For six seasons now, we"ve been hearing the words of House Stark so often that they"ve become an unofficial tagline for the show:
Winter is coming.
Ned Stark promised the change of seasons before he lost his head, and Catelyn Stark warned of a snowy future before she was cut down at the Red Wedding.
As Game of Thrones Season 6 has taught us time and again, anything goes in post-book Westeros, and trying to predict what will happen next on the show is an exercise in futility.
That said, Sunday night"s season finale is entitled "The Winds of Winter," so it"s a safe bet that temps will start dropping from King"s Landing up to the Wall (where it"s already pretty damn cold).
As the episode is the longest in the show"s history (69 minutes), and it shares a title with the forthcoming novel in George R.R. Martin"s A Song of Ice and Fire series, you can bet that it"ll be an eventful one.
Will it top last week"s Battle of the Bastards?
We"re not sure any show could accomplish that – but here"s a roundup of what folks on the web think will happen.
Check out the full list below and watch Game of Thrones online to get caught up in time for the Season 6 finale.
You"ll want to be able watch it live. After all, spoilers are coming.
1. Satisfaction From the Tower of Joy
Following the death of Hodor (Sorry, the moratorium on spoilers for that one is long expired.), the show abandoned Bran and Meera’s storyline. Expect a return to warging this week, along with some closure on Bran’s Tower of Joy flashback.
2. The Death of a Major Character
In the past, the GoT season finale has often been devoted to tying up loose ends, but several insiders have stated that won’t be the case this year. In fact, it’s been reported that the show has at least one more big surprise up its sleeve in the form of the death of a major character. It probably won’t be Tyrion or Varys. In fact, it DEFINITELY won’t be Tyrion, as the writers probably aren’t looking to start riots.
3. The North Will Rally Around Jon
Kind of a foregone conclusion following last week’s decisive victory in battle. But an interesting development nonetheless, as it brings Jon one step closer to joining forces with Daenerys to fight for the Iron Throne. Of course, her new alliance with the Greyjoys may complicate that.
4. A Return to Dorne
The episode’s promotional material promises a return to down south to Dorne. Not a favorite storyline for most fans, but maybe something interesting will FINALLY develop there.
5. King’s Landing Will Burn
The tension between Cersei and the High Sparrow has been building all season. Expect the Faith Militant situation to come to a head this week – with deadly consequences…
6. A Fallen King?
We’re not sure why everyone wants the Iron Throne so badly. King of Westeros is one hell of a dangerous job. Many fans believe this week’s war with the High Sparrow could mean curtains for King Tommen.
View Slideshow
