Is Syrio Forel Returning On Game Of Thrones?

As we've seen time and time again, if a character apparently died off-screen on Game of Thrones, there is a good chance that they will eventually return.

Just last week, Sandor "The Hound" Clegane (Rory McCann) made his triumphant return. The week before that, it was Benjen "Coldhands" Stark (Joseph Mawle) making his first appearance since the pilot. Could that trend continue three weeks in a row? Maybe!

When HBO released the first batch of promotional photos for tonight's "No One" episode, observant fans spotted something strange about the still featuring the Waif. There's a shadowy figure standing behind her that happens to have a silhouette that bares a striking resemblance to Arya Stark's long-thought dead "dancing master," Syrio Forel (portrayed by Miltos Yerolemou).

The last time we saw Syrio alive was in eighth episode (titled "The Pointy End") of the first season. He valiantly fought off a group of Lannister men that had come for his young pupil with nothing more than a wooden training sword. However, things take a turn when the sword snaps under a blow from Ser Meryn Trant, a member of the kingsguard, and Syrio instructs Arya to flee. Before scurrying off, Arya asks him to come with her, but he tells her, "The First Sword of Braavos does not run."

As luck would have it, the wounded Arya (she had a blade repeatedly plunged into her stomach in last week's episode) is still in Syrio's hometown. It seems reasonable to believe that Syrio survived his encounter with Meryn and made it back to the Free City of Braavos.

Although, there is another theory that would explain Syrio's reappearance: Jaqen H'ghar (Tom Wlaschiha) and Syrio are one in the same. For several years, people have been pointing out the similar dialogue that has come out of both characters mouths. It also helps that Maisie Williams believes it to be true as well.

"I always was like, 'Oh, no, I feel like he's still alive.' I always had my own theory that he and Jaqen [H'ghar] were the same person," Williams told IGN in April.

Even Yerolemou gave a cryptic response on twitter when the theory was brought up to him.

@nonpromqueen 🙋🏻🗡😱💀

— Miltos Yerolemou (@miltosyerolemou) June 9, 2016

Maisie Williams (Arya Stark)

(via zap2it)

The episode's official description reads: "While Jaime weighs his options, Cersei answers a request. Tyrion's plans bear fruit. Arya faces a new test."

Game of Thrones, "No One," airs tonight at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.