in Missandei’s name.
Robin Arryn will rule The Vale, Edmure Tully will role the Riverlands. Almost everyone in the north, apart from the ones escaping in episode 3/4, will have died. So there will be no much need to a King of the North.
part of me is ready
part of me will never be ready
One thing’s for certain: Ramin Djawadi’s music is gonna be superbad.
Roberta Baratheon,
Chilli,
Yes, same here. Pod’s version in a loop since Monday, along with a sense of approaching doom.
😢😢😢
Squishy,
I know my theory isn’t probably a popular one, but I think Aegon defeats the Night King in the Godswood. The AOTD falls at winterfell, but the castle is almost entirely destroyed and many of our heroes die. I’m not sure who survived, but think Aegon, Dany, Tyrion, Sansa, Arya, Bran are safe.
I think episode 4 is the survivors relocating to Dragonstone to regroup and shift focus towards Kings Landing. I think Aegon and Dany will disagree about whether or not to negotiate with Cersie (Aegon) or unleash the dragons on KL (Dany).
Episode 5 is the Battle for the throne and Kings Landing, with more heroes falling.
Episode 6 is the aftermath. I think Aegon will end up on the throne. I don’t think Dany makes it. Not sure yet who else will be standing at the end. Hope to have a better idea after Sunday.
I just think that the living has a better shot at Winterfell and that if they can’t win there, they really don’t have a chance at KL.
I could be entirely wrong.
Great interview with Sapochnik https://ew.com/tv/2019/04/26/game-of-thrones-director-battle-of-winterfell/
Some interesting bits…
“I heard originally you were doing 3 episodes, perhaps even more, and then eventually settled on two.”
“I wanted to do 3, 4, and 5 and there literally just weren’t enough days because we shoot two units. Then I said “4 and 5” and they said, “No, you have to do 3 and 5.” What I really like about 3, 4, and 5 is they’re a complete piece with a beginning middle and end. I try to approach all these [episodes] like they’re one. Like in season 6, [episodes 9 and 10, “The Battle of the Bastards” and “The Winds of Winter”], were to me one thing. Yes, there was talk of that. Thank god it didn’t happen. I would be so dead right now.”
“Can you give me a sense of the amount of work you’ve done?”
“I’ve been working on it since June of 2017. I’m shooting for seven and a half months, which is like 130 days, which is longer than most of the big movies that get made. So in terms of the amount of work, it’s been six- and seven-day weeks, 16-to-18 hour days and, yeah, it’s a lot. I knew that was a lot when I came on board. I felt more confident because I’ve got a format now for how to approach [the episodes] and break them down into pieces. As usual, the scripts are bigger than what we actually end up making. The process of whittling it down took longer this time. Because David and Dan wanted everything. We all want everything but we were up against the reality of what we could achieve in the time we had. The thing I’ve put the most hours into was is how, in episode 3, how to not have an audience feel battle fatigue. After 20 minutes of watching a battle, you’re over it. So how do you stop it from being a battle in that sense?”
“And the action is around an hour I’ve heard?”
“I hope not more.* It feels for me at some point you exhaust an audience. For my reference point I watched [The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers] because the siege is a 40-minute sequence, but it’s actually three different battles in three different places intercut. That was the biggest thing I could think of that was contemporary. I was trying to get a sense of when do you tire out. I think we’re going to blow past that. It feels like the only way to really approach it properly is take every sequence and ask yourself: “Why would I care to keep watching?” One thing I found is the less action — the less fighting — you can have in a sequence, the better. We also switch genres. There’s suspense and horror and action and drama and we’re not stuck in killing upon killing because then everybody gets desensitized and it doesn’t mean anything.”
I am 100% not ready for Brienne to die. I will be devastated if this occurs. Over the last week I have just about managed to convince myself that she will not. I have decided to hold out hope for Brienne = YAMBQ.
100% dead IMO: Beric, Jorah, and either Missandei or Grey Worm (tossup on which). I think that might be all to be honest.
Up in the air: Bran, Theon, Tormund, and Edd. These are where the heartbreak will be.
Regarding the length of the BoW, Hibberd said the action is
Jack Bauer 24,
They’ve listed it as 82 minutes
Or do u mean just the battle portion?
Anyway, Hype
I keep racking my anguished brain for some way to defeat the NK. I truly believe it will go down in the Godswood with Bran, Jon and possibly dragons involved. There’s got to be a wild card though. The plan as laid out was too staid. The NK is far too powerful and death incarnate does not walk into a trap. I still feel that Jon will somehow defeat the NK with the aid of Bran but we’ll have to wait and see how things go down on Sunday!
I am so NOT ready. Last week was a breath to say farewell… we just don’t know yet to whom!
I fear for Brienne. Glorious death holding the flank would prove her worthy of the knighting only a few witnessed. And those few:
The Hand to the Queen
The Hand to the King / Warden (psst… actual King)
The tarnished knight whose oathbreaking actually saved thousands
A (admittedly insane) warrior who loves her madly for exactly who she is
A squire who swore himself to her knowing she could never Knight him because she would ‘never’ be knighted
Definitely oath sex. Who among us will ever reach that pinnacle of acheiveing our hearts desires?
But then again, I fear for them all. I’ll watch eps 1 & 2 again Saturday to try to say goodbye again. Which is why I am so not ready for this…
Jack Bauer 24,
I think they wanted Sapochnik to do 5 because it will be an important episode.
