Handicapping the Game of Thrones finale: The odds of how Season 5 will end
With the Season Five finale airing Sunday night, we thought we’d lay odds on some potential surprise plot points for the night. Don’t discount the longshots; Game of Thrones has a history of surprising fans — whether they’ve read the books or not.
IN WESTEROS
Boltons win the Battle of Winterfell: (3-1)
If we’ve learned anything through the first 49 episodes of Game of Thrones, it’s that whatever bad can happen, will happen. Based on that principle alone, the Boltons seem like the favorites to hold on to Winterfell for now, in addition to their Golden State-esque homecourt advantage. The only thing more deadly than leaving Steph Curry open in the corner, is the hope that Good will conquer Evil in Game of Thrones.
Baratheons win the Battle of Winterfell: (5-1)
On their side: A battle-tested army, the best field general in Westeros, and, if you believe Melisandre, the Lord of Light. Not on their side: karma.
Sansa escapes Ramsay: (7-2)
Sansa’s been spoiling to get our of her marriage since she took her vows. Whether Stannis sacks Winterfell or Brienne swoops (remembers her?) to rescue her during the chaos of battle, here’s hoping for a Sansa/Ramsay uncoupling in the near future.
Stannis meets his end: (11-2)
Stannis hasn’t been looking so great recently (oh, to be young again), and now he’s facing down a Bolton army while provisioned behind the walls of Winterfell. Also bad for his health is Brienne, who swore to kill Stannis after Melisandre’s stabby ghost baby killed Renly Baratheon.
IN ESSOS
Arya kills Meryn Trant: (5-3)
Trant has been on Arya’s list for awhile and this outcome has practically been telegraphed. Trant’s pedophilic tendencies gives Arya an obvious path to get within striking distance. Plus she knows where she left her sword, Needle. It seems almost too obvious…
Meryn Trant kills Arya: (25-1)
He is a Kingsguard after all. And we know Murphy’s Law might as well be Westerosi natural law, especially when it comes to the Starks.
Arya actually kills the Thin Man: (3-1)
Perhaps, A Girl actually does her job like A Man asked.
Jorah infects someone with Greyscale: (12-1)
Now that Ser Jorah of the Friendzone is back in his queen’s good graces after his heroism in the Meereenese fighting pit last week, it would be cruel for Daenerys to oust him again. Plus, there was a bit of camera-lingering on his and Daenerys’ hands touching last week. How is Greyscale transmitted again?
Jorah infects everyone with Greyscale: (100-1)
Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but this would be a convenient way to finish off the storyline in Meereen and would provide Westeros-ward momentum for Dany, for some long overdue wheel-breaking.
CHANCE A LANNISTER WILL DIE IN THE FINALE
Tommen: (8-1)
The boy king isn’t eating, won’t let anyone talk to him, and his best protector Cersei is rotting away in a cell in the Sept of Baelor. If only Ser Pounce was half the swordsmen his uncle (okay, father) Jaime was.
Cersei: (15-1)
Yes, she’s the most powerful woman in Westeros, but Cersei in a bad way right now, imprisoned and with very few options to get out.
Myrcella: (50-1)
In the “Game of Thrones’’ on Game of Thrones, Myrcella only just became a player. Still, the Sand Snakes and Ellaria have already tried to kill her season.
Jaime: (100-1)
He just struck a deal with Prince Doran and it should be smooth-sailing from Dorne back to King’s Landing.
POSSIBLE SURPRISE RETURNS
The Mountain: (4-1)
We know Maester Qyburn was working on something, as was alluded to during the Hardhome episode when he told Cersei, “the work continues.’’ That is to say, the White Walkers may not be the only ones with zombies.
A non-Theon member of the Greyjoy family: (50-1)
It’s been awhile since we’ve seen any of the Ironborn, besides hapless Theon/Reek. However, it shouldn’t be forgotten that Balon Greyjoy was one of three false kings uttered by Melisandre during her and Stannis’ leech burning awhile back.
The Hound: (75-1)
After losing his battle with Brienne, we never saw a definite end for the Mountain’s younger brother. Instead, Arya left him for dead, against his wishes, alone with a broken leg somewhere near the Eyrie.
Benjen Stark: (300-1)
The last time we saw Benjen Stark, it was Episode 3 of Season 1 and he went out for a ranging north of The Wall. His horse returned to Castle Black alone and the other two rangers that were with him are found dead. Despite all that, many fans have been waiting for Benjen to return.
Nymeria: (500-1)
We haven’t seen Arya’s direwolf since she defended the youngest Stark daughter from Joffrey and was sentenced to death by Cersei. However, Arya sets Nymeria loose in order to save her and she hasn’t been seen since, presumably now roaming the Riverlands.
Syrio Forel: (1,000-1)
Do we really know Arya’s Braavosi dancing teacher is dead?
Rickon Stark: (5,000-1)
No, you’re right, that’s just ridiculous.
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