'Game Of Thrones' Season 7 Theories: 6 Things That May Go Down When The HBO Show Returns In 2017

On Monday “Game of Thrones” producers officially announced the release of Season 7 of the wildly popular HBO series. While it’s still about a year away, the jaw-dropping Season 6 finale, as well as a few fan theories which have cropped up in the weeks since then, reveal a lot about what fans can expect to see in the 7-episode season.

When “Game of Thrones” ended its most recent season on June 26, Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) took the Iron Throne with fire — wild fire, that is. The eldest daughter of Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance) hatched a plan to ride the Seven Kingdoms of the Seven Septon’s tyrannical rule. In doing so she killed several people, including the High Sparrow (Jonathan Pryce), Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer), Mace Tyrell (Roger Ashton-Griffiths), Loras Tyrell (Finn Jones) and many more. Her son, Tommen Baratheon (Dean-Charles Chapman), was also a subsequent victim of Cersei’s plan as he killed himself after learning that the love of his life had died in the explosion. Meanwhile Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), now armed with a fleet of ships from Yara Greyjoy (Gemma Whelan) and Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen), began her decent on the Seven Kingdoms. She is joined by Varys (Conleth Hill) and her loyal Hand of the Queen, Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage). Fans also received confirmation of the R + L = J theory, meaning that Jon Snow (Kit Harington) is half Targaryen and therefore, the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. The problem? He’s in Winterfell blissfully unaware and has just been named King of The North.

No official details have been released about Season 7, but here are a few things fans can (hopefully) expect to see:

More Names Checked Off Arya Stark’s Kill List:

In Season 3 Arya (Maisie Williams) began keeping a list of people she planned to kill. Much like Night’s Watch recruiter Yoren (Francis Magee), who told her about his own kill list prior to his death, the majority of the men and women listed had wronged Arya or her family in some way. At the close of Season 6 Arya crossed a major name off her list — Walder Frey (David Bradley), who hosted the infamous Red Wedding during which her brother, Robb Stark (Richard Madden), and mother, Catelynn Stark (Michelle Fairley), were killed.

The Return of Gendry:

Arya’s close friend and confidant, Gendry (Joe Dempsie) was last seen in Season 3. Melisandre (Carice von Houten) convinced Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane) that they needed drops of his blood to please the Lord of Light. After getting what she needed from him, he was temporarily freed though it was implied that Melisandre wanted to kill him. Ser Davos (Liam Cunningham) released him, setting him up with a small paddle boat and rations of food to last through his journey, which we have yet to pick back up with.

Samwell Tarly Will Step Up to The Plate:

According to a “Game of Thrones” fan theory, thought up by writers at Uproxx and Vanity Fair, Samwell Tarly (John Bradley-West) may be more of a key character than viewers previously believed. At the end of Season 6 he finally arrived at the citadel with Gilly (Hannah Murray) and baby Sam in tow. The episode featured a scene in which Samwell looks out over the vast library of books housed in Oldtown, but it’s what’s hanging above the books that tells much about the upcoming episodes of the HBO show.

The Citadel library has a large gyroscope chandelier hanging above it. The light fixture should look familiar to fans of the show, as it is featured in the opening credits. The theory suggests that this is confirmation that Samwell, who is training to be a maester, will be tasked with keeping a written record to close friend Jon Snow’s adventures as well as the other happenings in the Seven Kingdoms. This is based off comments George R.R. Martin has made suggesting that the show will play out like “Lord of The Rings,” in which one character is telling the story for others. Should this theory prove true, it is a sure sign that Samwell or baby Sam will survive the impending attack from the White Walkers.

Jon Snow May Fulfill The Azor Ahai Prophecy:

On July 5, Movie Pilot brushed the dust of a fan theory from three years ago, which suggests that Jon Snow may be the second coming of Azor Ahai, the god which the red priests and priestesses answer to. Much of the theory, posted by Reddit user OneEyedCheshire, aligns with where the show is in Season 6. Should the theory prove true, one corner of Westeros will turn into a zombie-plagued wasteland before “Game of Thrones” wraps. The chosen one — who, in this case, would be Jon Snow — will swoop in to save the day, forging a special sword called the Lightbringer and driving it through the heart of his beloved to end the suffering of those around him.

The Reddit post suggests that Winterfell is Lightbringer, as it meets all the criteria. It was tempered by water when House Greyjoy briefly seized it in Season 2. It was then proverbially driven through the lion’s heart in Season 6, episode 9 when Jon Snow and Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) defeated House Bolton, which worked under the Lannisters. OneEyedCheshire writes that the final forging will come in the form of a betrayal.

“Now the third forging. I think this leads to the ‘bittersweet’ ending GRRM [George R.R. Martin] has promised, and Dany’s third betrayal. After Dany makes it to Westeros, I believe J = R + L will be revealed, and Jon and Dany will fall in love. This will be in the middle of the fight against the others,” the Reddit user speculated. “I believe two of Dany’s dragons will have died by this point of the invasion and she will be left with only Drogon = her soul. Dany will be Nissa Nissa [Azor Ahai’s beloved] and Jon Snow must bind her soul (Drogon) to Lightbringer (Winterfell) in order to fight back the Others.”

Euron Greyjoy Will Return:

The uncle of Yara and Theon Greyjoy will likely return in Season 7 and he’s got big plans. Several fan theories suggest that he will be out for power when he returns to the show and will do anything to get it. His initial plan may be to woo the Mother of Dragons, but she’s well aware of his tricks thanks to her new alliance with his family members.

Another fan theory, posted on Tumblr by user Poor Quentyn, suggests that Euron (Pilou Asbæk may be looking to acquire a horn called the Dragonbinder. The instrument can be used to become the master of dragons. In the books, Euron has it, but that has yet to be seen in the show. Poor Quentyn suggests that Sam is in possession of it and Euron may use force to obtain it for himself. This theory makes sense, as in the “A Song of Ice and Fire” novels, off which the show is based, Euron attacks Oldtown, where Sam is studying to be a maester.

Another clue into Euron’s return comes from a Season 6 quote from Jon Snow. In the finale he discusses the White Walkers coming, suggesting that something much worse may be coming for them.

“The true enemy won’t wait out the storm,” Jon Snow said. “He brings the storm.”

As Huffington Post points out, during an earlier episode Euron referenced “the storm.” Talking to his brother Balon (Patrick Malahide) prior to his death, Euron calls himself “the storm.”

“I am the storm, brother,” he said. “The first storm and the last.”

A Daenerys Vs. Cersei Face-Off:

Fans aren’t the only ones speculating about Season 7. Clarke is ready to find out what’s in store for the Khaleesi and even has a few ideas of her own as far as what she hopes goes down. The British actress told Entertainment Weekly she is hopeful that her character will get to face-off with Cersei. She told the publication that the cards are stacked in her favor, given her acquisition of ships and men and the lack of shirtless distractions.

“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 Tryion without his clothes on. The only thing missing is Jorah [Iain Glen]. He’s gotta come back. I said I can’t rule the Seven Kingdoms without him,” she said.

“Game of Thrones” returns in the summer of 2017. What are some things you need to see in Season 7? Sound off on Twitter or in the comment section.