‘Game of Thrones’ Season 8: 5 Loose Ends To Tie Up

Prepare yourselves. The Great War will finally soon be upon us. The final episode of Season 7 on “Game of Thrones” barraged us with some shocking (and some not-so-shocking) reveals. People are finally showing their true allegiances in the war for the Iron Throne, with Dragon and Lion at the heart of the conflict. Meanwhile, the White Walkers and the resurrected Viserion have brought down the Wall and march to Winterfell. That leaves a lot of ground Season 8 may cover in the fallout.

Biggest Questions for ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 8

1. Jon and Daenerys’ Romance

Talk about ill-fated. In the final episode, Jon (Kit Harrington) and Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) consummated their alliance after a season of flirting and sexual tension. But there’s one tiny detail that throws a wrench in their romance: Jon’s true parentage. He’s the legitimate son of Rhaegar and Lyanna. That makes Danaerys his aunt. And even if the Targaryens were famously known for their incestuous practices, we can’t see the big reveal sitting well for the King in the North. We’ll have to see how their romance plays out. Especially once Bran (Isaac Hempstead Wright) or Sam (John Bradley) decide to drop the bomb on Jon.

Emilia Clarke and Kit Harington in Game of Thrones (2011). Photo by Macall B. Polay via HBO.

2. The Lannister Twins, Divided

Still, Jon and Danaerys’ incoming relationship troubles have nothing on the Lannister twins. In a move that’s been a long time coming, Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) finally broke away from his toxic romance with sister-wife Cersei (Lena Headey). Again. Hopefully, it sticks this time. When Cersei refused to honor her agreement to help Jon and Dany against the White Walkers, Jaime turned his back on her. His betrayal angered Cersei, but she spared him, and now Jaime rides for the North.

Lena Headey and Nikolaj-Coster Waldau in Game of Thrones (2011). Photo by Macall B. Polay via HBO.

To some fans, the new development lays down the groundwork for a confrontation between the twins. In the books, Cersei faces a prophecy that she will die by her younger brother’s hands. For a long time, she thought her killer would be Tyrion. But now it looks like Jaime, who has already dealt with one mad ruler, might be the one to watch out for.

3. Lion Versus Dragon

Speaking of Cersei. Despite Jaime abandoning her, the queen found a new way to help solidify her grasp on the Iron Throne. While Jon bent the knee to Dany, Cersei made a deal with Euron Greyjoy (Pilou Asbaek). The plan? To hire the Golden Company, a disciplined but expensive army of mercenaries, around 20,000 strong. With The Golden Company at her back, Cersei hopes to protect her seat while Dany faces the White Walkers in the North. Considering the epic scale of Cersei’s army and Dany’s dragons, this sets up a devastating confrontation between the two queens.

Lena Headey in Game of Thrones (2011). Photo by Helen Sloan via HBO.

4. Theon Goes Back For Yara

Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) might have a lot to answer for, but his story has definitely been one of the most tragic in the series. He betrayed House Stark, only to become Ramsey Bolton’s plaything and slave. Then after being reunited with his sister Yara (Gemma Whelan), he jumped ship and abandoned her to save his own skin. But after learning that Yara is alive, Theon course-corrected and is back on the path to redemption. In the finale, he gathered the remaining Ironborn to rescue his sister. We’ll see how that unfolds in the upcoming season.

Alife Allen in Game of Thrones (2011). Photo by Macall B. Polay via HBO.

5. The White Walkers (Also, What Happened To Tormund?)

From day one, we’ve been waiting for Westeros’ zombie problem to come to a head. Now it’s finally happening. If the Great War wasn’t enough, Season 8 will also be the site of a massive conflict with the Night King and the White Walkers. For seven seasons, they’ve been kept at bay by the Wall. No longer. Using the resurrected Viserion, the Night King blew down the Wall and now his army marches to Winterfell. Only Beric Dondarrion (Richard Dormer) and Tormund Giantsbane (Kristofer Hivju), seemingly buried under an avalanche of ice, can warn the Jon and the others. Hopefully, one of them has survived to spread the word.

The White Walkers in Game of Thrones (2011). Photo via HBO.

It’s been six years, seven seasons, and one heck of a ride. In another year or so, Season 8 will air and the series will come to an end. Then we’ll finally learn the answer to the biggest question of all: Who will win the Game of Thrones?