As the last season of “Game of Thrones” approaches, fans of the fantasy drama can barely contain their excitement. But beneath that excitement is also a current of dread — dread not only of fans wondering what to do with their free time now that the show will soon be over with the books still painfully out of sight, but dread of whether the show can end on the same high note as reached by some of the best seasons of the show.
The seventh season of “Game of Thrones” was, at best, uneven. Many viewers, including myself, felt key relationships and plot points were rushed. This was surely partially due to the seventh season only having seven episodes compared to the usual 10. With the final season only clocking in at six episodes, although partially offset some with longer run times, many fans fear Season 8 may suffer a similar fate.
Yet like those of us who believed that Jon Snow was coming back from the dead, there is still hope for a great finish to one of the greatest shows to ever grace the silver screen. The ability of “Game of Thrones” to leave viewers satisfied with its conclusion hinges on how well it answers the following questions.
How will the White Walkers be defeated?
Season 7 concluded with the various factions sparring over the Iron Throne finally agreeing to unite to take on the Night’s King and defend Westeros from the Army of the Dead. While George R.R. Martin has been known to rip the hearts out of his fans (see the Red Wedding), it is unlikely that he is going to end the series with darkness covering the realm.
With that in mind, the question probably isn’t if the human forces are going to defeat the White Walkers and the Night’s King, but how they are going to do so. After all, defeating ice zombies, now empowered with an ice zombie dragon, is no easy task.
Will we see Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow ride dragons into battle? Will Jamie sacrifice himself to save the realm? Will Arya Stark’s assassin training translate to killing White Walkers? Will Ghost finally make an appearance?
With the Battle for Winterfell clocking in at more than 60 minutes and directed by the same man who gave fans the Battle of Hardhome and the Battle of the Bastards, fans should be optimistic that the action will be thrilling, even if fans are left holding their seats praying their favorite character makes it out alive.
Who will be left alive?
With March Madness brackets giving way to “Game of Thrones” survival pools, there is a palpable fear and excitement over which “Game of Thrones” characters will meet their untimely demise.
It is almost certain that Cersei Lannister will meet her demise this season, given that the show went out of its way to show the prophecy with Maggy the Frog in the first scene of Season 5. Given that Maggy’s prophecy regarding the death of all of the Lannister children came true, there is little reason to doubt her prophecy that Cersei will be killed by her younger brother (although only appearing in the books) is wrong. The larger question is whether Tyrion Lannister, Jamie Lannister, or a surprise candidate will do the deed.
Outside of Cersei Lannister, the fate of all characters remains extremely unclear. It wouldn’t be a surprise if another Stark bites the dust. Additionally, knocking off either Targaryen or Snow would clear the path to the Iron Throne for the other.
Who will sit on the Iron Throne?
Since the death of King Robert Baratheon all the way back in Season 1, there have been multiple contenders to sit on the Iron Throne. All of the original participants in the War of Five Kings are now dead, and Cersei Lannister now sits over the throne after her last son walked off of a very tall ledge. Targaryen has long sought the Iron Throne, but her plans became a good deal more complicated now that she is sleeping with her nephew who is, unbeknownst to almost everyone, the rightful heir to the throne. It is also possible that she may be pregnant with their child. So, deciding between the two of them would be complicated at best.
“Game of Thrones” may also upend expectations by eliminating the institution of the Iron Throne altogether. Targaryen has spoken about “breaking the wheel” and has certainly spent much of her time in Essos upsetting the status quo in favor of helping the little guy. Perhaps she will decide that the Iron Throne should be melted down and a new kind of government instituted.
If that doesn’t happen, my picks for top contenders to rule the Seven Kingdoms are Sansa Stark, followed by Jamie Lannister, with the rest of the field in the far rear.
Will Bronn get his castle?
Seriously, Bronn has been a fan favorite since he first saved Tyrion Lannister in Season 1. Every time he gets close to retirement with his wife and his castle, the Lannisters call him back into service. If ever a sellsword deserved a nice retirement, it would be Bronn.
Eric Peterson is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog. He is a native of Illinois and an all-around nerd. His love of film probably comes from the fact that “Groundhog Day” was filmed in his hometown, which he heard about over and over and over again.
