On our next episode, a podcast will meet to discuss “The Queen’s Justice” and look ahead to “Spoils of War” — now with the perspective of extra days and secondary viewings. Needless to say, there are things that must be discussed.
After the cut you’ll find three questions we’ve asked ourselves, and will be disputing as the show records. Are you ready for Spoils of War?!
Listen to “The Queen’s Justice” here.
What do you believe?
1. What did Melisandre mean when she told Varys “I have to die in this strange country, just like you”? What will she do in Volantis?
2. Will we see a wedge develop between Cersei and Jaime this season? Both Euron Greyjoy and the new Olenna revelation could cause a rift between the two siblings. Or, is their alliance as strong as ever?
3. Bran tells Sansa he needs to talk to Jon. What is Bran so eager to reveal to Jon? What does Bran’s return to Winterfell mean for the North?
BONUS: Will Jon and Daenerys find common ground? If so, how?
That’s it. Let us know what and why in the comments below! Make sure to listen for your thoughts, theories, and input once this episode is released.
Lady Olenna!
1. What did Melisandre mean when she told Varys “I have to die in this strange country, just like you”? What will she do in Volantis?
She menas that Varys will die in S8. She will meet with Kinvara in Volantis.
2. Will we see a wedge develop between Cersei and Jaime this season? Both Euron Greyjoy and the new Olenna revelation could cause a rift between the two siblings. Or, is their alliance as strong as ever?
Yes. We already saw it at the end of last seasons and its getting stronger this year.
3. Bran tells Sansa he needs to talk to Jon. What is Bran so eager to reveal to Jon? What does Bran’s return to Winterfell mean for the North?
He wants to tell him about his mother and father.His return means that the North has powerful person on their side in the war against the WW.
1. What did Melisandre mean when she told Varys “I have to die in this strange country, just like you”? What will she do in Volantis?
– She seems more confident than ever. Could die of old age in Westeros… prob not however. I can’t picture Varys getting into a dangerous situation so he could die of some sort collateral damage. Dragon Fire maybe?
2. Will we see a wedge develop between Cersei and Jaime this season? Both Euron Greyjoy and the new Olenna revelation could cause a rift between the two siblings. Or, is their alliance as strong as ever?
– Between Jamie’s relationships with his little bro and Breanne I think he’s done with Cersei in Episode 6 or 7. Thrones foreshadowes so much. Even him staring at her in bed last episode said a lot.
3. Bran tells Sansa he needs to talk to Jon. What is Bran so eager to reveal to Jon? What does Bran’s return to Winterfell mean for the North?
– Eager to reveal r+j. I hope Bran has a lot more dialogue. Post up at the head of the table and tell Winterfell some wicked!
BONUS: Will Jon and Daenerys find common ground? If so, how?
– Last time Jon was in a cave if I am not mistaken that episode was called “Kissed by Fire”…. hopefully that is a foreshadow!
Sean,
Some Wicked Stories*
1. I think they (M and V) die in the big war, which she’s already seen. M is going to Volantis to round up the red priestesses to consolidate their magic against the White Walkers, and maybe rally the slaves to support Dany.
2. No. Jamie has proven useless. Plus, it’s clear to me that the writers want Cersie to stick around until the very end (through plot contrivances). So even if Jaime turns on her at some point, it won’t be until the very end of the series.
3. For entertainment purposes, Bran needs to tell Jon that he’s Raegar’s son. But realistically, Bran needs to tell Jon that he can see across time and space, and can control others (at least for a time) by taking over their minds. What it means for the North: not much politically, as Bran doesn’t want to be Lord of Winterfell and Sansa does. But militarily, he’s the best weapon then can have. He could also bring danger with him though, if the Night King targets Bran specifically.
1. What did Melisandre mean when she told Varys “I have to die in this strange country, just like you”? What will she do in Volantis?
She’s definitely coming back with people who can forge Valyrian steel . Sure there’s the long lost rowing champion but he’s 1 man they need more. And I believe she’s coming back with all the red priestesses… the war against the white walkers will require everything they’ve got. As for Varys he isn’t going to live through the winter once Dany goes full Targ and I still believe she will after losing her alliances Varys will question his support … plus with the Jon targ revelation he may switch rulers even if it’s the same side he’s fighting for mostly cuz he does not like Danys alliance with the Red priestesses (daim that word) which will lead to his doom
2. Will we see a wedge develop between Cersei and Jaime this season? Both Euron Greyjoy and the new Olenna revelation could cause a rift between the two siblings. Or, is their alliance as strong as ever?
If he’s captured by Danys forces it may be interesting for him to see things from Tyrions perspective. The Euron Aspect is gonna mess him up big time but he’s Cersies man till the end until she really screws him over
3. Bran tells Sansa he needs to talk to Jon. What is Bran so eager to reveal to Jon? What does Bran’s return to Winterfell mean for the North?
Sorry guys but this 1s obvious R+L=J … I won’t even be surprised if bran says “Jon R+L=J” considering how weird he’s become … dude seems high on tree sap … however there’s also the chance of Bran explaining jons resurrection and the fire wight theory GRRM mentioned before season 7 premiered
In short Brans going to continue to freak the hell outta people
Bonus question : Will Jon and Dany find common ground
Yes it’s called the bed chamber cuz every1 needs a little fire and ice when getting it on
1. She just means that Varys will eventually die in ‘this strange land’ and so will she, even if her death may come much sooner.
2. Yes. Jamie is the Valanqar.
3. He wants to tell Jon that he is half Targaryen and to reveal Jon’s place in bringing about the war for the dawn.
4. Yes. Their common ground will be their growing mutual respect for one another and eventual love.
Only two of these answers is pure speculation.
