With the Season 7 premiere on Sunday, July 16th, “Game of Thrones” time is upon us, and we should recap the previous storylines and look ahead to what may happen.
Where we leave off in Season 7 (SPOILER WARNING!)
KING’S LANDING
At the end of Season 6, King’s Landing has a new leader in town—Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey). Cersei has fully embodied the Mad Queen, after she torched all her enemies, including the High Sparrow (Jonathan Pryce) at her trial with barrels of wildfire. Unfortunately, her control did not extend across King’s Landing; her last remaining son Tommen chose to kill himself rather than be ruled over by his mother. Thus, the prophecy from Maggie the Frog in Season 5 has been fulfilled—Gold shall be their crowns and gold their shrouds—Cersei has now outlasted all of her children (Joffrey, Tommen and Myrcella). Season 6 leaves us with a heartless Queen Cersei, who has nothing left except her brother and lover, Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and her power over King’s Landing.
S7 PREDICTIONS: Since Cersei is such a dark and tyrannous leader, Season 7 is sure to be a battle for her. With Dany coming to King’s Landing for the first time (more on this later), there will be another trial for the Iron Throne. Since all the Lannister money is now gone, there is little loyalty left to Cersei, and the general people only respect her out of fear for her and The Mountain. Thus, I imagine a battle will brew within her kingdom as well, with the common folk revolting against her dictatorship when the time is opportune. Cersei is desperate enough to join forces with Balon Greyjoy and his 1000 ships. I am most interested to see how Jaime Lannister reacts to her harsh leadership, since he was the one who vanquished the Mad King Aerys when he was young, and he has returned to see his sister just as evil, with no salvation. I can see Jaime’s fate either way in Season 7: sticking adamantly to Cersei’s cruel side, or betraying the lover he once had, in favor of justice for everyone else.
THE NORTH
Season 6 was the tale of the Stark’s revival. We got one of the most cinematic episodes of television ever with “Battle of the Bastards,” which pitted the reincarnated Jon Snow (Kit Harrington) and the wildlings against the nefarious Ramsay Bolton (Iwan Rheon). After a brutal battle, Jon Snow’s army is rescued by Sansa’s reinforcements, and they conquer the Bolton Army. Ramsey ended up being fed to the dogs by Sansa (Sophie Turner), and Jon Snow was crowned ‘King in the North’ by its leading factions. Further North, Bran (Isaac Hempsted Wright) escapes a White Walker attack (RIP Hodor) with the help of Uncle Benjen and has a vision of the Tower of Joy. Bran finally witnesses Jon Snow’s true birth—the son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen.
S7 PREDICTIONS: Season 7 is sure to be mayhem in the North. Jon Snow and his clan are well–aware of the White Walker army, but they still face skepticism across the region. Thus, Snow will need to unite the remaining clans and keep recruiting South if they are to stand a chance against the Night King and his Walkers. Power–hungry as ever, Littlefinger will surely try to pit Sansa against Jon in his attempt to rule the Iron Throne. Bran will continue to explore his powers as the new Three–Eyed Raven, hopefully continuing to uncover the past (ie. Tourney at Harrenhal). Jon Snow will likely meet up with his aunt Daenerys Targaryen, and possibly be married to unite the realm.
ELSEWHERE IN WESTEROS
After lots of training in Braavos, Arya finally left the Faceless Men, after killing the Waif. She had a satisfying finish to Season 6, as she served up a meaty Frey pie to Walder Frey, before killing him. The Hound returned in the Riverlands, joining the Brotherhood without Banners in their quest North (bad choice!). Samwell Tarly, Gilly and Little Sam arrived at the Citadel in Oldtown, where he is sure to have a lot of reading to do. Finally, Daenerys and her dragons torch many enemies out West, and set sail (FINALLY) for King’s Landing.
S7 PREDICTIONS: Arya will continue North and reunite with her remaining siblings. The Hound will likely meet up with Jon Stark and company, and continue their quest to defeat the White Walkers. Hopefully, the Clegane Bowl will be fulfilled this season, as The Hound seeks revenge on his zombified brother. Samwell will become a very learned scholar, and inform Jon Snow of how to find or make dragonglass to kill the White Walkers. Daenerys will reach King’s Landing while Drogon, Viserion, and Rhaegal will bring hellfire upon all who stand in their way. It will be a battle of the Queens, as Daenerys and Cersei are sure to butt heads for the Throne. Just get it together quick, Westerosians! The Night’s King and Winter are here!
