Postcards from Westeros Vol 22
'Game of Thrones' Season 7 is over. Let's talk about Season 8.
The HBO fantasy drama became a little too easy to predict in Season 7, and the finale set up a number of narratives that will carry over into the new season. Here are eight things you can expect to see in the new season, based on the developments in the Season 7 finale. How it will all end, however, is still up for grabs.
1. Fallout over Jon and Dany's hookup
We didn't want them to go there, but unfortunately 'Game of Thrones' couldn't help itself. Jon and Dany acted on the sexual tension that's been building all season and slept together in the finale episode. Their romantic tryst was sullied by the fact that the two are related, which was unequivocally confirmed by Bran and Sam in a scene intercut with the sex. The pair are determined to tell Jon the truth about his parentage, which likely will hinder the budding relationship.
But even before they learn that they are aunt and nephew, they may have to deal with Tyrion, who watches them steal away together with what appears to be jealousy in his eyes. Is the Hand feeling more than political loyalty to his queen? And will that affect the war against the Walkers and/or Dany's bid for the Iron Throne? Speaking of...
2. Fallout over Jon's place in the line of succession
The fact that Rhaegar and Lyanna were married when Jon was born means that Jon, aka Aegon Targaryen, is officially the heir to the Iron Throne, as the firstborn son of the firstborn son of the most recent Targaryen king.
Dany has staked her claim on the Iron Throne on two things: Her worth as a leader and the righteousness of her claim. The throne was stolen from her family and she is here to take it back. But the knowledge that there is a member of her family with a better claim could rock her worldview. Underneath it all, Dany has a desire for power, like so many characters on this series. This naked ambition could come to light if she is jockeying for power with Jon.
3. More effective use of Bran's powers
In the finale, the series established that Bran can visit whatever point in the past he wants, whenever, and he finally used this power to confirm that Rhaegar and Lyanna were married before Jon was born. Now that he's done this once to answer a specific question, he should (hopefully) do it again. There's no point in having an all-seeing being in the house if he doesn't see anything.
4. Cersei and/or Jaime's death
We didn't think they would make it through Season 7, but in a short and White Walker-focused Season 8, there won't be much room for the Lannisters. If the series starts to kill off its major characters again, we believe they will go first. If Cersei enters the fray in the North, it leaves open the possibility that Arya could cross another name off her list. If her feud with Jaime gets worse, it could fulfill another prediction from Maggy the Frog.
See the rest of our predictions for the eighth season here.
In other news:
-'Game of Thrones' may be over, but series like 'Battlestar Galactica' or 'The Magicians' might just help satisfy your craving.
-When Season 8 comes around, we'll see if the series starts to kill off its major characters again.
-Want to theme your next vacation around 'Thrones'? Visit these 16 U.S. destinations to relive the series.