Like Varys, I Hope I’m Wrong

Published May 13, 2019 · Updated July 6, 2022

Like Varys, I hope I’m wrong.

As I sit down to write this note, I have been debating whether to express these thoughts in written word, because it is simply too sad to think about. Here is one gut-wrenching theory for the final episode.

Looking back for a second, many people have indicated that Daenerys’ transformation to the Mad Queen was too sudden, but many of the signs have been there throughout the entire story, going all the way back to her brother’s death. Yes, the speed of her decline over the last two episodes may have been surprising, but the final destination should not be.

Also, Rhaegal’s death in the previous episode was important to the story line not only to exacerbate her feelings of isolation but also to eliminate the possibility of Jon’s riding alongside Daenerys during her attacks on King’s Landing, where one of two things could have happened: Jon could have tried to prevent the attacks from happening, or Jon would come to share the blame for the attacks. For the story to unfold as it did, Daenerys needed to make the attacks on her own.

Much of the destruction of King’s Landing seemed to follow Arya’s journey and her witnessing the indiscriminate carnage and loss of life that Daenerys inflicted upon the city. Throughout this journey, we could almost see the rage building within Arya, and we can expect that the Queen of Dragons is now on her kill list.

This would certainly be consistent with other portends, including “green eyes” and “rising from the ashes.” Also, there is that “Death rides on a pale horse” angle to the end of the episode. Given all of this, it is certainly within the realm of possibility that Arya would kill or at least attempt to kill Daenerys.

What gave me chills is the thought that struck me about what might happen next. The leadership will need to deal with the aftermath.

Season 8 has included many powerful parallels and call-backs to earlier episodes in the series. This theory would reflect those constructs.

Because Jon has vowed himself to Daenerys, honor would commit him to deal with the queen’s assassin. And as we learned from Ned Stark back in Episode 1 of Season 1, “the man who passes the sentence should swing the sword,” so… Jon would be the one to execute Arya.

Jon has already shown that he can make difficult decisions about executing people he cares for, even if they are young. (Remember Olly?) So, this certainly would not be out of character.

If nothing else, Game of Thrones has shocked us time and time again over its eight seasons. Watching Jon, one of the show’s most popular characters, behead Arya, one of the show’s most popular characters, particularly after her dispatching of the Night King, would be the ultimate shocker.

After that, I don’t know who would sit on the Iron Throne, but I almost don’t care.

Game of Thrones has never shied away from killing a popular character, and this ending would be one that people would talk about for years.

As I said earlier, like Varys, I hope I’m wrong.

Another common complaint about episode 5 is that Cersei’s death was not “dramatic” enough. The way that Cersei and Jaime died, however, could have significant meaning in the story. By having them buried below tons of rubble, it is not likely that their bodies will be found anytime soon, if at all. By having no witnesses, nor any proof of their deaths, the story in the final episode could go in a number of different directions. For example, Tyrion might think that his plan to help them escape to Pentos had succeeded, or Daenerys might descend further into paranoia and “interrogate” people to find out what happened to them. This could provide for some interesting storytelling in GoT: Endgame.

Respectfully and depressingly submitted,
Bob G.

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