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Jaime Lannister might need to make a painfully dark choice about Cersei in 'Game of Thrones' season 7

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Cersei Iron Throne Game of THrones

Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Game of Thrones," including speculation of future events. 

The "Game of Thrones" season six finale stunned viewers when Cersei Lannister not only pulled off one of the greatest character massacres in the series' history, but then proceeded to claim the Iron Throne after her last living child committed suicide. The idea of a motherless Cersei ruling King's Landing is frankly horrifying, but if this fan theory is correct, then her days are numbered.

In the books, Cersei's murder is prophesied by a witch. And not just any witch, but a woman who correctly predicts two other important details of Cersei's future. Some people believe this prophecy subtly names Jaime Lannister as the person destined to kill Cersei. 

Jaime Lannister with Bronn Game of Thrones

We've seen Cersei's fortune teller in the show, back in the first episode of season five.

Season five opened with a flashback to young Cersei seeking out a fortune teller named Maggy the FrogIn both the books and show, Cersei is told she can ask three questions of the witch. For fans of the novels, this seemed like a pretty clear cut scene to adapt. However, there was a big omission from the show's version of Cersei and Maggy's conversation. 

Young Cersei Game of Thrones Helen Sloan

Cersei's questions for Maggy

The first question and answer were almost word for word from a scene of the fourth book, "A Feast for Crows." Here's how the conversation played out on screen:

Cersei: I'm promised to the prince. When will we marry?
Maggy: Never. You will wed the king.
Cersei: But I will be queen?
Maggy: Oh yes. You will be queen, for a time ... until there comes another, younger and more beautiful, to cast you down and take all that you hold dear.

Many fans of the books have analyzed the last line from Maggy over and over again.

Maggy the Frog prophecy Game of Thrones Helen Sloan

For a long time, the standing theory was that the "younger, more beautiful" person was another queen. Margaery Tyrell was a clear candidate and the most obvious choice. She was about to marry Tommen and become Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, and this means bad news for Cersei. 

But the wording from Maggy is tricky, and it's never specified that this other figure is another queenor even in fact a woman. (Though some believe this could be Daenerys, Sansa, or even Brienne of Tarth.)

Back in the show's opening scene, Cersei moves on from this disconcerting answer, and asks her second question: "Will the king and I have children?" Maggy responds with: "The king will have twenty, you will have three." Cersei tried to interrupt, clearly confused.

Readers and viewers alike now understand that Cersei and the former king, Robert Baratheon, never conceived together; all of his children were bastards and all of hers were born from the incestuous relationship she has with her brother, Jamie Lannister.

Tommen and Jaime Myrcella Game of Thrones Season 6

Maggy continues, stating "Gold will be their crowns, and gold their shrouds," before devolving into hysterical laughter.

This line can be interpreted in a few different ways. The gold crowns could be literal crowns, since Joffrey and Tommen were both crowned king. Plus, in the books, there is a plot centered around women in Dorne crowning Myrcella queen. But it probably simply refers to their hair color: blonde, like their parents.

"Gold their shrouds" is more direct: all of Cersei's children will die. Joffrey and Myrcella were both been murdered, and each was shown in golden funeral garb. Tommen killed himself by jumping out of a window, and he was wearing a golden jacket. 

In this moment of the show, book readers knew exactly what Maggy was going to say next. Or so they thought. Instead, the scene quickly ended, cutting to present-day Cersei on her way to her father's funeral.

Cersei and Meryn Trant Game of Thrones Macall B. Polay

She's clearly musing over how recent events seem to be playing out along Maggy's predictions. And here is where many book readers were left dismayed.

The book text has a third, and crucial, line in Maggy's answer.

The "valonqar" prophecy

In the books, Cersei is told one final and foreboding thing about her future. "And when your tears have drowned you, the valonqar shall wrap his hands about your pale white throat and choke the life from you," Maggy says.

This is huge in the realm of Cersei-centric theories. Not only does the text make it clear that her children are going to die before her, but it also predicts her murder at the hands of "the valonqar." 

In the High Valyrian language of the east, "valonqar" means "little brother." Maggy is telling Cersei that her death will come at the hands of a younger brother.

