Game of Thrones season 8 spoilers – leaks, theories and rumours ahead of the final episodes
THE shocking deaths of her dragon Rhaegal and her best friend, Missendai, saw Daenarys Targaryen more than ready for war with Cersei Lannister at the end of episode four, and now Game of Thrones fans will finally see the battle for the Iron Throne take place.
We’ll take you through some of the biggest theories out there and how they link with the rest of season eight so far…
What are the Game Of Thrones season 8 fan theories?
There have been a number of fan theories as to what will be revealed in the final series of Game Of Thrones.
Here we take a look at them…
The Night King isn’t actually dead
While it would be easy to think that we’ve seen the last of the Night King, fans aren’t convinced he is really gone.
A Game of Thrones enthusiast tweeted airing their doubts over whether he is really gone for good.
The fan wrote: “The Night King actor wrote this today and posted a video of him “rehearsing”. But we never really saw him fight? Any thoughts he might not be dead?”
Other unconvinced fans have also tweeted airing their suspicions: “The Night King is not really dead – he warged into Bran just before Arya destroyed his body. When the others find out, they will have to kill him in order to get rid of the Night King permanently. That is the “bittersweet” ending: evil is destroyed but also Starks.”
Meanwhile Redditor logicman101 posted another theory, stating: “I believe the [Night] King was going to give his sword to Bran and kneel just before he was stabbed… I still believe Bran is the true [Night King].”
He believes that “in an upcoming episode we may see some alternate reality play out in one of Bran’s visions, where we see the Night King kneel to pass on whatever power and magic is necessary to Bran.”
“The real Night King or the next in line Night King (Bran) will probably be defeated by some knowledge Tyrion gathered during his conversation with Bran,” according to the theory. “I believe that scene of Tyrion and Bran about to have a conversation truly foreshadowed something to come, some knowledge Tyrion [learned] from Bran to defeat him.”
The Night King will return from the dead
Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss added fuel to the fire after an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on May 3.
And though they didn’t reveal any major details, it would seem that the Night King returning is a possibility, according to Inverse.
When the chat show host asked the pair on whether there would be a chance of the White Walkers making a comeback, Benioff did not hesitate at all with his response, saying: “Yeah, we’re not gonna answer that”.
It’s not so much about what he says but how he reacts to the question that has given fans the theory that there may be more to the story than Benioff is willing to share.
Tyrion is actually a Targaryen
Jon Snow was revealed as a secret Targaryen but is Tyrion one too?
One fan theory is that he’s the illegitimate son of “The Mad King.”
This would explain his fascination with dragons and fire.
Jaime will kill Cersei
In the books, Cersei’s murder is foretold by a witch and some believe that she subtly hints her killer will be Jaime Lannister.
In the series, Maggy said: “And when your tears have drowned you, the valonqar shall wrap his hands about your pale white throat and choke the life from you.”
Since “valonqar” means little brother in High Valyrian language some think this is a pretty clear indicator that Jaime will kill his sister and lover.
The latest fuel to this rumour comes from fans online who noticed a pattern that suggests Cersei may be set for a harrowing end.
They stated: “Roose Bolton stabs Rob Stark. Ramsey Bolton stabs Roose. Rob gets shot from a crossbow. Tywin Lannister gets shot from a crossbow. Catelyn Stark gets her throat slit. Arya Stark slits Walder Frey’s throat.”
“Could this mean that Cersei will get stabbed in the belly like Talisa Stark? Both are pregnant.”
Arya will kill Cersei using Jamie’s face
This is based on the same “valonqar” fan theory, but with a twist!
Some fans think that it will be Arya who kills Cersei, while her face is masked with Jamie’s.
Arya’s kill list has had Cersei on it since the beginning of the series, so there is no doubt she would love to be the one to end Cersei’s life.
Jon and Daenerys are siblings
So far, we have come to learn that Jon and Daenerys are nephew and aunt – despite their intimate moments.
However, some viewers have noticed Dany talking about growing up around a lemon tree in Braavos.
And with lemon trees only growing in Dorne, fans are suggesting that Daenerys might have actually been Rhaegar‘s daughter despite what she was told – which makes her Jon’s sister.
Jon Snow will win the Game of Thrones
It was revealed that Jon Snow was secretly Aegon Targaryen – the son of Prince Rhaegar.
This means that he has a clear claim to the throne.
If his aunt Daenerys dies in upcoming battles he could become ruler of the seven kingdoms.
Dany is going to get more dragons
Fans have claimed that the trailer for season eight episode five proves the return of White Walker dragon Viserion as the key characters prepare for an epic battle in King’s Landing.
The final second that grabbed viewers’ attention as Euron Greyjoy starred up at the sky – and a look of concern and fear slowly sweeping across his face.
Fans have now claimed that the look on Euron’s face in the trailer implies that he is seeing something that he isn’t prepared for or doesn’t know about – and with many believing that last week’s Battle of Winterfell wasn’t the last that we have seen of the White Walkers, they were quick to speculate Viserion and Rhaegal’s actual fate.
Others wondered if Daenerys obtained more dragons following her heartbreaking loss – referencing her long-forgotten lover Daario, who was last seen in season six after Dany ordered him to remain in the Bay of Dragons to maintain peace.
What is Sophie Turner’s Game Of Thrones season 8 ‘spoiler’ tattoo?
Sophie Turner, who plays Sansa Stark, caused a stir when she got a tattoo on her arm of a House Stark Direwolf sigil and the writing “The Pack Survives”.
Fans took this to mean that the remaining Starks – Jon, Sansa, Arya and Bran, would survive in the final season.
