It’s been a long time since the Game of Thrones Season 5 finale–315 days be exact. Ten months of agonizing over that last scene of Jon Snow bleeding out after being betrayed by his own men. A lot of time has passed since that collective “what the fuck”, and in a show with this many moving pieces, most of us could use a little refresher before we head back into Westeros. After all, there was plenty more to talk about other than the “death” of Jon Snow.



The Wall

Jon Snow: With the White Walkers on their way, Jon Snow saw no other alternative than to team up with the Wildlings, a move that seems to have cost him his life. His mercy kill on Mance Rayder gave him some credibility with the rival group, and he took down a White Walker with a , sword made of Valyrian steel, something that also caught the eye of the Night’s King. But in the end, it was Jon Snow’s own men (and that little prick olly) who ended up taking him out, for the watch, of course.

Prediction: HBO will twist the knife even further, opening the season with confirmation that Snow is in fact “dead”. We all know he’s coming back though, especially with a monster battle slated for episode 9. My guess is it will involve his lineage and maybe even Melisandre. If the fan theories are correct, and Snow is a Targaryen, we all know burning his body won’t do a damn thing. Emerge from the fire, Jon Snow!

Ser Alliser Thorne: The most hated man at The Wall right now, and most likely the one calling the shots. Thorn led the revolt against Snow, but with the Walkers bearing down, he has a whole lot more to worry about than whether or not fans like him.

Prediction: The Wall will be finished by season’s end. They are barely hanging on as it is, and eventually there will be nobody left to help defend against the White Walkers. They will need to elect a new Commander of the Night’s Watch, and all indications are Alliser is the man for the job.

Samwell Tarly and Gilly: Sam left for Maester School before shit got real. I can’t see him playing a major role this season, but I’m sure we will get to see his reaction to his BFF’s death.

Prediction: Who cares.

Melisandre: After convincing Stannis that killing his own daughter was the best move in the battle for Winterfell, Melisandre abandons him to head back to The Wall to continue crushing on Jon Snow. Unbeknownst to her, the plans were already in place to have him killed. She is the strongest hope for the Jon Snow resurrection, and she coincidentally comes back at just the right time.

Prediction: Melisandre will somehow be involved in the resurrection of Jon Snow. She also won’t be the only Red Priestess we see this season. I don’t think we have seen her true power yet either.

Winterfell

Roose Bolton: The poor man’s Tywin Lannister is fresh off a win against Stannis’ depleted army and now in control of Winterfell, with help from his bastard son, Ramsay.

Prediction: Shit is going to go down in episode 9’s “Battle of the Bastards”. For the time being, he is the top dog at Winterfell, but for how long?

Ramsay Bolton: The most hated character on the show, and a guy who makes Joffrey look like Ned Stark. Comes up with the plan to defeat Stannis, but loses his “wife” and slave in the process. With nobody left to rape, is Ramsay’s next quest is to hunt down Sansa and Theon?

Prediction: The show will make us hate this guy even more, something that doesn’t even seem possible. I’m banking on a showdown in episode 9 with everybody’s favorite bastard, but not before he continues brutalizing some Starks (I heard Rickon is coming back…)

Sansa Stark: With the help of Theon, Sansa is able to escape her second abusive husband by jumping from the roof of a castle and disappearing with her savior. Rough is an understatement when describing her experiences last season, so hopefully there are some brighter days ahead for Ned’s daughter, although Ramsay is going to be hot on her trail.

Prediction: I don’t think we will see much Sansa this season, but when we do, she will finally have a backbone. I see a Stark reunion in her future, especially now that Theon told her the truth about Rickon and that other Stark daughter I refuse to Google to get her name.

Theon Greyjoy: Theon finally got his balls back, figuratively of course, after he tosses Myranda from the castle and rescues Sansa. Assuming they survived the fall (Myranda didn’t), Theon and Sansa are now on the run from the Boltons. In a driving blizzard. With no food.

