Here it comes!!! Season 8 is just around the corner and many of us expect it to be awesome with a grand finale... but sometimes a twist is needed, and that means bad news for some... So... what's up with season 8?
The Trailer
The trailer, which was released on January 13, 2019, got us all riled up with its dark symbolism, but did it give us much to work with when coming to predict season 8? It shows Sansa, Arya, and Jon, the surviving Stark siblings in the crypt of their ancestors as eerie music plays on. It left us with questions, where is Bran? Could this be one of his psychic visions? WE WANT MORE
Any New Characters?
As we know, every season we have met more and more interesting people with fascinating backstories that somehow intertwine perfectly into the plot. But will we meet any new kids on the block in season 8?
Well according to a fan site, Watchers in the Wall, a major casting call was made for a character called Harry Strickland who features in the books as the leader of a mercenary group named The Golden Company. He will apparently play a new villain in the plot and be embodied by actor Marc Rissman.
See some more leaks and rumors...
Blessed With another Glimpse
Although a full trailer is yet to arrive, at the Golden Globes we saw another short clip. Here we see Deanery Targaryen as she enters Winterfield with Jon Snow. They are greeted by Sansa who tells her “Winterfell is yours, your grace” with animosity dripping from her voice.
The War We Know Will Happen
One thing we know that is bound to occur in this season is the wat to end all wars. Ever since the prologue that prefaced the first episode, GOT has been building up towards the battle between the living and the dead, and although many many many subplots took our attention at times, this is what we are waiting for.
How It Will Begin
Although nothing is sure, Entertainment Weekly let slip that things are going to get pretty cyclical. So, the first episode may be reminiscent of the very first episode of season 1. We will see the Starks awaiting a royal visitor in Winterfell, but rather than King Robert, we expect Deanery Targaryen to be the royal guess.
Confrontations Abound
Another aspect we are pretty sure we will see is some tense confrontations. A lot of characters who have been separated by distance both literally and figuratively are going to meet, one example is the displeasure Sansa is bound to express when finding out Jon has bent the knee and meeting Dany for the first time.
Why It Has Taken So Long
Many fans were not impressed with the long wait between season 7 and season 8, but HBO boss Casey Bloys ensured the wait was both necessary and worth it.
“These things take time. Here’s the one thing I can assure you: Dan and Dave were not sitting around on a beach waiting to go back to work. They’re perfectionists and this is the soonest it can come back at a level of quality that they are comfortable with.”
And that we can all live with.
How Many Episodes?
It has been confirmed that the final season will only feature six episodes. But these won’t be normal series episodes. Each will basically be a small film in itself and be anything from 60 mins to 120 mins. So, get ready to sit back and take them in.
Expensive Taste
As you know, Game of Throne's viewers have become used to some high-quality action including crazy props and backgrounds. This isn’t cheap with each episode often costing as much as a full movie. It is reported that for the 8th and final season, it has cost something around $15 million per episode! Making it one of the most ambitious shows in history
Another Potential
According to Lisa Richards Agency, Seamus O’Hara will play a character named Fergus. But since Fergus is not a character from the books, we are all still guessing who this could be.
Flip It on Its Head
We also have some hints from the producer himself. Bryan Cogman let it slip that he believes this season will flip George RR Martin’s vision on its head! “ is about all of these disparate characters coming together to face a common enemy, dealing with their own past, and defining the person they want to be in the face of certain death,” Cogman said.
New Clues
Martin also delivered what may have been a clue during an interview with news.com.au which may hint at the fact that Daenerys won’t end up with the throne after all! “I have tried to make it explicit in the novels that the dragons are destructive forces, and Dany (Daenerys Targaryen) has found that out as she tried to rule the city of Meereen and be queen there.”
Post-GOT Therapy
If that isn’t enough to make you salivate to see it already, Gwendoline Christie made us even more anxious to see it with her loaded statement “I think just the show ending is going to send all of the world into professional help.” (If Jon or Dany dies, we all know this is true).
Who Will Live and Who Will Die?
This is the main question on everyone’s mind, so much so that data scientists have done maths with the 2,000 characters who all appeared in Game of Thrones to figure out the exact stats of whose most at risk! and brace yourself, our precious Deanery was at the top of the list.
Daenerys Targaryen – 83.77%
Jaime Lannister – 72.91%
Tyrion Lannister – 70.76%
Bran Stark – 66.02%
Cersei Lannister – 60.39%
Jon Snow – 58.99%
Euron Greyjoy – 54.95%
Sansa Stark – 50.28%
Arya Stark – 49.04%
Gendry – 39.87%
Will Catelyn Return?
Another popular fan theory which some say is backed by the teaser trailer is that Catelyn Stark may return from the dead. In the books Catelyn famously resurfaces, so this could very well be a plot-twist in the series too!