Knowing that, all minds may jump to Tyrion, the youngest of the Lannister children. He's currently in exile after being persecuted unfairly by Cersei for the death of her son Joffrey. But, just as with Maggy's first prediction, there are alternate interpretations to this line.

game of thrones tyrion season 4

The case for Jaime Lannister

Jaime — Cersei's twin, lover, and father of her children — was the last to leave their mother's womb, making him younger than Cersei by mere minutes. He is technically another of her "little brothers." Could he turn on Cersei in the future, and strangle her to death?

Their relationship was tense in season five. Cersei loathed Jaime's missing hand, and therefore diminished fighting skills. Then he blundered by releasing Tyrion and consequentially allowing his father to be murdered. Jaime was also becoming impatient with Cersei's insistence on terrorizing Tyrion and her increasing paranoia. We have seen Jaime grow from the narcissistic "kingslayer" to a more compassionate and nuanced man.

Season six initially showed Jaime reverting back to being Cersei's number one man. Despite Myrcella's death, the twins seemed closer than ever. Jaime assured Cersei that nothing else in the world matters except them. 

But all that changed in the season finale. Jaime seemed angry and disappointed as he stared Cersei down in the Throne Room.

Jaime Lannister Game of Thrones

He left King's Landing to represent House Lannister in the Riverlands, and by the time he returned Cersei had gone full Mad Queen. Tommen was Jaime's son, and Cersei effectively gave up on him the moment Tommen sided with the High Sparrow and denied her a trial by combat. 

We know from the books that Jaime does eventually become disillusioned with Cersei. This is partially due to a major falling out he has with Tyrion, during which Jaime learns about Cersei's lack of faithfulness to their relationship. 

But since the show left out that significant scene between Tyrion and Jaime, this final season six decision of Cersei's might be the new reason for Jaime finally breaking ties with his sister.

The abrupt end to the fortune-telling back in season five makes us wonder why show creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss left out the "volanqar" prophecy. Are they planning on revisiting the flashback and finishing out the scene at some point or is it not as important as book readers thought, and not worth mentioning?

If it wasn't worth mentioning, perhaps that's because it sounded redundant and was already addressed in the first answer, where Cersei learns of "another, younger and more beautiful" who will cast her down. Could that individual be the same as the "valonqar"? As noted earlier, there is no gender associated with this younger and more beautiful enemy. Jaime Lannister, born moments after Cersei, is known for his devilish good looks across the kingdom. Jaime Lannister, whose character arc may lead him further and further away from the hateful and paranoid Cersei, could be her undoing.

Cersei Lannister game of Thrones

Jaime was forced to kill the Mad King Aerys years ago in order to protect the people of King's Landing. Cersei has set herself up to be anything but a benevolent ruler, and her use of wildfire creates a direct parallel between herself and the former Targaryen ruler. If Queen Cersei follows in the Mad King's footsteps, will Jaime feel morally obligated to intervene? 

The final look between Cersei and Jaime in the season six finale seemed like the groundwork for a falling out in season seven. Cersei's rule in King's Landing might come to end more quickly than she anticipated, and with Daenerys on the way to Westeros her demise seems inevitable. Maggy the Frog will have the final word, after all.

SEE ALSO: All the 'Game of Thrones' deaths, ranked from least tragic to most tragic

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10 incredible 'Game of Thrones' theories that might actually come true

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Daenerys Targaryen Game of Thrones season seven

Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Game of Thrones," including predictions and speculation of future events.

George R.R. Martin's epic fantasy series "A Song of Ice and Fire" isn't just the source material for HBO's television adaptation "Game of Thrones," it's the basis for literally hundreds (if not thousands) of fan theories. Discussion hubs like /r/asoiaf and Westeros.org are home to some of the most popular predictions for the future of the series.

With two seasons of the show to go, we've rounded up some of the theories that could still come true on "Game of Thrones." 

Take a look and make your own decisions about the ones you think will most likely go down on the upcoming seasons.

SEE ALSO: HBO finally dropped the first full 'Game of Thrones' season 7 trailer — and it's incredible

SEE ALSO: The final 'Game of Thrones' season will only have 6 episodes

SEE ALSO: 

Daenerys is actually the villain, and will wreak havoc in Westeros.

Though Daenerys is a strong leader who generally appears to be a champion for the common people, there is a running theory that she isn't the hero people think.