Juri,
With Theon in Winterfell and Yara back on the Iron Islands, with only a few ships left according to Theon, I think Euron’s downfall won’t be to do with either of them and will instead be part of the general King’s Landing conclusion.
Theon will probably die in The North and Yara will hold the Iron islands. It’s worth noting that Gemma Whelan had a baby right around the time of filming, so her role may be deliberately limited similar to Carice van Houten last season, who was in the same situation.
Euron already told Yara that he’ll sail his fleet away and abandon Cersei if the tide turns against her. And The Mountain was giving Euron the evil eye in Episode 1. I think they’re building towards Euron’s downfall coming at the hands of Cersei.
If she gets wind of him planning to abandon her then he’s useless to her anyway. She could kill him and seize his fleet.
howtathor,
I would be surprised if they defeat him in this episode.
I am so not ready, but I also can’t wait to watch this!
Jack Bauer 24,
Thanks for the great article, Jack Bauer. I hope this is better than Helm’s Deep because I got so over that after about 15 minutes!
Catspaw Assassin,
And Catspaw, you are so right. Djawadi’s score is going to be amazing. I’m not sure he can top the Light of the Seven, but if anyone can, it is Djawadi!
Idk if u guys saw, but on HBO Go official runtime of episode 4 iz 78 minutes! 🙂
If episodes 4,5, and 6 are all part of a “complete piece with a beginning, middle, and end” then I would assume that the AOTD won’t be defeated entirely in episode 3. If they were defeated in episode 3, then I would have to think episode 3 would be a fairly self-contained episode. The beginning, middle, and end would all be within episode 3.
I’m really at a loss on who wins the Battle for Winterfell. There’s some evidence that points both ways.
We saw during filming that Winterfell burns, which pretty much made everyone assume that the living side would lose this battle and the dead would win.
However, if the AOTD wins, how would the living escape without losing just about everyone? The only way to survive would be by escape via the two dragons. Everyone else would simply get run down and killed otherwise. That would realistically only leave about 10-12 people alive. It’s hard to believe that the living side would be much of a threat to Cersei if they’ve only got about 10-12 people left.
The only way I can see more than 10-12 people surviving is if the AOTD loses or battles to some kind of draw, with the remaining AOTD forces heading to KL afterwards.
There are approximately 3-4 scenes from the trailers that we haven’t seen yet.
One is a shot of Sansa in the daytime, looking like she’s on the battlements of Winterfell, but it’s hard to tell.
There’s also a shot of Tyrion in the daytime, which looks to me to be in the Winterfell courtyard, but I could be wrong.
There’s no way there would be any siting of the living at Winterfell after the battle for another day unless they win.
However, there’s also a shot in a different trailer of Jon and Dany at what appears to be Dragonstone. Why would they go to Dragonstone unless they had to flee Winterfell?
Also, if the AOTD and the NK are defeated in episode 3, I would really have to wonder what the point of the AOTD was in the first place. A momentary distraction that thins out the remaining characters for the end game with Cersei? There has to be more to the AOTD than a momentary distraction in the final season.
It sounds like 3, 4, 5 are more of a complete piece, rather then 4, 5, 6. 6 will probably be it’s own beast since it’s the finale. Sapochnik would have directed 3, 4, 5 if there was enough time.
It was a beautiful love scene – so much more than just sex.
Ramsay’s 20th Good Man,
Agreed. I only suggested Yara taking down Euron to show that Theon is not the only to have a beef with their uncle. I usually don’t follow the private life of the actors so I was unaware of Gemma Whelan’s having a baby at the time of the shooting. I guess we won’t see her again in the show? Or maybe in a brief scene in the aftermath?
I really prefer this scenario to the one having Theon or Yara getting revenge on their uncle.
Jack Bauer 24,
Thanks for the link! I also thought those quotes were interesting.
“What I really like about 3, 4, and 5 is they’re a complete piece with a beginning middle and end.”
Very interesting. I don’t expect everything to be resolved the next episode with regard to the Night King & AotD so I’m assuming Ep. 4 deals with the aftermath and Ep.5 retaliation and perhaps additional help from the Reeds … and potentially the Golden Company if they decide to fight for Jon and/or Dany instead.
“One thing I found is the less action — the less fighting — you can have in a sequence, the better. We also switch genres. There’s suspense and horror and action and drama and we’re not stuck in killing upon killing because then everybody gets desensitized and it doesn’t mean anything.”
I do recall in a previous Hibberd interview that they didn’t want the episode to be purely battle but that they would cut to different perspectives and storylines which is nice. I think I would be tired of watching a full on battle sequence for more than an hour.
Jack Bauer 24,
I meant 3, 4, and 5. Oops.
As far as casualties for episode 3 go, here are the characters that I think will 100% die this Sunday:
Theon Greyjoy/Stark
Yohn Royce
Jorah Mormont
Alys Karstark
Beric Dondarrion
Edd Tollett
There are many other characters that I suspect will die too, but not 100% certain.
You’re not alone. I think along the same lines. What does intrigue me is, what is Bran’s role? He’s been set up as the NK’s target and vitally important in the war against the dead, but up to now, he hasn’t actually done anything of consequence to demonstrate, at least to the audience, why he matters. He’s identified Jon’s parentage, nothing else. Neither has he come up with any plan of how to defeat the NK and his army. So why is he so important?