1. Varys and Melisandre are both fated to die in Westeros but I don’t think it has to be something we see in the series. Her returning to Westeros is something we will see. I think Mel knows this about Varys and she said that to him to rattle him and it worked.
Mel’s mission to Volantis. Is there a leader for this Lord of Light religion, like a pope or something? Could she be going to see that person? Or a central religious center that she may be returning to, like Jerusalem, or Mecca, where she might rest and rejuvenate her faith? And she may just be going to speak with Kinvara and get their prince/princess that was promised straightened out!
2. There may be cracks forming between Cersei and Jamie but I think we have yet to see the event/issue that cracks them apart.
3. Bran needs to tell Jon about a bunch of stuff starting with his parentage, seeing Benjen, and everything he knows about the NK and the long night to come. For the North, I bet this is pretty strange for them to process. Why wouldn’t Bran be Lord of Winterfell and just what is this 3 Eyed Raven thing? But in the long run Bran will be part of what protects them via his visions and insights. Oh, and what about the mark left on Bran by the NK? What impact will that have on the North?
4. Dany and Jon will find a way to work together because strategically they need each other to pursue their individual objectives. I’m wondering if Dany starts to use her dragons in this next episode (or soon) will she have anyone else riding one of the other ones, like Jon?
1. What did Melisandre mean when she told Varys “I have to die in this strange country, just like you”? What will she do in Volantis?
Maybe both their deaths will be a sacrifice to the Red God to try to turn the tide against the dead.
2. Will we see a wedge develop between Cersei and Jaime this season? Both Euron Greyjoy and the new Olenna revelation could cause a rift between the two siblings. Or, is their alliance as strong as ever?
Its just a matter of time before Jaimie learns more from his mistakes.
3. Bran tells Sansa he needs to talk to Jon. What is Bran so eager to reveal to Jon? What does Bran’s return to Winterfell mean for the North?
In the preview at the end of the episode it looks like there might’ve been a shot of the dagger used in the assassination attempt on Bran. I think Littlefinger is in for some trouble since Bran will surely know the truth of his plots and betrayals of the Starks.
1. Melisandre will no doubt inform headquarters that she’s brought together Dany (who literally survived fire) and Jon (who was resurrected from icy death). The prince(s) that were promised. She will rally the faithful to the cause – the “lightbringers’; and that she will be back in Westeros for the fight ahead. In an earlier season, she prophesied that she will see Arya again, so I hope D&D can tie that little loose end.
Varys will die in Westeros – it’s his home, whether of old age or of betrayal.
Dany: “I will roast you alive if you betray me”
Varys: “Duly noted”
2. Yes, their relationship has been weakening for sometime (e.g., burned sept, dead Tommen, Euron’s finger in the bum). At some point, he will realize that Cersie is a disease and that he will no longer be party to her spreading. Olenna sowed the downfall of House Lannister by poisoning Joffrey, and Cersie was too quick to blame Tyrion. The consequences of those actions has led them to this moment.
3. Bran has already abdicated his position. The North means nothing to him. His family really means nothing to him. His responsibilities are bigger. He is beyond the realm of men.
As far as the reveal:
Jon: Bro’, I’m so happy you’re alive!
Bran (aloof as ever): We ain’t bros. We’re cousins.
Jon (brooding, again): I don’t get it.
Bran: I’m the Three Eyed Raven now. Hard to explain.
Jon: Try me.
Bran: L+R=J
Jon: ?
Bran: You know nothing, Jon Snow.
BONUS: Will Jon and Daenerys find common ground? If so, how?
Yes, they’ll find that they both care about their people. That they want to lead well. And that they want to fight the zombie horde together.
Jon is not so much invested in becoming King, he already said so, so it would be easier for him to bend the knee when the time comes. Or easier for Dany to consider him co-regent if they get pass the aunt-nephew incest.
1.) I laughed when Mel said that. he’s been in Westeros longer than Dany’s been alive lol. That’s like someone saying I have am going to die in the town I live in.
2.) If it hasn’t already will it ever? Jaime has two modes: 1.) People berating him about being the king slayer. 2.) Him wanting Cersei then getting mad at her then going back. Would love for him to finally figure out what he wants.
3.) Bran went to AI Mode way too fast. He’s ultimately the most powerful though. My thory is that Bran knows Jon’s real name and I think his name is Aegon because D&D love to do the fusing characters thing. I think Howland Reed shows up for that.
Bonus thoughts: Why the heck wasn’t Varys there to tell Dany that Ned was the ONE person who had her back in Season 1?! I really want to see a Sansa/Meera convo so she can tell Sansa that Bran is for real and if she doesn’t believe her she should try carting him from a cave to the wall.
But was she? Tyrion had hit/threatened Joffrey before, and he was the one filling Joffrey’s wine cup, and Joffrey had been publicly humiliating him, and his wife disappeared immediately afterwards, and Joffrey pointed at him while dying. Isn’t that enough to at least warrant a trial? And even though WE know it’s barbaric, trial by combat is accepted in their society, and Tyrion lost his trial. And in hindsight, Tyrion was capable of killing Tywin and Shae, and Joffrey is as deserving of death as they are.
Sansa’s Knight,
Funny! 😄
In the book, Jaime turned against Cersei when he found out that she had cheated on him multiple times. I wonder if Cersei has sex with Euron and Jaime finds out. That could put him over the edge. I find it hard to believe that Cersei will completely accept the news that it was the Queen of Thorns who killed Joffrey. She might believe it, but I don’t think Cersei is ready to give up on her belief that Tyrion killed Joffrey. Cersei is not an introspective person. She believes what she wants to believe. Last season she talked about doing things because it feels good. Thinking that Tyrion killed Joffrey makes her feel good because it conforms to her lifelong belief that Tyrion is evil. Continuing to believe it means that Cersei doesn’t have to confront the idea that she is wrong.