As INSIDER's deputy editor Megan Willett explained, both the show and the books have provided evidence that she could be headed down a darker path. There have been many analyses throughout the years that support this idea as well.

The idea boils down to this: Daenerys is going to arrive in Westeros and be seen as a vicious conqueror — not the savior she thinks she is. Daenerys is beginning to see the benefit of full-blown war and violence over politics. And besides, there's another character who is being set up as the true hero of Westeros— Jon Snow.



Jon Snow may broker a peace with the White Walkers to restore peace to the realm.

One of the top posts of all time on the "A Song of Ice and Fire" subreddit is a theory about the "true nature and purpose of the [White Walkers]." The thought starts with Martin's open affinity for grey-area characters. He doesn't believe in pure evil or pure good. That begs the question: How are the White Walkers anything BUT pure evil?

Redditor c_forrester_thorne guessed that perhaps the White Walkers forged an ancient pact with men long ago, and helped build the Wall as part of their agreement. But now Daenerys and her dragons are a part of breaking that pact — hence their attack on Westeros. Here's part of the theory summary:

[The White Walkers] are hostile towards men because of [...] their incursion into the Other's agreed on territory, and the danger the Targs and their fire magic pose to the Others and the world at large. Rhaegar fathered a son by Lyanna to unite the blood of the dragonriders and the Other-kin, whether he knew it or not. Jon is that son and will bring peace between the Others and the realms of men.



Bran will warg into a dragon to help fight the White Walkers.

Over the course of six seasons, we've seen Bran acquire more powers than he ever could have imagined. Not only is he a powerful greenseer capable of traveling throughout time and influencing events, but he can warg/skinchange into animals and humans alike. Warging, the act of transferring your consciousness into another being, is a relatively unexplored aspect of "Game of Thrones."

Three years ago, Redditor svenhoek86 asked the /r/asoiaf community if warging into dragons was a possibility. There is a line from Bran that might be important foreshadowing. In both the show and the books, Bloodraven tells Bran that he'll never walk again, but he "will fly."

Daenerys has three dragons, and in the books there is a prophetic statement in a vision which states "the dragon must have three heads"— interpreted by book readers to mean there must be three dragon riders. Daenerys is one, and some believe either Jon Snow or Tyrion could be the second, leaving Bran the third dragon to "ride."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

'Game of Thrones' has been hinting at Jon Snow's true parentage since season one — here's every clue we spotted

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Jon Snow Game of Thrones Dragonstone cliff Helen Sloan

Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Game of Thrones," including speculation of future events.

The "Game of Thrones" season six finale helped confirm the series' biggest fan theories of all time — "R + L = J." We know now that Jon Snow is the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. 

Rhaegar Targaryen was the son of the Mad King Aerys and older brother to Daenerys. Though Rhaegar has never been seen on the show, viewers did finally get a look at Lyanna on the sixth season finale. She was Ned Stark's younger sister, betrothed to Robert Baratheon before running away with Rhaegar and bearing his secret lovechild, Jon Snow.

On the finale, Lyanna Stark was shown handing off a baby to Ned, begging him to protect it from the wrath of Robert Baratheon. After the finale aired, HBO confirmed that Jon was the son of Rhaegar and Lyanna. But for now, let's look at specific instances from the show that were foreshadowing the theory as well.

Scroll down for the biggest moments from "Game of Thrones" that proved "R + L = J" is true.

SEE ALSO: 13 'Game of Thrones' actors whose real-life accents sound nothing like their characters on the show

Ned Stark purposefully didn't call Jon his son, but instead said "my blood."

Ned kept Jon's true parentage a secret his entire life, choosing to raise Jon as his own for the boy's own protection. But Ned is an honorable and moral man. He avoided lying outright when he could help it. So when Jon asked Ned about his mother on season one, Ned replied carefully: "You are a Stark. You might not have my name, but you have my blood."

The Stark family blood does indeed run through Jon. It just happens to be Lyanna's blood, not Ned's.



Daenerys had a vision of "Snow" in the Throne Room.

When Daenerys enters the House of Undying in Qarth, she experiences a series of prophetic visions. One of these was when she saw snow in the Throne Room of King's Landing. Immediately afterwards, she walked through a door and found herself at the Wall. This was heavy foreshadowing of Jon Snow's true family history and ties to the royal Targaryen family. 

