We’ve covered the major characters, so it’s time for the (extensive) supporting cast for Game of Thrones. There are tons of characters here, to the point that I’m sure I missed some. To that end, we’re just going to have some quick hits. I’ll answer whether or not I think the character will survive and maybe a couple other additional notes.
Missandei
Does she survive? Yes.
Other notes: Missandei remains as an advisor to Daenerys, and as part of her Small Council, or the equivalent. As for her and Grey Worm? Well, let’s see…
Grey Worm
Does he survive? While I could see him sacrificing himself as a means to save Dany or Missandei, I’m saying yes. Grey Worm’s a fighter, he’s a survivor.
Other notes: I stan hard for Grey Worm and Missandei and I want them to be together at the end of the series. This is one where I’m allowing emotion to take over. I want to see these two end up together, so I’m predicting they end up together. Since Grey Worm survives, the only logical thought is that he remains in Daenerys’ service as commander of her army.
Samwell Tarly
Does he survive? Yes. If I had to bet on one person to get a happy ending (well, as happy of an ending as this show can allow, at least) it would be Sam.
Other notes: So Sam survives, but what’s his next move? I doubt he stays with the Night’s Watch. He wants to be with Gilly, and the Wall is no place to raise a family. I don’t think he would return to the Citadel, though it’s not out of the question. I think Sam returns home and becomes Lord of Horn Hill. There he will be able to fulfill the long-standing theory and record the events that have comprised the show’s run. Yes, it’s a very meta moment, but I think it’s fitting.
Oh yeah, also, Sam has Heartsbane, his family’s Valaryian steel. So watch out for that.
Brienne of Tarth
Does she survive? No.
Other notes: Brienne is one of a number of characters who you can reasonably see dying a hero’s death. How many times have we heard Brienne’s pledge that she will give her life to protect those she serves? It could be for Sansa or Arya, as she has long been beholden to an oath to the various Starks. But I think her death will come in an attempt to save Jaime. As I previously wrote, I see a tragic final season for Jaime. And him seeing one of his few true relationships end this way only serves to further that tragic finish.
Varys
Does he survive? No.
Other notes: Melisandre told him he was to die in Westeros. It would be an odd statement for the writers to include if they did not plan on killing off Lord Varys. On the larger scale, I don’t know how much Varys will be given to do this season. So much seems to be focused on the war and the actual battles, something he has never involved himself with. I’m sure he’ll get a few final good scenes with Tyrion, but he will likely be more in the background than the foreground.
Melisandre
Does she survive? She better not, and I say that for one reason. In season 7, she tells Varys she must return one more time to Westeros, to die. They can’t tease that line and then have her alive at the end of the series. Though it would be such a Game of Thrones move to slip in a line like that only for it to be completely irrelevant to the show. But the official prediction is no.
Other notes: I don’t really know what to say about Melisandre. But I imagine she will have one big, important play left. I don’t know that she will receive a hero’s death like Brienne, but she will ultimately be remembered on a positive note, at least at the very end.
Gilly
With how action-packed season 8 is setting up to be, I’m not sure how much there will be for Gilly to do. But I would imagine the writers will find a big moment or two for her.
Does she survive? She would be an easy death, as it would connect emotionally with some fans, but ultimately in the big picture wouldn’t be a blow to the “good guys.” But I predicted a happy ending for Sam, and that would include Gilly being alive. So yes.
Ghost
Does he survive?
Other notes: I might be more excited to see Ghost’s return than I am for any other character. Ghost is going to have epic moments; he just has to. And when it’s done? One possibility would be remaining in Winterfell with Sansa, the last remaining Stark. But with Jon Snow dead, I don’t see Ghost sticking around humans for very long. He will go off on his own and take control of a pack of regular wolves.
Theon Greyjoy
Does he survive? No. Theon is yet another tragic character who simply feels destined to die. He has started a sort of redemption arc, and I think he completes it, dying heroically. However, I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of his survival.
And what would he do if he survives? How does Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch sound? He’s struggled to feel like a true Greyjoy. He never felt fully accepted as a Stark. He can’t have children to carry on his name. So why not leave that all behind and take the black?
Yara Greyjoy
Does she survive? No. Sadly, Yara feels like one those “in between” characters. By that I mean she’s important enough where her death would mean something. But she’s not so important where her death would be hugely detrimental to her allies’ cause (or the show’s larger narrative). Sorry, Yara.
Euron Greyjoy
Does he survive? And the Greyjoys go 0/3. This is a big time no. If I could put a guarantee on one person to die this season, it would have to be Euron. Sure, Benioff and Weiss could troll us all and have Euron somehow make it out alive. But I just don’t see it. He’s a newer character and has been an obvious villain from the moment he stepped on screen. Plus, if Cersei is defeated as I believe, I don’t see how he makes it out alive. Euron’s a goner.
Other notes: Euron has had his moments, but overall he’s been a disappointment as a character. Though part of that blame definitely falls on the shoulders of actor Pilou Asbæk. Prior to season 7, he said Euron was going to make Ramsay Bolton “look like a little kid.” He gave fans unreasonable expectations.
That’s a tall task for anyone to live up to, and Euron hasn’t even come close. There is definite potential, though. But there’s just not enough time left to fully live up to it. Hopefully he’ll get his fair share of (guts and) glory before his time is over.
Lyanna Mormont
Does she survive? I’m not sure there’s a character whose death I would be more upset by than Lyanna Mormont’s. From the moment she first appeared, she’s been absolutely gold as a character. Given her relatively recent introduction to the show, she would be an easy character to lose. But for my official prediction, I’m still going with yes, if for no other reason than I’m hoping with all my might that she survives.