1. Mel meets with Kinvara & sorts out the PTWP/Azor Ahia/Ice & Fire situation. She will return w/ red priests & priestess backup to help win The Great War.
2. Yes! When Jamie realizes that Cersei means to hold The Iron Throne no matter what, he will leave her. He was already giving her a very sad look while in bed with her, all it will take us him realizing how far she is willing to go & he WILL be GONE!
3. Bran needs to tell Jon he is the rightful King of the Seven Kingdoms by right of birth being the legitimate son of the Crown Prince Rheagar Targaryen! Not only that, but that he has to accept it because he’s the only one who DOESN’T want it!
4. Of course they will…..once Dany realizes the war she is fighting is pointless & Westeros is truly in danger of falling, she will back Jon……what I want to know is what happens when she realizes there is a better heir to the Iron Throne out there….one who’s claim is much better than hers!
Janice Hill,
I fully believe Cersei will go to her grave believing Tyrion killed Joffrey, no matter what anyone says,
Addition to 3. Bran could tell Jon how to defeat the WW….clearly Jon is TPTWP……Think about it this way…Dany is Fire, NK is Ice, Jon is Ice & Fire. The name of the series is A Song of Ice & Fire, meaning Jon’s War with Ice & Fire.
1. I think she sees her and Varys’ death occurring right before or during the war with the dead. Maybe she’s going to Volantis to get more help for the great war. She might find Kinvara there too. I feel like her character was introduced for a reason and they’d bring her back.
2. We will and it will be over Tyrion I bet. Cersei will probably still despise him after Jaimie’s news of his innocence in Joffrey’s death. I also think Jaimie will be the one to kill Cersei since she already resembles the mad king so much. (I read the mad king would also become lustful after killing people and they displayed those similarities pretty well in last week’s episode).
3. He’s going to tell him about his parents but also give him more in dept information on the white walkers and maybe even their exact location at that moment. His return to Winterfell will give the north a huge advantage in the war to come. As far as being lord of it, he made it pretty clear last episode he has no interest.
BONUS: They will. I’m sure it’ll be through little things at first like Jon finding out things about her by talking to her people per Tyrion’s advice. I bet she discovers his death on her own by seeing his scars or by some other way and this will really set things in motion.
1. I just assume Melisandre needs something (information, allies) to prepare for her role battling the darkness coming. As far as Varys…normally I’d just say it would be natural for Varys to die in the country he lives in. But there are no throwaway lines this season. Dany’s promise is certainly concerning, but I also think it’s possible that one of his former little birds will lead him to a dead end.
2. At this point, I don’t see Jaime turning away from Cersei on his own. Nothing she’s done so far appears to have an impact on him. I do think failing to bring home the Tyrell gold would be enough for her to turn on him, especially juxtaposed with Euron bringing her victories.
3, We all want Bran to spill R+L=J, but I think Bran really wants to discuss fighting the Night’s King asap.
*Jon and Dany will probably bond gradually, as they develop more respect for eachother. Both of them caring about “the people” is a good start. They’ll begin to recognize other similarities between them. It would be cool if Master Aemon’s name comes up.
From what she said to Jon on their first meeting, she just may back Jon as the Tragaryen heir to take the throne. It sounded like she wanted the Targs to be back in power, and assumed she was the last one. Once they find out they are aunt and nephew, any possibility of romance is out! 😀 So, she should go back to Essos with her Unsullied, her Dothraki and her dragons. Lots of places there to settle down. Jon will be on the Throne with Davos as hand, and Sansa and/or Arya as bride. 😉
But…. GRRM just revealed that those who are resurrected by the Lord of Light are fire wights… They are reanimated corpses without a beating heart, only living through magic. Not really alive.
I cannot imagine a world where GRRM allows Jon Snow to actually live through the series to be crowned… Someone who is reanimated through magic.
I believe he is back on borrowed time…. and will return to being dead before the series is over.
I hope the show expands on this, because we still haven’t seen the real cost of his Resurrection
Mel is off to Volantis to have a think tank with the other red priests/priestesses. She’ll come back with their combined insight.
Jamie will separate from Cercei soon. It’s foreshadowed in this talk with Olenna. He says he learns from his mistakes although he’s a slow learner. Cercei will do something that goes too far, even for Jaime. He won’t be around when she dies. When Cercei dies it will be after she’s lost everything she values – her children, Jaime, power.
Bran will give Jon information about the WWs and tell him about his parentage. Jon won’t claim the Iron Throne though. This has been foreshadowed in his recent talk with Dany when he says he doesn’t like doing what he’s good at. It will be nothing to him to leave the throne to someone who is good at ruling and also wants to do it. It would be cruel to Dany too as this belief that it is her destiny to sit on the Iron Throne has what has kept her going through some very trying times and what brought her to Westeros. As Tyrion said to Dany about the dragon glass – it means nothing to her, she didn’t even know it existed until she was told about it, to let someone who values it have it. So it is with Jon and the Iron Throne.
From Winterfell with its weir wood tree and relative physical safety, Bran will keep informed of the Night King’s movements. Perhaps even warg into various creatures to fight in the cause. I think the “mark” the Night King on Bran will allow the Night King to recognise Bran when he’s near. eg. the trailer hints at it when Bran uses a flock of ravens to spy on the Night King and he looks up at him.
The Targaryens marry brother to sister. In their world, aunt and nephew is nothing.
ManderlyPieCompany,
*Aejon
1. Mel is going to go to Volantis to gather the followers as the battle their religion is based upon is about to take place. Time to gather the acolytes . Mel has a huge part to pay in the end game as she will eventually sacrifice herself to forge Azor Ahai’s sword… Varys will betray Dany and be executed!
