Game of Thrones: Fan theories for season eight

The final season of Game of Thrones is finally here which means that all the questions viewers have had for years may finally be answered. At least we all hope they will be. With such a long hiatus between season 7 and season 8 fans have a had a lot of time to let their imaginations run rampant regarding theories on just what exactly is happening in Westeros. With so many threads on Reddit devoted to this exact topic, there has been a lot of fan speculation on what is going on. One of the most common theories being that Bran Stark is actually the Night King. But with so many other theories bouncing around on the internet, we have decided that it is time to compile the most compelling ones.
Take a look at the top 22 fan theories associated with all of your favorite characters. From Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow’s unique family ties to certain prophecies that foretold of who would actually rule it is amazing what some fans have concocted up to answer these very pressing questions. But we all know we just want the answer to this one: who will end up on the Iron Throne?

A Wight Family

The teaser trailer for the final season had Arya running through the Winterfell crypt-like she was being chased by something. The Night King has the power to bring back anyone who has died as a Wight, so some fans thought he might decide to raise the deceased members of the Stark family to attack the living Starks from within.

This would be an excellent way for the Wights to then enter Winterfell from within and not have to lay siege for too long.

Jon Snow AKA Aegon Targaryen

Season 7 told the audience that Jon Snow was indeed Aegon Targaryen, son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark which means he has a direct link to the Iron Throne as an heir. However, besides the record that Sam found of the wedding, there is little actual evidence showing that, besides the fact that he too can also ride dragons.

There does seem like there may be something in Lyanna’s grave though as Robert Baratheon left a feather on it back in season one, and this feather continues to be shown which indicates that it may be a marker of some sort. What could possibly be inside her crypt that proves Jon is a Targaryen?

The Mad Queen

As a descendant of Aerys II Targaryen who went down in history as the Mad King, Dany has the potential to follow in her father’s footsteps. He was known for using his dragons to breathe fire on anybody who did not bend to his will, and it seems like Dany is starting to employ this method as well.

Sam Tarly’s father and brother were subjects to this form of wrath at the hands of Dany when they did not recognize her as their Queen. She herself might already be descending into madness which would make her a volatile character that the other heir may have to deal with.

A Noble Sacrifice

The prophecy that speaks of the Prince or Princess who is promised can actually refer to Jon or Dany which has led to a lot of fan confusion. Missandei was the one that drew attention to the fact that the prophecy from Azor Ahai does not specify a gender.

Therefore, it is thought that Jon may decide to martyr himself so that Dany can save everyone from an outside threat, including the threat posed by him as a direct descendant of her brother which gives him a very clear link to the throne she so desperately wants.

Love Or War?

Jon and Dany shared some pretty close quarters aboard the ship before their arrival in Winterfell and Wildling territory which definitely blurred the lines between aunt and nephew. Dany has wanted the Iron Throne for the last seven seasons and has done everything in her power to get it, but with the arrival of Jon and the knowledge that he is also an heir may have the potential to foil the whole plot.

If he wants the throne he may end up betraying her to take it, or she may betray him in order to secure her position as monarch. Only time will tell if love or power will conquer all.

An Unexpected Pregnancy

This theory is completely timeline dependant. Sansa may be pregnant from her ill-fated marriage to the psychopathic Ramsay Bolton. While their short-lived marriage was definitely not filled with love, a baby may be one of the consequences.

But this entirely depends on the timeline of season 7 which is still not exactly clear. If it was over the course of only three or four months she may not have been showing, which means in season 8 she could be pregnant.

Another Potential Prince

Rhaegar, Jon’s father had a previous marriage to Elia Martell but he had it dissolved so that he could marry another. However, a child was born of this union and sent to the Tarly’s to be raised as one of their own for safekeeping.

It is possible that this child is Sam and that he is also in-line to the throne with his possible half-brother Jon. This would mean he could also be the Prince That Was Promised. Now that would be a real twist.

A Lannister Prince

There is also speculation that Jaime Lannister could be The Prince That Was Promised because of certain words that refer to a new accouterment that he has, namely the golden hand. In High Valyrian Lord of the Light and Gold Hand are almost identical, which makes some fans think that Jaime is actually morphing into the Prince.

It would imply that the Prince does not need to be a descendant of the Targaryen line, although this seems like a pretty big ‘what if.’

Alive

Another popular theory is that Ned Stark is alive and it is all due to the cunning of Jaqen H’ghar. They were both in jail together, which seems suspicious as H’ghar can escape from anywhere at any time. It is possible that Varys paid him to do a switch on beheading day so that Stark can come back and help when he is most needed.

Maybe Stark has been working behind the scenes all this time. The writers do love to bring back formerly deceased characters.

Another Surprise Targaryen

Tyrion may be a Targaryen too, as the Mad King was obsessed with Joanna Lannister who was Tywin’s wife. Tyrion’s birth killed Joanna, as did Lyanna’s for Jon, and Dany’s mother too.

