Game of Thrones season 8 episode 4: Who will defeat Cersei now?

Warning: Spoilers for Game of Thrones season 8 ahead.

After the battle against the Night King, the living, including the audience, is wary and exhausted. But the undead are gone and the fallen have been given a fitting farewell. Jon Snow might not covet the throne, but his oratory skills are king like, if that’s an apt measuring standard.

The survivors of the long night gather at Winterfell to feast and pretty soon, everyone starts feeling festive. They did defeat an army of zombies after all. Drinks are flowing, Brienne and Jaime are busy making eyes at each other, even Jon is chilling with his wildling buddies. The only person who is not in the party mood is Daenerys, who is still battling with the realisation that there’s another rightful heir to the throne she thought belonged to her.

The mood of the episode soon turns south, when Dany, her dragons, and her fleet of ships are ambushed by Euron Greyjoy’s army, fully equipped with an updated version of the Scorpion (the dragon-killing weapon devised by Qyburn). Rhaegal falls, and Missandei of Naath is captured when their ships are destroyed. The episode ends as it began, with Dany mourning the loss of another of her most trusted friends. And she is furious. Here’s unpacking what this episode might mean for the future.

Jon Snow on the Iron Throne?

After this week’s episode, people who had been on the fence about joining Team Dany got an out. OK, only Sansa. Jon Snow, or Aegon Targaryen, refuses to fall to Dany’s pleas of keeping the knowledge of his parentage to himself, and reveals his true family name to Arya and Sansa. Despite being sworn to secrecy, Sansa pulls a Littlefinger and tells Tyrion, who then tells it to Varys, who has been known to use secrets and information like this to destroy kingdoms.

It is clear from Sansa and Varys’ reaction to the news that both of them are vying for Jon to end up on the Iron Throne. Varys has proven time and again that his loyalty lies with the realm, and he will do anything in his power to protect it. Does he also believe that Dany is headed towards the same fate as her father, the Mad King? Seems like it. Tyrion, an evergreen Dany cheerleader, tries to come up with a solution that is less treasonous and more incestuous. He suggests that they should work towards arranging Dany and Jon’s marriage, something that Varys highly doubts would work. He knows the Lord of Westeros are sexist and would feel more comfortable if a man was sitting on the Iron Throne, rather than a (more deserving) queen.

Dany is also convinced that Jon is the king that the people of Westeros want. She says so herself, when in a vulnerable moment she begs Jon to keep the secret and give up his claim to the throne. Despite Jon’s repeated assurances that he has no interest in being the king and the fact that he has bent the knee for her, she is not convinced.

Jaime will kill Cersei?

With the arc Jaime’s character has seen over the past seasons, it’s easy to forget what a despicable man he used to be. Aside from the fact that his only lover was his sister, Jaime attempted to murder baby Bran, strangled his cousin to get out of captivity, and killed thousands of innocent men to please Cersei. We might have forgotten his hateful past, but he hasn’t. For a moment it seemed as though he was headed towards his happily ever after with Brienne, when he chooses to stay back at Winterfell instead of riding South with the rest of the troops. But as soon as he hears Cersei had launched a surprise attack at them, he knows he has to go to her because her end is certain now. Will he realise that he is the one who is meant to fulfil the prophecy of Cersei’s death at the hands of her little brother? A future confrontation between the ex lovers/siblings is inevitable now.

Cleganebowl is happening and you can’t stop it

Ever since we met The Hound and The Mountain, and found out about their horrific history together, we knew a fight between the two brothers was coming. Now it seems that the Cleganebowl, as fans call it, is coming up pretty quickly. At the Winterfell festivities, The Hound refuses to just drink and be merry. We see him leave Winterfell on horseback, alone until he is joined by Arya. Fans have been predicting Cleganebowl since the first season and The Hound’s ominous reply to her, that he is headed south to settle some “unfinished business” might be indicative of a reunion with his brother.

RIP Missandei and Rhaegal

Dany has lost so much already, but every time she sees a glimmer of hope, she loses something again. This time it’s her second child Rhaegal and her most loyal aide. Cersei captures and beheads Missandei in front of Dany, as her last word ‘Dracarys’ echoes in Dany’s ears. She is more determined than ever to destroy Cersei, as are we. Missandei was good. All she wanted was to live on a beach with Grey Worm. But she dies, seemingly fearless. The other casualty of the episode has far more grave possibilities for those on her side. Dany now has only one dragon, Drogon, left in her arsenal, and he is as vulnerable as any soldier because of the new dragon-slaying weapon, courtesy of the slimy Qyburn. Does this mean that the playing field is now even?

The next episode is predicted to be bigger than ever, with Emilia Clarke (Daenerys) suggesting that fans find the biggest TV they can to watch it. If you ask us, the penultimate episode of the final season is seven days too far.

Keep on top of all that’s happening on Game of Thrones season 8 here

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