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'Game of Thrones': Who's Likely to Die in Season 8?

We list the characters who are likely to bite the dust in the final season of the epic HBO fantasy series.

By Marguerita TanPublished 5 years ago 6 min read
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Game of Thrones' final season: If Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen both die—that's tragic, not bittersweet! [Credit: HBO]

As Game of Thrones fans know by now, the Emmy-winning HBO fantasy series has no qualms killing off popular and unpopular characters alike when one least expects it. Still, the death count in its seventh season was relatively tame considering that only three main characters met their demise, namely Queen Olenna Tyrell, Littlefinger, and Viserion (RIP all).

With the action-packed saga adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice & Fire novels coming to a close with its eighth season in 2019, it is very likely that many of the main characters whom we have grown to love (or loathe) are not going to make it out alive.

Here’s a list of who we think will bite the dust in the final season.

1. Beric Dondarrion

Beric Dondarrion with His Fiery Sword in Game of Thrones [Credit: HBO]

The lightning lord is long dead in the books after passing the flame of life to the murdered Catelyn Stark and resurrecting her as Lady Stoneheart in A Feast for Crows. In the show, the Lord of Light devotee is possibly being kept alive so that he can pass the flame of life to a key character who is going to die but who needs to be revived for the good of the Realm, someone like Jon Snow or Daenerys Targaryen. With Thoros of Myr dying in Season 7, there’s no one to revive Lord Beric if he meets his Maker for the seventh time.

2. Gregor 'The Mountain' Clegane

The Hound (Left) and The Mountain in Game of Thrones Season 7 [Credit: HBO]

Cleganebowl was foreshadowed during the Dragonpit scene in the Season 7 finale when Sandor “The Hound” Clegane bluntly tells his brother Gregor “The Mountain” that, “It’s not how it ends for you, brother. You know who’s coming for you. You’ve always known.” So the popular fan theory will definitely take place and it will be The Mountain who gets smashed. For all the vicious things he did—killing Elia Martell and her children, to name but just one—it’s about time.

3. Euron Greyjoy

Euron Greyjoy is one charismatic villain in Game of Thrones. [Credit: HBO]

In the show, Crow’s Eye is a villain with rock star vibes and it will be a shame to see him get killed, really. Then again, having his nephew Theon Greyjoy do the honors—after saving captured sister Yara hopefully—will also provide much satisfaction as it allows the ball-less dude (sorry) to complete his redemption arc. Euron, who will have picked up the Golden Company for Cersei Lannister, will be a tough nut to crack but crack he will.

4. Melisandre

Melisandre will definitely die in Season 8 of Game of Thrones. [Credit: HBO]

The Red Woman foretold her own death when she tells Varys in Season 7 Episode 3 that she will return to Westeros one last time “to die in this strange country. Just like you.” Even before she sacrificed Shireen Baratheon to the Lord of Light, Ser Davos Seaworth hated Melisandre with venom and vowed to “cut the living heart from her breast and see how it burns" in A Storm of Swords, which is why there are theories that Melisandre could be the Nissa Nissa—and not Daenerys—to Jon Snow’s Azor Ahai. What if, to bring forth the fiery Lightbringer, the Prince that Was Promised (read: Jon) is to plunge a sword through the heart of a red priestess with the power of the Fire God? Highly plausible.

5. Varys

A Rare, Smiling Varys in Game of Thrones [Credit: HBO]

The Spider will die in Westeros too, so says Melisandre. Many believed that the Master of Whispers will betray Daenerys and be scorched by her dragons as the Targaryen Queen herself threatens in Season 7, Episode 2. A possibility for Varys' betrayal is that once he finds out about Jon's true identity—that he is actually Aegon Targaryen, rightful heir to the Iron Throne—he might just switch allegiance before you could say "little birds," which could be the last straw that breaks Dany’s back.