2. Jamie and Bronn will be taken prisoner in the next battle against Dany and her dragons. This will bring Jamie and Tyrion back together and start the arc to break Jamie and Cirsei forever as he will join the fight against the NK and Cirsei will not.
3. Brans big reveal is not his parentage, its about the NK and preparing for the battles ahead. Ther are bigger issues at play than that. Sam will discover his parentage at the citadel.
4. Jon and Dany will find common ground as Jon will advise her to use her dragons and help win the next battle!
Wouldn’t that (Jon’s War with Ice & Fire) actually be
Fire and Ice’s war with Fire and Ice?
I think Melisandre knows how she will die because that vision has been made very clear to her. As for Varys, I don’t know why she would see vision of him, or if so if she could believe it so easily, as she’s known herself to be wrong on things. However, her voicing this to him might mean she sees him as part of a collective vision of the future of the whole Westeros. They both agreed they are not common people so Varys is tied to magic as well as her and probs all magic will go away after the long night is over. In Volantis I think she might be going to confer with other seers and probably to a place of worship for this Rholler (sp) god.
I think Bran would obviously be eager to tell Jon what he knows about the origins of the White walkers, and how he’s seen Jon fighting and has the powers to help him defeat them and we all think the RLJ thing BUT bran doesn’t yet know who’s the daddy. But he knows he could at least finally tell Jon who his mother is.
BONUS: Will Jon and Daenerys find common ground? If so, how?
Can’t speculate, already been spoiled.
1. What did Melisandre mean when she told Varys “I have to die in this strange country, just like you”? What will she do in Volantis?
I think she has either foreseen the circumstances of her own death or knows/believes that R’Hllor’s purpose for her is to die during the Great War – and that she perhaps knows how Varys himself will die. As for what she will do in Volantis, there are a number of possibilities, all of which I think probably relate to winning the war – in Winds of Winter she told Jon that she could play a role in this. She could pick up an ancient artifact, and army of R’Hllorists to help fight, or gain vital information on how the Prince/Princess that was Promised can bring the dawn.
2. Will we see a wedge develop between Cersei and Jaime this season? Both Euron Greyjoy and the new Olenna revelation could cause a rift between the two siblings. Or, is their alliance as strong as ever?
I hope this season is the one where they fall apart. Cersei is rapidly racking up Mad King parallels – first the wildfire and now the Sand Snakes. What happens with Ellaria/Tyene parallels Rickard/Brandon as much as it is a reflection of Myrcella’s death. Ellaria is to be forced to watch Tyene die as Brandon did his father, Rickard. And the parallel continues onto the next, creepier scene between Cersei and Jaime. She is clearly aroused by killing them – as Aerys was.
In the morning when Jaime tells her not to open the door, she replies that she is Queen of the Seven Kingdoms and can do as she likes – a callback to Garden of Bones, when Tyrion says to Joffrey The Mad King did what he liked; did your Uncle Jaime ever tell you what happened to him?
At some point, something is going to make Jaime snap – though I don’t know what! And then he will kill Cersei. I figure it happening either at the end of this season or the beginning of next. Lena is such an amazing actress you’d imagine D&D would want to keep her around as long as possible.
Euron won’t I think become much more of a wedge as long as Cersei keeps him at arm’s length. She has said to Euron she will marry him when the war is won; she has made it clear to Jaime that Euron will be around for as long as he is useful.
Olenna is an interesting one – Cersei has been so obsessed with the idea of Tyrion killing Joffrey it may be hard to accept that someone else did. Jaime, on the other hand, didn’t seem to think he was guilty in season four but changed his mind a little when Tyrion killed Tywin and he saw what his brother was capable of.
3. Bran tells Sansa he needs to talk to Jon. What is Bran so eager to reveal to Jon? What does Bran’s return to Winterfell mean for the North?
I think this is Bran eager to tell Jon what he saw in the Tower of Joy vision in Winds of Winter. I think he also wants to give him as much information as he can about the White Walkers to aid in their war. Given how Bran was with Sansa, I’m a little worried at the thought of him being the one to tell Jon about R+L=J.
Bran was so emotionless and tactless when he spoke to Sansa about her wedding night that it has me worried he won’t understand the devastating impact this news could have on Jon. He is not entirely human now he has become the Three-Eyed Raven, and this has affected his interactions with other people.
As to how it will affect the North, I think a lot of the lords will be as freaked out as Sansa. And it might reinforce their decision to name Jon KiTN. It will also, I think, raise Sansa’s importance and standing in their eyes. Sansa may tell Bran that he is Lord of Winterfell now, but I don’t think that is a role the North will want him to take up any more than Bran himself does.
BONUS: Will Jon and Daenerys find common ground? If so, how?
I think that with a little time, some more prodding from Tyrion, and a bit more one-on-one interaction, Jon and Daenerys can come to see that they have similar objectives for their people – and that they have a lot more in common than they think.
Ultimately, Jon managed to find common ground with the Free Folk in spite of the fact that both the North and the Night’s Watch had been fighting them for thousands of years. If he can do that, I think he can find something in common with Daenerys – and he has learned from past experience that you can’t pre-judge people. Plus, he has now seen her dragons are real. And as Davos pointed out to him, dragons breathe fire and fire kills wights. He needs those dragons and if nothing else that should be an incentive for him to try and get along with her.
For Daenerys, having lost as many allies as she has now, I think it will force her to try harder to find common ground with Jon as Tyrion advised.
1. What did Melisandre mean when she told Varys “I have to die in this strange country, just like you”? What will she do in Volantis?
I think Mel has had more fire visions that she hasn’t revealed. She is more careful in what she reveals to others, because she’s afraid she may have not completely understood her visions and their meaning. So, she knows that Dany and Jon will play a role in the war to come, but that’s all we get. On the contrary, she seemed VERY sure about her death and Varys’ too, so that should have been a very straightforward vision, which leads me to the conclusion, that her going to Volantis MUST serve an important purpose for the Great War. Perhaps she wants to join forces with other Red priests: with the Children of the Forest gone, the magic must come from elsewhere – and it is much needed, since WW and NK are created with magic and the Wall (was) protected by magic too.
