Game of Thrones Predictions Part II: Stark Reunion
In the lead up to the premiere of Season 7 of Thrones, I will be writing about 7 predictions for the upcoming season. We’re looking deep here and reflecting on past seasons to refresh. And remember, Winter is Coming.
The first prediction about Cersei was a little dark and depressing. Can you imagine being ruled by a totalitarian that doesn’t consider the consequences of their actions? Let’s look into a prediction that show watchers have been pining for since we first left Winterfell. The (remaining) Starks getting back together!
Again, this prediction will also be assigned a percentage of it's likelihood to happen. Whether the percentage is high or low, we do have to talk about the possibility because it’s important to know how the question could even be conceivable. We’ll dive into a little backstory, rehash old plot points, and ultimately come to a conclusion.
**SPOILERS AHEAD**
So in honor of the Seven Kingdoms, the Faith of the Seven and Seven episodes of Season Seven; here are 7 predictions for the upcoming season of the critically acclaimed drama. Let’s look at the second prediction:
Arya, Sansa, Bran and Jon reuniting to once again raise the Stark banner
When the series first started, it didn’t take long for the Stark children to go their separate ways and start their own adventures. Jon became a member of the Night’s Watch, Arya and Sansa accompanied their father to King’s Landing, and Robb would soon declare war on the Lannisters. Bran couldn’t leave Winterfell after his accident and Rickon was merely a small child when all this started.
We thought maybe the hero's journey was that of Eddard Stark’s until he was struck down and then perhaps passing that torch to his oldest son, Robb. But in the Game of Thrones you either win or you die and unfortunately, Robb did not win and neither did Rickon.
That leaves us with four Stark children left (yes, I’m including Jon in this, we’ll get to that) and they’ve all been on four separate pathways. Often getting close, but never truly interacting with one another until that faithful moment when Sansa and Jon are reunited in season 6. Arya was off training to be an assassin in Braavos after her brief rendevous’ with The Hound and the Brotherhood without Banners. Jon was off slowly climbing the ladder to become Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch and eventually King of the North. Also, Bran started off on his journey to become the next three-eyed raven after Winterfell had fallen.
And then there’s poor Sansa. Betrothed to shit-head Joffrey Baratheon, almost gang raped by peasants, married off to Tyrion Lannister, went on the run with creepy Littlefinger, tricked into marrying shit-head part 2: Ramsey Bolton who (in the show) actually raped her. I know Jon Snow died and was resurrected, but Sansa has by far had it the worst of all the children. I’m rooting super hard for Sansa.
We haven’t been this close to seeing them all on screen at once since season 1. Arya is back from across the narrow sea in Westeros serving Frey pie, Bran has seen the origins of Jon’s parentage while reuniting with Benjen Stark, and all of this has happened while Jon and Sansa retook Winterfell and Jon was named King in the North. Jon achieving this title, however, presents a monkey wrench in the plans for a big reunion.
Petyr ‘Littlefinger’ Baelish was already attempting to plant the seed in Sansa’s mind that it should be her that rules the North and not Jon whom she may think is still a Stark bastard. It’s hard to tell if she’ll truly take the bait. There’s already tension between the two after Jon refused to accept Sansa’s council before #BastardBowl2016. All Sansa has ever wanted was to be a Queen and have the fairy tale ending. She’s endured so much that she may decide it’s about time that she took what she believed was hers and not waited for it.
I’m not buying that, though.
I think there’ll be a little bit of tension between the two, but let’s take a look at Jon Snow’s character. He wanted to be a Ranger for the Night’s Watch rather than be groomed by Lord Commander Mormont to be next in charge. He was also elected Lord Commander after Samwell Tarley gave an impassioned speech on Jon’s ability to command, much to Jon’s chagrin. I think Jon Snow would rather step down from his position of power if he felt that it would keep the North intact. Bro’s always about the greater good and I respect that.
You may think that’s the biggest hurdle to overcome since half the crew is already back together and if they splinter then it’s unlikely that Bran and Arya both come in the fold to have them all share screen time for the first time in years. But I think there’s an even bigger wrinkle.
Bran has the best shot at making it back, because I believe Benjen sent him on the right path to get to Jon in order to inform him that he is a Targaryen and the rightful heir to the Iron Throne (R + L = J!).
With that said, it’s Arya that I think may get held back.
Arya has been on her side quests for the majority of the seasons and is due to be a part of the main story line again, but we don’t even know if she’ll actually head North to be with her family. She’s grown cynical and may think that by this time there’s no reason to hope that she has any family members that are alive.
Plus she has a list to complete.
Back in Season 3, Arya ran into a certain red priestess who proclaimed that they would see each other again. Melisandre’s prophetic statements are often very vague, but guess who was sent packing after Jon Snow found out she helped in the murder of Shireen? Melisandre is heading south and there’s a strong chance she runs into a certain Stark girl.
The Hound is also back! He’s joined the Brotherhood without Banners now that he wants to fight again so there’s the chance that he reunites with his old travel companion, as well.
Hey Arya: find Nymeria and go home to your siblings. It’s getting cold out.
So, what are the chances the Stark children all reunite?
Prediction: 10% likely
Reason: ‘What?! Why so low?’ you’re probably asking. Well, to be honest, there’s a lot that has to come together for this to happen and that’s just not the show’s style. There are a number of things that have to be done before the White Walkers begin their push to destroy humanity and chaos will likely keep the four from all seeing each other at the same time. And the show hasn’t killed a Stark in a few seasons, too, so there’s that to keep in mind.
Show watchers want this to happen and we desperately want more good to happen to these characters. However, we learned back in Season 1, this isn’t a hero's tale, it’s a Game of Thrones.
Thanks for checking out Part II of the Predictions Series! Check out the previous prediction below and more!