All I can imagine is that he wargs into Viserion or the wights and takes control. Surely something must happen during episode 3 to reveal why the 3ER matters at all. Being a “memory” seems a very weak reason.
Mr Derp,
Just an fyi, some of us avoided those articles about filming because of spoilers. Please use a spoiler code next time 🙈
—–
Also FunkPop animation of The Wall being destroyed 😂:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GJZZNM1eF4
Mr Derp,
I would add Missandei and Gilly to that list.
Anyone else worried about how dark (lighting not tone) it is? I hope we actually get to see what’s going on and not just hear it.
I don’t think they can kill TOO many people without it feeling rushed to give them all proper sendoffs.
100% dead: Edd, Theon, Beric
90%: Jorah, Mel (she will die, but here or KL?)
50%: Brienne, Gendry, Grey Worm, Tormund, Missandei, Pod
Everyone else survives until KL. Hound to see his brother, Varys to get his backstory, Jaime to see Cersei once more, Tyrion because of *spoiler*, Bran because NK will not be dead yet, Bronn because no time in Winterfell, Sansa/Arya are safe, Jon/Dany we know survive Winterfell, Euron safe, Yara safe.
I’m looking forward to finding out who/what Arya is running from.
Same!
I don’t think they will. I’ve been a wreck about my favorites so I’m trying to logic the heck out of this. After this 80 something minute battle there will be 3 more episodes that are also close to an hour and twenty minutes long. For me, that means a couple of things. There are a few more battles ahead and they can’t kill everyone in this one. (Am I at the bargaining stage? Maybe)
It’s obviously going to be bad and the plan will go to hell. I don’t think the living will get a clear win, but with that crew they could dole out some heavy damage. I’d love it if they could knock out most of the white walkers and leave the NK with less than a handful of Craster’s sons. I also still don’t think those crypts are safe.
This battle will be painful and pivotal to what happens to our survivors going forward. This may be Jon and Tormund’s third time fighting the NK but for the rest of Winterfell? Not so much.
Talk about a shock to the system.
Also I keep making death lists and changing my mind, but Brienne is never on any of them.
I was at first and then I started thinking the battle will be even better that it’s at night. Sapochnik wanted a survival horror feeling to it and some of the special effects might even be more spectacular. I also found an app that works wonders for brightening the screen. I went back and watched some dark scenes and I could see much better. Particularly the Tormund/Beric scene in the premiere.
Jack Bauer 24,
Me too. I’m going to assume it’s Gendry, but it’ll probably just turn out to be some random wights.
Mels’ not in Winterfell now – she was banished from the North in s6 and since then has been seen only at Dragonstone. I assume she’s still in Volantis where she said she’s going.
Me too! There have been so many theories, mostly because of that look on her face.
I hope the Night King and the AOTD are defeated in this episode. I want the human drama to take center stage. I don’t care about the Night King or the White Walkers. To me they aren’t actual characters.
Aaand another Omaze with the hilarious Emilia 😂😂:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwuUg8QFOD9/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1vcqxc0ste4i4
What if the memory the NK wants to erase is the one that can destroy him? We know that Bran still needs a guide in order to focus his memories–Sam asks if the wedding of Jon’s parents was something he can see–so maybe he “has” the key to killing the NK, but doens’t know it. Earlier 3ERs might not have been the chosen one–Bran is a Stark and a warg, so maybe those things factor in.
Tyrion spent some time learning what happened to Bran north of the Wall and, thanks to some bad choices, Tyrion needs redeeming….so why not have Tyrion be the one to find a way to save the living at WF? Maybe the NK dies next Sunday or maybe he dies in episode 5, but I’m betting it’s a Bran/Tyrion/Sam solution to the problem of the AotD and the NK.
End ramble….
Some are theorizing she is using a glamour to appear as the burned face girl. Or that she shows up at some point with an army of R’Hllor followers.
Oh and we also should get an 804 preview at the end of 803! We don’t really have any footage from the back half of the season (besides a couple of quick clips), so that should be interesting.
Mr Derp,
The AOTD can be defeated and the ramifications absolutely can last up until episode 5. But I fear you’re right and the entire final season will now be consumed by a battle against a bunch of non-characters. That would make any potential drama between the humans ridiculous, because they all would have now seen the AOTD in action and they should know not to squabble about who rules what by then.
I’m not worried…I’m just watching in a dark room. The scenes will pop from the TV as long as the room is dark (and the TV is decent).
I am hoping most of the AOTD gets defeated this week and perhaps just the NK and a few survive. The army of humans does have dragon glass and valyrian steel as well as a castle and a large army. The wildlings weren’t so lucky. They weren’t so lucky at Hardhome either. Only Jon had valyrian steel and they lost the dragonglass. They built a ton of dragonglass obstacles around the castle in episode 2. So I do have some hope that a large part of the AOTD could be defeated this week. I can’t see that the NK wouldn’t show up at all for the battle. I’ve read some of the theories that he may just avoid WF. But, if he’s after Bran, then why would he bother going to KL? It’s not like he could take Cersei hostage and Bran would go to rescue Cersei!! I can’t see a reason that the NK would avoid going after Bran now. Where else would the NK need to go?
The biggest power of the AOTD is that they can overwhelm their oppenents with their numbers. I am hoping they don’t add too many from the army of the humans to their numbers. I’m not predicting who will make it other than I believe Arya, Jon, and Jaime will make it…and most likely Dany will make it… There is a slight possibility that Tyrion’s facetious words will come true and Tyrion will become a Wight to go kill Cersei, but I honestly think he will make it too…. Everyone else is anyone’s guess.
