The folks behind Game Of Thrones recognise that you are well and truly ready for the fantasy series’ gut-punching final season. They also know that because so many key characters have carked it in the preceding seven seasons, you may have actually forgotten who is still vying for the Iron Throne.
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To that end, HBO has released twenty brand new character posters, each teasing a potential end to the series. Featuring representatives from each of the major houses, plus a few notable extras, each gloomy vision portrays an viable conclusion to George R. R. Martin’s A Song Of Ice And Fire saga.
Since the posters were also released on Twitter, users were allowed to smash the like button on their preferred ruler. Using rudimentary arithmetic and a great fistful of assumptions, we can ascertain who punters would most like to rule Westeros at the end of it all.
Behold, in ascending order, the challengers. We start with the Greyjoy brothers Euron (Pilou Asbæk) and Theon (Alfie Allen), who are none to keen on each other. At time of writing, not too many likes/votes separate ’em. Sucks at the bottom, hey?
#EuronGreyjoy
“There’s only one reward I want.” pic.twitter.com/gMa4uZ8rCC— Twitter (@Twitter) February 28, 2019
#TheonGreyjoy
“I always wanted to do the right thing.” pic.twitter.com/O4X5cL2fb3— Twitter (@Twitter) February 28, 2019
Those waterlogged sons are followed by a rag-tag bunch of witches, spies, trusted advisors, and friendzoned bodyguards. Would Varys (Conleth Hill) be a good leader? Probably. Is he better lurking in the shadows? Also yes.
#Melisandre
“The night is dark and full of terrors.” pic.twitter.com/FedPffHLhk— Twitter (@Twitter) February 28, 2019
#Varys
“I don’t believe in saviors.” pic.twitter.com/BuWUa83SPd— Twitter (@Twitter) February 28, 2019
#JorahMormont
“No one can survive in this world without help.” pic.twitter.com/K6dlUrS9RO— Twitter (@Twitter) February 28, 2019
#GreyWorm
“Unsullied fear nothing.” pic.twitter.com/PI4sgbDwCy— Twitter (@Twitter) February 28, 2019
#DavosSeaworth
“We have to fight, and we need to do it together.” pic.twitter.com/uiamSMZBES— Twitter (@Twitter) February 28, 2019
#TheHound
“You know who’s coming for you. You’ve always known.” pic.twitter.com/ZfRTxCqGY5— Twitter (@Twitter) February 28, 2019
#Missandei
“She’s the queen we chose.” pic.twitter.com/aEHz1IL3t4— Twitter (@Twitter) February 28, 2019
It’s only at this point that we find the first member of a truly notable house. Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright), bless him and his godlike prescience, comes in at number 11.
#BranStark
“I’m the Three Eyed Raven now.” pic.twitter.com/zZlY7lmKYV— Twitter (@Twitter) February 28, 2019
#BrienneOfTarth
“This goes beyond houses and honor and oaths.” pic.twitter.com/agGSC9yvkG— Twitter (@Twitter) February 28, 2019
Okay, another one in the Would Actually Make A Good Leader camp: Samwell Tarly (John Bradley) at number 9,
#SamwellTarly
“I’m tired of reading about the achievements of better men.” pic.twitter.com/6dslofsJ8F— Twitter (@Twitter) February 28, 2019
Then we have the Lannister trifecta of Cersei (Lena Headey), Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), and Tyrion (Peter Dinklage). It’s worth noting that at time of writing, Tyrion has nearly 1,500 more likes than his brother. Eat shit, Tywin (Charles Dance), you big dead bitch.
#CerseiLannister
“Long may she reign.” pic.twitter.com/onfCymj8Ja— Twitter (@Twitter) February 28, 2019
#JaimeLannister
“There are no men like me. Only me.” pic.twitter.com/nIoeV70l0m— Twitter (@Twitter) February 28, 2019
#TyrionLannister
“Never forget who you are. The rest of the world will not.” pic.twitter.com/iERiiAn6ma— Twitter (@Twitter) February 28, 2019
Next up is Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner), who definitely has the gravitas to hold the throne for Da Norf.
#SansaStark
“The lone wolf dies, but the pack survives.” pic.twitter.com/4SzXANHWfU— Twitter (@Twitter) February 28, 2019
There’s a bit of a surprise at number 4. At least the Night King (Vladimír Furdík) has a clear message, we guess.
#NightKing
“Fear is for the winter.” pic.twitter.com/2hvd9VUwas— Twitter (@Twitter) February 28, 2019
You can guess how the list plays from here on out.
#AryaStark
“The North remembers.” pic.twitter.com/XxIB96wdyg— Twitter (@Twitter) February 28, 2019
#DaenerysTargaryen
“My reign has just begun.” pic.twitter.com/j54Tfqs12M— Twitter (@Twitter) February 28, 2019
#JonSnow
“We know no king, but the King in the North.” pic.twitter.com/cVF8IRbJ2j— Twitter (@Twitter) February 28, 2019
There you have it. If Game Of Thrones was a fan-run democracy, Jon Snow (Kit Harington) would take his place as leader of the Seven Kingdoms.
Unfortunately for everyone who chucked Snow a like, that is absolutely not the case. We expect him to die of incurable diarrhoea in the second episode of Season 8.
The final season premieres on April 14. Long live King Gendry!