6. The Night King

The Night King is coming for humankind's jugular in the final season of Game of Thrones. [Credit: HBO]

The White Walkers were the big bad since episode 1 of the TV series. As Jon Snow gathers everyone up north, the Great War against the Night King and his Army of the Dead will arguably be the first big battle that our heroes will engage in the final season. And considering their numerous face-to-face encounters, a one-to-one face-off between the King in the North and the Night King is inevitable. By hook or by crook, the latter need to be taken down and where more apt than Winterfell, so named perhaps 'cos that’s where the first long “winter” “fell”?

7. Cersei Lannister

Cersei Lannister should meet her comeuppance in Game of Thrones Season 8. [Credit: HBO]

She already sits on the Iron Throne so it is fair game to say that Cersei will not be on that hot seat come the end of the series. The two characters who are most likely to put an end to the Lannister who knew how to play the game of thrones since day 1 are: Arya Stark, who still has Joffrey’s mom on her kill list, and Cersei’s younger twin/ex-lover Jamie, who is almost everyone’s top choice to fulfill the “valonqar” (little brother) prophecy. My money is on the latter for emotional attachments and dramatic effects.

8. Jamie Lannister

Jamie Lannister will die a hero in the final season of Game of Thrones. [Credit: HBO]

“If he were dead, I would know it. We came into this world together, Uncle. He would not go without me,” so says Cersei in A Dance with Dragons. We have no doubt that the Golden Lion will prove himself up north as he fights alongside Jon and company at the Great War. We are also quite certain that Jamie, even though technically he only has one hand, will be the valonqar who wraps his hand(s) around Cersei’s pale white neck, and thereafter kills himself, dying in the arms of the woman he loved.

9. Tyrion Lannister

Most believe that Tyrion Lannister would come up on top in the Game of Thrones. [Credit: HBO]

As creator Martin’s favorite character, many would bet their house on the Imp making it to the finish line. However, recent events claimed otherwise. At the 2018 Creative Emmys in September, one member of the GOT Special Effects winning team dropped a bombshell by saying, "And we can’t tell you in what episode Tyrion dies… or doesn’t." Judging by his colleagues’ reactions, it seemed to be a slip more than a quip. Add to that, Spanish Youtuber Frikidoctor, who has been rather accurate with "leaks" in the past, also claimed that Tyrion will have a trial scene in Season 8 where he will be sentenced to death for treason. Let's hope it is just one of the fake endings that GOT filmed!

10. Jon Snow or Daenerys Targaryen

Dying is seriously the least of Jon and Dany's problems in the final season of Game of Thrones. [Credit: HBO]

If both Jon and Dany are to die, it will be a downright tragedy and not a bittersweet ending. But it’s GOT after all and so one of them will probably die (sigh). It is foreshadowed a few times in Season 7 that Dany will definitely bear their child but having her dying in childbirth is seriously a cop-out. The most likely scenario is that she or Jon may die in battle or be assassinated. Jon has instructed Melisandre not to revive him if he were to die again, but what if Dany engages Ser Beric’s help to give Jon the flame of life? Or it could be vice versa with Dany dying and Jon frantically requesting that she be revived. Either way, one of these two Targaryens will sit on the Iron Throne, whilst awaiting “a dream of spring” for their child (and maybe a dragon or two) as a war-torn Westeros rebuilds.

Read also:* 'Game Of Thrones': 10 Essential Reunions At Winterfell We'd Like To See In Season 8* 'Game of Thrones' Season 8: Why Jon Snow May Use Greatsword Dawn to Slay the Night King* ‘Game Of Thrones’: 5 Heroic Deeds Jaime Lannister May Achieve in Season 8

Game of Thrones’ eighth and final season, comprising six episodes, is expected to return on HBO in April 2019.

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About the Creator

Marguerita Tan

A freelance writer who loves God, movies, music and TV; esp Star Wars, Animation/Anime, GOT, The Wheel of Time, and anything that's entertaining! X/Threads/ISG: @marfield49

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