QueenofThrones,
I know, but shes coming back and is going to fight the NK… just dont know if its in WF or KL.
Thing is, Jaime said it himself last week.
“She (Cersei) has Euron Greyjoy’s fleet and 20,000 fresh troops. The Golden Company from Essos, bought and paid for. Even if we defeat the dead, she’ll have more than enough to destroy the survivors.”
I feel like the AOTD has to last past episode 3, otherwise it seems hard to believe that the remaining living characters could defeat Cersei. I think Euron’s fleet and the Golden Company would need to be wightified. KL will be under siege by the AOTD until someone can find the NK’s self-destruct button.
See, that’s more like what I think could happen. Not complete defeat of NK but they have basically all the Valyrian steel on the show at Winterfell right now, along with most of the dragonglass. So I think it would be great if they decimate most of Craster’s sons aka the White Walkers, and it knocks out a large chunk of their undead army.
I doubt it will be a total victory and we’ll suffer huge casualties, but I’d love them to do some real damage to the NK, make him angry and give everyone a chance to regroup and end the threat for good.
This is episode 3 and then there are three more. I do not expect a final solution to the NK problem at this point (that is, victory for the living) because then I have no idea how they are going to do 3 more episodes with the limited interest presented by Cersei and her quasi-nameless supporters. So it will either be a draw (which will be kind of weird, I think), or a defeat for the living, but in that case I cannot imagine how the survivors will escape.
The only scenario that makes sense is that the living win, but not definitely. I mean, they win this battle, but the Night King does not show up or he leaves the battle early on, together with his lieutenants or most of them, so the living overcome only the mindless orks that stay behind.
In any case, I am very much afraid that characters such as Tormund, Edd or Podrick, even Jorah and possibly Greyworm are toast.
But, as I think I have already said, don’t you dare touch my Knight of the 7 kingdoms or my favourite apprentice maester!
Luka Nieto,
Yep. And Tormund would have “knighted” Ser Brienne “ten times over” if he could. 😉
Unless you defeat the NK completely, he will just raise a new army. Sure, there won’t be as many WW, but still, unless you burn tens of thousands of corpses, you are still fucked.
There is no room for human drama or conflict while they are still battling the Night King. The time to end the AOTD is now. They have their army. They have their dragons and weapons needed to fight them. Just finish it and get back to the character drama that is the heart of the story.
Would Arya’s death in 8.03 provide a logical end to her story arc? She’s come home, embracing who she is. She felt physical love for the first time. She’s fulfilled her duty by protecting her family. She’s never wanted to go on as a princess. She still owes The Faceless God a death.
On the other hand, she may have business left in K.L., killing Cersie and/or The Mountain. If Jon dies, she may need to be alive to witness it as she’s the one who loves Jon the most and her witness would provide the most emotional resonance for the viewers. As a longshot, she may even be carrying the Stark/Baratheon baby who could be the PtwP.
I think, like so many characters, it’s a coin-flip. I feel like I’m more bullish on the possibility of her death than most…
Ice Hunter,
Maybe. Makes sense although as I said he’s supposed to be vital to the war, and as yet we’ve seen nothing to support that. His ability to warg I expect to play a part, at least in trying to wrest some control away from the NK.
Were there any other substantive casting calls other than the Harry Strickland one? If Mel is going to return with any supporting characters that speak or have even minor parts, I think we would have heard something during the casting phase.
You’re not seeing human drama? Dany lost a dragon to the undead and she’s still talking about the throne and stopping to fight “Jon’s War”.
Jon just found out he got yet another surprise promotion and he slept with his aunt.
Cersei and Euron are still out there, plotting and scheming.
Jaime is finally following his heart.
Tyrion is trying to avoid losing his title and getting dragon burn.
Sansa is all “What about the North?”
and Bronn was hired to kill the Lannister brothers.
There’s a lot of human drama going on.
It’s not the same kind of drama as the machinations at KL or the betrayals at the Red Wedding. But it’s still so prevalent I’ve yelled at my tv during both episodes. “An army of the dead is coming, people! Sort your priorities!”
But they just don’t listen lol
JohnnyLaw,
No. Arya and Sansa survive the series. Much more likely Jon or Bran die.
I am thinking that Winterfell will fall on Sunday to lead the grand ending for the last episode i.e. Battle of Kings Landing. I believe Dany, Sansa, Jon, Tyrion will live to see end. Bryn will end Night King mysteriously. If Cersei dies then she will lure Night King to become Queen. So I guess she will be alive and will be defeated by all her soldiers being dead or by her soldiers changing the allegiance. There will be no 7 kingdoms henceforth. Its freeworld, so North will be ruled by Sansa and rest will be ruled by Tyrion.
RG,
Yes I agree it’s likely the AOTD gets greatly decimated but the NK remains. I don’t know how they will deal with the NK’s ice dragon Viserion. I supposed there will be some dragon dog fighting? I can see Bran warging into Vesirion somehow or at least Warging into one of the dragons. The biggest threat though is the ice dragon from above the castle, especially if the other dragons are closer to bran in the gods wood.
Ryan,
I’m just not sure that more than one Stark survives this story…
We really have to give it to HBO, D&D, Cogman, etc. for putting us all on pins and needles for this coming episode. They’ve done an amazing job making everyone both excited for and dreading it. I know I am!