Gigantic Ice Spiders
It may not be a character, but do you remember in season 1 when Old Nan is telling Bran the story of the ‘giant ice spiders’?
Well, recently George Martin revealed a picture of what these creatures look like… the timing of Martin’s tweet with the picture, along with the fact that it was from a 2020 calendar (meaning after the show has aired) has everyone wondering if the spiders will appear in the final season.
Questions We Need Answered!
Since it’s the final season, we expect some burning questions to be answered. Here they are along with theories as to what will unfold. Of course, the foremost question is what will happen with Jon and Daenerys?
No Good Outcome
Bran is adamant that the pair need to know the truth about their ancestry, which means things may get creepy soon. At the end of season 7 we found out Jon is actually the rightful heir to the throne even before Dany. Everyone knows Dany’s lifelong dream is to avenge her family’s rightful seat on the throne, and everyone knows she loves Jon.
Will these lovebirds feel the same way about each other when the truth is revealed? We hope so, Does Jon actually want the throne? We doubt it. Will it cause friction between these two as they prepare for the biggest battle of them all? Almost certainly.
Keeping it Top Secret
Although we may have gotten hints now and then of what’s to come, during filming everything was kept top secret. According to Sophie Turner, they even used a different name! “We have a whole different name for it when we’re shooting it. I think this season it was like The Tree of Life or something”, she explained to Vulture.
Shaking Off the Scent
Not only do they call it by a different name, but they make sure no drones get any material and have a special device that kills any drones flying around set! That, plus fake scenes! Turner continued
“Also, we shoot fake scenes. We got into costume in Croatia because we know the paparazzi lurk around there, so we would spend like half a day doing nothing.”
Talk about taking the right precautions!
Is Cersei Pregnant?
Honestly, when it comes to Cersei, we never know what the truth is and what is a part of her web of manipulation. After all, this pregnancy is conveniently times as Jaime’s loyalty starts to falter. So, in most fan’s predictions, the chance of another incestuous offspring is unlikely.
Will We Finally See Cleganebowl?
Now, this is one throwdown we can get behind. Something that fans have wanted for ages now is the fight between brothers Sandow Clegane, anti-hero The Hound and his awful brother Gregor Clegane. We got a taste of what it could be like in season 7 when the pair took their issues to the Dragon Pit in Kings Landing, but we know there is more to come.
Will Any Main Characters Become White Walkers?
Well according to Nicolaj Coster-Waldau who plays Jaime (and is a pretty solid resource) this is almost certain to occur!
“You know some of the main characters are going to get turned. There are going to be some blue-eyed main characters running around, ” he told Esquire. “And, god, I hope it’s not me. That’s three hours of make-up in the morning.”
Is Bran Stark The Night King?
The main theory that was swirling around fans during the last few months is the fact that Bran Stark may very well be The Night King, especially as Bran’s powers increased. The theory goes as follows (just sit back and listen) Bran warged into The First Man as he is turned into a White Walker by The Children of the Forest and is now trapped in that body….its a mouthful, but it certainly is plausible.
Only Four Writers
According to Game of Thrones creator Davis Benioff, there are four writers responsible for the final six episodes, no more and no less. Dave Hill will write episode one, Bryan Cogman will do episode two, and Benioff and D. B. Weiss will be in charge of the last four.
Four Directors
It seems four is the lucky number for the creatives behind Game of Thrones. Much like the writing, there will be four men responsible for directing the final season. Namely David Nutter, Miguel Sapochnik, and showrunners David Benioff and D. B. Weiss
Tyrion is most probably not falling for Dany
Although many people speculated that Tyrion has growing romantic feeling for Daenerys after he lurked outside the door where she and Jon were having sex, those rumors seem to have been shut down by the finale director Jeremy Poeswat
"I think that for Tyrion, it’s more complicated. I think he has a very special relationship with Dany and he really believes in her as a true leader and has invested a lot in her. I think for him, with Jon and Dany getting together, this represents a possible undermining of his position with her and also a monkey wrench thrown into what the master plan really is meant to be around this entire alliance." Make of that what you will.
Multiple Endings
Boss of HBO Casey Bloys got us all scratching our heads when he claimed in September 2017 that Game of Thrones crew would film multiple endings to the last season to avoid leaks, but considering how expensive each episode is to film, this seems doubtful. Masie Williams denied this was the case setting in Jimmy Kimmel Live "I don't think we've got the budget to shoot lots of different endings," she said. "As we know, sometimes presidents don't always tell the truth." Ouch!
Bad News #1
If you're a DISH subscriber, you're in for some bad news. It seems there is no light at the end of the tunnel for the dispute between Dish and HBO. Co-founder and chairman of Dish Network, Charlie Ergen, said that the blackout will probably continue well into April and after, which would bring a surge in piracy viewing.