Prediction: Sansa and Theon will part ways somewhere down the line, with Theon returning back to the Iron Islands, where is has already been declared dead by dear old dad

Brienne of Tarth: It’s hard to imagine Brienne succeeding at anything, but the last time we saw her, she had Stannis up against a tree, her retribution finally at hand. Did she avenge Renley and claim his brother’s head?

Prediction: I am one of the few who doesn’t believe Stannis is dead, and maybe that’s foolish of me Brienne (and Pod) will continue wandering around aimlessly until they find a storyline, which may involve reuniting with Jamie at some point.

Stannis Baratheon: Went from indifferent to hated real quick, by sacrificing his own daughter for a chance to win the battle of Winterfell. Of course, his wife then killed herself, half his men deserted him in the middle of the night, and his crew was absolutely slaughtered by the Bolton’s in quick fashion. As we mentioned above, last time we see him is pinned against a tree after the fight, with Brienne ready to chop his head off. We assume he’s dead, but until we see his head on a stake, we can’t believe it. A character who burns his own daughter alive deserves to have his death shown on screen so we can truly enjoy it.

Prediction: As I mentioned above, I don’t think he’s dead. His storyline seems completely finished, but until I see a head roll, my guess is he’s alive and well.

Iron Islands

Balon Greyjoy: We haven’t seen him in a couple of seasons, but given what happened to Theon, and his appearance in the trailers, we know he is on the come up. Plus, he is the last remaining from the Battle of the Five Kings, assuming Stannis is truly dead.

Prediction: I think there is going to be a regime change in the Iron Islands and Balon’s time with us is limited.

Yara Greyjoy: She got chased by a pack of hounds when she tried to rescue her brother, but just like her daddy, the Greyjoy’s are looking to make some noise this season.

Prediction: She will welcome her brother back and mourn the loss of her father (hopefully). The Greyjoy’s will be featured a bit more this season, especially when Euron Greyjoy assumes the role of King.

The Vale/House Arryn

Petyr Baelish: We liked him until he betrayed Sansa and arranged her raping, I mean wedding, to Ramsay Bolton. He pushed Lady Arryn through the moonroof 2 seasons ago, so it’s clear this man is only out for himself. He agreed to go back to Cersei in exchange for another promotion.

Prediction: I’m not sure if the man who knows everything really knew the truth about Ramsay’s psychotic ways. If that’s the case, then I think he will seek out Sansa. If he did know, then he is a prick.

MEREEN

Daenerys Targaryen: Things didn’t go too well for the Mother of Dragons last season, and we found out she is a pretty shitty ruler and mother. After repeated assassination attempts, she fled on Drogon and ended up in Dothraki Sea, captured by a new Khalasar.

Prediction: She will be held captive at first, but eventually they will see her true power, and she will end up riding with the Dothraki in her ever expanding army that she has zero control over. I think her time in Mereen is done, and she will finally head to where the action is.

Tyrion Lannister: Fan favorite Tyrion finally linked up with Daenerys after a rough journey with Jorah, only to have all hell break loose in Mereen. He has her trust now, and is left behind to run the city while Daario and Jorah head out to find Daenerys.

Prediction: He is going to have a rough go in Mereen, eventually abandoning the city. He will also split with Varys at some point, but I think it will be amicable.

Varys: His arrival at Mereen puts Tyrion at ease, who was feeling a bit slighted after not being included in the whole search and rescue mission for Daenerys.

Prediction: His time in Mereen will be short, and he will leave to help Dany’s and Tyrion in other ways. We all know he isn’t a fan of magic, and with Tyrion enlisting the help of a new Red Priestess, Varys isn’t going to want to be around. I see a trip to Dorne in his future, something that will help bridge a gap that the books have left out.

Missandei: Left behind with Tyrion to look after Mereen and her boy toy, Grey Worm.

Prediction: Don’t care enough

Grey Worm: Things got a bit hairy for the Worm during the fight against the Son’s of the Harpy, but he survived.