Other notes: Will Lyanna be directly involved in any of the battles? I both hope yes and no. Yes because I would love to see her kick some ass out on the battlefield. No because, as fierce as she is, she’s still just a child. I don’t know how long she would last in a legitimate, full-on battle. Let’s just hope she stays safe and sound and continues to rattle of some zingers every chance she gets.
The Hound
Does he survive? No.
Other notes: The Cleganebowl. It has to happen. I’ve been loving the Hound’s character arc the last few seasons, and defeating his brother in a one-on-one fight would be the perfect culmination. But I still don’t think he survives in the end. He will likely be weakened from fighting the Mountain, leaving him vulnerable to attack from someone else in the Lannister forces.
The Mountain
Does he survive? Official prediction is no. He’ll have some brutal kills, I’m sure. But in the first – and last – Cleganebowl, he falls.
Other notes: I have two questions. Will we hear him speak? Doubtful, as we were told he took a vow of silence until all of Cersei’s enemies had been defeated (which I don’t think will happen). But still, something to wonder about. And will we see his face? In a sort of morbid way, I hope we do.
Jorah Mormont
Does he survive? No. Ah, Lord Friendzone himself. Here’s another character who seems destined for a hero’s death. He never hesitates to put himself in danger, if he thinks it’s the right thing to do. And there will be plenty of chances for him to do just that.
Ser Davos
Does he survive? Yes.
Other notes: Davos has mentioned time and again how poor of a fighter he is, it would make sense for him to die in one of the battles to come. However, I think Thrones will use that as a diversion, and Davos will turn out to be a more capable fighter than he lets on. It’s all about managing expectations. With no king or queen left to serve after Jon’s death, he will decline an offer to serve as an adviser to Queen Daenerys. Instead he will choose to sail the world.
Bronn
Does he survive? Yes. It’s going to be a rough road, but I have to believe. Last we saw Bronn, he was still in King’s Landing. I can’t imagine he would enjoy being under Cersei’s employ without Jaime there as well. But leaving probably won’t be an easy task to accomplish. But he’ll find a way, he’ll reunite with Tyrion and Jaime, and they’ll be the three best friends that anyone could have.
Other notes: That friendship probably won’t last long, though, as all three will likely finish the series in vastly different places. Tyrion will be Hand of the Queen. Jaime will be majorly depressed. And that leaves Bronn to…do what? I don’t know what to say exactly, but I’m guessing he leaves Westeros for his next grand adventure, hopefully taking Pod with him (if Pod survives, which, well, we’ll get to that).
Tormund Giantsbane
Does he survive? No. That being said, like Theon, I wouldn’t be shocked if he survives and is named Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch. It would be nice symbolic gesture of how times have truly changed in Westeros, having a Wilding named Lord Commander.
Other notes: While I’m not actively rooting for a Tormund/Brienne relationship, Tormund’s infatuation with her can hopefully provide some fun, lighter moments in what will be a mostly dark, depressing final season.
Beric Dondarrion
Does he survive? No. I don’t think Thoros of Myr would have died if Beric would not be following soon after. With Thoros gone, Beric is on his last life, and I think it gets used up in one of the climactic battles, likely during the Battle of Winterfell.
Daario Naharis
Does he survive? Yes? But only because he was alive last time we saw him, and I doubt he’ll be popping up in season 8.
The only way I could conceivably see him coming back is if Euron makes a pit stop in Meereen to take him captive during his trip to hire the Golden Company. But Daario coming back would likely feel forced. And in a season where, more than ever, every moment matters, I don’t see how his reappearance would add much value to the final season.
Dolorous Edd
Does he survive? Yes. Honestly, this is for no other reason than why not.
Other notes: If he survives, he would make an easy choice for new Lord Commander. Though like I said, if Theon or Tormund survives, my money would be on one of them.
Ellaria Sand
Does she survive? No. She was left for dead by Cersei, and I don’t see how that changes. We may not even see her again, but either way the safe guess is that her time is very limited.
Podrick Payne
Does he survive? It pains me to say it, but no. However, I do think he’ll find some glory on the battlefield before it’s all over. But nothing would please me more than seeing Pod trot off to Essos or some other far away land with Bronn.
Qyburn
Does he survive? Firm no. This dude sucks. This is going to be one of the most satisfying deaths of the series. Qyburn is a creep and a psycho. I cannot wait to see his long-anticipated demise. Don’t care who does it. Don’t care how it happens. All I care is that it happens.
Gendry
Does he survive? No. I don’t really know what else to say here. There is some talk of him ending on the Iron Throne. And while it’s not a theory to completely ignore, that would not be a satisfying ending. I can’t see it happening. All I can say is I hope he gets to put in some serious work with that warhammer of his.
Jaqen H’ghar & Syrio Forel
I’m putting these two together because of the somewhat popular fan theory that they are the same person. And I’m just here to say no to that. Syrio Forel and Jaqen H’ghar are two different people. Jaqen is alive, Syrio is dead. I don’t think we’ll see Jaqen this season, so all we can go on is where we last saw him in season 7.
Regarding Syrio Forel, as awesome of a character as he was, he’s long gone. Like many of the smaller storylines, there is simply not enough time to throw him back into the mix, with all the explanation that would be needed. It would have needed to happen prior to season 8.
Alright, there you have it, official predictions for the major characters. Now there’s nothing left to do except wait for the show to air and see how completely wrong I am on everything. But before that, I will have one more preview post coming out. It will be a quick summary of all my predictions, so they’re easy to find in one place. And if I come up with anything I forgot, I’ll be sure to include those as well.
