Next Set of (sometimes book-informed) Season Six Predictions

I read the books. I watch the shows. I read fan theories. All these things go into what I think is coming, so spoilers abound. You have been warned.

I know nothing...

Cersei, Margaery, Loras 

I believe Loras will confess and will take the GOLD as punishment—Gold cloaks never marry, live a life of service, and he can swear to chastity. Margaery's punishment will be small—she was only defending her brother—a lie, no more.

Cersei's trial by combat will “prove her innocence”--the Mountain will likely kill Lancel, something that will not endear Kevan to her. She is largely powerless and then Jaime returns with a dead Myrcella. Cersei screams for vengeance, but Kevan forbids poking Dorne.

Instead Jaime agrees to go to the Riverlands to try and make peace (Cersei makes him swear he will fetch Sansa, he evades). Kevan and Pycelle will be murdered because they are being rather too efficient.

 I believe Tommen will fall next season, the result of a Dornish assassination plot, leaving a vacuum on the iron throne—that is where King's Landing will end the season. Perhaps someone will try to put Gendry there (in the books I think Aegon is there to take the throne, not in any final way, but that is who I believe will rule after Tommen. Gendry and Tristane are the only logical subs for him). At this point Cersei will flee back to Casterly Rock, all her children dead, she is one of the last Lannisters by this time..

Sansa, Brienne, and Theon 

 So this prediction is totally off book, but there are some things that have happened that make my guess make some sense.

 1)The casting calls look like something big is going down in the Riverlands.

2)Sam and Gilly took a CART south from the wall instead of a ship.

 I believe Brienne will find Sansa and Theon and help them escape, and low and behold, there is a cart from the Wall to give them a ride. I believe as one last act toward redemption, Theon will head toward the Iron Islands to lead Ramsay's dogs in the wrong direction (via scent), allowing Sansa and Brienne to get on that cart and flee to safety. I don't know if Theon WILL get caught or not (maybe Nymeria will save him--stranger things have happened)...

I think he really does have a sacrifice coming in the books that requires him to stay in the North (maybe his death—the rightful king of the Iron Islands—is what Mel can use to pay for Jon's life. That would be fitting, both for book and show.)

 I believe as they head south, in the Riverlands the four of them (Sam, Gilly, Brienne and Sansa) will run into Randall Tarly who will beat down his son over becoming a Maester (Sam doesn't want to be one in the books because of what his father would say) and will beat down Brienne over being a woman soldier.

Sam will be able to, at this point, tell Sansa he saw Bran and SHE will send a raven to “Jon” to look for Bran—Davos will see it and will instead go look for Rickon. Randall Tarly, in this interaction, will identify Sansa and know his DUTY is to send her to King's landing, so Brienne and Sansa will have to go into hiding, at which point they find the Brotherhood without Banners and Sansa begins the Stoneheart “revenge against Freys, Boltons and Lannisters plot. Brienne will buy in at first (avenging Lady Stark) but will quickly feel like she has sold her soul... however she is obliged to continue protecting Sansa.

 Sadly, I think Sansa's season ends up with her being captured by somebody intent on sending her back to Cersei. THIS is where I think Clegane Bowl comes in.

 Wait... isn't the Hound dead? (BIG SPOILERS AHEAD) Well yes... but Sandor Clegane has been saved by a septon and nursed back to health. I think Sansa may see him and when it is time for her to need a champion, THAT is who she names (and I think he beats his brother).

Sam and Gilly 

Will get on a ship in White Harbor or Maidenpoole and head to Old Town where Sam will take Gilly to his mum who is considerably nicer than his dad, then Sam will check in with the Maesters where some spooky shit goes down. (this is all as it was in Dance with Dragons).

While studying in Old Town Sam falls in with some Glass Candle Sorts, so he is in a good position to learn some secrets from the “fire” perspective (where Bran, north of the wall will learn the ice side of the story). Sam heard all Maester Aemon's words about Daenarys, so he will probably want to send her word of his death and his hopes for her. And I believe it is Sam who will put together the idea that if dragon glass and dragon steel are what defeats a whitewalker at a time, surely it is actual dragons that can defeat the lot of them.