Of those that have a potential do die, the three that would hit me hardest in 8×03 would be Brienne, Gendry and Theon, followed by Grey Worm, Missandei, Tormund, and Jorah. Brienne has me the most worried because I really don’t want her to die, but..
Another thought that has come to my mind is that Bran probably will need to die by the end of the series. 🙁 If Sam’s role at the end of this is to write down the story of Ice and Fire, it would place much more importance on that if Bran/3ER is no longer around as the living memory of the world. In other words, the NK succeeds in killing this living memory, but humanity will find another way to keep the memory (and songs) alive for posterity. I don’t think he’ll die in 8×03, but by the end I think he will. And that will leave Arya and Sansa as the last two true-born Starks (potentially with a wee little baby Arya to keep the family going?).
JohnnyLaw,
Well the two girls are the only ones who’ve gotten “the pack survives” lines in their story. And if Bran is sincere about “I’m not Bran. Not really.” Then there are technically only two of them left. Two out of a family of seven, including Ned and Cat. So I can see them both surviving, though if I had to choose one I’d pick Arya to make it to the end.
I didn’t include Jon since he’s a Stargaryen. 🙂
RG,
If the PtwP has Stark blood, then I’d argue that would qualify as a +1. And I appreciate “the pack survives” quote as it’s obviously important to the story, but pack could refer to the pack bloodline as much as the individual wolves that fight for their “pack’s” survival… The mother dire wolf, possibly (likely?) the last of her “pack,” died – but arguably her “pack” did survive through her pups.
The pack fights for survival through winter so their pups can be born in the spring…
JohnnyLaw,
A dream of spring puppies 🙂
I get that. I still don’t want any more Starks to die. They’ve suffered enough.
The Many-Faced Goddess,
I know exactly what you mean, your deityness. The anticipation is awful, I hate sudden shocks and need time to aclimatise to any situation I don’t like. Being in the UK (as you may be too if you’re watching on a Monday) I’m watching Line of Duty on Sunday nights as well. That’s getting so tense I nearly had heart failure last week. Lucky for me the two final episodes aren’t the same week or I’d need medical help on permanent standby 😬
RG,
Yup, you’re at the bargaining stage, I think we probably all are *pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease let A and B die instead of C and D*
Chilli,
Aaagghhh I’d not thought of the possibility of killing someone and them almost instantly coming back as a wight and killing you. That’s another layer of worry. 1001% reading everything I can lay my hands on before watching this one while I still have some nerves left!
Once episode 6 is over I’m going to need a very long lie down!
Lulus Mum,
I’m gonna take the day off. Don’t think I’ll be able to go to work. For me in Belgium the episodes air at 3 AM on monday morning.
I don’t think the battle with the Night King ends at winterfell. What about the wildfire at king’s landing?
All this worry is making me start to worry.
Stop it!
Or I will shove you all through the moon door. I mean it!
Hold hands and sing, now. Breathe deeply. Shut your eyes and think of the Summer Isles. It will be all good soon.
I took off Monday too 😃
(applause)
As much as OTHER people like Lyanna M. for some reason, if there has to be a choice for who continues House Mormont, wouldn’t nearly everyone choose Jorah? That’s probably not what anyone thinks is a probable scenario. Personally I would prefer show!Jorah to finish the story as Lord of Bear Island regardless of what happens to Daenerys or anyone else. If Lyanna has to survive… well, I know a lady at Horn Hill named Melessa Florent Tarly that could use a good man. He’s already carrying the family sword… Hmm, maybe I prefer that… 😆
Chilli, Jack Bauer 24,
I can’t take the next couple of Mondays off but will do for the last episode and 5 too if I can get away with it. It’s not just the characters who have to make elaborate plans, us dedicated fans do too. I do envy people who can watch at a reasonable time on Sunday evenings. I’ve had to get used to screaming at the tv very quietly if I’m able to watch the first showing live.
I’ve been going back and forth on most characters’ survival chances all week, but currently I have 13 of the 26 named characters at Winterfell dying this episode:
Jaime
Theon
Jorah
Lyanna
Beric
Pod
Edd
Grey Worm
Missandei
Gendry
Yohn Royce
Alys Karstark
Maester Wolkan
Many of these I would love to be wrong about, but i’ll be happy enough if Nymeria shows up to give Ghost a helping hand during the chaos.
Good point! There is one major character we have not seen at all and she must be in the 2nd half of the season. Maybe she will not be in the preview either? I am fully expecting some major surprises in episodes 4 and 5, especially in terms of characters , some we may no have seen before. At this point 4,5 and 6 are very mysterious.
Lulus Mum,
I am doing the same. My family is having a late Passover Seder (only day we all could get together) and the tv will be off. Like I need some info before I can watch this (I turn to the back of books sometimes when I am too anxious) so I’ll read about it when we get home, then watch. Crazy but it works for me
ash,
I admire your restraint.
hexonx,
Beric said that it was the hour of the Lord of Light and could have said more, if Sandor didn’t shut him down. So, there’s a good setup for the red priest to show up and save the day. I think the army of the dead will be destroyed but the Night King will escape on his dragon to land in King’s Landing in Ep 5. I aslo think that this will be orchestrated by Tyrion: that somehow he will find a way to turn the Night King against Cersei. Dany said she made Tyrion her hand not only because he was good, but also because he was wise and ruthless, when necessary and Tyrion himsef was developing a plan of killing Cersei after his death. Based on that, I bet that he will be the valonqar, not Jaime.