 

 



Oberyn Martell explicitly says that Rhaegar and Lyanna had an affair.

Before running off with Lyanna, Rhaegar Targaryen was married with Elia Martell — the sister of Oberyn Martell. The running story in Westeros was that Rhaegar kidnapped and raped Lyanna, but Oberyn seems to know about a different version of events. 

"The last time I was in the capital was many years ago," Oberyn told Tyrion. "Another wedding: my sister Elia and Rhaegar Targaryen, the last dragon. My sister loved him. She bore his children … and beautiful, noble Rhaegar Targaryen left her for another woman."

This was the first time on the series that viewers were told anything other than the kidnap and rape narrative. A significant moment for theorists watching.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

9 compelling 'Westworld' fan theories you need to know

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Dolores and Teddy Westworld season two

Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Westworld" season two.

Who did Ford have Bernard print onto a control unit? What is the "weapon" William showed Dolores? Who was Dolores speaking to in the second season's opening scene?

From the best posts on the "Westworld" subreddit community to popular YouTube videos, we're here to bring you all the biggest fan theories about what's in store on the second season of HBO's hit series.

Keep reading for a look at nine major "Westworld" fan theories you should know.

The Bernard we saw wake up on the beach is being manipulated by the Delos team in a looped narrative.

There's something off with Bernard in the "two week later" time frame we're seeing this season. He's disoriented, but was able to finish Karl Strand's sentence and saw different versions of the hosts being executed on the beach

Many on the /r/westworld community, as well as YouTuber HaxDogma, have speculated that the Delos team knows Bernard is a host and they're putting him through a looped narrative in order to make him reveal what happened. 

Now that we know "The Cradle" is a simulation technology, it's possible the version of Bernard we saw wake up on the beach is really just undergoing a simulation so the Delos team can extract information from him.



The secret Delos experiment is making human-host clones of important guests who have visited the park.

As Bernard witnessed in the secret lab Charlotte brought him to on the first episode this season, Delos has been logging video footage of guests' experiences along with their DNA. Then we saw a second hidden lab on the fourth episode, where the host-human hybrid of James Delos was being kept. 

The Host-James was a failed experiment, but what if Charlotte and Delos were able to crack the coding? Are they trying to create more host-human hybrids of other important people? Or are the guest logs being used to blackmail powerful people in society who visit the park and indulge? 



Dolores made a new Arnold host, and that's who she was talking to during the very first scene of this season.

The very first scene of this season is a big mystery. It's shown in a different aspect ratio than the rest of the episode, and at first it appears to be a flashback of Arnold talking to Dolores.

But if you rewatch the scene, it can be interpreted as current, fully conscious Dolores waking up a host-version of Arnold and questioning him. 

The clothes and mannerisms match with what we've seen of Arnold in the past, but so far it's a a toss-up for who the person is sitting across from Dolores. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

A 'Game of Thrones' star teased a new season 8 scene — and fans are hoping this confirms an epic theory

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The Mountain Cersei Game of Thrones Season 5

  • "Game of Thrones" actor Hapthór Björnsson (The Mountain) has fans hyped.
  • In an Instagram Q&A, Björnsson said his favorite scene is happening on season eight.
  • For many hoping the fan theory "Cleganebowl" comes true, this could be a good sign. 
  • Cleganebowl posits that the Clegane brothers — The Hound and The Mountain — will fight to the death.

"Game of Thrones" fans are well-aware the series only has six episodes left, which means there are only six episodes to show everything fans have wanted for so long that hasn't been shown yet. Near the top of this list is Cleganebowl, aka the big battle between Sandor "The Hound," Clegane and his brother Gregor "The Mountain," Clegane. So, will the two forces collide in Season 8?

The latest news certainly has us wondering, as actor Hafthór Björnsson may have revealed a bit too much when asked about his favorite "Game of Thrones" scene during an Instagram Q&A: "It happens in season 8 ... so I can't speak about it."

The Mountain Gregor Clegane Game of Thrones

Hafthór Björnsson didn't give much away, although by revealing his character has a significant Season 8 scene in "Game of Thrones" he may have said all fans needed to hear. Gregor and Sandor met briefly in Season 7, and though the two brothers had gone through a lot in between the last times they saw each other, their hatred for one another ran as deep as ever.

