Who Will Win The Game Of Thrones?

“When you play the game of thrones, you live or you die.” — Cersei

Cersei’s quote sums up one of the fundamental themes of HBO’s Game of Thrones. So, as we head into the final season, it’s fair to ask: Who will win the game of thrones?

But first, it’s important to remember the words of George R.R. Martin, who promised a “bittersweet” ending to the series. With that in mind, here is some just-for-fun speculation about who the winner may be. In case any of these theories are correct, *spoilers* may follow.

Tyrion

Since the beginning of A Song of Ice and Fire, Tyrion Lannister has always been somewhat of a good guy, and good guys often win. But how might Tyrion win the game of thrones? This goes back to a longstanding fan theory. Aeryss II, the “Mad King” and father of Daenerys Targaryen, had many mistresses, and one of them was rumored to be the wife of Tywin Lannister (who was Aeryss’ childhood friend and the Hand of the King). If true, the rumor follows, then Tyrion is Dany’s older half-brother, putting him directly in line for the Iron Throne. This could explain why Dany’s dragons let Tyrion touch them several seasons ago.

But how would this ending be bittersweet, as Martin may have promised? Perhaps Dany and Jon both perish fighting the Night King, but Tyrion heroically survives. Assuming Cersei gets her comeuppance, that might leave a Lannister—or a Targaryen—on the Iron Throne. Either way, Tyrion wins. Of course, this theory presumes Jaime’s a goner. Or he settles down to live a quiet life happily ever after with Brienne of Tarth. One or the other.

The Night King

He has an enormous army and an Ice Dragon, so who’s to say he can’t win the game of thrones? Although I don’t see how this ending would be “bittersweet”; it would just taste bitter. Unless, I suppose, the Night King and his army are a metaphor for climate change, and his victory is supposed to make a political statement. Maybe some folks might be happy for humanity to get what’s coming to them. But Martin is a fantasy writer steeped in years of pulp fiction and Dungeons & Dragons. He doesn’t seem like the kind of author who’d turn his magnum opus into a political parable. Besides, since “Hardhome,” we’ve known that Jon Snow and the Night King are destined to throw down. And Jon has a sword made of Valyrian steel!

Sansa

This one I could see happening. She’s politically savvy and has the makings of a strong ruler. For Sana to prevail, however, we’d have to assume that Jon and Dany give up their lives to stop the Night King—a bittersweet ending for sure—and that Cersei is defeated, ending any notion of a king or queen of the Seven Kingdoms. This could leave Sansa as the Queen of the North and the most powerful monarch in Westeros. She’s also older than Brann, who seems content to be the Three-Eyed Raven, and her sister, Arya. Though maybe we shouldn’t count out Arya. After all, she’s highly resourceful. But that said, can you imagine a Braavosi assassin sitting on the Iron Throne?

Cersei

Wouldn’t this ending be bittersweet? Jon and Dany win the war against the White Walkers, but sacrifice their lives in the process, leaving Cersei to rule Westeros. But a few things argue against this outcome. For one, there is Arya and her hit list, and Cersei’s name is at the top. Even more, there is the prophecy of Maggy the Frog, who warned that the “valonqar,” which means “little brother” in High Valyrian, will “choke the life” out of her. In fantasy stories, prophecies always come true, which means either of Cersei’s little brothers—Jaime or Tyrion—could prevent this ending from happening.

Jon

You could make a strong argument that Jon Snow has always been the hero of A Song of Ice and Fire. In fact, he’s the embodiment of ice, being half Stark, and fire, being half Targaryen. He also has the most legitimate claim to the Iron Throne because he’s the lawful son of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. On top of all that, he’s the one who seems destined to kill the Night King. But Jon is also a Messianic figure, having literally been resurrected so that he could save the Seven Kingdoms. And we all now that Messianic figures are prone to sacrifice themselves for the sake of others. This would indeed be a bittersweet ending. Jon saves the world, but only at the cost of his life, like the noblest of heroes.

Daenerys

One could make an equally strong argument that Dany is the hero of A Song of Ice and Fire. Indeed, for several seasons, she was the one everyone was rooting for. She also has two dragons, so there’s that. And, some believe she’s the “prince who was promised,” if you want to throw another prophecy into the mix.

So how might a Daenerys victory be bittersweet? The obvious answer is that her love, Jon, dies in the end, helping her defeat the Night King. But there is an alternative. Since last season, more than a few people are starting to wonder whether Dany is taking after her deranged father, the Mad King. After all, she does like burning things. So, in the end, might Dany win the game of thrones, but become the Mad Queen? I don’t know if Martin would finish things so darkly, but it certainly would be a bittersweet ending to the Game of Thrones.

This is all rampant speculation, however. The real fun will be seeing how it all truly ends.

* Images courtesy of HBO.