2. Will we see a wedge develop between Cersei and Jaime this season? Both Euron Greyjoy and the new Olenna revelation could cause a rift between the two siblings. Or, is their alliance as strong as ever?
I’m not sure if it is my wishful thinking or logical speculation, but I think that Jamie will at some point this season have enough of Cercei and either leave her, or at least change his view on who she really is. He still loves her so that he can’t see her clearly for what she is. So it would take something REALLY strong to shake off his feelings and wake up about her. I don’t know what that will be, but it must be something that he can’t just ignore anymore, and need to face the truth of her. I think the show slowly but steadily is creating a rift between them, but until now it’s not enough to shake Jamie. There must be something more important that challenges Jamie deeply – because despite everything, he is a man of honour, and he does believe that his sister will be a good ruler for the people, that her heart is in the ‘right place’. So, this illusion must be destroyed before we see him actually leaving her. (I do wish!)
3. Bran tells Sansa he needs to talk to Jon. What is Bran so eager to reveal to Jon? What does Bran’s return to Winterfell mean for the North?
I think that Bran wants to share all the info he has about the NK and WW with Jon in order to help him prepare. The second thing is that I think he suspects Jon’s real identity, even if it wasn’t confirmed completely by his vision. Nonetheless, he may have the complete vision on that this season, confirming that Jon is a Targaryen which might change the game, if hJon has ‘magical’ abilities like Dany.
Practically, Bran could be extremely useful as not only he can track the WW army, but also search in the past and find out how the War of the Dawn was won and therefore help Jon and Co win. Secondly, his ability to control other’s minds, like Hodor, may come very handy! I hope Bran will learn FAST all he needs to know and control his powers!
4. Jon and Dany
I think that they will find common ground – they both want to protect people, so they already have something in common, a common purpose, but they adress to different enemies. The thing is, that Dany needs to be persuaded that she’ll best serve people by turning in the North and fighting the WW instead of taking the Iron Throne. The real problem is how you convince her – or anyone else, for that matter! I think that Dany may be easier to believe Jon than others( once she knows him a bit better) because she has seen extraordinary things, her dragons, and that she herself can’t burn – since that has happened, the WW may exist as well.
I’m looking forward (HYPE!) to the next episode, where I hope that those ancient mines may offer more than dragonglass to Jon. I hope!!!
All in all, I’m loving every single minute of season 7 so far!! 😀
ManderlyPieCompany,
“Why the heck wasn’t Varys there to tell Dany that Ned was the ONE person who had her back in Season 1?!”
Because Varys never tells too much, this is how he uses his influence (by giving very little, very rarely…), and this info is not so relevant when Dany meets Jon (Ned did not actually support Dany, he was against an assasination… I am pretty sure Ned would have reacted like Jon when meeting Dany: “your father killed my father and my brother, why would I trust you, I don’t know you”).
Redx,
“2. Jamie and Bronn will be taken prisoner in the next battle against Dany and her dragons. This will bring Jamie and Tyrion back together and start the arc to break Jamie and Cirsei forever as he will join the fight against the NK and Cirsei will not.”
I agree with that, Jamie should either die fighting dragons (but he won’t) or be prisoner, and then join Tyrion and Dany in the war agaisnt the NK and the WW, and oppose Cersei, which should result in the death of Cersei (and probably Jamie) at some point in season 8…
And by the way, I don’t think Jamie will tell Cersei about the role of Lady Olenna in Joffrey’s death (he won’t have the opportunity, cause he’ll be attacked on his way back to KL by dragons, and he’s not the kind of guy who sends a raven to his beloved sister), but he will tell Tyrion.
I am going to add my own 5 on Arya:
I want Arya to arrive in WF next episode walking around wearing a ‘face’ and for Bran to look right at her an say “Hello Arya”…..
1. What did Melisandre mean when she told Varys “I have to die in this strange country, just like you”?
The way Varys reacted to this made me believe it is something he already knew about his own death. It has yet to be revealed what Varys heard in from the flames when the sorcerer cut him. Could it be that Varys was told how and where he would die & Melisandre comment was suggesting that her fate was already sealed, just like Varys’?
I’m not sure what he wants to tell Jon aside from who his mother is, but there is one thing that really scares me: Bran didn’t say “if the Long Night comes,” he said “WHEN the Long Night comes.” This doesn’t bode well for anybody’s efforts to stop the White Walkers. As explained in the lore, the Long Night lasts a generation. That’s 20 years of winter. So, any of you folks who are well-versed in GoT lore, is there any way to stop it? Because according to Bran, it is definitely coming. What does that mean about the success of Jon’s efforts?
I just thought of what one of the titles could be based on the trailer.. maybe 5 or 6?
See what I’ve done there 🙂
I thought is was interesting that Melisandre made explicit that she was going to Volantis.
Could be a scene there in 7 tho doubt it, but sometimes when they do that , it happens.
News was that Ania Bukstein as Kinvara was not in season 7 but then I never saw that nailed down.
I mean I never saw mention that Ben Hawkey , Hot Pie, was in season 7.
1. Melissandre is off to have her baby, obviously. I am not sure the show writers have thought of a story for her.
2. Jaime is leaving Cersei soon (or this is what I am saying for the past three seasons).
3. He wants to reveal what he has seen in the tower of joy. I am weary of Bran’s arc this season, and in general. He’s such an important character but without a novel to fall back to his mystic – magical arc may turn out as a joke.
