HBO has released two new promos with characters from all its popular shows, and of course Game of Thrones did what GoT does best: give fans just a teeny tiny more insight into what's awaiting them, come July. As the actors 'aaah' in their character's signature styles, the promo gives GoT fans a glimpse of what their beloved and not-so-beloved characters are going to look like in the much-awaited season seven.
Winter seems to well and truly be here, if the characters' wardrobes are anything to go by β fur-lined, dark, heavy, layered and lots of leather. Everyone looks deliciously grim and wintry. Even Cersei and Dany, from the warmer climes of King's Landing and Mereen have had to cover up in preparation of the chills of winter. But hey, why didn't we get to see the scheming Little Finger, loyal and brooding Ser Jorah Mormont, finally-finding-his-voice Sanwell Tarly, and the seriously badass little lady, Lyanna Mormont 'aaah-ing' like the others?
But can any GoT trailer come and go without sparking furious debates and new theories about possible story arcs? The appearance of one dead character has delighted dedicated fans. Could it be...? And if that is so, what does that mean for the other character whose future was left uncertain by the sudden death? 16 July, or, in India's case, 17 July, can't get here fast enough, as far as we're concerned. But in the interim, here's a little something to tide hungry fans over β what are our favourite characters going to look like, along with the impossibly detailed popular theories that fit right into the twisted world of George RR Martin that we've all come to love.
Daenerys Targaryen
As one of the main characters in the series, the Mother of Dragons is central to most theories and predictions about the show. In the season six finale, Dany finally sets sail for Westeros with a formidable troop β her dragons, the army of the Unsullied, her Dothraki khalasar, the Ironborns under Theon and Yara Greyjoy, Tyrion, Varys and Missandei. Season seven promos also indicate that she makes it to her destination.
For season seven, two theories are gaining steam. In the books, Euron Greyjoy β Yara and Theon's uncle and the murderer of their father β is said to have procured dragonbinder, a powerful horn that can control dragons, during his travels. The series hasn't mentioned the horn yet, but many believe that Euron Greyjoy will team up with Cersei and use the horn to turn the dragons against Dany, dealing her ascent to power a devastating blow.
An unsubstantiated, but detailed, leak on Reddit suggests that Jon will swear allegiance to Dany in exchange of her help in fighting the White Walkers.
Another longstanding theory championed by fans is that season seven will finally see the coming together of Jon and Dany. An unsubstantiated, but detailed, leak on Reddit suggests that Jon will swear allegiance to Dany in exchange of her help in fighting the White Walkers, on Tyrion's encouragement. The leak also says that their relationship deepens through the season and season seven ends with the two having sex, while The Wall comes down, simultaneously.
Jon Snow
He's one of the few major characters who isn't looking to shed blood, exact revenge or claim a throne. Even though the R+L=J theory is now confirmed and Jon Snow does have dragonblood, he doesn't know it yet. Theories about season seven mostly revolve around him finding out the truth about his parentage. Another interesting angle is that it is possible that Jon Snow might actually be a trueborn son of Rhaegar Targaryen, not a bastard born out of the rape of Lyanna Stark. The fact that the Kingsguard were stationed to protect Lyanna at the Tower of Joy points in that direction. The Kingsguard, sworn to protect the royal family, are quite unlikely to protect a kidnapped, raped woman and a bastard child. If Jon Snow is, indeed a trueborn Targaryen, his claim on the Iron Throne becomes stronger than Dany's.
The other big theory floating around about Jon Snow is that he is the reincarnation of Azor Ahai, the Warrior of Light. Melisandre had earlier prophesied that Azor Ahai will have dragon blood, and she seems to see Jon Snow every time she looks for Azor Ahai in the fire.
Tyrion Lannister
Jon might not just be the only secret Targaryen. A theory that's been around practically from the start of the series is that Tyrion is a Targaryen, not a Lannister. According to this theory, the Mad King Aerys raped Joanna Lannister and the result was Tyrion. This would explain Tywin's longstanding hatred for Tyrion. This would also tie-in with the three-headed dragon prophecy, with Dany, Jon and Tyrion making up the three heads of the dragon.
Cersei Lannister
Cersei's character has time and again shown itself to be pure evil. The only thing human or likeable about her was her love and devotion for Jaime and her three kids. With Tommen's suicide, her last link to humanity seems to have been destroyed. In season six, she crowns herself the Ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, with an unhappy Jaime looking on. The most popular and believable theory for Cersei's character is that she is going to go the direction of the Mad King, Aerys Targaryen. The similarities between them seem to point that way. Much like Aerys, Cersei is obsessed with holding on to power, thinks nothing of burning alive those that try to seize it from her and is sitting on a ton of wildfire in the basement. If Cersei is going to turn into the Mad Queen, is she going to meet the Mad King's fate as well?
Jaime Lannister
We know that Jaime is called the Kingslayer for killing the Mad King when he planned to burn the city and its people to cinders. If Cersei does slowly turn into the Mad Queen, does that mean Jaime's going to be called upon, once more, to kill the person he is sworn to protect, for the greater good? The Queenslayer theory does seem to be a popular one. It also ties in with a previous loose end. Maggy the Frog had predicted that all of Cersei's children will die and that she will be killed by her little brother. Since Jaime was born a few minutes after Cersei, that little brother could just as easily be him as it could be Tyrion.