Prediction: Continued bad-assery

Jorah Mormont and Daario: After bringing Tyrion to Daenerys as a peace offering, the ex-communicated Jorah falls back into favor by saving the Mother of Dragon’s life during the assassination attempt. Him and Daario head out on a mission to once again save her, although Jorah still has greyscale which means his time is limited.

Prediction: Jorah will die, but not before he sees Daenerys one last time. Daario will try to rescue her, only to find out she is now the leader of the Dothraki (again). She will convince them he is good peoples and they will all ride together.

King’s Landing

Cersei Lannister: Imprisoned by the High Sparrow for her incestous ways, Cersei is forced to admit her sins and complete the “Walk of Atonement”, where she is paraded through the streets naked and spit on by everyone in King’s Landing. Once loathed, her humiliating walk of shame gained her some fans, and we are all eagerly anticipating her revenge against the Sparrows.

Prediction: She isn’t going to take Myrcella’s death well, and she is going to spiral out of control. Call me crazy, but I think this is the last season for Cersei (same can be said for Jamie).

Tommen Lannister: The last remaining product of incest, useless Tommen did nothing for his mother or his wife as they were held captive by the Sparrows. Now that the Queen Mother is back, Tommen will probably spend most of this upcoming season sitting in a corner crying.

Prediction: Fuck this little jerk. I miss Joffrey

Qyburn: Cersei’s lackey who finally finished his “Frankenstein” project. See below

Prediction: Death. He knows too much.

Ser Robert Strong/The Mountain: Gregor Clegane is back and ready to fuck shit up. With Cersei calling the shots, it won’t be long before we see him wreak havoc on the Sparrows.

Prediction: He will fuck shit up and be a monster, but in the end, Cersei’s new enforcer will meet his maker

High Sparrow: Just an innocent old man, right? Wrong. He somehow took control of King’s Landing and locked up the Queen and the Queen Mother (and “Queen” Loras). He let Cersei go free, but only after completely humiliating her for all to see.

Prediction: His death is one that I am eagerly anticipating, but not before he continues to make life miserable for Cersei and Margaery. Once killed, he will throw on a pair of glasses and run for President under a democratic socialism platform.

Highgarden

Margaery Tyrell: Imprisoned in Winterfell for defending her homosexual brother, Loras, things didn’t go too well for the Queen. Her last hope is her grandmother, Olenna, now that Cersei is free and in “control” of King’s Landing.

Prediction: She will be let free, after joining the Sparrows, but we all know she is a master of the long con, especially with that big, beautiful, constant smirk on her face. Revenge will be hers eventually.

Loras Tyrell: Locked up, they won’t let him out.

Prediction: Death.

Lady Olenna: The matriarch of the Tyrell family who has two grandchildren facing punishment in King’s Landing. She is not to be fucked with, though, as she is equally as cunning as Cersei.

Prediction: The Lannister’s have been cramping her style for quite some time, but she is more calculated than Cersei. We might see her end up in Dorne, teaming up with other Lannister haters.

Mace Tyrell: Aloof, and sent to pay a visit to the Iron Bank, which based on the people he is sent with, looks to be an execution.

Prediction: He will survive, but get yelled at by Olenna when he gets home for being useless.

Dorne

Jamie Lannister: The Kingslayer spent most of his time in Dorne last year in one of the more pointless storylines of season 5. After realizing his daughter/neice, Myrcella, was in danger, Jamie took it upon himself to rescue her from the Martell’s, hopefully getting him back in the good graces of his sister/lover, Cersei. He recruited Bron for the sneak mission, which instantly turned bad, although he was able to make peace with Doran Martell and leave unscathed with his daughter, or so he thought. After confessing to Myrcella that he was really her father (which she already knew), she dies in his arms after being poisoned by Ellaria. The Lannisters have quite a few debts to settle this season and it should be interesting to see what happens when him and Cersei swap their respective horror stories.