So what’s to happen?
I hope that it’s not as simple and ridiculous as the Aotd will be defeated in 1 episode even if it’s 90 mins. Just would seem too cheap. So I am going with 3. Big battle. 4 decisive victory 5. Kingslanding 6. Summation.
As far is deaths this next episode:
Grey worm/missandei
Podrick
Theon
Berric
Gendry
Edd
Ghost
Davos
Tormund
Varys
Ice Hunter,
Tyrion spent some time learning what happened to Bran north of the Wall and, thanks to some bad choices, Tyrion needs redeeming….so why not have Tyrion be the one to find a way to save the living at WF?
I was wondering the same thing. In ep 2, Tyrion first says “so, we’re going to die in WF” (to Jamie). Then, in the chimney scène, he says “I think we may live (…) I really do”. In between, he talked to Bran, so, may be. Or wine is just good for his spirits. Or he is just a GoT fans’ comment thread.
It’s the first time I post here—this is a wonderful and lively community and I have great fun reading both the main posts and many of the comments. Thanks to all. 🙂
My wife is a writer. And, as you know, writers (especially writers of speculative fiction, aka scifi and fantasy) have a very twisted mind. We have been discussing what is about to happen in the next episode and her idea kind of boggled me, especially since I don’t remember seeing this come forward before… (i.e. I’m panicking!)
The NK is not in Winterfell. He is flying on his Viserion zombie (damn the moment he was killed and turned—it doomed the North*) and is going to attack King’s Landing, leaving his horse-riding White Walkers to destroy Winterfell. His plan is to turn the Golden Company’s army (thousands of bodies, in good shape) into his second white army. His end goal is to have two huge armies: one in the North, one in the South. If that happens, Westeros people are doomed. Of course, the attack to KL will result in the general destruction of the Red Keep (thus Dany’s Season 2 vision of a destroyed Great Hall). Not sure Cersei (or Qyburn) will survive.
Meanwhile, after a horrible battle, the (rare?) survivors** of the Winterfell battle will be in a pickle trying to plot some comeback in horrible situation.
*Again love doomed the story. In this case, Dany going beyond the wall to save Jon (and Jorah), after Jon suggested (such a stupid idea!) getting a wight to convince Cercei to join them (yeah, sure). Something we saw before—in Westeros many wars start with love actions (Rhaegar & Lyanna; Cercei & Jaime…). Losing Viserion to the NK might have been the BIGGEST mistake ever—we haven’t really seen the full consequences yet and people in Winterfell seem a bit oblivious to NK + White Viserion.
**Hopefully there will be some, including Dany and perhaps Jon; maybe Tyrion, Bran, Brienne, Sansa and Arya. I wish for Jorah and Varys too, but that would be too optimistic. But really: who knows!
TheWalkingWolf,
Ack, not Ghost..! 🙁 That would be horrible. I also forgot about Podrick. That’s actually pretty likely, and it will hurt!
Also, on the topic of Ghost, I’m excited but scared about Nymeria showing up with her wolf pack to help out (probably saving Arya). But that could very well mean Nymeria goes down, and that would super hurt as well..
All week long. And I love it!
Chilli,
I thought that too, even with her waking up and noticing he is already wighted. And she will be the one to kill him
Was definitely one of the purest expressions of love I’ve ever seen in a television series. Can’t stop thinking about it. Might be a defining moment for me. Love love love what Cogman, Nutter, GC and NCW accomplished with that scene.
Juri,
Funny because I usually do not have that trait – but when it comes to stories that make me anxious, I check first. It will still break my heart but at least I see whats coming and I can read/watch without covering my eyes 🙂
Just to agree. It was a defining moment. A love story for the ages.
Watching that preview again, I think I’ve figured out what Dany means when she looks at Jon and says “the dead are already here.” Dany and John are hiding out, waiting for the Knight King to take the Bran-bait so they can go after him directly. I suspect the NK didn’t show up with the rest of his army and Dany is advocating for them to take the Dragons into battle against the undead who are already attacking Winterfell in that scene.
Agreed.
ash,
I accidentaly ruined the Red Wedding for myself… I said never again.
It was, but, like Jenny, I can’t bear their death and, as if I had any control, I’m trying to picture as much happiness they can get before just to diminish the loss.
I’m not good at predicting, but now I refuse to predict anyone’s death.
I must be the only person who thought ep 2 was horrible.
cannot wait for these final episodes.
I have a strong feeling we have seen the point of the wildfire at KL. We saw Cersei use it to destroy the Sept, which was what Bran saw in his vision. I know there should be more of it, but I think that storyline is done.
Lulus Mum,
Hello, Mother of Cats, good to “see” you! What a nice way to sweeten impending death of faves (cake, I mean) and what a mature attitude to expect the worst. I’m doing it myself, but when tragedy strikes I find it useless. Lots of work for me these days, but I can’t concentrate, because my mind is stuck on GOT.
Problem with that then is AeJon and Dany don’t wait very long for NK to show. I mean for the bait plan to work, you have to give it time. AotD should be attacking right away, so that doesn’t line up. They’re not going to just hide out while WF is attacked, but WF is attacked from the beginning. They can’t think NK was going to instantly show. That comment from Dany doesn’t make much sense yet, because they already know the dead are there from the 3 horn blasts…
Right. That part of the plan for me was always sketchy as far as Dany and Jon holding back to wait for NK.
