Spoiler alert: Someone is going to die in Game Of Thrones.
After season eight’s first two episodes laid on reunions, dragon rides and Tormund’s dietary recommendations, the next outing represents the first major battle as the White Walkers arrive at Winterfell’s doors.
Some might be wondering why it’s taken this long, but this build-up serves as a classic emotional precursor for mass character wipe-out. With only four episodes to go in a show built on shock deaths, the whiff of emotional turmoil hangs over like Bran Stark’s stares from the landing.
So who’s on the potential death march? While anyone seems like a contender at this point, here’s the characters whose departure makes the most sense at this moment in time.
Grey Worm
Following his passionate speech to lover Missandei about always being by her side, it’ll be an enormous shock if Grey Worm isn’t splattered on Winterfell’s walls next episode.
His role in the story also feels like it’s reached a dead end. Missandei’s grief could lead to an interesting dynamic with Daenerys if her ruthlessness escalates, but obedient, loyal Grey Worm has always been bound to die fighting for the Mother Of Dragons with the Unsullied.
Odds to die (from Coral): 1/4
Jorah Mormont
This dedicated follower of Daenerys also feels like he’s served his purpose, especially after going out his way to reinstate Tyrion Lannister back in her good books.
He’s since been passed Samwell Tarly’s ancestral sword Heartsbane for the fight to come – which feels like a full circle moment after Jorah forfeited the right to his own family sword. He even remarks how he’ll wield the sword to honour his late father, Jeor Mormont.
Will this be Jorah’s last hurrah? We wouldn’t be surprised.
Odds to die: 1/2
Varys
You know those very, very safe crypts everyone was banging on about in episode two? Well, all signs are pointing towards those actually being very, very dangerous considering the Night King can raise the dead.
In shots released from episode three, both Varys and Tyrion are down in the crypts seemingly safe from the battle above. While Tyrion feels like he’ll stay alive considering Bronn’s mission has yet to come into play, Varys is the obvious scapegoat to highlight the crypt’s dangers.
His death has also been seemingly written in the stars by Melisandre in season seven, who gave a particularly ominous speech about how he would die in Westeros.
Odds to die: 10/11
Theon Greyjoy
Having left behind his sister Yara to help protect Winterfell, Theon’s future already felt questionable before his reunion with Sansa Stark.
His fate appears to be locked in stone though after volunteering to protect Bran Stark in their plan to bait the Night King. Considering he started out as a trusted companion of Robb Stark, fighting to protect their homestead Winterfell feels like an obvious end to his arc.
Odds to die: 10/11
Beric Dondarrion
In characters who feel too inconsequential to stick around much longer, Beric Dondarrion is another obvious candidate.
Beric has already died six times but was revived by Thoros Of Myr’s repeated prayers to the Lord Of Light. With Thoros now dead, Beric’s time is definitely running out.
Odds to die: 1/3
Brienne Of Tarth
She was knighted by Jaime Lannister in one of the best moments of the season so far, and as a dedicated servant of House Stark, dying defending Winterfell feels like Brienne’s natural course.
The bigger question here is whether her apprentice Podrick Payne will be taken down with her. Could he become Brienne’s successor in defending Sansa? Podrick needs protecting at all costs.
Odds to die: Brienne 3/1, Podrick 1/2
Gendry
He’s whipped up dragonglass weapons for all and bonked Arya Stark, so does Gendry now have much purpose in the show’s long run?
The only thing which could keep Gendry around is his Baratheon heritage, but it’s still a question of whether Game Of Thrones is aiming to revive houses with surprise power plays or wipe them out altogether.
Odds to die: 2/1
Jaime Lannister
After his apology tour around Winterfell to Daenerys and Brienne, Jaime Lannister could be offered up as a surprise shock death candidate if the writers were feeling particularly cruel.
While it’s not out the realms of possibility, Jaime feels like he’s due one last confrontation with Cersei or, at least, a return to King’s Landing to test her newfound relationship with Euron. Or will Jaime’s death make Cersei realise the threat looming on her doorstep?
Odds to die: 10/1
One of the Starks
As they’re battling to save Winterfell, it’s possible the show could make an apt, bold statement by killing off one of the Starks to prove a point that we truly are at the endgame.
Sansa feels like the one guaranteed to stick around, leaving both Arya and Bran in the firing line. The former was seen in early trailers panicked and scared in Winterfell’s halls, while Bran is out in the open waiting for the Night King to come kill him.
At this point, Bran perhaps makes the most sense. He’s already relayed the truth about Jon Snow’s parentage, and considering he holds the memories of what’s come before, it would raise stakes even higher for the final battle.
Odds to die: Sansa 16/1, Arya 5/1, Bran 8/1
Game Of Thrones season eight continues Sunday on HBO and Sky Atlantic. Seasons one to seven are available on NOW TV.
MORE: Game of Thrones: Has Melisandre already made her return in season 8?
