Well, what did you think? Wasn’t it incredible? That moment when Drogon appeared flying above the currently unknown battlefield will surely go down as one of Game of Thrones’s most iconic scenes! Am I getting ahead of myself? I can’t help it. I’m just so hyped! However, despite the brilliance of the trailer, released last week, and its thematic focus on war, we all love war, there were quite a few of our favourite characters missing.
Of course, they couldn’t have fit everyone into 1 minute 48 seconds. They had to condense. Stark, Targaryen and Lannister, therefore, formed the focus of the trailer, which began with Cersei introducing the enemies around her. (I actually thought this was an interesting twist, seeing it from the villains eyes first). Whilst the Game of Thrones Season 7 trailer gave away a lot of detail on the fates of the characters in it, this post will focus on those characters who were missing. We will recap on where they were at the end of S6, before suggesting what S7 may have in store for them.
If you’ve not seen the trailer, watch it below before continuing:
1. Brandon Stark (Three-Eyed Raven)
The last time we saw Brandon Stark he was with Meera Reed, just north of the Wall. Now that the Three-Eyed Raven is dead, along with the Children of the Forest, Bran must take their place and become the new Three-Eyed Raven. From the moment he was pushed from the tower at Winterfell, back in season 1 by Jaime Lannister, Bran has followed the path laid out by destiny. He is a character of great importance. In season 7, I expect he will begin to master control of his powers. He will also undoubtedly experience various visions that will enable a greater understanding of the threat from the north. By the end of S7, he will be ready to face the Night King. Time is running out and I expect S7 to be the season in which Bran’s power becomes more significant.
2. Olenna Tyrell
At the end of S6, we see Olenna Tyrell make an alliance with Ellaria Sand and the Sandsnakes of Dorne, as well as with Varys, acting on behalf of Daenerys. Having been such an important character for the past few seasons, it was surprising to not see her in the S7 trailer. ‘Enemies to the South’ surely includes Highgarden, who will no doubt want revenge for their murdered Queen, Lord and Heir. In S7, Olenna will return to Highgarden to call her banners against the Iron Throne. A showdown with Cersei is surely on the cards. After all, Olenna had a hand in Joffrey’s murder. I’m sure she will relish the opportunity to tell Cersei how she in fact murdered her ‘vicious bastard’, as Tyrion put it in his trial.
3. Gendry (STILL!!)
I think we all know by now that Gendry will finally return in S7. After being spotted filming, the news came out that the long-lost bastard of Robert Baratheon had reached land and was set to rejoin the Game of Thrones. Whether he will be seeking a part in that game is another matter entirely. Unsurprisingly, Gendry was missing from the S7 trailer. However, many some people believe he was actually in the trailer but his face was not shown. If you remember the scene where few men form a circle North of the Wall and it seems that someone or something is going to attack them, there’s a guy holding something that looks like a war hammer and there is a possibility that it might be Gendry but it might be some other person as well. So at the moment we will consider that he wasn’t a part of the trailer. HBO bosses obviously didn’t want to give everything away! The real question is, now that Gendry is back in Westeros, what part will he play in the events to come? I doubt G.R.R.M. has kept him alive all this time for no reason. I personally think Gendry will take on the role of Young Griff and Edric Storm from the books, and seize Storm’s End as the Baratheon heir. Jon Snow has kind of set that precedent with the whole King in the North situation.
4. The Hound
In S6, fans around the world celebrated the return of The Hound. Long assumed dead after his fight with Brienne back in Season 4, The Hound was living a simple life with followers of the Seven, somewhere in the Riverlands. However, this was not to last, as he returned to his old self with a murderous rampage against the killers of the followers who he lived amongst. In S7, there has been much speculation of his fate. The last time we saw him, The Hound was heading north with the Brotherhood without Banners. I can personally see him meeting up with another couple of characters who’ve been brought back from the dead. Jon Snow and Benjen Stark. Wouldn’t they make a great trio against the undead? Fight fire with fire etc.
5. Samwell Tarly
The last time we saw Sam and Gilly, they were in Oldtown. Like Bran, Sam seems tasked with a hell of a lot of leg work in S7. Working his way through all those books is sure to take a very long time. However, no one reads quite like Sam! In S7, Sam is sure to have an important role. Whilst the S7 trailer focuses on the war of four monarchs, Stark, Targaryen, Lannister and Greyjoy, the means to fight the great war will need to be discovered. Sam, as well as Bran, are certainly two key figures that will enable the remnants of Westeros to band together and fight the threat from the North. So a S7 prediction for Sam? Lots of reading, followed by an eventual Eureka moment!
6. Varys
The Master of Whispers was also the Master of high-speed travel back in Season 6, as he travelled from Meereen, to Dorne, and back to Meereen, all in the space of a few episodes. Teleportation perhaps? In any case, Varys has been instrumental from the very first season. There is no doubt his influence will continue in S7. A showdown with Little Finger will surely occur. Varys, as we know, is currently with Daenerys. In the S7 trailer, we see her arrive at Dragonstone. Jon Snow also looks set to head to Dragonstone, given recent pictures of him in a setting that bears remarkable resemblance to the Targaryen stronghold. The former duo may meet there, or further North. Whatever the location, I think a meeting between Varys and Little Finger is highly likely for S7.
7. Direwolves (Where they at?)
As painful as it is, we have to remind ourselves that there were once six direwolves. However, after the death of Summer and Shaggy Dog in S6, only Ghost and Nymeria remain. Whilst Ghost is a constant shadow to Jon Snow, Nymeria has been missing since S1. I was surprised to not see Ghost in the S7 trailer, especially with the whole ‘King in the North’ scene. However, something tells me that the scene of Arya alone in the centre of a clearing may produce a long-awaited reunion. The look on her face seems to suggest she has seen something approaching her. Could it be Nymeria at long last?
What do you think? I could be wrong. But my spider senses, as Varys calls them, are certainly tingling at the prospect of a Stark and Direwolf reunion.
8. The Night King
Considering the fact that the S7 poster was an image of the Night King, it was a major shock to not see him make an appearance in the S7 trailer. I get the fact that Danny’s arrival in Westeros has been a long time coming. As such, it was going to be a major part of the trailer. But as Jon Snow says, ‘the great war is here.’ The question from the trailer is, where exactly? Well, we have a few scenes of Jon and co running through icy surroundings, presumably North of the Wall. There is also another scene of men forming a defensive circle in a snow storm. Again, this could be North of the Wall. What is more certain is the fact that, whilst he does not appear in the trailer, the Night King will launch an attack in this coming season. Let’s hope Westeros is ready.
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