Jon knows the NK’s style is directing from a distance. He’s never been in the thick of things before, and they rarely see him until they are surrounded by the dead.
Jon might be trying to look at the bigger picture and the end game as well as protecting Bran, but how long will they be able to hold out when all those people are under attack?
NK is not impatient and he’s got some foresight of his own. He’s going to wait for them to get distracted and emotional or overrun, and then he’ll take what he wants.
I do worry about those white walkers with dragon killing spears though. Someone should kill them first.
As far as Dany’s comments, Jon could be saying, “We have to wait for the NK”
“But the dead are already here” and “killing everyone we know”
So impatient, can’t wait !
ash,
I have a hard time seeing why they would bring back Gendry, Robert Baratheon’s only known surviving son, for that kind of end. I hope not.
Absolutely! All week long. I love how that line totally encapsulates how both the viewers and the characters feel in those final moments before battle. We would stay there forever if we could, but they have to front up & go to war against seemingly insurmountable odds.
My predictions for who will be dead, from most likely to least:
Definitely dead: Edd, Ghost, Alys Karstark, Beric. Plus all those nameless kids and plebs, the entirety of the Night’s Watch, all the Wildlings, the Ironborn, etc.
One of the two is definitely dead: Jaime and Brienne; Grey Worm and Missandei.
Outlived their usefulness and outlook is very bleak: Gendry, Davos, Varys, Tormund, Jorah, Theon.
Probably going to be fine: Dany, the Hound, Gilly and Little Sam, Bran, Lord Royce, Lyanna Mormont, Sam.
Got way too much plot armour: Sansa, Arya, Jon, Tyrion.
Get hype! I love how HBO is revving up the Ice and Fire (Jon and Dany) drama!
I’d say both of these should be considered in the category of “outlived their usefulness.” If Gendry, Davos, Varys, Tormund, Jorah, Theon are on your list as such… Those two have little to no reason to be in the story any further, and have had little up until now. A suggestion that Lyanna has to live for House Mormont isn’t very strong imo either (see other Houses decimated).
I’m curious that in the preview there was a statement by Bran in winterfell sitting with Sam says you finally made it where you were home or something like that who was he talking to and i don’t recall seeing that scene Do you think it will be in the next episode.
I think it’ll be in the second half of the season. Bran talking to AeJon in KL.
Not remotely ready. Won’t be, either. I’ll find out who dies before I watch it. Generally I stick with “ER’ONE GONNA DIE” for good measure. Oog.
Jack Bauer 24,
But Jon has always been of the North. Do you think KL would ever really be “home” to him? I don’t.
“Home” because he’s Aegon Targaryen, rightful heir to the Iron Throne.
Hopefully Bran told Tyrion about the way out of the crypts!
Clob,
They could easily kill off either Lyanna or Royce, but I don’t think it would be a smart move to do so.
Who is Lord Protector of the Vale? In my opinion, it’s already unacceptable that Dorne and Highgarden are apparently leaderless when these would be big issues in Westerosi society. Royce is the only thing preventing the Vale from being in similar limbo, since we know Robyn is utterly inept and going to be seized by whatever hungry lords are lurking around.
In regards to Lyanna, she’s the only recognisable face of the North right now. It would be a little too easy to just let Sansa have it all her own way. I’m still hoping there’ going to be something resembling negotiation or compromise to come. That said, I suspect I’m hoping in vain. I also think that one of Lyanna or Jorah should survive. I cautiously think it’s Lyanna.
I agree though, chances are the writers won’t care at all, will kill off whoever they like for a cheap spectacle, and won’t bother answering any questions as to who actually holds power now or comes out top in a tangled web of house loyalties and ambitions.
…. This is one of the reasons why I never liked the White Walker plot. Game of Thrones is much weaker when it abandons its carefully laid out politics.
This is true. The white walkers are a bit of a smear on the whole series. But now that they are in it, we have to see it through with as much dignity as possible.
No, I’m not ready.
After all the heartbreaking character moments in S8E2, just to reinforce why we love them all, why I don’t want any of them die, I’m not ready.
Seven hells, I don’t even want Cersei to die, I love to hate her, I want her to get her elephants.
I don’t know if I can stay up till 2am to watch this one. Watching the horror (both of the emotional and terrifying variety) alone at 2am after drinking wine is maybe not such a wise choice! But I can’t risk being spoiled before watching. Agh, I think I’m just going to have to be brave and do it!
I’m also not ready for this season to be half over after Sunday’s episode. After years of waiting, it all boils down to five short weeks. Not ready for this to be over at all!!
Che,
I feel for you. I feel for me. S8E3 becomes available at 4am Monday morning in my country.
I’ll go to bed early, as usual. I’m a natural early riser, so I’ll wake up soon after 5am. Can’t go back to sleep because I know the episode is there to be streamed. Thankfully, the sun won’t rise until 5.25am so with my blinds and dark curtains, it might be dark enough to see the dark stream on my tablet (laptop is worse, phone better but small screen.) Then I’ll watch it again. Unfortunately no wine until Monday evening for the third watch. I’m supposed to get some work done on the Monday. I probably won’t, I’ll be an emotional wreck. I was after the beautiful second episode.
