Trying to predict events in Game Of Thrones is like trying to predict the course of a tropical storm — it could easily come back to bite you in the rear. If last season’s Red Wedding was its defining moment of gore, the new season has already upped the stakes with the Purple Wedding — not saying Joffrey didn’t deserve it (that evil, evil brat) — and Jaime’s rape of Cercei (yes, if it’s non-consensual, it’s rape, their twisted relationship notwithstanding).
The series has, to a large extent, stayed true to the events in the books (perks of having George R.R. Martin himself on board), albeit reducing the number of characters whose names you cannot for the life of you remember, shuffling timelines and changing stories.
With that in view, let’s take a stab — pun unintended — at predicting what’s coming (apart from Winter, of course).
Our favourite twosome, Arya Stark and The Hound, will have a few more misadventures before Arya realises that her destiny lies in Braavos and goes off to train as the scariest pre-teen in the Seven Kingdoms.
Daenerys Targaryen’s dragons will step firmly into adolescence — by becoming excessively aggressive, sulky, prone to snits and out of their mother’s control. Dany, Dany, Dany. Mothering dragons is not a piece of stallion’s heart. Just ask Hagrid.
Daenerys herself will continue to play the goddess-like mhysa, liberate slaves, build her army and march toward Westeros (Martin’s really got to give us an ETA on that).
A major dead character will be resurrected. With the Lord of Light bountifully letting so many others come back to life, the phenomenon ought to be taken advantage of by one of the main players. But no, it probably won’t be Ned or Robb. Nor, R’hllor forbid, Joffrey.
Tyrion Lannister will escape and swear revenge on his family (oh, come on. Get on with ruining the Lannisters already). Sansa Stark will continue to be the helpless maiden in distress — meandering from one champion to the other. Petyr ‘Littlefinger’ Baelish will scheme to bring the Eyrie under his absolute control. Stannis Baratheon, under Melisandre’s tutelage and black (or is it red?) magic, will rally more forces to help him claim the throne.
Jaime Lannister will rediscover his honour and hopefully remember his promise to Catelyn Stark. Margaery Tyrell and Cercei Lannister will scheme against one another — each desperate for the position of the Queen (in Cercei’s case, Queen Regent). In all fairness, Margaery stands a better chance — especially if she is to wed Tommen Baratheon.
Bran Stark will follow his visions. He seems destined to play a seer’s role in the coming events. Especially since the Kingdoms will all need the help they can scrounge up when the war with The Others comes to pass.
There will be a major battle at The Wall — not necessarily between The Others and the Night Watch, though. Valar morghulis, people. At least those The Others don’t recruit for themselves.
Jon Snow will continue to know nothing.
