‘Game Of Thrones’ Finale Theories: 4 Ways The HBO Series Could End In Season 8

You know what they say — “all good things must come to an end.” This includes good TV shows like HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” which was named the most viewed TV show in June 2016.

Despite its popularity, the network announced that there will be just two seasons left of the series. Season 7, which is slated for release in 2017, will be just seven episodes long. HBO plans to follow that with a final season, though it’s worth noting that president Casey Bloys is as bummed about “Game of Thrones” ending as we are. During HBO’s summer press tour he revealed that if it were possible, he’d order “10 more seasons” of the show, however he and the rest of the HBO team trust writers to do “what they [need] to make the best version of their show.” Little is known about Season 8 of “Game of Thrones” at this time. Writers confirmed to HBO that it will be where the show ends, but said nothing about how long it will be or when it should be expected to premiere.

Although “Game of Thrones” is drawing to a close, Bloys warns fans not to rule out the idea of a spinoff. During the press tour he said that any opportunity to “win more Emmys” would be a welcome one, though that is not what drives them as a network. He said that while he is open to the idea, it is truly up to writers David Benioff and Dan Weiss — as well as the stars of the show — to decide what the best direction to go in would be.

“We’ve talked about it, it’s not something I’m not opposed to, but of course it has to make sense creatively,” Bloys said. “I’m not sure that they guys could really wrap their heads around it when they’re just about to start production. It’s a pretty intense production, they’re about to start production soon. But I’m open to it. They guys weren’t opposed to it, but there’s no concrete plans or anything like that at this point.”

“Game of Thrones” ending has left many questions from the show unanswered. Which characters will make it to the end? Who will ultimately take the Iron Throne? Will Azor Ahai be revealed? Will Jon Snow learn he’s half Targaryen? With so much uncertainty, here are 4 ways “Game of Thrones” could end based, largely, off fan theories:

Cersei Lannister Will Be Dethroned:

In the Season 6 finale of “Game of Thrones,” which aired on April 24, Cersei took the Iron Throne after killing off the high septon and his followers with the help of a large batch of wild fire left beneath King’s Landing by the Mad King. After the attack, which killed Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer), Loras Tyrell (Finn Jones), Mace Tyrell (Roger Ashton-Griffiths) and many, many more, her son, Tommen Baratheon (Dean-Charles Chapman), was over taken by his grief. He killed himself, landing Cersei (Lena Headey) a seat on the Iron Throne once more. This seems to shock Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), who returned to the castle. Dethroning Cersei will be no easy task, however. It has been theorized that she will not survive to the end of “Game of Thrones.”

Daenerys And Cersei Will Face-Off:

Due to some of her choices, Cersei has become one of the less likeable characters on HBO’s “Game of Thrones.” As such, many fans tune in weekly in the hopes of seeing her get her just desserts. While she is currently ruling the Seven Kingdoms, it seems likely that she will face conflict in the final seasons of the show. It is anyone’s guess who Cersei may find herself up against but Emilia Clarke has made it no secret that she would like to see her character and the current queen face-off. The cards may be stacked in Daenerys’ favor, but Clarke has said that she would still like to see Jorah Mormont (Iain Glen) return to help her take back what she thinks is rightfully hers.

“If we talk about this: basically, I’ve got ships, I’ve got manpower, I’ve got dragons that breathe fire, and I apparently cannot be killed. I don’t even have an attractive man who wants to take his shirt off anywhere near me now, so there are no distractions. Though we have yet to see Tyrion [Peter Dinklage] without his clothes on. The only thing missing is Jorah. He’s gotta come back. I said I can’t rule the Seven Kingdoms without him,” Clarke told Entertainment Weekly.

Daenerys and Jon Snow Will Form An Alliance:

While Clarke would like to see Daenerys team up with her old pal Jorah to take back the Seven Kingdoms for house Targaryen, many fans believe it is a man she’s never met who may hold the key to the Iron Throne for her — that is, if he doesn’t take it for himself first. During the Season 6 finale fans received confirmation of the R + L = J theory, meaning that Rhaegar Targaryen — Daenerys’ now-deceased brother, is Jon Snow’s (Kit Harrington) father. Neither Daenerys nor Jon is currently aware of this fact, but there has been buzz about when and how they will find out.

When asked about how she thought Daenerys and her nephew may cross paths, Clarke told EW “anything’s possible.” She suggested that their meeting could bring with it some contention, suggesting that she could kill Jon or vice versa.

While it remains unclear how Jon and Daenerys will meet, it seems clear that they need one another. A fan theory, published by Bustle on July 1, suggests that Jon is essential to getting Daenerys on the Iron Throne. The publication notes that in Season 2, Daenerys stumbled upon the Throne Room in King’s Landing. At the time, the room was empty and covered in snow, which may have been a clue to much bigger things to come as “Game of Thrones” nears its series finale. Bustle suggests that the Throne Room may have been emptied by her dragons or Cersei, who some fans think wants to be the last to rule the Seven Kingdoms. The snow, according to Bustle, may be a result of winter reaching King’s Landing, which is typically warm.

Arya Will Finish Her Kill List:

In Season 3 Arya started keeping a list of men and women she planned to kill for wronging her or her family. At present, seven people remain on her list. Arya has always been determined and we have no doubts that she will be able to complete her list before the end of Season 8.

Samwell Tarley Will Document It All:

It has been said that Samwell Tarly (John Bradley-West) reaching the Citadel in Oldtown may be an essential part of the “Game of Thrones” story. Like “Lord of The Rings,” which writer George R.R. Martin is said to have modeled the books for which the show is based, “Game of Thrones” is believed to be a story playing out on our screens. According to a fan theory created by Uproxx and completed by Vanity Fair writer Joanna Robinson, either Samwell or the son of his girlfriend Gilly (Hannah Murray) will be tasked with recording the battles of the Seven Kingdoms for the history books. This means that one or both of them will likely survive the attack from the White Walkers, which many “Game of Thrones” fans believe is eminent.