The Ghostess With The Mostess: 'Game Of Thrones' Fans Think A Dead Character Has Returned As A Ghost

Take out your tinfoil hats and start up the Ecto-1, because it looks like we're going to need to call the Ghostbusters over on HBO's Game of Thrones. The world of Westeros can be a cruel place, and if we have learned anything over the past seven seasons it's that dead doesn't always mean dead. However, are the ghosts of the past still haunting our winter wonderland?

With shock returns of "deceased" characters, fans of the fantasy saga have long-hoped that MIA character Lady Stoneheart would make the leap from book to show. Showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have always maintained that the body of Cat will continue to bob around in the shallows of the Riverlands, but now eagle-eyed viewers think they spotted the late Lady Stark in Season 7's "The Spoils of War." So, let's take a look at one case that would most definitely have Scooby and Shaggy shouting "zoinks" and running for their lives!

Stone Me Dead

Who wouldn't want a reanimated Catelyn Stark going on a murderous rampage to avenge her grisly demise at the Red Wedding? Well, while Benioff and Weiss aren't too fussed, Thrones fans have been keeping their eyes peeled for even the slightest whiff of Stoneheart since Season 3.

Our prayers to the Old Gods may have been answered, because redditor GrennsGal maintains that the ghostly visage of Catelyn Stark still haunts the halls of Winterfell. As Arya Stark and Brienne of Tarth spar in the courtyard, GrennsGal claims that you can see an auburn-haired woman in a green dress pass by the background. You can actually check it out for yourself at 1:14 below:

Whether intentional or not, you have to admit it does look at lot like the former Lady Stark, but don't count on that murderous zombie rising from her watery grave for a full cameo next episode.

Heart-Breaking

Now, those who know my Thrones writing will also know that I am the first to jump on the Stoneheart bandwagon — you name it, I've theorized about it. However, even I am letting my stony heart sink like Jaime Lannister to the bottom of a river and accepting that Stoneheart isn't ever coming to the show. While the chances of Sandor and Gregor's superstar Cleganebowl increase daily, it looks achingly likely that Lady Stoneheart has been lost to the pages of #GeorgeRRMartin's novels. After much mourning, I think I am OK with that.

Michelle Fairley has now been gone from her role as Catelyn Stark for four years, and we have seen the show give several other characters the tales of Lady Stoneheart. With Arya Stark's newfound taste for Frey pie and hopes to topple the Lannisters, our spunky little Stark has inadvertently taken on the Stoneheart persona before our eyes — admittedly she hasn't got the gnarly slashed throat or decaying flesh, but we can let that slide.

Also, take Rory McCann's the Hound as another example. After being assumed dead, the Hound now finds himself alongside Beric Dondarrion and the Brotherhood Without Banners in the wilds of the North. Sure, the Hound may also not be a vengeful zombie, but the show is clearly queuing up Clegane for something big. In the books, it was Catelyn who was resurrected by Beric after he used his dark magic to sacrifice himself and bring her back to life, so the Hound's role surely has something to do with the (presumed) demise of Dondarrion.

Even with smoke babies popping out your vagina, reanimated Mountains, and flaming dragons who haven't learned to zigzag, the resurrection of Catelyn Stark may just be one mythical element too many for the show. While it may be a stab to the gut with a valyrian dagger to some, you have to guess that Catelyn also won't be that influential to the concluding two books in Martin's saga. With so few episodes left of the show, shoehorning Cat in now would feel so out of place; however, as for the late Catelyn Stark still strolling round her homestead, never say never!