Melisandre:
So, through 6 seasons the Faith of R’hllor has been fraidy cat-ing The (Others)Dead out the gazoo , so now are they gonna help?
1. What did Melisandre mean when she told Varys “I have to die in this strange country, just like you”? What will she do in Volantis?
I think the fist part was just establishing that she wasn’t gone for good. She would be back and die. I also think the Varys part means he’ll die during the show, not just later of old age in Westeros. I’m not sure what she’ll do in Volantis but I think her reasons for leaving were legit. In world, her presence is just not productive there with Jon and Davos on hand. And for the show runners, she’s done her part for now so they had to explain where she’s going to.
2. Will we see a wedge develop between Cersei and Jaime this season? Both Euron Greyjoy and the new Olenna revelation could cause a rift between the two siblings. Or, is their alliance as strong as ever?
I’m sure we will. The show’s Jamie arc hasn’t been as smooth as it could be and has been a little awkward. I think that might be because Lena Headey is such a good actress they wanted to keep her highly involved and Cersei/Jamie is a significant part of her storyline. But his arc away from her, while sometimes barely there, IS there and it may start moving a bit more smoothly.
3. Bran tells Sansa he needs to talk to Jon. What is Bran so eager to reveal to Jon? What does Bran’s return to Winterfell mean for the North?
Probably about his mom and dad. Like who they were. And judging by the way he acted last week, probably something pretty personal and uncomfortable about them. :). He may also want to strategize with him about the NK, the White Walkers and the wights.
BONUS: Will Jon and Daenerys find common ground? If so, how?
I think so. It’s already happening. But I think they’ll move it fairly slowly. The show has handled it excellently so far and I think their relationship (whatever it ends up being) will continue to develop organically. They’ll learn more about each other – the type of person each is, the strengths of each other. The shortcomings of each other, etc.
1. I reckon Mel has to get stabbed with Dawn to turn it into Lightbringer early in season 8. Reckon the political schemers like Varys and LF will go by the wayside as the super-arc takes over and we have a straight out living vs dead war. Not sure how he will die though?…
2. Tyrion may be innocent of Joffreys murder but he still unnecassarily killed Tywin which is something Jaimie and Cersei is united on. Euron does seem to be driving a wedge, eg before he couldn’t go up the steps but last episode he was given a place alongside Jaimie so will be interesting to see how things progress
3. Bran presumably wants to tell Jon about his parentage, but also its implications for the “battle for the Dawn” given he is a synthesis of Ice and Fire, and so a go-between between living and dead as well, eg he was resurrected via Fire R’Hlorr
Looking forward to seeing some Rhaegar flashbacks ahead of that meeting
1: I really love Mel so I hope whatever she’s bound to will be awesome… as others said I hope she get some scenes with Kinvara and possible lead the red priests to the war to aid in defeat of the darkness and everything… if they believe her they will have to help. Plus theres the possibility she’ll bring the guy who knows how to forge valyrian steel.. I guess someone said that already but I remember it and now would be the perfect time.
2: I think so, its bound to happen! Even if not initially but this revelations HAS to cause some damage cause it was Olenna’s last thorn being throw, I mean…
3: Guys I’m dying to see this, Bran is just so weird right now that I keep thinking about his exact role in the end of the series..
What if Bran only talks about the WW threat? it would drive me crazy!
But I think not, he’s bound to tell Jon of his mom even if he’s not yet realized the significance of his parentage..
Do you guys think we’ll get an RLJ flashback that was promised?? I don’t know anything of spoilers so for now I still have hopes… ah.
That would be too perfect!
Not sure where that came from, not even a shadow baby at this point.
Carice did have her baby boy 6 weeks before S7 started.
Carice said she had trouble picking up Valyrian this time around , but she delivers quite
a few lines in 7×02 , funny she did not give the standard Essos greeting Valar morghulis
1. What did Melisandre mean when she told Varys “I have to die in this strange country, just like you”? What will she do in Volantis?
Honestly, I think she wanted to freak Varys out and gain an edge over him. Varys is pretty good at not putting himself in physical danger. Unless he’s going to betray Dany I think he’ll probably die of old age.
I agree with most here that Mel is going back to Volantis to rally the red troops to help in the war in the North.
2. Will we see a wedge develop between Cersei and Jaime this season? Both Euron Greyjoy and the new Olenna revelation could cause a rift between the two siblings. Or, is their alliance as strong as ever?
Jaime is already showing some small signs of cracking, especially in their map room conversation. The look on his face when she accused Tommen of betraying her… I think he thinks he can be her “moderating force” though – talking her out of a painful death for Olenna, for example. At some point he’ll realize he doesn’t really have any power over her, and I think then he will either leave or kill her to save the realm from her crazy.
3. Bran tells Sansa he needs to talk to Jon. What is Bran so eager to reveal to Jon? What does Bran’s return to Winterfell mean for the North?
Definitely r+l=j, and probably Benjen as well. I can’t think of anything he knows about the walkers that would actually help in a battle, but there may well be something we haven’t seen yet. I do wonder if he’ll tell Jon about the Night Kings mark or not.
BONUS: Will Jon and Daenerys find common ground? If so, how?
Oh yeah, clearly they’ll at least get to the point where they are allies (and he’s not a prisoner). I do wonder how she’ll take it when she/they find out who he really is. Someone mentioned above that she would stand aside for his stronger claim, but he’s not even going to want the Iron Throne. He hates being KotN, he’s certainly not going to want to be King of the whole enchilada.
A few musings from this weeks episode..
To borrow from the Onion knight, please excuse my flea bottom brain:
1. I’d like to give my own to Tyrion this week for only he would be able to impregnate the impregnable with a bunch of eunuchs.