With Cersei set to double cross Jon and Daenerys when the White Walkers attack, the stage is certainly set for Sandor and Gregor to do battle, and if that does happen, the scene would be Björnsson's favorite scene he's shot thus far.

So, if the two brothers do battle in season eight of "Game of Thrones," who wins? Hafthór Björnsson can't talk about it, of course, although his Instagram photo he posted recently showcased a photo of "The Mountain," looking just a slight bit worse for wear than he did even after Qyburn worked his magic:

Caption this! - @thorspowergym use code summer20 for 20% off of everything at hafthorbjornsson.com

A post shared by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (@thorbjornsson) on Jul 7, 2018 at 8:18am PDT on

Either Hafthór Björnsson blew out an eye and just about every vein in his face prepping for a strongman competition, or The Mountain is getting quite the beatdown in "Game of Thrones" season eight. The Mountain is looking a bit redder than his usual blue tinge in this photo, so perhaps Sandor managed to get a receipt on his brother for scalding and disfiguring his face when they were children.

That said, The Mountain is missing his vacant blue eyes in this picture, so this may just be Björnsson posing for a photo midway through makeup, and not really relevant to the duo's potential throwdown. There's also the chance that Björnsson favorite season eight moment has nothing to do with "The Hound," and he just got a whole bunch of fans' hopes up and now can't say anything to calm them down.

"Game of Thrones'" secrets are on lockdown, and it's looking like fans won't receive any answers to their questions until season eight airs on HBO in 2019. Feel free to check out our summer premiere guide in the meantime to see what's headed to television until then, or read up on the latest news about the "Game of Thrones" prequel and how it may be happening sooner than some folks may think.

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Sunday's big 'Game of Thrones' twist has been planned for a long time

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Warning: Major spoilers ahead if you have not watched the season six premiere of "Game of Thrones."

The sixth season of "Game of Thrones" started with a huge reveal that many fans didn't see coming, despite the previous hints on the series. Melisandre, the red priestess who previously served Stannis Baratheon, removed all of her clothing and jewelry to reveal that she's actually a withered old woman.

Melisandre Game of Thronesmelisandre oldThough some dedicated fans had already worked out the truth, many people were surprised to see Melisandre in her real form. Carice Van Houten (Melisandre) spoke with Entertainment Weekly about this revelation and how she learned about it.

Though Van Houten had previously alluded to Melisandre's wizened state, she told EW that it wasn't until last year that she knew for certain. "I was really happy when I read that we were going to reveal that this year," Van Houten said. "I don’t think a lot of people will see that coming. It makes her immediately more vulnerable, but also more wise and even more mysterious. There’s also a vulnerability in her age."

The showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss — who also wrote this episode's script — also spoke about the Melisandre twist in a behind-the-scenes interview on HBO.

"There have been a few hints before that Melisandre is much older than she appears," Benioff said. "Going back to a very early conversation with George R.R. Martin about her: she’s supposed to be several centuries old. We always wanted to show her true age and we’re waiting for the right moment and this was it for us."

The "right moment" seems to have coincided with Melisandre's realization that she was wrong about Stannis the whole time. He was not the hero the Lord of Light had shown her in the flames. 

Melisandre and Stannis Game of Thrones Helen Sloan HBO"Her appearance is a lie just as the Lord of Light’s supposed promises and messages to her were lies," Weiss explained. "At the end of episode one, she’s in a place where she really needs to look her real self in the eye and comes to terms with where she stands now."

Van Houten expanded on this idea of Melisandre's changing attitude in season six. "We see her from a really different side of her now," she told EW. "We see somebody whose whole belief system is tumbling down. She’s completely confused, and I really like to play that. After all the security and strength and pride, now we see something completely different. I’ve been really waiting for this moment."

Since Benioff and Weiss have strategically positioned this reveal, viewers can infer some meaning behind the sudden shift in Melisandre's personality.

Her loss of faith is a result of realizing that she misinterpreted signs from the Lord of Light. We've seen her magic — surviving being poisoned, birthing a shadow baby, concealing her true appearance — so clearly not everything was a lie. 

