WARNING: SPOILERS ARE COMING "The Queen's Justice" was one of the densest, most action-packed hours of Game of Thrones―and we only had about 2 minutes of actual fighting. There was a shocking death, a not-so-shocking one, and a couple sure things that have seemingly been put on hold until future episodes. We don't have an episode title for this week, nor do we have much info, but there are still some interesting things to point out in the preview and predictions to make. Let's refresh ourselves. We see a lot of Cersei and Tycho Nestoris (of the Iron Bank of Braavos), as well as Jaime and Bronn with the Lannister army on what looks like the way to Dorne, a beachfront meeting at Dragonstone, and a hearty amount of Winterfell. But don't discount that final shot of Drogon, because if it's any indication, we're in for the Field of Fire 2.0 this week. You know, that battle we saw in the trailer with all the Dothraki and dragons and Jamie galloping across a flaming field with a lance. It may seem like there are plenty of possible picks, but most of the characters ended last episode in places of relative safety―except for a choice few. Even so, it's hard to know if we'll even see them next episode (take Ellaria for instance; if we ever see her again, it likely won't be this week). That meant a lot of conjecture, some curious choices, and and even a tie are involved in this list, but this is Game of Thrones; anyone can be killed at any time. Just ask Robb. 5. GREY WORM The Unsullied captain lands on the list two weeks in a row. The siege of Casterly Rock didn't go too badly... except it turns out that's exactly what the Lannisters had in mind. Yes, Jaime pulled a Whispering Wood and used a diversionary force to mask his real attack at Highgarden. Poor Grey Worm is now trapped in the emptied Lannister fortress, surrounded by Euron's fleet, and almost certainly has a Lannister force waiting for him to the east should the Unsullied attempt to flee. If we return to Casterly Rock next episode, it might be to witness the end of our favorite eunuch soldier. Still, don't count out Daenerys. She appears ready to take Olenna's advice and unleash the dragons ("Enough of your clever plans," Dany says presumably to Tyrion next episode), and it's not out of the question that she could mount an improbable rescue, salvaging a friend and her brightest military advisor. Grey Worm is up shit creek right now, but don't consider him a complete goner. 4. DICKON TARLY This is one of the more obscure choices you'll find for this week, but let's look at the evidence. First, Dickon Tarly was not only recast, but also explicitly acknowledged in "Dragonstone" by Jaime. Next, it seems like things have gone swimmingly so far for the alliance between Houses Lannister and Tarly. They've just scored an enormous victory over Highgarden together, and with military genius Randyll the new Warden of the South, you can bet that his son Dickon is out there helping to lead the southron forces. Based on shots from the teaser, it appears like that very same army is on the way to the rudderless ship that is Dorne (as Cersei notes to Tycho, she's in the process of regaining control of the continent "and every person on it.") If the Lannisters keep succeeding under the productive alliance with House Tarly, Dany's chances are shot. That means there's a great equalizer coming, probably in the shape of the giant black flying lizard we saw at the end of the preview. If Dickon bites the dust, suddenly tensions are high between the Stormlands and the Reach. It would also throw into question Randyll's inheritance, since Dickon is his heir. But wait, isn't there another Tarly son out there? I can't exactly rememer. And even if he was, it's not like he'd be anywhere near Highgarden or the border to Dorne. 3. BRONN The beloved, foul-mouthed sellsword made a brief cameo at the end of last episode, side by side with Jaime as they marched on the Reach. While it would be somewhat cruel to kill him before he's even had a single line of dialogue this season, he'll be right in the thick of the dragon attack if it does indeed come in episode 4. Additionally, his death has the potential to turn into a pivotal plot point: a growing rift between Daenerys and Tyrion. Tyrion was closer with Bronn than nearly anyone else over the course of the series, and he even gave him a shoutout during his narration of the Unsullied attack ("As a good friend of mine once said, 'Give me ten men, and I'll impregnate the bitch'"). Tyrion has been in favor of careful, deliberate tactics, but based on the promo, it looks like Dany is ready to rain fire down upon her enemies, regardless of the collateral damage. If she lets the dragons loose and they cause uncontrollable havoc―and Bronn is swallowed up in the destruction―things may go sour quickly for the queen and her Hand. 1 & 2: LITTLEFINGER & "BRONZE" YOHN ROYCE I swung big and missed on Littlefinger last week. A few of you even warned me, and I still didn't listen. Like Jaime, I know that there are lessons in failures―but screw it, I'm doubling down this week. My decision this time is only slight conjecture, as there are a few pieces of evidence that suggest a confrontation to come in Winterfell this week. I've added "Bronze" Yohn Royce here because I think this little scuffle is going to involve him as well, but I also think that only one of these two characters is going to die.
The relationship between Littlefinger and Bronze Yohn has been a complex one. The entire dynamic revolves around Petyr's involvement in the Vale, specifically his manipulation of the young and sickly lord of the Vale, Robyn Arryn. Bronze Yohn has been understandably distrusting of Littlefinger, especially after the unusual and untimely demise (murder) of Petyr's wife-for-a-day, Lisa Arryn. The only reason he relented and bought into Littlefinger's lies is because of Sansa―and while we're on the topic, let's talk a bit about her. Sansa knows what Lord Baelish is capable of. She witnessed his hand in the death of Joffrey, helped him weasel out of the aforementioned murder of her crazy Aunt Lysa, and learned a great deal about his devious, conniving mind. One thing she has yet to learn, though, is the active role that Littlefinger had in both catalyzing the events of the series and directly betraying her father, Ned. Did you notice the little double-take Petyr did after hearing that the maesters of Winterfell keep a copy of every raven scroll? There's clearly some information hanging around he doesn't want to get out. If only Sansa had the human equivalent of a computer that knows everything that ever has or ever will happen roll up to her door... oh wait. The most major piece of evidence, though, is the Valyrian steel dagger. You remember, the one the assassin used to try and kill Bran in season 1. The whereabouts of this dagger and its potential impact on the story has been a hotly debated topic for years, and it looks like we're building up to a couple key moments surrounding it. We spied it in the first episode of the season, in one of Sam's books. It appeared again in the promo for episode 4, in what looks like Littlefinger's hands. And―THIS MAY BE AN ACTUAL SPOILER―what's that Arya is wearing in this Entertainment Weekly cover? We see her arriving at Winterfell in this week's promo as well. That means the remaining Stark children will be together for the first time since the first episode, and recall Ned's words, which Sansa echoes in the season 7 trailer: "When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies, but the pack survives." Well, the wolf pack is back. I got caught up in and burned by ideas of poetic justice last week, and the Starks teaming up to dispatch Littlefinger this week is as poetic as it gets. After all, Petyr is the one holding the dagger in the promo. Maybe he'll use it to save his own skin, or rid himself of a chronic nagging issue like Bronze Yohn, who is getting closer and closer to Sansa while she continues to freeze him out. As Littlefinger is famous for saying, "Chaos is a ladder." Maybe he'll cause some commotion and use it as a way to grab power while the King in the North is on his island vacation. Or maybe Arya will kill him. Only time will tell.
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