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 The fantasy series, an adaptation of George R.R. Martin's "A
Song of Ice and Fire" series of novels, is rapidly approaching
its conclusion in its eighth season, with only four episodes
remaining before it ends its run as one of the cable network's
most successful shows in its history.
With that comes the wind-down of the show's key conflict -
between those living in its medieval-fantasy society and an army
led by the Night King, a blue-eyed humanoid creature from icy
wastes in the far north who has the ability to raise and control
the dead.
Shocking, unexpected deaths were the calling card for Game of
Thrones for several seasons, beginning with the demise of its
primary character, Eddard Stark, lord of the castle of the
fictional locale of Winterfell. He was played by "Lord of the
Rings" star Sean Bean, who featured heavily in the show's
marketing when it premiered in 2011.
Several other characters met unexpected ends in the seasons that
followed, often in gruesome ways, such as season three's "Red
Wedding," which featured the massacre of Eddard Stark's wife and
son and numerous allies at what was supposed to be a celebratory
marriage. Major character Jon Snow was stabbed to death at the
end of season five but was brought back to life in season six in
one of the show's most talked-about moments.
But the frequency of deaths that kept viewers off-balance has
diminished in more recent seasons, and most key characters have
survived.
That is likely to change with this Sunday's episode, the third
of six in this season. On gaming websites and Game of
Thrones-themed message boards, pools have cropped up speculating
which characters will die this week.
"It's going to be a bloodbath, but we're going to love it.
That's one of the reasons why we love Game of Thrones," said
Susan Miller, editor-in-chief of Watchers on the Wall, one of
the best-known blogs about the show.
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Most of the previous episode focused on the remaining characters
gathered at the Starks' home in Winterfell contemplating their
existence prior to an impending assault by the Night King's army.
Keeping track of the characters who could see their stories end is
difficult at times: the show has featured more than 100 major
speaking roles during its run, and even now more than 20 notable
characters are all in the same locale. This Sunday's episode will
run more than 80 minutes, making it one of the longest of the
series.
Among the characters most in danger:
THEON GREYJOY: Played by Alfie Allen, he was raised by Eddard Stark
in Winterfell as a ward, but later betrayed his adoptive family and
seized the castle. Now he is set to defend it. Bets on
Sportsbetting.ag, an online sports betting site, put 4-to-1 odds on
him dying first, highest of any character mentioned (a $100 bet pays
out $400).
JAIME LANNISTER: This character, played by Danish actor Nikolaj
Coster Waldau, is a knight who fathered several illegitimate
children with his sister, Cersei, now the queen (played by Lena
Headey). Odds on him dying first are 5-to-1.
BRIENNE OF TARTH: Played by Gwendoline Christie - who also appeared
in the recent "Star Wars" films - she was the first woman knighted
in the show's Seven Kingdoms. She fetches 12-to-1 odds on dying
first, according to Sportsbetting.ag.
(Reporting by David Gaffen, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
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