ORIGINAL: warspite1
Massive SPOILER ALERT: Do not read if you are not completely up to date with Game of Thrones Season 8 – episode 3
So with 3 episodes to go, what is the position (assuming the NK is actually dead and that whole storyline incl. Brann is now defunct)?
Daenarys presumably has a few Dothraki and Unsullied left – but probably not many. But she still has 1 or 2 dragons I think – so that is always a useful bargaining chip! Presumably she still has a hard-on for the Iron Throne and though Ser Jorah is dead, she has the support of Tyrion and Lord Varys (although the latter two don’t know the truth about JS yet) and of course Grey worm for a bit of muscle.
Don't forget-with their 'renewed vows' in the crypt, Tyrion is the perfect candidate to act as a conciliator between Daenarys and Sansa now. Pity about the squandered implementation of Gray Worm and the Dothraki.
Sansa is now the undisputed Queen of the North and has told Daenarys that the North are not going to bend the knee. What sort of army can she muster? Her most gutsy ally (small in stature but big on balls) is dead, and Lord Percy was in no rush to fight against the NK’s Army. So not great presumably, and certainly nothing to match the dragons. But if the Mother of Dragons gets stroppy with Sansa, then would this affect how Tyrion and perhaps Varys feel about her?
Sansa's North has been beaten down and depopulated to the extreme. They are not in a condition to field anything approaching an army to challenge Cersei at this point.
Jon Snow should be seen as the saviour of the north now, after all, he got the army together. But it was a Stark, Arya, that defeated the NK and, provided there is no dumb sibling rivalry about to surface, Arya gives strength to Sansa’s hand surely. Remember what she said to YKNJS in episode 1 or 2 – something to the effect that he should not forget his family (even though they aren't actually his family any more!). Sansa then, likely has the support of Arya and also Lady Brienne (that’s an impressive bodyguard double-act) and the sympathies of Tyrion and Varys.
Aye, but remember also that Arya and Jon Snow were very close. I envision her fealty divided between Sansa and Jon-equally. If Lady Brienne is preferential to Sansa then Daenerys is preferential to Jon. Back to an effective deadlock for leadership claims.
But back to Jon Snow, where does he fit into all this now. Some in the north felt he betrayed them by bending the knee on their behalf, but now the person who bent the knee is not even a Stark/Snow hybrid – he’s a Targaryen. But a Targaryen who is potentially a threat to Daenarys. But does he want the crown or would he be happy to step aside and allow his aunt to rule the Seven Kingdoms? But even if he is, he too presumably would not wish to alienate Sansa (and that brings us to Arya’s comment again). I don’t think it’s in the nature of GoT (as per real life) for the two leaders to show wisdom, but instead to decide that they will take/keep by force what they can’t get/keep any other way.
What makes you think that this will be determined in finality in the next three episodes? The fight between fierce independence and self-determination versus political/military/economic dependence (subservience?) to a greater neighboring power is an ongoing global issue. Brexit anyone?
The North has shot its bolt. We need more information vis a vis Cersei's slice of the plot pie to move onwards and speculate.
Also, please allow me to note that the proudly independent Northerers are likely to be at odds with Euro-n soon over their position and standing in the future world. Coincidence?
Yara, now on Pike, presumably will stay loyal to the MoD (it’s clear she would like to bring the alliance closer (if you know what I mean fnarr fnarr)) but doesn’t have much of a fleet or an army to do anything with. Euron is more a threat to her than she can be of help to Danaerys.
I agree. Which is why she will play an outsized role in the remaining episodes and 'punch above her weight'. Dunno how yet, but this is my bold prediction. Perhaps Euron is ursurped by her in a manner unseen yet.
And Jamie? What happens to him now? Has he finally realised that Cersei isn’t made of sugar and spice and all things nice? But if so where does his allegiance lie? Hopefully with Brienne as these two really need to be getting it on.
But then there is the small matter of Cersei (remember her?) the wonderful Qyburn, and the waaaay over the top Euron. So she’s sent Bronn to kill Jamie and Tyrion – but that surely is not going to happen, and has presumably been using the Golden Company and the Lannister Army to take the rest of Westeros while the NK has kept her enemies busy. One gets the feeling that her and Euron are going to fall out big time at some point....
I think Jamie is unlikely to reconcile with his former lover/sister. Moreso when he gets word from Bronn (next episode?) of his unaccepted assassination task. I can't envision him being more than a bit cast member at this point: He's defacto no longer a Lannister. He's one-handed. Committed to humanity, the living and justice (therefore at odds with Cersei). No money. No army to lead. Just his slow boil contretemps with Brienne.
So her plan was to defeat whoever was left after the big battle, but she is still two dragons short of a er….a picnic or something.
So, does the internecine squabbling ooop north play out first, or do the protagonists continue to suspend hostilities while they take on Cersei?
And what does all this mean for the really likeable but smaller characters that survived? Does the defeat of the NK mean we’ve seen the last of Sam and Gilly – or will Sam seek revenge against Danaerys for the death of his dad and brother?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Gilly get dragged off by the undead and chewed up while in the crypt?
What does Clegane do now? He really needs to stop the fighting what with the PTSD and all. But I get the feeling that he and Arya are kind of linked…. and the Mountain must still be on her list… and his if he had one.
They've alluded several times that Clegane's
raison d'etre at this point is to 'off' his brother. End of last season: "We know how this ends. You and I."
Equally does Bronn follow through with his mission or does he take the sensible route and team up with Tyrion again?
And then there is the gorgeous Missandei. I suspect her fate remains linked to the MoD, but what will that be? Let's hope she and Grey Worm can live life out in peace on Naath and they can employ Qyburn to fix him a new sword (if you know what I mean) to allow baby Missandei's and Grey Worms.
And after all this Pod can't die (and should be adopted by Brienne) and nor can Gendry (who should marry Arya)
So many questions, and with just 3 episodes to go let’s hope the series gets back on track and provides some really good answers in true Game of Thrones styleee
Bronn will not follow through with his mission. He'll be palling up with Tyrion and Jamie Lannister before long.
Gray Worm / Missandei are a thing, but they're not done yet with Daenerys' wars.
Big question: Does Cersei live? If so, how? If not, who 'offs' her?
I also see a major issue with the upcoming Golden company deployment to Westeros. They've been hired on credit. That credit got turned into a molten slag with the dragons' annihlation of the money caravan from High Garden. So Cersei is in arrears. Big time. To the Iron Bank-not known for their charitable extension of credit. It wouldn't surprise me to see the Golden company withdrawn for lack of payment. Just at some erstwhile key moment. Watch for it you heard it here first.
Cersei in arrears? Charitable extension? Withdrawn? I need to go take a cold shower.
