How Game of Thrones Season 8 Will Begin and End

Discover behind-the-scenes facts and fan theories about who will ultimately triumph and who will perish. Warning: spoilers ahead!

The final season of this landmark fantasy series premieres on April 14, and fans who have followed the saga for years will finally learn its conclusion. The season consists of six episodes, each rivaling feature films in scope, with most running over an hour.

The cast promises an especially emotional finale. Sophie Turner, who plays Sansa Stark, reveals the ending will be bloody and filled with the brutal scenes that Game of Thrones is known for. Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen) admitted that after reading the script, she wandered London in a daze for three hours, deeply moved by what she saw.

The first episode was briefly leaked on YouTube before being removed, but summaries from viewers on Reddit and Twitter suggest that, as expected, large-scale battles are still being set up and much of the episode focuses on character relationships.

Recap of Season 7

The Battle for Power

Cersei Lannister delivered a historic blow by destroying many enemies, including the Tyrells and the religious Sparrows, by blowing up the Sept. However, tragedy struck when her son Tommen committed suicide by jumping out a window. Cersei also fractured her relationship with her brother Jaime, who headed north to fight the army of the dead. Euron Greyjoy, who had proposed to Cersei, chose to retreat to the Iron Islands after witnessing the undead.

Jon Snow allied with Daenerys, blending political strategy with romance. Jon’s allies, including his sisters, are unlikely to welcome this union as they desire Northern independence. Tyrion Lannister sides with Jon and Daenerys, breaking from his siblings. While his feelings toward Cersei are cold, opposing Jaime is difficult. Varys advises Daenerys, emphasizing that power belongs to the people, hinting at deeper motives to be revealed.

Though most acknowledge the need to unite against a common threat, it’s naive to think all have abandoned their quest for power.

Besides the two rival queens and the King in the North, another contender for the Iron Throne is Gendry, Robert Baratheon’s bastard and the last surviving Baratheon. In the season finale, Gendry ventures beyond the Wall with Jon, Jorah Mormont, wildlings, and the Brotherhood Without Banners, rescuing friends besieged by White Walkers.

The Iron Islands are embroiled in their own conflict: Yara Greyjoy hoped to claim the throne but was captured by her uncle Euron.

The Night King's Plans

The group sent beyond the Wall to capture a wight survived (except for the Red Priest Thoros of Myr). Daenerys arrived with dragons to aid them, but one dragon, Viserion, was killed and resurrected by the Night King, now serving as his undead dragon.

The season ends with the undead dragon melting a section of the Wall with blue flames. The Eastern Watch has fallen, and the army of the dead advances toward human lands along the Northern mountains, heading to Winterfell. Along the way, they threaten Northern houses such as the Amber castle and Dreadfort, the Bolton stronghold destroyed after the Battle of the Bastards.

The Night King's motives remain unclear; he has not sought communication and seems intent on annihilating all, turning the fallen into soldiers of his undead army, with no plans to stop.

For a refresher on previous seasons, watch this 15-minute video.

What to Expect in Season 8: Facts and Theories

Massive Battles

Several large-scale battles will definitely be showcased, including a grand finale. Directors say the scale surpasses anything previously seen, including the Battle of Blackwater and the Battle of the Bastards. If battle scenes excite you more than romance, prepare your tissues. The first major battle will likely occur at Winterfell’s walls.

The Birth of a Child

There’s a chance a child will be born who may inherit the human world, but the parentage remains uncertain.

Cersei confirmed her pregnancy by Jaime at the end of Season 7, despite a prophecy stating her three children would die (which came true). Whether a fourth child will be born is unclear. In the trailer, Cersei is seen crying and drinking—possibly due to a miscarriage.

A chilling fan theory suggests Cersei might end the war with the White Walkers by sacrificing her child to the Night King, though her fierce maternal love makes this doubtful.

Jon Snow and Daenerys’s romance could also lead to a child, though Daenerys believes herself infertile. A prophecy says she will conceive only when “the sun rises in the west and sets in the east, when seas and rivers dry up, and mountains fly like leaves.” This may be poetic nonsense, but Westeros is facing apocalyptic events that could make this true. Jon’s resurrection hints he might overcome such curses.

Notably, such a child would be a product of incest, as Season 7 confirmed Jon is Daenerys’s nephew. But Targaryens have historically disregarded close kinship.