There seems to be a pattern of Targaryen children outlasting their mothers and in Tyrion’s case why his father Tywin told him that “you’re no son of mine.” It is entirely possible that there are three Targaryen children who will be vying for the throne.

Family Pride

In season 7, the audience found out that Cersei was pregnant yet again and Tyrion and her may have had a heart to heart behind closed doors. Some fans think that Tyrion is actually a double agent and has been helping Dany all this time with his primary aim being to keep a Lannister on the Iron Throne.

Nobody thinks that Dany can have children, so the fact that she and Jon could potentially have one could thwart the Lannister plan if it exists.

Another Potential Prince That Was Promised

Melisandre, the Red Lady suggested that the Azor Ahai prophecy which speaks of a Prince or Princess That Was Promised may actually refer to more than one prince or princess. The big caveat here is that this person needs to be reborn and have the ability to awake dragons.

Jon and Dany have both been reborn after a fashion, and Tyrion does seem like he has an affinity for dragons. There is also talk of the three-headed dragon, which could imply three Targaryen heirs.

A New Littlefinger

Not many people know about the fact that Littlefinger died at Arya’s hand across Westeros, in fact, it may be believed that he is still alive and working on some new schemes. In order to make use of his power and connections, some fans think that Arya may don his face and begin impersonating him in King’s Landing.

That way she will have access to Cersei, and if there is one thing Arya is good at, it is assassinating those that have wronged her and her family.

A Girl Has A Face

Another popular theory for the demise of Cersei is that it will come by the hand of her own brother, or rather Arya wearing her brother’s face. Arya has been working on being ambidextrous which means she can now fight with her left and her right hand.

Jaime lost his right hand, which means he now uses his left for sword fighting which Arya would need to impersonate if she wants to get anywhere close to Cersei. One thing is clear, it seems like most fans believe Cersei will not live until the end of the series.

A Brutal Birth

Cersei may or may not be pregnant, she has been known to lie but if she is, it is possible the birth could kill her. Maggy the Frog said that Cersei would outlive her three children, which she has so it seems unlikely that this new one will see the light of day.

As an added thought, if she passes away during the birth because it is Jaime’s child it would be like he had killed her in a way.

The Night King

It has been thought that Bran was the Night King for a long time now. Where does he go as the three-eyed raven? Who does he become? Episode three of the final season saw the demise of the Night King but it is still unclear if Bran was actually embodying the King upon his death.

This still leaves the question of what part Bran is actually playing. He has the power to travel through time, so he must know the endgame.

Ancient Enemies

It seems like Bran and the Night King are indeed enemies of old. Bran the Builder knew how to defeat the Night King and save the lands of the living, so if Bran Stark as the Three-Eyed Raven has the same knowledge then he was the Night King’s biggest threat.

The latest episode of Game of Thrones definitely implied this. But it still seems like Bran could have been the Night King, hopefully, some clarification is given in episode 4.

The End Of The Targaryens

Since Bran is something of a time walker, one theory actually suggests that Bran has been manipulating past events much earlier than poor Hodor. One such thing is Aerys II Targaryen’s descent into madness.

If Bran has told him about the threat the wights posed then maybe he was always saying “burn them all” not to his subjects but to those threatening his kingdom past the wall.

Bran The Wall Builder

Some fans believe that every Bran who has ever done anything of substance in Westeros is actually this version of Bran Stark, and he has been weaving through time to change things for this final outcome for centuries.

This could mean that he knew the Wall needed to be built to hold back the Wights for a long time, which is why he made Brandon the Builder undertake the project. It seems like there are a lot of events which lead back to Bran.

Gregor Versus Sandor

The Hound and the Mountain who are some of the most vicious fighters in Westeros are also brothers. The problem that has arisen is that they are on separate sides, the Mountain for the Lannisters and the Hound for the Starks.

When it comes time for the Starks to head down to King’s Landing a duel between these two brothers will be inevitable. Fans have dubbed it the Cleganebowl and it will be a fight to end all fights.

No More Forbidden Love

With Jaime on the side of the Starks and Dany, it seems like his relationship with his twin sister Cersei may finally reach its finishing point. Cersei has been showing moments of madness and does not plan to bend the knee for any Targaryen which Jaime has done.

Due to this, some fans think that it could be Jaime who finally gets close enough to his sister to end her reign and their love with the swipe of his sword.

The Narrator

This tale of the Game of Thrones may actually be a book that Sam has written regarding this period of time, and his first-hand account of some of the scenes he witnesses.

The reason fans think this is because the whole thing has the feel of a story to it, similar to some of the ones that Sam picked up while he was at the Citadel training to be a Maester. He would be the natural historian for the whole thing.

The Ultimate Ruler

Everyone thought that all was lost in episode three of the final season, but it was shown that the White Walkers were not the most powerful of all and that humanity itself and those who wish to rule it from within Westeros is where the final showdown will occur.

Will it be a Targaryen, a Baratheon, or a Lannister who finally takes the Iron Throne? Four more episodes and we will have the answer.