However, when she appeared on the Late Late Show the actress seemed to dismiss this theory.
She said: “It’s just a quote from last season, everyone figures that the pack really does survive, but it’s just a moral that I like to live by.”
However, Sophie did reveal that Sansa will have a key role to play in Season 8.
She told Digital Spy: “She’s used Littlefinger for all he has. As she said, ‘Thank you for all your lessons’.
“He has nothing left to give her. So she is so empowered. She has a family behind her. She has Littlefinger, Cersei, Margaery, everyone’s wisdom and teachings all behind her.”
Meanwhile, the show’s producers revealed that the special Spotify playlist they made in honour of the show has the answer to the ending hidden within the songs.
Speaking to For the Record, Benioff and Weiss said: “The answer to the ending is one hundred per cent hidden in the playlist choices. No one will believe us, but it’s true.”
What happened in the first episode of Game of Thrones season 8?
The opening Game of Thrones season 8 episode was jam-packed with emotional reunions; Jon Snow was back in Winterfell with his Stark Siblings, he was also reunited with Sam Tarly, meanwhile, Gendry and Arya came face-to-face for the first time in years, and Bran had an interesting stare out with Jaime Lannister – the man responsible for putting him in a wheelchair.
While the episode was of course action-packed, the biggest talking point was the show’s ending; Jaime and Bran’s reunion.
These two characters hadn’t seen each other since Bran caught Jaime canoodling with his sister Cersei during a visit to Winterfell.
What happened in the second episode of Game of Thrones Season 8?
As they prepared for the arrival of the Night King and his army of the dead, everyone tried to enjoy the final night of peace.
Jamie Lannister managed to escape punishment from Daenerys and Starks thanks to the pleas of Brienne of Tarth. Plus Bran also forgave him for that push from the tower.
Ser Jorah convinced Dany to try talking to Sansa in order to put an end to their differences. Sansa refuses to capitulate to Daenerys’ presumed rule when The North had fought so hard never to be ruled by Kings Landing again.
Meanwhile Bran suggested putting himself at risk in the grounds of Winterfell to draw out the Night King and allow Dany and Jon and the dragons to kill him – even though he didn’t know it would work.
The episode provided enough moments to keep fans happy for years.
Brienne of Tarth was finally rewarded for her greatness and made a Knight by Jaime Lannister.
And while most people would be horrified to discover they were in love and sleeping with their nephew, Daenerys had a different reaction when Jon came clean about the fact he is Aegon Targaryen. She was more concerned with Jon having a greater claim to the Iron Throne than she, and thought he was secretly plotting to win the throne for himself.
Before they could have a proper conversation about it, the alarms sounded the herald of the arrival of the Army of the Dead and they rushed off to fight.
What happened in the third episode of Game of Thrones Season 8?
The Great Battle of Winterfell saw the loss of beloved characters Lyanna Mormont, Jorah Mormont, Theon Greyjoy, Melisandre, Beric Dondarrion, Eddison Tollett and Qhono (alongside the rest of the Dothraki).
The battle raged on for a whole 82 minutes and saw all our favourite characters struggling to keep the seemingly unstoppable army of the dead at bay.
Thanks to the surprise return of Melisandre, they had a bit of help from the Lord of Light along the way.
And after some words of encouragement from Melisandre, Arya realised exactly what she needed to do to end the war.
The red priestess reminded her she was destined to close “blue eyes forever” and said: “What do we say to the God of Death?”
Arya replied: “Not today.”
She then set her sights on killing the ice-eyed monster.
Just seconds before the Night King was able to take his swords and kill Bran, he turned around and caught Arya by the throat in mid-air.
Despite fears he was about to crush her to death, she stabbed him through the abdomen and he turned into a crumbled heap of ice.
And just as they had hoped, the Night King’s entire army fell with him.
It came as a major relief for viewers because things had been looking so bleak in the burning ancestral home of House Stark as the Army of the Dead triumphed over the living.
What happened in the fourth episode of Game of Thrones Season 8?
There was a sombre mood in Winterfell as the living mourned to loss of everyone who died in the battle against the Night King and his army. Muted celebrations took place in which we saw Arya turn down a proposal from Gendry, while Brienne of Tarth and Jamie Lannister finally got together.
Dany was no mood to wait for her army to recover from their heroic exploits and she set off for King’s Landing on one of her dragons, despite being warned it would be a bad move.
Tyrion Lannister, Missandei, Grey Worm, Lord Varys and dozens of warriors sailed south on ships while Jon and the rest of the army travel by foot.
But Dany was ambushed by Euron Greyjoy’s Iron Fleet who fired giant arrows into the chest of Rhaegal with a final fatal blow piercing the beast’s neck, sending it crashing into the sea.
Her ships were then decimated in a vicious attack from the Iron Fleet’s superior weaponry, and as they washed up on shore, it became apparent Missandei was missing.
In a desperate attempt to prevent further brutality, Tyrion bravely addressed his sister outside the castle walls while Cersei’s soldiers aimed their arrows at him.
Missandei’s hands were bound as she stood on a platform on the edge of the castle walls and then Cersei told her to speak any last words, before commanding The Mountain to chop off her head.
With a peaceful resolution now well and truly off the table, fans can expect an epic fight in next week’s episode.
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When does Game of Thrones Season 8 air next?
Game of Thrones continues on Mondays on Sky Atlantic.
Episode five can be watched in the UK on Sky Atlantic from 2am until 3.30pm on Monday, May 13.
Alternatively, fans can watch the episode at 9pm when it airs for a second time on the TV station or on Now TV at 9pm.
The eighth and final series is only made up of six episodes so the end really is nigh.