Sansa Stark
Sansa's character has had a phenomenal emotional graph. From doe-eyed innocent child-bride, to tortured rape victim and finally, the coldly practical Lady Stark. In season seven, fans believe that Sansa will be left in charge of Winterfell as Jon leaves to enlist help in fighting the White Walkers. A parallel theory suggests Sansa will be seen in the way of motherhood. Just before Sansa let loose Ramsay's hounds on him, he tells her, "You can't kill me, I'm part of you now." Then there is the thing that Sansa said to Little Finger: "I can still feel what he did in my body, standing here right now." Both these statements could mean nothing, but also hint at Sansa being pregnant with Ramsay Bolton's baby. Yet another theory about Sansa is that now that Jon is no longer her half-brother, it will lead to the union of Sansa and Jon; the true coming together of ice (Sansa) and fire (Jon).
Arya Stark
Arya goes from being committed to becoming one of the Faceless Men to remembering her Stark lineage and kill-list, and bringing the dreadful Walder Frey to a merciless end. According to major, but unsubstantiated, plot leaks on Reddit last year, Aray's character is going to become even more murderous this season. According to the leak, Arya will use her training for the Faceless Men to exact revenge on everyone who wrongs her family. First, she will 'borrow' Walder Frey's face to kill the rest of the Frey men and later, kill Littlefinger for trying to turn Sansa and Arya against each other. This would also explain why Frey, despite being dead, is expected to be seen in season seven. If all this is true, Arya and her beloved sword Needle are going to cause some serious damage this season.
Bran Stark
Bran has had an important, but chequered role in the series so far. But all that could change if the theory that Bran could be the reason the White Walkers cross the Wall protecting the Seven Kingdoms turns out to be true. According to the theory, when the Night's King touches Bran in his dream, he marks Bran in a way that renders any magical barrier that stands between them useless. And we all know that The Wall is the biggest magical barrier protecting everyone from the White Walkers. Could harmless, gentle Bran start a battle that makes the Red Wedding and the Battle of the Bastards look like a toddler's birthday party?
The whispers that Aerys could hear, which was what drove him mad, was actually just Bran trying to talk to him.
Another theory, if true, could cement Bran's position as the catalyst of doom. In the last season, we saw that the younger Ned Stark could hear Bran outside the Tower of Joy, which Bran visits with the three-eyed raven. If Bran can talk to the people in the past, according to the theory, the whispers that Aerys, the Mad King, could hear, which drove him mad in the first place, was actually just Bran trying to talk to him.
HODOR?!
Wait, didn't he die last season? Or after Jon, is resurrection now a recurring theme? Or did he manage to survive and didn't die at all, which is both a relief and also frustrating because the amount of moaning and mourning over his death by fans was a serious downer last year. More realistically, though, is the theory that Hodor will be seen in flashbacks this season, with Bran barging in and out of the past to piece together what really happened and how it will all affect the future. Either way, it's great to know that Hodor's character will very much be a part of the season seven lineup.
The Hound
Will The Hound finally get to exact revenge from his bigger, crueller, older brother The Mountain? It's certainly a popular theory, and one that fans have been encouraging for a long time now. CleganeBowl, a bloody, gruesome fight between the brothers might finally become a reality in season seven, since both The Hound and The Mountain are slated to make an appearance.
Theon Greyjoy
It's hard to make up one's mind about the little Greyjoy. Murderer? Torture victim? Or anti-hero by default? Will he finally come into his own in season seven? Seems that way. Leaked images obtained by TMZ suggest that a bloody seaside fight between Theon and his uncle Euron, who also murdered his father, is in the offing. The images show both Greyjoys blood-soaked, but Theon ultimately emerging victor. Even though, this is Game of Thrones we're talking about. Things are never as straightforward as they seem.
Missandei
A widely-believed theory about Missandei is that she is one of the Faceless Men. Her extraordinary language skills β she can speak 18 languages β has led to the theory. Another clue that points to this is that when Dany tries to warn her of the dangers of accompanying her on her quest, Missandei responds with Valar Morghullis, a High Valyrian saying popular among the Faceless Men of Braavos. There have also been comparisons between Missandei and the Waif who trains Arya, because like the Waif, Missandei looks inordinately young, despite her knowledge, wisdom and training in the ways of her world.
Varys
The Reddit leak suggests that Varys will be revealed as one of the few people who are acting in the interest of the people of Westeros, trying to bring a king or queen to power who will put the common people ahead of their own interests.
Tormund
The shaggy, reliable wildling, Tormund, will continue to be by Jon's side in the fight against the White Walkers and will grow to become one of his trusted aides, even though he was busy stuffing his face with bread while the room erupted in cheers of King in the North in season six. Unfortunately, there's no theory yet about what the wistful looks he keeps shooting in the direction of Brienne of Tarth, will result into.
Brienne of Tarth
Leaked plot points suggest that season seven will see a meeting between Dany and Brienne of Tarth at Dragonpit.
Ser Davos
The trustworthy Ser Davos will strengthen his position as one of Jon Snow's most trusted advisers. Leaked footage shows that when Jon meets Tyrion in Dragonstone, he is flanked by Ser Davos, followed by a small group of soldiers. But the most important thing one can say about Ser Davos is that he is the good noble soul who first let slip to the world that the wait for season seven will end in July. You're a good, good man, Ser Davos.