2. During Jon and Dany’s second conversation when Jon countered that he does not like what he is good at, it made me wonder what he was referring to. Did he mean being a leader? Fighting/killing? Or could it be he was referring to the one thing Ygritte conceded he “knew.” Maybe he was just putting his cards on the table early and letting her know “I maybe a renowned cunning linguist but I do not enjoy practicing the uncommon tongue.”
3. I hope Cersei made sure to fully clean the poison off her lips before she mouth-sheathed Jaime’s dirk.
So I’m a long time lurker, thanks for all your work and the fun comments.
I think Jon and Arya both will be a lot less freaked out by Bran than Sansa is. Bran needs to talk to Jon about his parentage, yes, but also he’s going to be the first person Jon has met who is like “DUDE THE NIGHT KING WTF WE NEED TO GET OUR ACT TOGETHER TO KILL HIM!”
Also I like how they handled the critical task of making sure Bran is not a show ender. There has to be a way to make sure he can’t just tell the Starks everything crucial they need to know right away or else it takes all the tension out of the show. They way they did it isolates Sansa, which is great. Idk why but I LOVED the way he said “I’ll stay out here a bit.”
I also like that becoming this all seeing being didn’t wind up being consequencless for Bran.” The first 3eyed raven told him that staying underwater too long would lead to drowning. So he’s kind of mentally drowning in all of the things he sees all the time.
Also how cool is it that LF told Sansa what she needs to do (see all possibilities everywhere all the time) and then gave her the very person who can help her do that, if she can overcome her past enough to face it and use it? The Bran/Sansa relationship is going to IMO represent her need to completely overcome the horror of her past enough to take real control of the future.
Also did Meera make that frickin’ sled from tree limbs or something? When Uncle Benjen dropped them off in Season 6 he just left them by the tree with nothing and rode off. Unless I missed something.
I really hope we get to talk to her and see her in a nice outfit looking well rested. She rocks.
lol, you are really lost! Dany would never go back to Essos after everything, and besides, Jon dont give a damn about ruling. He already was very clear about this. Dany will love the fact that she isn’t the last targaryen in the world, and you’re so wrong if you think the romance is out after they discover about Jon being a targaryen..this is for sure not a problem for the targaryens..and besides, i’m pretty sure they will be lovers at this point, and if my guess is alright, Dany will be probably pregnant of Jon’s babe.
p.s: ew. He sees Arya and Sansa like sisters. Thank god.
Jon was talking about the killing part. He doesn’t enjoy killing, but he has to.
1. Mel is going back to Volantis to let her fellow priests know that their raison d’etre is in motion – they need to get their mystical fire-reading acts together and prepare for the Great Other and the Prince(s) That Was/Were Promised. It’s a big deal. She needs to rally them.
I’m less impressed with the “We’ll die in Westeros” prophecy. Could be of old age. I’m sure that’s not what was meant, but precision has never been her strong point so I had to sort of roll my eyes.
2. Yes. Olenna planted the final seed, and I would love for her last act to prove Cersei’s assertion wrong – you can play the game of thrones, die, and still win by driving a wedge between a queen and her most important supporter, and thereby dethrone the queen. “When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die – unless you’re Olenna Tyrell, then you can do both, because you are just that talented.”
3. R+L=J and also war tactics and strategy against the NK. I don’t think Jon will be made aware of his parentage until after he’s already gotten together with Dany (which, yes, I think will happen….so that’s the answer to question 4.)
1. What did Melisandre mean when she told Varys “I have to die in this strange country, just like you”? What will she do in Volantis?
Varys knows what his role in the big picture is. It was what he heard when his parts were thrown into the flames, as Kinvara reminded him in season 6. He knows he must/will eventually die during all of this.
2. Will we see a wedge develop between Cersei and Jaime this season? Both Euron Greyjoy and the new Olenna revelation could cause a rift between the two siblings. Or, is their alliance as strong as ever?
The wedge has already been placed, now somebody has to push it in deeper and I think Euron will be this person. Now Cersei has openly spent the night with Jaime, the excitement is gone and Euron has something that attracts her.
3. Bran tells Sansa he needs to talk to Jon. What is Bran so eager to reveal to Jon? What does Bran’s return to Winterfell mean for the North?
He needs to tell him R+L=Not my brother, among other things. Probably something about Hodor. Oh, and there’s that White Walker thing. I think he will tell him what he needs to do.
Also, what has to happen to get Dany and Jon to come together is:
Dany has to accept Jon as her equal,
and
Jon has to accept Dany’s fight as worthwhile, not just a distraction from the Night King.
Euron can’t be at the right place at the right time twice out of sheer luck or seamanship (which only allows you to get to the right place, not to know where it is). There is a spy in Daenerys’ camp. Maybe it’s Varys, or maybe he will take the fall and Melisandre knows this?
EDIT:
Thought on it some more, seeing as there is something of a trend where the primary characters are killing off the secondary characters as the show draws to a close
Given that the Starks will probably get LF back for knifing Ned in the back, I reckon Cersei will be the end of Varys somehow as revenge for “helping Tyrion kill Tywin”.
There’s a part of me that loves the Forsaken chapter, and the pseudo-sorcery dimension to Eurons character via Shade of the Evening and all the various priests he is “acquiring”, so a part of me hopes Varys gets captured and gets given the Damp-hair treatment as Euron wants info on Dany’s camp, revealing a bond between Euron and the MIA House of Undying to bring them back into the fold and it would be a pertinent way for Varys to go ala Ellaria/Tyene given how much he hates sorcery etc
1. What did Melisandre mean when she told Varys “I have to die in this strange country, just like you”? What will she do in Volantis? I’m now thinking Melisandre could be the Nissa Nissa to Jon’s light bringer. Maybe Dany burns Varys for switching to Team Jon given his speech about supporting the best ruler for the people?
