Well, folks, this week’s episode essentially removed the plot armor of all but a few characters, and by a few, I mean perhaps just Jon and Tyrion, at least of those in the North. This week, as I am sure everyone is aware, will see the 82-minute long Battle of Winterfell and we just know that some characters are going to meet their end in Game of Thrones within the next seven days.
It goes without saying, this is a theories and speculation piece and whilst I and many others might be wrong, there is the chance that I will cover events correctly in this article. So if you want to be completely cold and speculation free, then check out one of our other stories.
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Still with me? Good
The Fate of Kings Landing
Now, this is an old theory of mine, and one that I was never quite sure of, but as we move closer to the end of the show I am feeling it more and more. The entire show thus far has really been about who sits on the Iron Throne when all is said and done, and every piece of social media I visit has me asking who I think will sit on the throne. The option I choose is always the same: no one!
In order for there to be no one sat on the Iron Throne, it kinda means there cannot be an Iron Throne to be sat upon. Throughout this show we have seen Daenerys vow to destroy the wheel of monarchy, but only when she is sat on the very throne that creates that wheel. If it exists, men and women will covet it, so the best thing for Westeros as a whole may well be to get rid of it. I’ve always thought there is a good chance that King’s Landing could be destroyed and if it is, my personal poetic method would be Wildfire. Hell, Cersei did half the job already at the end of Season 6.
But exactly how and why King’s Landing will be destroyed proves more difficult to answer until I have seen this upcoming episode. For me, there are a few options depending on what happens this week, so let’s explore them, shall we?
I spoke extensively last week about a theory which I liked, but I didn’t really go into all the reasons why I liked this theory. Well, a lot of that has to do with the fate of King’s Landing. So here are the options for next week and how each would affect my King’s Landing theory. The theory in question was regarding whether the Night King would actually show up in the battle next week at all, or whether he is off doing something else. The Night King has an undead dragon, this means he can go to places very quickly that could take weeks on Horse. Check out last week’s article for a more detailed description of the pros and cons.
RELATED: Game Of Theories: Where The Night King At?
Option 1: The Night King Attacks Full Force
If the Night does indeed turn up at Winterfell, then I actually expect the entire battle against the dead storyline to be effectively wrapped up next week. Either the Night King wins, or he loses. If he wins, then we have a zombie apocalypse and we know from author George R.R. Martin’s lips themselves that this will not happen. Ergo, the good guys have to win that battle and if the Night King is there, that means he is defeated.
If this is the case, then the remaining three episodes are going to deal with the Northern forces (with far reduced numbers) having to deal with Cersei and her armies. If that proves to be the case, then I can see them having to destroy Kings Landing to stop another endless war. However, I don’t think there are many characters in the North who would even consider wiping out the millions in Kings Landing. It’s possible someone could go rogue to kill all these people for “the greater good” and we know from our own history this is not fantasy land.
If that is the case there are only two possible contenders I can see, Deanerys or Tyrion, because I cannot imagine anyone else choosing that option. The hot tip would likely be Deanerys, but with Jon’s secret out in the open, I think that would negate her claim and Jon would attempt to stop her. I actually like Tyrion better and my reasons are as follows. Tyrion had a lot of people stand up for him and speak for him with Dany in this week’s episode, I dunno about you guys, but when that happens in Thrones I expect them to then do something awful ha. If you had pushed me on this after episode 1 I would have said Dany, but after this week’s I am leaning towards Tyrion doing something he really shouldn’t be doing at some point.
Option 2: The Night King Goes To King’s Landing
This is the theory extensively discussed in last week’s article and I do like it. I won’t go over all the pros and cons, but the effect it would have on King’s Landing is an obvious one.
If the Night Kings attacks and destroys much of King’s Landing, he will make it a city of the dead, over a million dead. If King’s Landing is infested with a zombie horde, the best method could be to simply take off and nuke the site from orbit, only way to be sure. In Thrones terminology this could be a sneak insertion into the lion’s den to blow up the Wildfire, probably a one way missions for someone. Or, it could mean sustained dragon attack which leaves the city in ruins, but I find that less of an attractive option simple for dramatic reasons.
Option 3: The Night King Goes Elsewhere
I’ve read one theory that predicts the Night King will go to Old Town i.e. the Citadel and destroy it because he is all about destroying all knowledge and history. I myself feel like Oldtown is simply too far away, it’s literally almost as south as Dorne and that seems like a bit too far to fly even for an undead dragon.
If he does this, then it could mean that King’s Landing is surrounded on all sides by the victor in the North and by the dead from the South. In this instance, I could see Cersei blowing up King’s Landing herself in some gloriously mutated logic and probably doing more harm than good.
All in all, I am really hanging my hate on this destruction of King’s Landing theory, so much so that I am structuring all my other theories around it. So if it doesn’t happen, I am going to look very daft. Ah well, who cares right, it’s all part of the fun of getting into these speculation games I the first place.
So What Happens If There Is No King’s Landing?
We have to think here about the sorrow and war that has resulted in the chase for the power of that Iron Throne. But, we also have to remember that prior to Aegon’s Conquering, the various large houses were always warring with one another and the lesser houses were always trying to become the ruling house of their region.
So for me, I think each major house will be a member of a larger council, with Jon or Dany, or both the head. Democracy seems slightly unattainable yet over such a wide area with the technology they have, but no house having complete power might tip the balance back in the favour of peace. So, who would these Lords be? Well, I think we shall leave that for next week’s Game of Theories shall we?
Last Call, But For Who?
Wow, it’s so hard to accurately predict who will live and die from next week’s episode, but I will give it a bash.
I think the following characters will die during the Battle of Winterfell:
Ser Brienne of Tarth – Could see her giving her life to save someone else and that’s the only reason I don’t have her getting it together with Jaime ever which some fans seem to want.
Varys – I don’t think the crypts full of dead bodies are the safest place for people to be in Winterfell (wink, wink.).
Dolores Edd – Just his luck, he leaves Castle Black and dies in the next battle, typical Edd.
Jorah Mormont – This will be another sad one for fans, but I cannot see Mormont surviving this battle, and I don’t think he’s important to the end game.
Missandei – Again in the crypts as well, I think she will be brought to Naarth by Grey Worm, I just think it will be in a coffin, boo hoo.
Theon Greyjoy – Seems like an obvious end to his arc for Theon to die defending Bran Stark from the Night King doesn’t it? But I kinda of hope I’m wrong here. I could see all the other main characters making it through next week’s episode, but I could be so wrong on this one, I can’t wait to find out.
I cannot be alone in thinking (as I may have mentioned above) that hiding all the young and weak in the crypts that house all the dead Stark ancestors is a really bad idea. There was a small scene from next week’s preview in which Dany tells Jon “The dead are here already“, and I think this is what she means. We also see Arya, seemingly frightened and running through the crypts during the trailer for Season 8.
So don’t be too shocked to find some of the most intense action happening away for the big battle in this week’s massive episode.
With each passing week, the predictions are going to be get more refined and more accurate as potential branches are sealed off, for me, the biggest of these will be the aftermath of next week’s episode. So check back next week for another exciting round of Game of Theories.
Oh and tell us what you think in the comments boards below as always.