The last few seasons of “Game of Thrones” focused on the struggle for the Iron Throne. By the end of the sixth season, Jon Snow was proclaimed King in the North; Daenerys Targaryen burned Khal Moro and his supporters alive, taking command of the Dothraki; and Cersei Lannister set the Sept of Baelor aflame, eliminating all her rivals — from Margaery Tyrell to the High Sparrow.
This year, the fight intensifies. The upcoming season, clocking in at only seven episodes, is expected to be even more cruel and bloody than the ones before it. And a video recently revealed by HBO Spain confirms as much, with a sneak peek of a battle between Daenerys’ army and Cersei’s for Casterly Rock.
The footage also featured glimpses of a new maester in the Citadel library (Jim Broadbent, perhaps?), a zombified Mountain unsheathing his sword, Brienne of Tarth training up Podrick and Daenerys exploring a cave that appears to be underneath Dragonstone.
So what else can we look forward to this season? Here are some guesses.
Upcoming episodes could put Jon Snow’s life in major danger — again.
“Yesterday’s wars don’t matter,” Jon says in the clip. “The North needs to band together.” And no wonder: The King in the North is expected to be in some real danger during the seventh season.
After being revived last season, Jon renounced his oath to the Night’s Watch, gathered forces in the North with his half-sister Sansa Stark, and defeated Ramsay Bolton’s army. He’s made enemies along the way, and Kit Harington, who plays Jon, recognizes that things could be bad for his character this year — even if he is a fan favorite. “I felt safe in Season 6 because I thought it would be bad storytelling to kill me in the [same] season I’d been resurrected,” he told SFX Magazine. “But as for seasons beyond six, it’s back to business. [Jon’s] in mortal danger like anyone else.”
Expect the villains to be even more sadistic.
If you thought that the worst villains are already dead — like the aforementioned Ramsay, a sadistic sociopath eaten alive by his own dogs — think again. Danish actor Pilou Asbækm, who plays Euron Greyjoy, claims that villains like Ramsay and Joffrey Baratheon will pale in comparison to the terror and mayhem his character will create this season.
“After this season, Ramsay’s gonna look like a little kid,” Asbækm told Empire Magazine. With his niece and nephew, Yara and Theon Greyjoy, having fled the Iron Islands and his wrath, let’s hope so.
Will the Wall fall?
Many fans think that the seventh season of “Game of Thrones” will also feature a huge crack in The Wall — one that will let the White Walkers through. Which, of course, would have major consequences, and bring up major questions. Will it be Bran’s doing? What role will Jon play? What about Melisandre?
Thankfully, we likely won’t have to wait long to see what really happens. Thanks to having fewer episodes and the show coming to an end with Season 8, it makes sense that upcoming episodes will have a faster pace. And your questions? They’ll be answered a whole lot sooner.
