Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells the Game of Thrones Story

When Ned Stark (Sean Bean) lost his head in Season 1's penultimate Game of Thrones episode, it became clear that in this world, pretty much anyone can die. Since then, weddings have doubled as bloodbaths, killing off not one, but two kings. “What is dead may never die,” came true for Jon Snow (Kit Harington) at the start of Season 6 despite the showrunners’ insistence he was long gone. Now in the final season, the stakes have been raised and almost all bets are off. It is unlikely that Jon or Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) will perish in the Battle of Winterfell, but there are a number of other fan favorites and pivotal characters who could meet their end. Even worse, they might die and then join the opposing team.

Game of Thrones has always been very good at delivering big battle spectacles, but last week's “A Knight of Seven Kingdoms” was a fantastic reminder of the relationships that make this a world worth fighting for. In these quieter, tension-building moments, there are a number of flashing signposts and red flags suggesting who we could be saying goodbye to in this week’s Battle of Winterfell. If the emotionally satisfying scenes are anything to go on, the number of characters who could perish is long. Here's our breakdown of the most likely casualties and survivors:

Deader than Dead

Ser Brienne of Tarth:

Her dream came true as she became the Knight of the Seven Kingdoms this episode is named after, but the teary smile of happiness feels like a gift someone gives before dishing out terrible news. Brienne’s (Gwendoline Christie) journey from mocked to respected has been one of the most satisfying Thrones arcs; now she will be leading these fighters into battle, which is a sign she will die a heroic death. She promised to protect Sansa (Sophie Turner) and Arya (Maisie Williams); she fulfilled this oath and then some, but it won’t make this loss any less painful.

Theon Greyjoy

Nothing says a character is no longer for this world than a redemption arc like Theon’s (Alfie Allen). Winterfell is the scene of Theon’s great Stark betrayal, but he also helped Sansa escape from the clutches of the Boltons in this very location. Theon’s story is entwined with this place, which is more home for him than the Iron Islands ever was. When Sansa greets him with an embrace and teary eyes, it is full circle moment. Theon volunteers to guard Bran (Isaac Hempstead Wright), as they lure the Night King to the Godswood of Winterfell. He killed another child in place of Bran, now he gets to save humanity in return. It has poetic and noble death written all over it.

Grey Worm

Making plans for the future is never a good idea when death is marching toward you. Grey Worm (Jacob Anderson) and Missandei (Nathalie Emmanuel) tempt fate by discussing what they are going to do when this is all over. They deserve the beach location of their dreams, but now they have made these plans, it spells doom for Westeros’ most tender couple.

Death is Highly Likely

Ser Davos Seaworth

Davos (Liam Cunningham) is the dad of the group; he dishes out reassuring advice, as well as words of encouragement. But this is a show that likes to kill dads, and while his actual son has already been killed in battle, he is the surrogate needed at a time like this. He survived Blackwater and the Battle of the Bastards but is this one battle too many? It will cut to the very core if Davos dies, which makes it seem more certain that he will.

Beric Dondarrion

Beric (Richard Dormer) has already died six times, as well as surviving the dragon attack at the Wall. But now that Thoros (Paul Kaye) has gone, there is no one to bring him back via the Lord of Light, unless Melisandre (Carice van Houten) makes a well-timed entrance. He does still have the best weapon in his fire-sword, though.

Ser Jorah Mormont

He gave Daenerys some good advice, got gifted an excellent secondhand sword, and has so far survived everything thrown at him — including a terrible case of greyscale. But there is a finality in his goodbyes, as Jorah (Iain Glen) reinforces to Daenerys that Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) is the ideal hand to the queen. A hero's death awaits him.

Everyone in the crypt

The more people talk about how safe the crypt is, the more it seems like this is the least safe place to be as they are surrounded by the actual dead. There are plenty of brave Northern girls, but will they be a match for the Winterfell folk who could come back to life?

Probably Won’t Die Yet, But Not Safe

Lady Lyanna Mormont

Plenty of children have died on this show, but none have been quite as formidable as Lady Mormont (Bella Ramsey). She insists on fighting — she is dressed for it after all — so hopefully it isn’t just words she wields like weapons.

Tormund Giantsbane

He has a belly full of giant’s milk and love for Brienne to fuel him. Plus Tormund (Kristofer Hivju) has survived many, many battles before this.

Podrick Payne

As per Brienne, Pod (Daniel Portman) still has much to learn, but he has also had an excellent teacher who puts him in good stead. If Pippin can survive Lord of the Rings with his beautiful singing voice, then this is a sign that Pod could do the same. Maybe he can sing the wights to death.

Gendry

Gendry (Joe Dempsie) spent all that time rowing, so it will be a shame if he dies this quickly. He has also faced this specific face of death so knows what to expect. Getting some end of the world sex could be a sign he is not long for this world, however, he still has a claim to that throne. If he dies in battle, it is one less person for Daenerys and Cersei (Lena Headey) to worry about.

Sam, Gilly, Little Sam

The shot of them lying down together in the crypt as Pod sings his pre-battle ballad is very Titanic before it sinks, but all is not lost. Sam (John Bradley) has fought (and killed) a White Walker before and Gilly (Hannah Murray) is made of strong stuff. The baby probably has less to contribute to this.

Tyrion Lannister

Tyrion is another person who has seen battle but is being told to stay safe in the crypt. Tyrion’s optimism is needed, plus his death fantasy doesn’t take place in Winterfell. However, even if a White Walker doesn’t get him, there is the small matter of Bronn (Jerome Flynn) being tasked by Cersei to murder her brother using the weapon Tyrion used to kill their father?

Jaime Lannister

As with Theon, Jaime’s (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) redemption journey has brought him back to the place of one of his misdeeds. Bran tells him that he kept his tower pushing secret because they need him but Bran also hints there is no after. Does he mean for Jaime or everyone?

Bran

If Bran dies, who will sit in the corner creeping everyone out with his tales of the past? Bran is central to the plan at disposing of the Night King, but the Starks aren’t renowned for coming up with and executing a plan. They might be noble, but they sure are dumb at times.

Safe

Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen

Telling Daenerys his real name just before the battle was really stupid — see above for how this proves he has Stark blood running through his veins. Daenerys told Sansa she is here because she loves Jon, will she think more about protecting herself and her dragons now her claim to the throne is threatened? It is unlikely they will win without her and her army. Jon has faced the Knight King before and survived, he will do so again.

Sansa Stark

Sansa is a fighter, although, not in the sword-wielding sense. She has a lot of protection on her side; while it is unlikely, if Sansa is at risk, maybe a certain Lady Stoneheart might show up in a fight of dead versus dead.

Arya Stark

In a horror movie, typically if you have sex, it means you are going to die. Arya not only gets some, but she also loses her virginity. However, Arya is much more Final Girl than the best friend who gets bumped off early. She has seen death before, now it is time to put her training and a new weapon to good use. Plus, she still has names on her list, including Cersei’s to tick off.

The Hound

This is not his time, he has another dead person in the form of his brother to fight.

Ghost

Ghost finally made an appearance hanging around in the background of the Night’s Watch reunion shot — as if he had been there the whole damn time. He’s going on the safe list because if Ghost dies after all this time away, then we riot. Also, can Arya’s direwolf Nymeria, join the party? The Starks need all the backup they can get.
 

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Emma Fraser has wanted to write about TV since she first watched My So-Called Life in the mid-90s, finally getting her wish over a decade later. Follow her on Twitter at @frazbelina.