Arya (SPOILERS from not only DwD but her Winds of Winter Chapter)

 While she has already had her murder of a list member (which she doesn't do until the Mercy chapter from Winds of Winter) the PUNISHMENT she got was the one from when she killed Daeryn, a Night's Watch man traveling with Sam (meant to earn their way through singing, but who instead deserts to whore)--her blindness is part of her training.

Blind Beth learns to use her other senses to spy and finally figures out that she can WARG (she wargs a cat to avoid the stick of the kindly man who keeps hitting her)--HE believes she has mastered her other senses, but what she has mastered is a different skill entirely. Still... works for her.

While she is blind she also has a return of wolf dreams (Nymeria)--she'd stopped having them when she crossed the narrow sea, presumably because of distance, but they come back—her senses strengthening. I think the show will show them this time around because I think Nymeria may give a couple assists to Sansa. When she masters the blindness, her sight returns and Arya joins a theater troop (this is where she is Mercy in the books--a casting call for an actress seems to confirm this) and she will kill another from her list. I think the result of this is she will be kicked out of the faceless men, so she will stow away on a ship bound for Westeros.

Davos needs a quest

Speaking of Davos... (yes, we were)

Casting calls look very much like House Umber will be featured. In the books Ser Too Fat to Sit A Horse Manderly sends Davos after Rickon (his price for helping Stannis) so I believe it is again Davos who will be going after Rickon.

And in the SHOW last we heard, Rickon and Osha were headed to the Last Hearth and the Umbers. There have been BOYS called for who sound like Umbers and there have been soldiers called for who sound like Umbers...

Art Parkinson (the young actor who played Rickon) has said “I'm not allowed to talk about it” when asked if he will be returning (talk about a yes in “don't tell anyone” speak)

 I think the northern houses are actually going to have a big rally to oust the Boltons. Nobody likes them. And there are many small mountain holdfasts with names like Liddle who are loyal to the Starks. Unfortunately, after ousting the Boltons, I think they are going to have to be front line against the army of the dead who will have to get through the wall...

 So what do I have left to cover? Dorne? 

 I think that is the only one, so let's just do it.

 Dorne is a hot mess. That said, in the books they really ARE set up for a coupe. A sandsnake to the citadel, one to the small counsel, one to a sept in King's Landing. They are eyes and ears everywhere. In the books they actually are supporting Dany, and since Tristane can no longer marry Myrcella in the show (I think in the books they will wed and rule between Tommen and Aegon), the Targaryens make the most sense for them. I think they will actively undo Lannisters. Tristane, once rescued, will be offered to Dany for Dorne's support. I'm not thinking that will go as well as they plan.

End of Season 5 and Book-Informed Season 6 Predictions: Essos (Dany, Meereen, Bravos)

NOTE:  My guesses and context include book spoilers and some theorized fan theories. Do not read if you object to spoilers, even though very little of this is sure—prophecies can be tricky things, after all.  

This image is called Daenarys and Tyrion and Wine (all is right)

Dany and Tyrion 

I have adored these two (possibly half-siblings) getting to know each other, becoming impressed with each other, realizing they might be a good team. And in spite of a few inconsistency questions, if I stop over-analyzing, I really loved the fighting pit scene and Dany taking off on Drogon. Tyrion is now a believer. Never again can he play full skeptic about what Dany is capable of.  

Now for predictions, we have to split in two:   

Dany Season 6 She is surrounded by Dothraki. Leaving her ring “bread crumb” for Jorah and Daario to find, they still are likely to take Dany to Vaes Dothrak, where widows of Khals are supposed to live out their lives as a sort of wise counsel. Honored, but in a way, enslaved, as leaving is not an option.  

From HERE, I think Drogon will rescue here.

Here is why from Mirri Maz Duur: 

"When the sun rises in the west and sets in the east," said Mirri Maz Duur. "When the seas go dry and mountains blow in the wind like leaves. When your womb quickens again, and you bear a living child. Then he will return, and not before." 

 The sun, in this prophecy, is thought to be Quentin Martell (not in the show, Dorne has a sun with a spear on its sigel) who comes to Dany with a letter regarding a marriage contract (but she has already promised to marry Hizdar). Quentin, in an attempt to impress her, tries to free Viserion and Rhaegal and is instead burned to death… so he rose in the west (Dorne) and set in the east (Meereen).