2. Will we see a wedge develop between Cersei and Jaime this season? Both Euron Greyjoy and the new Olenna revelation could cause a rift between the two siblings. Or, is their alliance as strong as ever? They are clearly building up to a split between Jamie and Cersei, I suspect Jamie will kill Cersei towards the end of this season.
3. Bran tells Sansa he needs to talk to Jon. What is Bran so eager to reveal to Jon? What does Bran’s return to Winterfell mean for the North? Bran is going to reveal to Jon that he’s the daughter of Lyanna and Rhaeger and not Ned’s bastard this is going to screw Jon up. I suspect he will also help prepare the North for the great war to come.
BONUS: Will Jon and Daenerys find common ground? If so, how? Yes it seems that way, hard to comment without giving spoilers on the details so I will say no more.
1. Mel meant that she is destined to return to Westeros, perhaps to help fight the Others with information she gets in Volantis. I can see her teaming up with Sam Tarly who will also discover info about them. (I can see Sam becoming a Prince over all the Tyrell forces as well as the Tarlys in the future and he may turn to Mel as his advisor.)
I also think Mel foresaw Varys’ death in her fire and it’s probably going to happen sooner rather than later.
2. NO rift between Cersei and Jaime this season. He is a stubborn man. He will stay loyal to her until the END of next season. If he is to be the Valonquar then I think he would only kill her if it was for mercy, i.e. if he saw her suffering painfully and he wanted to put an end to her misery.
3. Bran wants to tell Jon he is NOT a bastard and he is a Stark/Targaryen combo. The North will be able to fight the Others better with the help of Bran’s knowledge.
BONUS: Yes, Dany will become aligned with Jon once she finds out he is Rhaegar’s legitimate son. Their dynamic will change, with Jon in the ascendency, and Dany will bend the knee to HIM.
1. What did Melisandre mean when she told Varys “I have to die in this strange country, just like you”? What will she do in Volantis?
I mean, really, this doesn’t sound so ominous when you think about it. I don’t think Varys will be leaving Westeros anytime soon, therefore, he will eventually “die in this country.” But yes, it does seem that Mel has had some sort of vision. I have to agree with others who have previously stated that she may discover the how to create Valyrian steel, or perhaps she discovers Lightbringer in Volantis.
2. Will we see a wedge develop between Cersei and Jaime this season? Both Euron Greyjoy and the new Olenna revelation could cause a rift between the two siblings. Or, is their alliance as strong as ever?
I think that Jaime will be forced to rethink his relationship with both Cersei and Tyrion after Olenna’s confession. I don’t think he will completely abandon Cersei though because I don’t think he’s entirely capable.
3. Bran tells Sansa he needs to talk to Jon. What is Bran so eager to reveal to Jon? What does Bran’s return to Winterfell mean for the North?
Obviously, Bran wants to reveal to Jon what he saw in the Tower of Joy in S6E10. I don’t think he’ll tell his siblings before telling Jon. It’ll be interesting to see what Bran’s return means since he does not want to be a Lord, or as Bran stated, “can’t”.
BONUS: Will Jon and Daenerys find common ground? If so, how?
I’ve noticed a few things this season that may have been adapted from ASoS, mainly Stannis’s revelation that dragonglass can be found on Dragonstone. Stannies originally left Dragonstone to aid the Night’s Watch against the Wildlings, but more importantly, stayed for the “war to come” (book Stannis at least). This makes me wonder if Daenerys will be forced to do the same after Jon’s speech about the Night King and the Army of the Dead. The common ground between Dany and Jon may very well be this issue. A book Stannis quote that always stood out to me was: “I was trying to win the throne to save the kingdom, when I should have been trying to save the kingdom to win the throne.” I feel that Dany may attempt to accomplish this by helping Jon in the North and by protecting the realm from the dead. But again, this may be season 8 stuff so I may be getting ahead of myself.
What did Melisandre mean when she told Varys “I have to die in this strange country, just like you”? What will she do in Volantis?
I still believe that Varys has a violent secret mission ahead of him in KL (extrapolated from the ADwD epilogue) which will lead to his demise (for the realm). Mel is still stuck in “doubting Thomas” mode and needs to rekindle her spirit in Volantis before offering anything beneficial to the plot. Her escape before Jon/Davos arriving is sooooo convenient. 🙂
Will we see a wedge develop between Cersei and Jaime this season? Both Euron Greyjoy and the new Olenna revelation could cause a rift between the two siblings. Or, is their alliance as strong as ever?
I have a hard time believing that Jaime would be affected by the QoT’s revelation. (I also had a hard time believing Ellaria’s/Tyene’s desperation with Cersei’s torture. Ya live by the poison, ya die by the poison…or…what if Cersei used Ellaria/Tyene as hostages/barter to get the Dornish force remain neutral or switch sides?) But Jaime is in uncharted silly territory, caught between the Mad Queen and a kraken. I have a feeling the treasure of Highgarden will come with a curse for him. He needs to suffer a loss. Also, by keeping Yara alive will be cocky Euron’s death sentence. That’s the oldest plot device in the world…
Bran tells Sansa he needs to talk to Jon. What is Bran so eager to reveal to Jon? What does Bran’s return to Winterfell mean for the North?
Of course Jon’s parentage will be a talking point (and maybe a hard sell) but maybe Bran has some daunting info on the NK as well? I think he has several Stark truth bombs in store for us. How will Sansa react to knowing that Theon wasn’t the only one watching her wedding night? She’s definitely spooked by him. Will Bran shed light on the actions of LF?
BONUS: Will Jon and Daenerys find common ground? If so, how?
I think they had their “deeper” moment when Jon revealed to Dany that he doesn’t like what he does best. She looked at him respectfully and curiously when he said “I don’t”. Some mutual respect there.
Comment eaten like Viserion gulps a rotting corpse in mid-air. Help!