Character Deaths

Game of Thrones has never granted immunity from death, though favorite characters were often spared. Now, with the story concluding, anyone could die. Here are some death predictions.

Daenerys

The Mother of Dragons may die if Jon Snow turns out to be Azor Ahai, the legendary hero who once defeated the northern cold by forging a sword in the heart’s blood of his beloved Nissa Nissa. Being Jon’s partner may be dangerous.

Cersei

According to prophecy, she will die when the "valonqar" (Valyrian for "younger brother") clasps her neck. This could mean Tyrion or Jaime. However, "valonqar" might also mean "younger blood"—Cersei always thought it referred to a brother, but Arya Stark, who has her on a hit list, is younger. Alternatively, it could be her own younger child, implying death in childbirth.

Jaime

Jaime has chosen to fight the White Walkers, and this campaign might be his last. Cersei’s tears over wine in the trailer may foreshadow bad news from the North.

Bran Stark

Bran might sacrifice himself by confronting the Night King alone. As the Three-Eyed Raven, he may be the only one capable. A popular theory claims Bran is the Night King trapped in a time loop, but actor Isaac Hempstead Wright dismisses this as too obvious, possibly tired of fan speculation on social media.

Arya Stark

Arya is a skilled assassin trained for covert missions rather than large battles, so she might not survive combat. Another theory suggests Arya no longer exists, with her identity assumed by the Waif, Jaqen H’ghar, or even the Many-Faced God.

Theon Greyjoy

Having escaped one tormentor, Theon now faces his uncle Euron. If Theon dies, he may do so heroically by defending Yara and conquering his fears.

Grey Worm

Grey Worm and Missandei appear in danger, romantically and tragically shown kissing in the trailer. Given the show’s history, this signals trouble—similar to Ellaria Sand’s passionate farewell to Oberyn Martell before his demise.

Varys

Melisandre predicts Varys will die in Westeros, as she herself expects a similar fate.

Jon Snow is rarely considered a likely death candidate, possibly because his resurrection reduced the emotional impact of another death. Tyrion and Sansa Stark often appear on survival lists. Sansa has yet to have a significant romantic storyline; perhaps she will find love in the final season.

An Epic Finale

The most popular happy ending theory is that Jon Snow and Daenerys will claim the Iron Throne and pass it to their children. But can it be so peaceful?

If Cersei becomes queen, it implies she eliminates her foes and defeats Daenerys’s armies, possibly by allying with the Night King and becoming his queen.

If both Targaryens and Lannisters perish, Gendry might ascend with popular support. Given his apparent chemistry with Arya, they could marry, uniting the North and South. Some speculate Gendry is Azor Ahai destined to strike the Night King with a fiery sword, raising the chilling possibility he may have to sacrifice Arya.

There is also a grim scenario where no humans survive and the Night King triumphs, hinted at by a new teaser showing widespread destruction and a frozen world.

Additionally, the official Game of Thrones Twitter posted a poster depicting main characters frozen dead in a throne-like ice formation.

The great war was here. #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/hWSeyHVIPe

— Game of Thrones (@GameOfThrones) April 2, 2019

Though the context is unknown, if the season finale shows the Iron Throne melting or collapsing, it will be a truly epic moment. The throne has already caused enough suffering.

Will We Be Disappointed?

Based on trailers, reported budgets, and comments from those involved, production quality has only improved. Filming, visual effects, costumes, music, and atmosphere promise to be breathtaking.

Originality is more challenging. This is the third season based on George R.R. Martin’s unfinished drafts, with Martin less involved. The show has grown more mainstream, shifting focus from politics to spectacle and action. This sometimes compromises logic: characters "teleport" unrealistically, act without motivation for dramatic effect, or die foolishly despite prior intelligence.

With thousands of fans crafting theories, it’s tough for a small writing team to invent entirely new ideas.

On the other hand, creators might be selecting the best fan theories to adapt, ensuring the finale is thrilling yet satisfying for all viewers.

Regardless of the outcome, Game of Thrones will remain a landmark series that transformed perceptions of fantasy and television storytelling.

Related Reads 🎥🥶⚔️

• Game of Thrones Season 8: Everything You Need to Know About the Series Finale
• Comprehensive Guide to Game of Thrones: Recapping All Seven Seasons
• 50 Facts About Game of Thrones You Probably Didn’t Know

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