The seas going dry are probably the Dothraki grass sea. (has not happened yet, but certainly could as the climate changes.

Vaes Dothrak is described as a mountain by Dany. And if a certain dragon set the whole thing on fire, the ashes would indeed blow in the wind.

Finally: In the books, before she is surrounded, she seems to miscarry (in spite of thinking she is barren)   Now I don’t see Drogo actually returning like he was but I do believe at some point all these conditions will be met in the books--maybe it is her doom--maybe she will die in childbirth an return to Drogo. It was very common in the 15th century, which seems about the equivalent. If it happens, it will be at the very end (and Jon's son).

 So what does that mean for the show in season 6? 

I think she will be taken to Vaes Dothrak and rescued by Drogon and somewhere in there is the epiphany that SHE isn’t needed to rule Meereen. She freed them. She can leave Greyworm and Missendei to rule and it is time for her to go to Westeros. The Dothraki, seeing her power with her dragon, will join to follow her, giving her the only army in the world bigger than the army of the dead. The season will end with her taking this army back to Westeros.  

Enter Euron Greyjoy (well not now—back there a ways—it is HIS ships that give her Dothraki army their ride)

 A pirate is being cast for next year. In the books Euron has been exiled. He returns home THE SAME DAY his brother Balon dies under suspicious circumstances. Balon is Theon and Asha’s (Yara) father—self declared king (the same one who banished Euron). So with Theon missing, Euron and Asha/Yara have a King’s Moot (contest) for who inherits rule and Euron wins, promising… catch this… that he has a horn that can control DRAGONS so he will deliver all of Westeros to the Iron Born. In the book there is a second brother and they split up (the 2nd not happy about it) but I think in the show, Euron will head toward Dany, intent on marrying and ruling Westeros with her.  The proposal will go something like this:  "You've got dragons, I've got the horn to control them. Let's go kick ass."

Quaithe is a priestess from Asshai, a shadowbinder

Want another Dany Prophecy? 

This one from Quaithe

No. Hear me, Daenerys Targaryen. The glass candles are burning. Soon comes the pale mare, and after her the others. Kraken and dark flame, lion and griffin, the sun’s son and the mummer’s dragon. Trust none of them. Remember the Undying. Beware the perfumed seneschal."   

Glass candles are how the people in Asshai “see” (much like Greenseers and the Weirwoods)

The pale mare is plague (grey scale in the show)

Euron is the kraken, Dark Flame is potentially Mocorro (a red priest with Euron)
Lion is Tyrion
Griffin is Jon Connington (not in the show)
Sun’s Son (I mentioned above—Quentin)
And Mummer’s Dragon (probably Aegon—not truly a Targaryen, but also not in the show)

 She is reminded to remember her visit to the house of undying.

The Undying call her "mother of dragons" and "child of three" and tell her some prophesies, saying "three fires must you light... one for life and one for death and one to love... three mounts must you ride... one to bed and one to dread and one to love... three treasons will you know... once for blood and once for gold and once for love..."   

Let’s break that down. Child of three? This is unclear. Mother of dragons however, is not.

"three fires must you light... one for life and one for death and one to love... [pyre that birthed her dragons, not sure if the others have been lit yet but the second may be her burning of the Dosh Khaleen at Vaes Dothrak which I think earns her back a real Khalizar which she can ride into Meereen and enforce her peace]

three mounts must you ride... one to bed and one to dread and one to love... [Silver (her wedding gift from Drogo ridden to her wedding bed), feasibly Drogon #2 though Euron's ship may be it, and the last not yet fulfilled or may  be Drogo once she masters him],

three treasons will you know... once for blood and once for gold and once for love..." [Mirri Maz Dur is probably the first, the second in the books may be Brown Ben Plum and the final I am guessing will be Daario or MAYBE Jon (if he has to sacrifice his love to become Azor Ahai—she is feasibly a very fitting sacrifice and I can see these two falling in love)]

But I'm digressing here. It is in sheer speculation mode...

 So what of Tyrion?

