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Warning: Contains plenty of spoilers for Game of ThronesSeason 7 so far, plus some inevitably wonky predictions for Sunday's finale.
After many long months of waiting for Game of Thronesto come back on, I now have to contend with the horrible, horrible reality that it's about to go away again.
Old Nan thinks she knows all about Winter, but we know what the Long Night really is: it's those 10 sickeningly dragon-free months before Season 8 finally gets here.
SEE ALSO:The biggest threat in 'Game of Thrones' is something no one is prepared forBut enough of all that. The fact is we still have one deliciously long episode still to go. So rather than waste time worrying about next Monday, let's focus on those sweet, sweet predictions.
From the situation with Arya and Sansa to the inevitable White Walker invasion, here are the things I think are most likely to happen in the Season 7 finale...
1. The Starks will unite against Littlefinger.
These two can't stay mad at each other forever.Credit: hbo/mashable compositeOn the surface, Littlefinger's scheme to divide the Starks seems to be working a treat. If you believe the theories about Arya, though, it's not that simple. This is a difficult one to call (Littlefinger is very good at the whole scheming thing), but after episode 6 director Alan Taylor hinted at a surprise outcome to the story, I think the most likely option is that the Starks will band together against Petyr. If someone at Winterfell doesdie I don't think it'll be Arya or Sansa, put it that way.
2. Cersei will attempt to double-cross Daenerys...
Cersei just can't wait to welcome her new guests to King's Landing.Credit: hbo/mashable compositeThis one's pretty much a guarantee. We know from the hints Cersei dropped to Jaime that she's planning to trick her guests in some way, and from her perspective it makes sense, doesn't it? The last time she arranged to meet her enemies she destroyed them with wildfire, and it worked a treat.
I can't guess what her move will be this time, but from the official episode photos we know she will indeed meet Jon Snow and Tyrion face to face. Maybe she'll attempt to take one of them hostage?
3. ...But this time it'll go badly wrong.
That's a lot of soldiers.Credit: hbo/mashable compositeCersei's luck has run out. She's not as smart as her father was, and so far she's clung on to the throne through a mixture of sheer will and pure aggression alone. It can only last so long. When Cersei tries to make a move against Daenerys this time, I think it'll be the straw that breaks the lion's back. Daenerys will lose patience and hit back twice as hard.
4. Cleganebowl will finally happen.
Credit: hbo/mashable compositeThis one's probably just wishful thinking at this stage, but when everything goes wrong during Cersei and Jon Snow's meeting I like to think a mass fight will break out. On one side the Mountain will be laying waste to anyone who gets in his path. On the other side will be his long-lost brother the Hound.
Okay, so it might well not happen. But think about it: with the two sides meeting in King's Landing, it's literally never been more possible. And wouldn't it be the perfect end to the Hound's story arch to finally overcome his brother?
5. Cersei will die...
Credit: hbo/mashable compositeThe fact is, the last couple of Seasons have been woefully bereft of high profile character deaths. Someone big needs to die in the final episode, and my money's on Cersei. She's not going to ally with Jon and Daenerys against the Walkers in a million years, so surely death is the only way for her character's storyline to finish? (As her ally, Euron Greyjoy is also on very shaky ground.)
6. ...But there will be casualties on both sides.
Sorry, Greyworm.Credit: hbo/mashable compositeIf the two sides end up clashing on Sunday, there have to be some key losses on both ends. I don't think Jon, Daenerys or Tyrion will be killed off just yet, so my money's on a smaller character like Greyworm. The likes of Ser Jorah is also at risk.
7. Jaime will survive, and join his brother.
In a contest between your sociopathic sister and some badass dragons, there can only be one winner.Credit: hboDeep down, Jaime's known for a while now just how unstable his sister is. He knowsshe's in the wrong. He'll still be devastated if/when she gets killed (she's carrying his child, after all), but I think he'll eventually see sense. He may be taken captive first, but at some point down the line I like to think he'll help his brother in the war against the White Walkers.
8. Bran will have one final vision.
You're weird, Bran.Credit: hbo/mashable compositeOne of the promo photos for Episode 7 shows Bran sitting in front of the fire, staring miserably into the distance like he's done in absolutely all his scenes so far this Season. The finale of Season 6 closed with a vision of Jon Snow being born in the Tower of Joy -- maybe Season 7 will go down the same path?
I'm not sure what Bran might see, but if I had to guess I'd say it could be something involving Rhaegar and Lyanna. The episode is titled "The Dragon and the Wolf", after all.
9. The White Walkers will breach the wall.
Via GiphyI used to think Season 7 would end with the Wall crashing to the ground. Now I'm not so sure. The thing is, the White Walkers don't really need to fully destroy it to gain access to Westeros; they just need to breach it in some way.
And now, of course, they have that re-animated dragon. If they want to they can fly over the wall in an unguarded location, unlock the doors from the inside and let in their whole host of undead chums.
Winter has never felt closer.
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