Warning: Contains speculative spoilers for Game Of Thrones season eight.
A fan theory believes Littlefinger’s story on Game Of Thrones isn’t quite over yet, and he could actually end up claiming the Iron Throne by the show’s end.
One of the glaring criticisms of season seven is often the handling of the Sansa, Arya and Littlefinger dynamic at Winterfell, which eventually led to his death after the Stark’s conspired against him.
But what if this was not what it seemed? A fan theory points to a number of key scenes leading up to Littlefinger’s demise which raise eyebrows and feel noticeably bizarre in hindsight.
So was it wonky writing or potential foreshadowing of an incredible twist? Let’s investigate.
The first scene features in episode four of season seven, Spoils Of War, where Bran Stark makes it very clear he’s onto Littlefinger after being handed the dagger he attempted to have him killed with. Bran then spits back the ‘chaos is a ladder’ reference from Littlefinger’s past – making him fully aware they’re onto his snaky deeds.
So why didn’t Littlefinger flee? Or did he? In the next episode, we see Littlefinger speaking with a young woman, who appears to whisper to him, ‘Your time is up.’ Littlefinger hands her a coin of sorts, which looks very similar to the iron coin aka the currency used by the Faceless Men.
The theory believes this is the last time we actually see Littlefinger, with the remaining episodes of season seven actually featuring a Faceless Man disguised as Littlefinger. Yes, please sit down.
This is reinforced by Littlefinger’s change in behaviour after this point. In the past, we’ve seen Littlefinger close to death on many occasions – where Ned Stark strangles him in season one, when Cersei orders men to cut his throat in season two, or when Sansa almost orders Brienne to kill him in season six.
On all these occasions, Littlefinger never begs for his life. In the latter exchange, Littlefinger even replies: ‘You want me to beg for my life. If that’s what you want, I will. Whatever you ask that is in my power, I will do.’
‘What if I want you to die, here and now?’ Sansa asks. Littlefinger replies: ‘Then I will die.’
It’s a stark contrast to the grovelling Littlefinger we see ahead of his death in season seven, who falls to his knees, crying and begging for his life.
But why would a Faceless Man be willing to be killed? Faceless leader Jaqen H’ghar has previously said ‘only death pays for a life’ on the show – making death essentially part of the deal with their whole shtick.
Littlefinger has also previously teased ties to the Faceless Men, having revealed his great grandfather was from Braavos where the assassin’s originate.
His character, generally, also fits the ideals of the Faceless Men – he’s a man pulling the strings in the shadows, putting on numerous faces to earn power from different people, and to be brutally honest, a loner.
So could his death have been masked for a game-changing twist which sees him land the Iron Throne? It would be an incredible twist which would fit the ethos of Game Of Thrones and go against expectations – especially with Jon Snow and Daenerys largely front and centre.
It would also explain why we spent so much time with the Faceless Men in season six – who have largely yet to make a worthwhile impact on the show outside of Arya getting vengeance on Lord Walder Frey.
Creator George RR Martin has also previously stated: ‘The protagonist doesn’t have to be likeable, or moral, or a good guy. He just has to be interesting.’
Do you know who’s a billion times more interesting than Jon Snow? Littlefinger, ladies and gentlemen.
We’ll find out when Game Of Thrones season eight kicks off 14 April 2019 on HBO and Sky Atlantic.
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