In the books he hasn't met her yet. In the show it is clearly setting him up to play Barristan Selmy's role of keeping peace and ruling while she is gone. I believe he will be GOOD at it and by the time Dany returns with her Khalizar, Greyworm and Missendei will be set to rule and Tyrion will go to Westeros with Dany. I believe Euron, being Euron, will take them through Asshai where it is prophecied Dany will find TRUTH. Maybe that truth is that Tyrion is her brother. Maybe that truth is that Rhaegar has a living son... (maybe she will THINK that is Aegon, but it is not) Anyway, all a bit fuzzy, but those are the things I am incorporating into my speculation.

End of Season 5 and Book-Informed Season 6 Predictions: the Jon Bit

How can it be book informed if the show has caught up to the books?

Well see, it's not QUITE caught up (Sam has story, Arya has story, the Ironborn haven't had ANYTHING yet), but more than that, I am using some prophecy and vision stuff. Also, there are interviews, casting news, and such, plus I've read the Winds of Winter Chapters that have been released, though I think only Arya's chapter will affect what I have to say about her season 6. Sansa and Theon are in too different a place from their book plots and Barristan is dead on the show and Arianne never existed...

 I am going to go by MC/Area rather than season 5 then 6 because I think it's more coherent that way... I will break this into a couple parts that go together because otherwise it may get way too long. I will begin with the one everyone is talking about because its prominence in the media means it is a timely topic.

JON SNOW (and Bran, Melissandre, and the white walkers) 

Jon's story has been the most interesting all season. The politics at the wall, the hints at Jon's parentage, all of it, but these last three episodes were really amazing. Hard Home, in particular, episode 8, only managing to get a fraction of the wildlings onto the ships, battling the wights and then the white walkers, Jon managing to kill one of the white walkers with his valyrian steel sword... just amazing.

Then there was all the shade thrown at Jon when he showed up at the wall with all of them and let them through, leading right up to the final episode in which his brothers killed him as a traitor.

The News Part: There has been a great deal of effort by show creators and Kit Harington to say Jon is DEAD. He will not be on the show next year. All carefully worded like he's been fed lines... like maybe he is legally required to say them... Yet there is a rumor Kit has been seen in Belfast and he certainly hasn't cut his hair, which only in December he was complaining about. Now I can see why he had to keep it through Sunday, but if I were him and wanted to squash rumors and get all that extra fluff off my neck for summer, I would have made my appointment for Monday morning...

The final authority on the matter though, is George RR Martin, who in 2011 said:

“If there’s one thing we know in A Song of Ice and Fire is that death is not necessarily permanent.”
 and
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: So why did you kill Jon Snow?

GEORGE R.R. MARTIN: Oh, you think he’s dead, do you?

Now listen... I have been on discussion boards for about two years now. I've reread the books, and listened to them two more times. I am going to take George's word here because I think there are plenty of hints.

I believe Jon is DEAD, and that this is a good thing. 

 Say WHAT!?

Only by dying will Jon be released from his Night's Watch vows. Only by dying can he do what he needs to to find out who he really is and meet his destiny.

But he isn't going to stay dead. Here is WHY:

Jon Snow has an enormous mystery built up around his parentage that has had too much build for the character to just go away. It was established in the first book/season.

Sean Bean even let it slip at one point, "I've definitely got some unfinished business that needs to be resolved there," he argued. "I'm obviously not Jon Snow's dad. And you need that to be revealed at some point, don't you?"  

And if the ANSWER to this question is what everybody suspects—that Jon is a LEGITIMATE son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, then Jon IS the song of Ice and Fire—the name of the whole series—the only person to embody BOTH ice and fire. The only two magical family lines (well maybe excepting the Reeds) in the realm.

 Need proof... here are the vows... right there near the top...

It shall not end until my death

But ALSO (and this begins to approach the HOW of what happens next, there is a vision from Melisandre in the books:

The flames crackled softly, and in their crackling she heard the whispered name Jon Snow. His long face floated before her, limned in tongues of red and orange, appearing and disappearing again, a shadow half- seen behind a fluttering curtain. Now he was a man, now a wolf, now a man again. But the skulls were here as well, the skulls were all around him. 

 So Jon will be a man. And then a wolf. And then a man again. In the books the last word Jon says before he dies isn't his “eh tu, Brute,” statement of “Ollie”. The last thing he says is “Ghost.” And he doesn't feel the fourth blade goes in. Jon Snow has vacated his body...