Danni will let Jamie die at some point which is the reason Tyrion betrays her later. At least this would make sense to me as Tyrion betraying Danni is a 90% truth spoiler.
I would join you watching if you were close by.
Remember Jamie got paid for 4 episodes.
If only you spelled the names of the characters right… Though, I give you, 1 out of 3 is fairly well, so lends some credence to your prediction.
I think that was an error and Nikokaj was paid for the entire season.
In case I am too verklempt tomorrow to post:
Whoever winds up dead, thank you for years of entertainment; you’ve done an outstanding job.
Che,
It’ll be a 2am viewing for me too (UK viewer). Luckily, working with family i’m able to inform them well in advance that working mondays during Thrones season is completely off the table!
So far i’ve managed to resist the temptation of a strong drink to accompany the viewing – that trend will not continue with episode 3!!
Che,
Same here. It will be 2 am when the HBO streaming begins. Luckily I’m a night owl and I can sleep in the morning. And I definitely do NOT want to wait and be spoiled.
Not sure I can avoid drinking—while sobbing while watching beloved characters dying. 😭
I’ll be at some small Indie flick called “Avengers” (you wouldn’t have heard of it) when the show airs, so I’ll be watching it after the rest of you….
Jaime will be killed by a Queen, but it will be Cersei. She’ll be dying at about the same time…
No Name Lurker (aka NNL),
Welcome!!!
Does your writer wife have any brilliant ideas concerning Qyburn? Given his immediate curiosity about the wight’s arm, I’ve been wondering if he’s working on a cure for wightification.
Wolfish,
Hee this is also interesting re the comment on the other post suggesting that someone remove bran’s mark by his arm There is likely more going on there, but with Qyburn’s interes in the wrights arm…he might be just our man LOL
I predict Arya will die. She seems the character most likely to me – her character isn’t really needed to go forward. They show her running through the crypt. We’ll see if I’m right. I also read a prediction where the knight king is going to King’s landing to fight there. I predict this episode will end with half his army, the dragon and the knight king entering king’s landing. Again we’ll see if I’m right.
JohnnyLaw,
Arya hasn’t met Melisandre yet. She hasn’t used the magical Dagger yet? She hasn’t given anyone (especially Sandor) the Mercy yet? Is she now pregnant? And…there’s S7 foreshadowing for her survival (Hot Pie, the show’s Wise Fool). AND there’s always west of Westeros. And I don’t think she owes the MFG a death…but I’m not sure.
anon,
In addition to what I wrote to JohnnyLaw that shows she has considerable important scenes to come. there is now a serious #ForTheThrones reason she must stay alive: we shouldn’t overlook the possibility that Arya is now carrying Gendry’s baby. I consider it a likelihood.
I am ‘expecting’ most of the named characters above … Brienne, Theon, Beric, Edmund, Pod, Gendry, to die. They seem ‘affordable’ to lose before an Endgame
.. but as sad as I would be to see them go, that wouldn’t be shocking to me.
Everyone keeps talking about their story-arcs aren’t finished, but I would have said the same about Catelyn, Blackfish, Littlefinger..
What would Really shock me is if Jamie or Arya die this episode.. We give them plot-armor but do they Really have it?
To me, this series has always had 8 safe characters.. Dany, Jon, Arya, Bran, Sansa, Tyrion, Jamie, Cersei …but we can’t keep them all til the Endgame. :o(
The crypts won’t be safe but I hate the idea of the dead Starks being turned into Wights. There are too many ways that doesn’t make sense.
However, there are secret passages in and out of the crypts. What if Wight Hodor was able to find his way in and lead the Wights into the crypts?
My guesses for deaths: Theon, Jorah, Edd, Tormund, Beric, Greyworm and Varys.
Stacia,
Ork ..you reminded me.
The ‘Crypts’ will obviously be the final downfall of Winterfell… But I didn’t see anyone mention Varys as a likely death.
Think this is definate and we will see his Wight, thus giving us an Ice Spider :o)
Now there’s a word that isn’t used nearly enough!!!
A lot of people are expecting too many character deaths, imo. It’s getting a bit nuts.
Also, all the talk about ‘arcs’ … sigh. It’s become an overused – often misapplied – term. Did Ned complete his arc? Sometimes characters just die and sometimes characters just live. And that’s it.
Now that I’ve got that off my chest … let’s enjoy the great storytelling and great filmmaking to come. Fingers crossed for Theon in the godswood!
Thanks!
No ideas from my wife re: Qyburn, I’m afraid. But I’m inclined to agree with you—Qyburn might play an interesting role on fighting the wights. In fact I’m very curious about what will happen in KL during all this turmoil.
I would state the opposite: these are characters that need to be there at Endgame.
Ned didn’t have an arc. He was, after all, only a faux protagonist. And, yes, those characters that have arcs need some completion to those arcs. This is a story: and in stories, things should not be arbitrary. (If you want arbitrary, then stick to non-fiction!)
He did. He successfully protected Jon against Robert’s wrath.
That could be pretty important: Jon has learned that the most honorable man that ever existed (in his mind) had to “stoop” to dishonorable actions in order to do the least dishonorable thing. I will be really surprised if this does not affect Jon hugely at the climax. (But, then, I’ve been banging the “Robert’s Rebellion is foreshadowing for the SoI&F story” drum for a while now!)
Well I think this is one of the top three episodes of GOT of all time. The sheer tension, cinematography, direction and acting was out of this world.