Winter is here. Now, what are they going to do about it? Season seven of “Game of Thrones” is set to premiere July 16, and the show’s millions of fans have been anticipating it since the last season ended in June 2016.
Three trailers and a whole lot of buzz later, MOVE is here to break down the top seven theories for season seven of “Game of Thrones.” Warning: spoilers ahead.
####1. The prince that was promised/Azor Ahai
This theory could be considered the most important to the whole series, as it involves Westeros’ savior. According to Melisandre, the ever-faithful witch-priest lady who births shadows and burns children, the prince that was promised, Azor Ahai, was prophesied 5,000 years before the events of the “A Song of Ice and Fire” series take place.
Azor Ahai is meant to save the people of Westeros from the apocalypse that is to come. Considering the horde of ice zombies quickly approaching the wall, the apocalypse is near.
There are many speculations as to who Azor Ahai could be. However, the evidence seems to be pointing to Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen. Both Jon and Dany were born beneath a red star. They have both been resurrected in some way as well: Jon, in season six episode two and Dany each time she has emerged from fire unscathed. However, neither of them have been known to wield a flaming sword, a characteristic necessary to the Azor Ahai prophecy.
We have only seen one character do this in the show thus far. Beric Dondarrion, who has also come back to life more than once, wields a flaming sword in both season six and a trailer for season seven.
So, who is Azor Ahai? It could be Jon, Dany or Beric. It could also be all three or none of them at all. Some fans theorize that Tyrion Lannister might have something to do with the prophecy as well. Only time, and hopefully season seven, will tell.
####2. The ice dragon
If there is one thing “Game of Thrones” is known for, it’s dragons. Thus far, only Dany has managed to come into contact with and control the dangerous creatures, but there is a theory that an ice dragon lurks in the wall.
This theory comes from multiple places. Author of _“A Song of Ice and Fire”_, George R.R. Martin, wrote a children’s book in 1980 called _“The Ice Dragon”_. So, the idea wouldn’t be far-fetched.
We also know that ice dragons are part of the ASOIAF world from Old Nan’s tales in the books. Although her tales are supposedly fiction, she has been right a number of times.
In these tales, she mentions dragons much bigger and stronger than the fire-breathing dragons. These dragons are also said to be made completely of ice and are able to instantly freeze anything they breathe on.
####3. Cleganebowl
Sandor Clegane, or “The Hound,” is back and more vengeful than ever. What better way to celebrate his return than to see him fight his monstrous brother Gregor, or “The Mountain”? This duel has been theorized for a while and was almost considered debunked when The Hound was thought to be dead.
The theory is that The Hound will make his way back to King’s Landing and fight The Mountain in a trial by combat. The Mountain will be Cersei Lannister’s victor. This was originally thought to be the trial for Cersei between her and the High Sparrow. But the season finale ended all hopes of that happening when we saw the High Sparrow and a host of other people get incinerated by wildfire.
Although, fans still hold faith that Cleganebowl will happen someway, somehow.
####4. Tyrion Targaryen
Tyrion Lannister is arguably the most popular character on “Game of Thrones”. He’s witty, charming and incredibly intelligent — all components of a character that should have a major effect on the ending of the show.
Despite being a member of the richest family in Westeros, Tyrion is an outcast. As far as we know, Tyrion is the son of Tywin and Joanna Lannister. However, this theory claims that Tyrion is not the son of Tywin. Instead, he is the son of the mad king Aerys Targaryen.
Fans have theorized that at some point during Tywin and Joanna’s marriage, Aerys found his way to Joanna and Tyrion is a product of that. This would mean that Tyrion is Daenerys’ brother as well as Jon’s uncle.
In the book, it is noted that after Tywin and Joanna’s marriage, Aerys was obsessed with her. Tywin has also always despised Tyrion. Although this is assumed to be because of Tyrion’s dwarfism, Tywin could also hate him because he knows that Tyrion is not his son. Tyrion is also able to interact with Dany’s dragons as only a true Targaryen would, and he has mentioned his affinity for dragons in both the books and the show. Not to mention, in the book Tyrion has more of the appearance of a Targaryen than a Lannister, with his hair being more silver than gold.
This theory would also prove the three-headed dragon theory, that there will be three riders of Dany’s three dragons.
####5. Bran the Builder
This is a lesser-known theory that, if proven true, could have a major effect on the ending of the show and the meaning of Bran’s character as a whole. We know that Bran Stark is able to affect the past and alter the future as seen in season six episode five (hold the door).
Fans theorize that Bran’s ability to go to the past and affect the future could mean that he is the real Bran the Builder, the ancestor of the Starks who built Winterfell as well as The Wall. Bran the Builder was also one of the First Men, who invaded Westeros and were the catalyst for the creation of the White Walkers. After the Children created the White Walkers, a war broke out between the White Walkers and the First Men. Bran the Builder saved the people of Westeros from this war by building the wall. If the theory is proven true, it would mean that Bran played a part in everything that has happened so far, and he could be the reason for Westeros’ demise or their savior.
####6. Varys the merman
This theory sounds far-fetched, but there is a large amount of evidence supporting it. In ASOIAF, mermen-like creatures called merlings are referenced numerous times. They are credited with building the Iron Islands as well as the city of Asshai. The theory is that these merlings are real and Varys is one of them.
In “A Game of Thrones”, Arya Stark is in the dungeon and sees Varys and Illyrio Mopatis ascend out of a well. There is also the time that Tyrion threatens to throw Varys in the sea in defense of Shae. Varys responds, “You might be disappointed in the results. The storms come and go, the big fish eat the little fish, and I keep on paddling.”
Varys being a merling would also explain his mysterious past and the fact that he is a eunuch with no attraction to humans, male or female. This theory will likely not play out in the show at least, but wouldn’t it be really cool if it did?
####7. The three-headed dragon
The image of the three-headed dragon is all over ASOIAF. The Targaryen sigil is the three-headed dragon, Dany has three dragons, Aegon the Conqueror conquered Westeros riding on a dragon with his two sisters and, if the Tyrion Targaryen theory is proven true, there are three Targaryens at the helm of the show.
Dany, Jon and Tyrion all have a number of similarities. They were each orphaned at some point in the show, they are each the third child in their families, all of their mothers died during childbirth, they are all outcasts … we could go on.
Wouldn’t it make sense if they were the three to take the Iron Throne riding Dany’s dragons?
The wait for season seven is almost over, and the only thing we can be sure of is that it will be shocking. Tune in to HBO Sunday, July 16 at 8 p.m. Until then, let these theories and many more fill your _“Game of Thrones”_ void.