Prediction: He will see Cersei spiraling out of control and eventually leave King’s Landing to put his skills to use elsewhere. If the Lady Stoneheart rumors are true, I see Brienne and him linking back up at some point, only to finally have to pay for all of his sins against the Starks.

Ellaria Martell: Oberyn’s wife didn’t take too kindly to having a Lannister infiltrate their city and wanted retribution for the death of her husband, but was overruled by Doran at the end. She took matters into her own hands, though, and gave Myrcella a poisonous kiss goodbye. She and her daughters have clearly gone rogue and have now started a war with the Lannisters.

Prediction: Dorne is going to be more in play this season, and I don’t see her making it out unscathed. She betrayed her brother-in-law, but Doran isn’t going to kill her.

Doran Martell: Even though the Lannister’s are somewhat responsible for the death of his brother, Oberyn, he opts to take the diplomatic route when he catches Jamie snooping around Dorne. He lets Jamie return to King’s Landing with Myrcella and his son, Trystane, but little does he know Ellaria has other plans. Should be interesting to see how he deals with his sister-in-law starting a war he desperately tried to avoid.

Prediction: Same as Ellaria. He is going to be pissed about the new war with the Lannister’s, but it’s time to sack up and pick a side. A visit from Olenna and Varys will help him finally “stand up” for his city, and allign with whoever (Daenerys?) against the Lannisters.

The Sand Snakes: Oberyn and Ellaria’s three daughters, who are masters of poison and seduction, and like their mama, have vowed revenge against the Lannisters.

Prediction: All three will die.

Bron: Seduced, poisoned, and cured by one of The Sand Snakes, Bron was allowed to return with Jamie back to King’s Landing and his unattractive wife.

Prediction: His time with Tyrion was great, as was his time with Jamie. He will just end up being Jamie’s sidekick on his next journey

Braavos

Arya: Finally got her revenge against Meryn Trant, although she went against the Many Faced God and lost her sight in the process. Most likely temporary, but the young Stark has reached budding badass status.

Prediction: Eventually she will gain her sight back, and her training will continue. She will end up back at Winterfell at some point, maybe even reuniting with her siblings.

Jaqen H’ghar: King of mind fuckery.

Prediction: Continued mind fuckery

Elsewhere

Bran - Bran who? He sat out last season after a run in with the undead and has been in hiding with the Three Eyed Raven. Apparently big things are in store for eason.

Prediction: Some serious warging

Hodor: Hodor Hodor Hodor!

Prediction: He will say something other than Hodor.

White Walkers/ Nights King: After witnessing just how powerful they are, winter is finally here and it’s fucking terrifying. The Night’s King also got into a staring contest with Jon Snow and won when he resurrected an entire beach full of dead bodies with a flick of the wrist. Their kryptonite is Valryian Steel, which seems to be in short supply.

Prediction: They will continue their slow assault on Westeros, but I don’t think we see anything significant with them this season. There is a lot more going on in Westeros that we need to focus on. They will breach The Wall, but I think that is all we see this year.

In Memorium

Mance Rayder - Burned at the stake at The Wall, but mercy killed by Jon Snow

Ser Barristan Selmy - Master swordsmen who fell in the Son’s of the Harpy attack in Mereen

Janos Slynt - Mouthed off to Jon Snow and was beheaded at The Wall.

Stannis - Either killed or spared by Brienne of Tarth. We will find out April 24

Maester Aemon Targaryen - First natural death recorded in the history of Westeros

Meryn Trant - Met his demise at the hands of Arya

Myrcella Baratheon - Finds out her true lineage and is poisoned by Ellaria Sand

Princess Shireen - Daddy’s little girl no longer

Queen Selyse - Trophy wife of Stannis who hated her daughter so much she had to kill herself

Hizdahr zo Loraq - Rando Mereenite who wed Daenerys only to be killed by the Son’s of the Harpy

Myranda - Ramsay side piece thrown off roof by Theon. Interestingly, Theon and Sansa fell from the same roof and survived

Jon Snow - For the watch.