Bad News #2
It's possible that one of the shows' most beloved character is going to turn 180 degrees against another beloved character. That's bad news for the lovers of light (we mean lovers of the good side). Many believe that(Peter Dinklage) will be the one who turns against the mother of dragons.
These mega-fans have theorized this scenario after checking back into Tyrion’s history. There's potential for it they say.
The Dragonpitt will Appear Once Again
A Game of Thrones Spanish fan site, Siete Reinos did their digging and confirmed that the Seville authorities approved permits for filming at the ruins of Italica, where the Dragonpitt scenes where shot in the seventh season!
King’s Landing has a new dome building
Fansite Winter Is Coming noted that there is a new dome on the Kings Landing set in Belfast which could mean nothing, but it could be a site for the new sept after Cersei blew up the Great Sept of Baelor in season six…then again, it could also just be the brothel getting an upgrade.
The Ending Won’t be Rushed
Despite many fans freaking out that only six episodes mean their beloved Game of Thrones will come to a rushed ending, this is not so. According to Missandei actress Nathalie Emmanuel, there is absolutely zero reason to complain: "They’ve taken the exact number of hours to tell the story they want to tell, and it will be brilliant," she told Metro U.K. in March.
Tormund Giantsbane Probably Survived the Collapse of the Wall
Who can forget that moment we last saw our favorite ginger as he tried to fight off Viserion the Undead…we were left wondering about his fate, but he has been spotted at Belfast during the filming of season 8 so unless he comes back as a White Walker, breathe easy knowing he is still around!
More Flashbacks
It seems pretty obvious that there will be more flashbacks, but we have proof to back it up! Wilf Scolding who played Daenerys brother (and is easily one of my most hated characters), was spotted at Belfast and also posted a since-deleted photo of him in front of a hotel there….sneaky sneaky.
Prequels Are Coming!
Take a deep breath everyone, just because the final season is nearly done, does not mean the Game of Thrones wall is over. There will be life after GOT including at least five prequels! And Naomi Watts has already signed on to star in one of them!
There will be a big action sequence with the Army of the Dead
Again, something that goes without saying. But we have the inside scoop: the episode is directed my Miquel Sapochnik who also gave the world the ‘Battle of the Bastards’ episode. And Peter Dinklage gave us some more information’s stating of the sequence: “It’s brutal. It makes the Battle of the Bastards look like a theme park.”
It Won’t Satisfy Everyone
While most cast and crew have kept tight-lipped about the ending or given it positive reviews, Sophie Turner got real when asked what fans will think of the season finale.
"Who knows if it will be satisfying for the fans," Turner told IGN. "I think a lot of fans will be disappointed and a lot of fans will be over the moon, I think. I think it will be really interesting to see people’s reactions, but for me reading the script it was just like heart-breaking to read at the very final page of the script it just says, ‘End of Game of Thrones’. That was really emotional."
Fan Theories Get Wild
While some count down the seconds till the first episode airs, others are busy trying to prove their wild and wacky fan theories, one of the most popular ones being that Daenerys is pregnant with Jon’s baby! Remember back in season one Mirri Maz Duur told Dany that she’s barren?
Well, it’s been proven that she’s not exactly a reliable source. That plus the fact that Ser Jorah told Jon to keep the ancestral Mormont sword for his children seems to be the perfect foreshadowing to a Dany Jon baby!
Jaime is going to kill Cersei
This was a much-discussed theory already in season 7, but now the stage is really set for a showdown between Jaime and his sister and lover. We ended season 7 with Cersei breaking the news of her pregnancy and Jaimie leaving her and their unborn child to ride Northwood…you can bet the next time they see each other won’t exactly be a happy reunion.
Jon survives the war and goes on to win the Game of Thrones
It’s an ending many people are hoping for, and if you read into the teaser trailer for season 8, you realize this may just be true! If you look at Jon’s statue in the crypts of Winterfell it’s one of an old man as opposed to Arya’s and Sansa’s young statues…we’re just saying!
Tyrion is a Targaryen
This will always be a thing in the minds of Game of Thrones fans, and honestly, the only thing that will stop this theory from spreading is if they do a flashback that shows Tywin Lannister actually impregnating Joanna with Tyrion…which seems unlikely.
Melisandre’s gone to get an army of Red Priests
When we saw Melisandre leave Dragonstead in season seven she told Lord Vrys that she was heading to Volantis but would return to die in Westeros…one theory goes that she has gone to Volantis for no other reason but to collect an army of R’hller followers who will set their swords on fire in the fight with Dany and Jon!
Nymeria Will Make a Comeback
It was emotional and sentimental when Arya encountered her long lost dirwolf during season seven for the first time since season one, and many fans believe she will appear once again in season eight to save the day during the major battle…but we also know it costs major bucks to animate the direwolves and now that the dragons are in the picture, the chances aren’t high.