It seems he is going to put his soul into that direwolf of his for safe keeping until somebody, like say, the conveniently timed Melisandre, can resurrect him. That said, I think there will be some obstacle—maybe they hide his body in the cold cells so she doesn't know where he is, or maybe she has to sneak away with him to somewhere safe before she can do it. Maybe she has to run from Davos who will surely be intent on destroying her when he learns what happened to Stannis and Shireen.

Jon and Bran?

I think Jon Snow will embody Ghost much of the season. And I think Ghost has some stuff to explore... like maybe a brother north of the wall... whose person is getting very good at seeing the past and great distance through the eyes of the heart trees. I think Bran will have a clue for where Jon can find the answer about his parents which will set Jon on a sort of quest. (you know... in addition to saving the world and all)

I think the ACTUAL resurrection of Jon Snow won't come until maybe the last episode.

 And did you see that last line of Mel's prophecy? Skulls all around him? In ANOTHER prophecy, one about Hard Home, it is very clear “skulls” are the way the wights (or others as they are known in the books) appear to her. So either he will be resurrected north of the wall or the army of the dead will have gotten through. It seems only logical, since the murder of Jon will have to lead to civil war among the watch, perhaps an attack by the wildlings, and nobody left who really understands what needs to be done to guard that wall.

Predictions for the Last Three Episodes (Spoilers)

Arya

 I believe she will be “Cat of the Canals” in episode 8—learning the value of listening and learning. Then she will advance to a more “disguised” role and she will run into Meryn Trant and Mace Tyrell. She will “seduce” (not all the way, but act as if she is) Meryn and will kill him. She will confess to J'aquen and the end of the season for her will be waking up blind. (her Blind Beth bit will be in season 6)


Sansa 

I believe she will use that tool she found to pick her lock. She will begin sneaking out of her room, will light the candle, and will take up the role of “ghost of Winterfell” (Boltons are going to start dying and there will be no explanation)--I think Miranda will be her first kill. I think in episode 10 she will be CAUGHT and decide she has to escape. She will take Theon with her and Brienne will escort them to Stannis.

Stannis

 I believe Stannis will REFUSE to kill Shireen, that Melissandre and Selyse will try anyway. Stannis will send Shireen off with Ser Davos to safety and will send Melissandre and Selyse back to the wall. I believe the end of the season for them will be Selyse getting the letter than Stannis is dead (though I don't believe he will be). The end of the season for STANNIS will be the arrival of Sansa, Brienne and Theon (who is a king's son, eh? A worthy sacrifice?)


King's Landing

Tommen will have the foresight to send for Ser Kevan to help him. Mace will also return. I think Loras may win a trial by combat against Lancel. His innocence will also clear Margaery. Cersei will repent on PART of her crimes, but not all. Her walk of shame will be in episode 9 (the biggie for that one). After her walk, however, she will be isolated from power and forced to pretend piety because there will still be the pending trial for crimes she does NOT admit to.

Dany 

Dany will marry Hizdar. I think Tyrion will convince her to forgive Jorah. The fighting pit scene will turn violent and Dany will fly off on Drogon. The last scene in Meereen will show that grey scale is beginning to spread.


Jon

Hard home is gunna be hella scary. I think maybe there are people with grey scale in the water and white walkers OUT of the water and it will really suck. Jon will bring wildlings back, send Sam, Gilly, Shireen and Davos south on a ship and then tell the brothers he is letting wildlings through the wall. The brothers will mutiny and Ollie will stab Jon...

Game of Thrones, Season 5, Episode 7: response and predictions

So I didn't review last week. The episode was hard and I felt like I spent a lot of energy arguing on OTHER people's public forums as to how things DID go, COULD have gone and SHOULD have gone. So yeah... sorry about that.

5.6 in 30 seconds 

 I WILL say I loved the Hall of Faces in the Arya scenes, thought Iain Glen's facial acting when Jorah learned of his father's death was incredible. I thought they thoroughly botched the Sand Snakes Scene and while I hated the Grey Wedding Night (though the wedding itself was gorgeous and true to the north), I can't see another way a wedding night with Ramsey might have gone. So there.


Now, onto this week.

