SAN DIEGO, August 23, 2017 – In keeping with “Game of Thrones” tradition over seven season, the penultimate episode was packed with enough action to satisfy any fan. The final episode provides an epilogue of sorts designed to leave viewers with enough to speculate over for months until the next season comes along.
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In this case, it will be the final season. GOT producers will give us 80 minutes to see many of the series characters assembled in one place for the first time. But from the photos released today, there is a glaring omission. None of them show Danaerys Targaryen.
Promotional photos released by HBO show Danaerys Targaryen’s Unsullied forces moving toward Kings Landing, but no sign of their Queen. Photo: Helen Sloan, HBO
Bring on the speculation. Will Dany stay safely in Dragonstone while Jon Snow and Tyrion Lannister negotiate on her behalf? Or will she make a spectacular arrival astride one of her remaining two dragons?
This week’s trailer doesn’t provide any additional clues.
We do expect some intriguing reunions to take place in King’s Landing. Cersei and Tyrion will meet face to face for the first time since he killed their father, Tywin. Brienne and Jaime will reunite. Will she and everyone else learn about Cersei’s pregnancy? Could the Hound and The Mountain set eyes on each other – and will the Hound know his brother has been turned into the Westeros version of a Frankenstein’s monster?
Cersei and Jaime Lannister receive Jon Snow and their younger brother, Tyrion Lannister. Photo: Macall B. Polay, HBO
Cersei Lannister has been a supporting player much of this season, even as she has been a pivotal player. Count on enjoying some serious scenery chewing by the talented Lena Hedley as she squares off with – well, nearly everyone.
We cannot forget what may be unfolding back at Winterfell. Arya and Sansa Stark appear to be at odds. But it’s always hard to trust what we see on the surface in GOT. Is this a ruse to trap Littlefinger in his plotting? Is Arya really Arya? There is a theory she was killed by The Waif in their battle in the dark at the House of Black and White. (We think this is a little extreme). If the plot is unfolding as it appears, will Sansa Stark turn out to be the savvy survivor of all the Starks? There is no doubt Sansa has made the most significant turnaround during the course of the series.
Bran Stark, the “Three-Eyed Raven,” may leave fans with another vision to pour over. Photo: Helen Sloan, HBO
What is Bran Stark’s role? We have to imagine someone with the powers to see the past and the future as the Three-Eyed Raven would have a major influence on events. The last Three-Eyed Raven told Bran before he died that Bran would never walk again, but he could fly. Dragons fly, don’t they? We know Bran has the power to “warg” (take over the mind) of animals. Could he warg into Ice Zombie Dragon Viserion and turn him against the Night King?
Massive speculations by snooping fans and published spoilers suggests the potential for two blockbuster scenes before we say goodbye to the series for the season.
Jon Snow, King of the North, is ready to bend the knee for Danaerys Targaryen. Or more? Photo: Macall B. Polay, HBO
Will Danaerys and Jon Snow get cozy? The title of the episode referring to the “Dragon” (Danaerys) and the “Wolf” (Jon) may suggest such a thing. Fans love the match, except for that inconvenient bit about them being aunt and nephew. The icky incest factor is “the norm” for the world Dany and Jon live in, even though they don’t currently realize they are related. But WE do. Incest to keep royal bloodlines pure has been true in many human societies over time. Fans have to reconcile themselves whether to accept this in the fantasy world.
Speaking of royal lineage, it’s also possible we will see a flashback, perhaps via Bran Stark, confirming without any doubt what we all believe to be true: that Lyanna Stark, Ned Stark’s sister, and Rhaegar Targaryen, Danaerys Targaryen’s brother, are Jon Stark’s parents, and that they were secretly married prior to his birth – making him the rightful heir to the Iron Throne.
By doing so, GOT will leave fans a whole lot to process and haggle over between Seasons 7 and 8.
“Game of Thrones: Season 7, Episode 7 – “The Dragon and the Wolf” airs Sunday, August 26, at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.
Gayle Lynn Falkenthal, APR, is President/Owner of the Falcon Valley Group in San Diego, California. She is also a veteran boxing observer covering the Sweet Science for Communities. Read more Media Migraine in Communities Digital News. Follow Gayle on Facebook and on Twitter @PRProSanDiego. Gayle can be reached via Google +
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