If there’s one thing we know about Game of Thrones, it’s that episodes 8 & 9 of each season tend to shed the most blood. Many shows wait until their season finales to kill of major characters, but GoT has always used their penultimate episodes to do their dirty work. Baelor, The Rains of Castamere, The Mountain and the Viper, Watchers on the Wall, and Hardhome have all been among the series’ bloodiest affairs, and it looks as though No One will keep the trend alive. We know that the bigger battle between Jon and Ramsay won’t take place until episode 9, but it seems like the stories at Kings Landing, River Run, Mereen, and Bravos will all come to a head tonight. I’m thinking next week will focus almost entirely on Jon’s story, much like Watchers on the Wall did in Season 4, so that means this week will have to begin tying up an enormous amount of loose ends. Let’s start down in the capital.
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It’s no secret that Cersei is facing a trial by combat at some point in the near future, but it looks like she’s not going to let the process get that far. She’s going on a tear through King’s Landing with The Mountain at her side. There will be blood spilled throughout the streets of the capital. The only question that remains is exactly how many characters will meet their maker. We know a few of the Sparrows will be slain by The Mountain at Cersei’s command, and it looks like cousin Lancel will be one of them. I predicted his death a couple of weeks ago, but I think he will be used in a much bigger way tonight. After disposing of the other Sparrows, Cersei will leave him maimed, but alive, in order to go after a bigger fish. It’s the Lannister way to only rely on help within the family, so I could see Lancel becoming some kind of bait in order to go after the High Sparrow, or even Olenna Tyrell. No matter how it goes down, I think Cersei will end up on top at the end of this one. When Dany finally gets her army to King’s Landing, it will only be satisfying to see her take down a formidable opponent. It would make sense to see Cersei finally seize true power by the end of this season, only to see it taken away before the series ends in a year or two. If she wants control of Westeros, she has to get rid of the threats that the High Sparrow and the Tyrells present.
Down in River Run, another battle is on the verge of beginning as Jaime leads the Lannister army against the Blackfish. While it’s being set up to be an incredible battle, I’m actually predicting that no one dies here. Jaime has made it clear he won’t let the Tullys stand in his way of getting back to Cersei, but I think it’s apparent that he is a more honorable man than he’s ever been given credit for. Between his respect for Brynden Tully and his unique relationship with Brienne, I think Jaime finds a way to solve this without any blood shed. Brienne has been sent to the Riverlands to ask for Blackfish’s help against Ramsay, and there’s a great chance he and Jaime can come to an agreement. We know Blackfish doesn’t want to surrender his stronghold, but Lady Catelyn proved early on that family is an unshakable bond in their house and the same holds true for Jaime. It may end with a promise that the two will meet again on the battlefield sometime down the road, but I believe that the siege will lead to a peaceful ending for all parties. My only concern here is the look on Brienne’s face as she and Podrick row away from the castle. What could she be seeing that struck such a disturbing chord?
It’s a pretty fair certainty that The Hound goes on a killing spree this week, so saying that a few members of the Brotherhood Without Banners will die isn’t really that much of a stretch. He’s seen slaying at least one man in this week’s preview, and we know just how tough the man can be. I think his vendetta against the Brotherhood will find him taking the life of Thoros of Myr this week, but his story definitely won’t stop there. It might take him another season or so to make it there, but I truly believe he will be the one to finally take down his brother, The Mountain. No one in the capital has been capable of this feat, even though The Viper came close, and it seems that the Hound is the only one left to take down Cersei’s pet. This works alongside my predictions for Cersei, in that she will have achieved full power by using the Mountain, and The Hound will help accelerate her undoing.
Since the episode is titled No One, it stands to reason that Arya’s story will finally come full circle. We’ve always looked at the youngest Stark girl as one of the strongest in the family, but she’s on the ropes against the Many Faced God. After repeatedly failing the tasks given to her by Jaqen, her time has run out in Bravos. Many think she has more time left somewhere else in the world, perhaps reuniting with Sansa or The Hound, but I think Arya’s life ends tonight. At the end of last week’s episode, we saw her fighting for her life on the side of the river. Waif is pursuing her tirelessly, and she has the advantage of the Hall of Faces. In order to really complete Arya’s story, she needs to truly become No One. Since she refused to do it the way she was taught, it would stand to reason that death is the only remaining way to accomplish this goal. I think she will appear to be home free, and see someone from her past in the outskirts of Bravos. Whether it be The Hound or one of the Starks, she will appear relieved to have another ally. Just as she lets her guard down to rejoice, the friendly face will deliver a devastating blow, killing Arya in her moment of joy. She couldn’t let go of who she really was in order to become No One, so Jaqen will use a face of one she loves in order to take her life. She chose her old life over the life of No One, so a face from her old life will be used to make her No One. I’d hate to see Arya go, but this would serve as the most beautifully tragic ending to her story.
What did you think of these predictions? Have any to add? Let us know in the comments below!
The eighth episode of the sixth season of Game of Thrones is titled No One, and airs June 12 at 9pm ET on HBO.