Azor Ahai will be revealed
The question of ‘who is Azor Ahai’ is one that is complicated enough that you could write a book on it. The options include Jon, Daenerys The Hound, Ser Devo, and Jaimie Lannister. If the show doesn’t answer this, fans will be pissed and rightfully so
Tyrion Will Betray Dany
A theory I personally hope proves to be wrong… but we have to admit his behaviour on the ship is questionable. If he hasn’t betrayed her yet he could be thinking of it since Jon’s romance throws a massive wrench into his whole Dany operation.
The Emotional Ending
Of course, as fans and avid supporters of the Game of Thrones we are all devastated that it’s coming to an end, but can we stop being so selfish for a second and think about how hard it is for the cast themselves to say goodbye after years and years on set working towards this plot? Very hard apparently.
Kit Breaks Down
All the different reactions of the cast members have been noted, with Kit taking the cry baby cake. According to Entertainment Weekly, Kit who plays Jon Snow “wept" not once, but twice when reading the script and learning the fate of his character…whether they were happy or sad tears remain a mystery.
Power to Destroy
If that wasn’t a hint enough he continued, stating about Dany “She has the power to destroy, she can wipe out entire cities, and we certainly see that in ‘Fire and Blood,’ we see the dragons wiping out entire armies, wiping out towns and cities, destroying them, but that doesn’t necessarily enable you to rule — it just enables you to destroy.”
Make of that what you will…
A Loaded Promise
When it comes to ending predictions, who better to listen to than David Nutter, the director of the final three seasons of GOT. While he did not give us much to work with, he did make some heavy promises:
“All I know is that David and Dan spent a lot of time to tell the story in a proper fashion, and the audience will be completely satisfied. Not everybody will be satisfied, but I feel the audience will be satisfied with the direction the series goes. It lives up to all the building it’s coming to, I promise you that.”
Finding Out Their Fate
While most cast members, like Emilia Clarke, rushed home immediately to read the password-protected scripts as they got their hands on them, Kit discovered what awaited him character as the script was read aloud.
"What’s the point of reading it to myself in my own head when I can listen to people do it and find out with my friends?" Harington explained.
Momoa Gets Real
While all the current and former cast members have been super cryptic when it comes to discussing the finale season. Former star Jason Momoa who played Khal Drogo said of his visit on set "It’s going to be the greatest thing that's ever aired on TV. It's going to be unbelievable. It's going to fuck up a lot of people." Sounds good to us!
Jamie Lannister Is Bound to Last
Decoding another quote from a Game of Thrones actor and what it all means, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau who plays Jaimie Lannister may have given away that he survives…at least till the very last episode.
“God, every time we got a new script I thought: ‘OK, this is probably going to be the one’,” Coster-Waldau told the Huffington Post. “But no. The Lannister kids made it to the end.”
We May See Another Side of Daenerys Targaryen
“It’s f*cked me up,” Clarke told Vanity Fair. “Knowing that is going to be a lasting flavour in someone’s mouth of what Daenerys is…” Now hold up a second…what could this mean!! It definitely sounds like there my now be a happy ending for Dany, will she do something questionable? We know with the dragons behind her she is pretty much capable of anything so we will have to wait and see…
Ser Jorah Approved
One character that loved the way Game of Thrones wrapped up is Ian Glen, AKA Ser Joran Mormont’s who told The India Express:
“I am one of the few people who has read the script and I know the ending and what happens, When I read it, I thought it was rather brilliant. I am a bit of a fan of the series as well, and it satiated my expectation and hopes… But we will just have to see. You know with something this big like Game of Thrones, you cannot please everyone.”
Season 8 is all about Girl Power
One thing is for sure, we are going to see a lot of powerful woman in this season at least according to Masie Williams, “For me, Game of Thrones is a medieval world in which women don’t have a lot of rights, yet they still prevail,” she told Elle. “This final season is going to be incredible. They’re all ruling, you know, they’re all back on top – it’s pretty impressive.”
Tyrion Probably, Maybe, Might Die
With one evil little quote from Peter Dinklage it seems that his beloved character may very well be biting the dust as the show comes to an end. In his own word:
They ended it brilliantly. Better than I could have imagined, and you people are in for it. It ends beautifully for my character, whether it be tragic or not.” Then again, it may just be some tricky misdirection…
Emotions Get the best of Dany
Emilia Clarke also found it incredibly hard to wrap it up and bid farewell to her character. About the lost day she told The Daily Mail:
”This is it. It's over and I cried like a baby on the last day. I felt completely lost… Ten years is a long time. It's like losing an actual limb. I was 22 – a child – when I first walked on the Game of Thrones set. I grew up with her”
Jon and Dany Will Learn of His Heritage
