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The new season of Game of Thrones is right around the corner, premiering this Sunday, July 17, on HBO. We will be back with our weekly episode reviews after they premiere (for a little refresher, why not check out our review of last season’s finale?). To get reacquainted with the going-ons of Westeros, I thought we would touch base on some of the major players that are still alive and take a look at their chances of surviving the seventh season. Let’s take a look, region by region:
The North
Bran Stark – He’ll probably make it. His greensight has a lot of mysteries to reveal still and will be a central storytelling method going forward. He is probably going to mess things up though; soon, everyone in Westeros will only be able to say “Hodor.”
Jon Snow – Untouchable this season. One of the central characters and biggest draws of the show, the finale last season can’t have revealed his true parentage only to kill him off (again) so soon.
Sansa Stark – Probably safe. She has two people looking out for her in Jon and Littlefinger, and she is learning to play the game well. I have Sansa pegged as my dark horse to “win” the whole Game of Thrones, so I think she’ll make it through season seven.
Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish – He’s a goner. There is some serious tension brewing between Littlefinger, Sansa, and Jon. I expect a confrontation between Petyr and Jon, and Sansa ultimately siding against her creepy uncle Littlefinger.
Davos Seaworth – He’s a tough one. Davos might be on a suicide mission to kill Melisandre, who took everything from him, or he might just be the hero Westeros needs. The Onion Knight seems like he has little left to gain from the world, and I imagine him becoming more unhinged before finally giving his life in spectacular fashion. It would be nice if he survived, but he probably won’t.
Beric Dondarrion – In the trailers, it sure looks like he’s up north (although winter has come, so it may just be snowy all over). I expect the Lightning Lord to bite it for good this season. Sadly, Lady Stoneheart does not seem to be on the way, but I still expect Beric to give up his life to save someone else; maybe Arya’s spirit of vengeance finds her way back to her ancestral home and crosses another name off her list?
Tormund Giantsbane – Probably dead. The wildling who has a bigger heart than brain has proven remarkably resilient, but some fan favorites have to fall to raise the stakes. He’s liked enough that he will have an impact, but insignificant enough to the main plot that he seems expendable.
King’s Landing
Jaime Lannister – Very safe. Jaime has a lot to do still in order to complete his character arc. He has a sister/lover to kill, a brother to reconcile with, and a Bronn to sleep with (if my fan fiction will finally come true). Jaime will die in the final season, but probably not here.
Bronn – He’s gonna die. Unless they just write him out. Bronn seesaws between the best character on the show and character the writers forget exists. I imagine they’ll finally get rid of him this season.
Qyburn – The greasiest man is Westeros is going to die. He’s made some big strides, going from disgraced maester to Cersei’s only trusted follower, but his place has far surpassed his cunning. There’s going to be a Frankenstein moment with him.
Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane, aka “Ser Robert Strong” – The world’s strongest zombie will probably meet his end this season, after killing his creator. Everyone is counting on Clegane-bowl, but don’t forget that Ser Gregor is on Arya’s list as well, and the Sand Snakes have a bone to pick with him.
Cersei Lannister – She has to go this season if the trailers are true. It appears that this season will finish out the war in Westeros, whereas the last season will focus on the war with the white walkers. If that’s the case, Cersei is going to lose this season. She has far too many enemies, and barely any friends. Look for Jaime to take her out. Shame.
Dorne
Ellaria Sand – Probably safe. The television version of Game of Thrones has bungled Dorne completely, but the leader of the Sand Snakes needs to remain in order to keep the south relevant. Unfortunately, that does not bode well for…
The Sand Snakes – I am not convinced the show even knows which is which. They’ll die, somehow, or Game of Thrones will just move forward and pretend they don’t exist. Hopefully, that one with the terrible dialogue will die first [ed: that’s all of them!].
Olenna Tyrell, “The Queen of Thorns” – I hope she becomes a bigger part of the show because Olenna is just the best. She will do whatever she can to get her revenge, and I don’t see Game of Thrones killing her off. Go get Cersei.
Others in Westeros
Arya Stark – I really want Arya to make it, but I don’t think she will. Unless she meets back up with Jon and Sansa, she is on a self-destructive course. I imagine she gets a few more kills before getting overwhelmed, or the House of Black and White catching up with her.
Brienne of Tarth – Probably the hardest one to predict if you have read the books. The lady of the Emerald Isle is probably the best fighter in Westeros, but she is also the most honorable. Remember Ned Stark? Honor does not work in this land.
Sandor “The Hound” Clegane – The Hound has a lot going against him – he’s a marked man, the leader of his group (Beric, see above) looks like he’s in trouble this season, he’s on Arya’s list, and he will probably meet his zombie-fied brother on the battlefield. Sadly, season seven looks like the end of the road for him.
Jorah Mormont – Poor bear. He’s going to die this season. He’s inflicted with greyscale, and his character arc demands that he give his life for the Khaleesi. Hopefully, Lady Mormont keeps the house running strong with stank-face.
Melisandre – This one is tough too. How important is the Red Woman? I would venture that she isn’t nearly as important as it seems. She’s been around for centuries, and I imagine Davos had a sword or two to introduce to her.
Samwell Tarly – He’s going to make it. After all, he is telling the whole story.
On the Ocean
Daenerys Targaryen – Like Jon, she is untouchable until the last season. Then, all bets are off.
Tyrion Lannister – See Targaryen, Daenerys.
Grey Worm – Lots of fighting going on this season. If Barristan Selmy can get killed by hoodlums, Grey Worm won’t make it. He will help gain a foothold for Dany, complete a eunich’s approximation of banging Missendei and get killed by Bronn/Jaime/The Mountain.
Varys – I’m still convinced there are triplets who all pretend to be the same person. Otherwise, he’s a merman. Varys will survive. He always does.
Theon Greyjoy – Probably going to die. Theon’s character arc is nearly complete; all he needs to do is sacrifice himself. Expect him to go out protecting his sister or, if not, Sansa.
Yara Greyjoy – She is 50/50. The ultimate Westeros fan fiction (for me, at least) is Yara and Daenerys ruling the seven kingdoms as Queen and Queen. However, she is headstrong and seemingly unimportant to the story. She might go down in the battle against…
Euron Greyjoy – Shaping up to be the big bad (besides Cersei) in season seven. Expect him to die near the end of the season, a victim of his own hubris, or by a valiant sacrifice from Theon.
Did I miss anyone? Agree with these picks? Disagree strongly? Game of Thrones returns on July 16. Tune back in for our review of the premiere!