Oh, Maester Aemon I sobbed through all of this. Seriously more touching to book readers who understand that not only was Aemon the OLDER brother of King Aegon the Unlikely (which means it was offered to Aegon first), he took the black so nobody would threaten his younger brother (with the alternate and older Aemon available as fallback). He was truly selfless.

This death is the only death of old age we've seen on this show. Even old Nan was apparently killed when Ramsey's men sacked the castle from Theon. But we also lose history with him—someone who knew more than anyone alive. He'd had more than one hundred years to accumulate knowledge and had dedicated his life to exactly that. He understood cooperation and respect for the realmS of men. We shall never see his like again.

And how ominous, telling “Gilly-flower” to get her son south, before it's too late.

PREDICTION: A merger with the Stannis story below Sam and Gilly!!!

I have felt these two AT THE WALL strained it all a bit. In the books they aren't under everybody's nose (Sam is sent to take a few people to safety and Gilly and “her” babe are part of it) so it feels more natural. That said, I like the sweetness between them and Sam and his “Oh my”--perfect Sam response... It was sweet sex, rather than graphic sex, which for these two was perfect.

A Sand Snake Scene I can get behind!

 I can forgive the gratuitous boobage. I liked the interaction between Tyene and Bronn. And I liked that they made us fear for Bronn's life, then saved him... or DID they?

 Erm... but they seem to have...

Probably had Bronn been a total ass over there, she would have just let him die, but we all know Bronn is charming...

My problem this whole time (other than bad choreography) is the sand snakes collectively come across cartoonish. One at a time they are much more compelling. I liked this peek at Tyene. Sacrifice your Daughter! No freaking way. Stannis asks Melissandre if she's out of her mind. GO STANNIS!

Want my prediciton here?

 PREDICTION: I think Selyse will make a move to help Melissandre sacrifice Shirene and Stannis will send Davos off to save her. Davos will take her to the wall as Sam realizes he has sapped the wall's resources on how to fight white walkers and he will get sent to Old Town to read more. He will take Shirene, Gilly and Little Sam for their safety.

Echos of Joffrey: "I have something to show you".

Winterfell—OI!

I so wanted a turn around this week, but Theon fell through. The peek of hope was Sansa picking up some small sharp thing from the walkway. CRACKDICTION:  Maybe she will put out Ramsey's eye. That would be good. Want a crackpot rendition? This will happen, then Ramsey will try to hunt her, but on the hunt, Nymeria and her superpack will appear and wipe out Ramsey and his dogs and then carry Sansa off toward the wall. On the plus side, Sansa rubbing the bastard thing in is setting Ramsey up to kill fat Walda.

HOPEDICTION (can't really call it a prediction just yet) THEN she will follow with “there can be another wife and another son” so Ramsey will kill Roose... Or I hope...


King's Landing

Lady Olenna ROCKS. She always rocks, but man, the High Sparrow sure is inscrutible. Hard to deal with someone who has no price. And then we get Littlefinger admitting he gave Cersie Oliver, but to pay it back, he gives Olenna a handsome boy (Lancel). And MAN, did THAT pay off. Oh, Cersei... How could you NOT see this coming? Everybody else did. You were warned, even. Littlefinger himself said, “do you think it's wise?”

 Not giving my prediciton here as I've read and am pretty sure I know how this goes... With the church in Croatia protesting that nudity can't be done in a church... what? The episode overall felt a little heavy on set up ad light on payoff, but that final payoff made up for much of it and I am very excited for the final three episodes.

What did you guys think?

Brienne Show Prediction

Spoiler free if you are caught up on the SHOW.

This territory is pretty safe as spoilers go since the show has diverged so much from the books. Last week we saw Brienne reiterate her intention to kill Stannis and I've seen some frenzied debate on whether she will, or whether Stannis will kill HER.

I think we have another thing coming.

Brienne, in addition to wanting to avenge Renly by killing Stannis also swore an oath to protect the Stark girls. Sansa is currently poised to be in a very dangerous situation. Without getting into my Sansa predictions much (which I have, but I will post separately) I predict there will be a time Sansa needs to flee Winterfell. Brienne will know Stannis is near (he has said he is marching south) and that he is the most likely person able to keep Sansa safe from the Boltons, so she will have to choose. Save Sansa and give up her commitment to kill Stannis, at least for now, or kill Stannis but leave Sansa in danger. I think we all know how that decision will go.