Melisandre and Jon Snow Game of ThronesIn Sunday's episode, Melisandre stands over Jon Snow's dead body and says "I saw him in the flames, fighting at Winterfell." She looks horrified, at a loss for understanding how her vision was wrong. But here's the thing — it probably wasn't wrong.

Based on running fan theories, Jon Snow will be resurrected and go on to be a leader in the North. We know from leaked set photos that Kit Harington was seen on set wearing Stark armor, probably participating in a battle against the Boltons. Melisandre's vision of Jon Snow fighting at Winterfell is almost certainly going to happen.

Her faith in the Lord of Light just needs a little stoking. Perhaps she will be granted a new vision? A stroke of magical inspiration to revive Jon Snow? We'll have to wait until next Sunday to find out.

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NOW WATCH: This popular 'Game of Thrones' fan theory could come true in the next season

Scientists are backing up the most terrifying fan theory in the 'Star Wars' universe

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One of the most persistent theories in the Star Wars universe may have some grounding in reality. We asked Astrophysicist Dave Minton about the 'Endor Holocaust', the fan theory that the exploding Death Star would have annihilated the moon forest of Endor at the end of 'Return of the Jedi'. It turns out to be far worse than anyone expected.

Produced by Corey Protin and Rob Ludacer

Original Reporting by Dave Mosher

Graphics by Skye Gould

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This pivotal 'Game of Thrones' scene may have just disproved a popular fan theory

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Jon Snow holds pink letter Game of Thrones

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Sunday's "Game of Thrones" episode.

The fourth episode of "Game of Thrones" season six began with an emotionally charged reunion between Jon Snow and Sansa Stark. After settling into each others' presence, Sansa launched into a pitch for the two of them to retake Winterfell by attacking the Boltons.

At first, Jon was adamant about not fighting anymore. He's had enough killing for one lifetime. But by the end of the episode, he had a change of heart thanks to a gruesome letter written by Ramsay Bolton. 

This letter arriving to Castle Black is a storyline taken directly from the books. But, naturally, things on the show have played out a little differently. Let's take a look at the significance of what many call the Pink Letter.

Jon Snow Sansa Stark castle black Game of ThronesWe'll start with the books. In George R.R. Martin's fifth "A Song of Ice and Fire" installment, "A Dance with Dragons," Jon Snow receives the Pink Letter before he is assassinated by his own men. There are other significant differences too.

Mance Rayder was not dead in the books — instead he was planted at Winterfell by Jon to rescue his "sister." A girl named Jeyne Poole was being passed for Arya Stark (neither Arya or Sansa are near Winterfell in the books). Jeyne was married to Ramsay, and word spread in the North that the Bolton bastard had married Arya. Jon doesn't realize the girl isn't really his sister.

So. Jon is Lord Commander, he's let the wildlings through the wall and now he's learned that Arya is at Winterfell with Ramsay Bolton, and he sent Mance Rayder to retrieve her. Also worth noting is that Stannis has not yet attacked Winterfell in the books. The last time book readers saw him he was about to start a siege outside the castle walls.

Here's what the letter says in the books:

Your false king is dead, bastard. He and all his host were smashed in seven days of battle. I have his magic sword. Tell his red whore.

Your false king's friends are dead. Their heads upon the walls of Winterfell. Come see them, bastard. Your false king lied, and so did you. You told the world you burned the King-Beyond-the-Wall. Instead you sent him to Winterfell to steal my bride from me. 

I will have my bride back. If you want Mance Rayder back, come and get him. I have him in a cage for all the north to see, proof of your lies. The cage is cold, but I have made him a warm cloak from the skins of the six whore who came with him to Winterfell. 

I want my bride back. I want the false king's queen. I want his daughter and his red witch. I want his wildling princess. I want his little prince, the wildling babe. And I want my Reek. Send them to me, bastard, and I will not trouble you or your black crows. Keep them from me, and I will cut out your bastard's heart and eat it. 

Ramsay Bolton,
Trueborn Lord of Winterfell

RamsayHoo boy. A lot to unpack there. The letter clearly states that the Boltons have defeated Stannis' army. Ramsay also says he imprisoned Mance Rayder, and now has a hostage request list which includes Melisandre, Selyse and Shireen Baratheon (who are at Castle Black in the books), along with Mance's wildling wife Val and their baby. Plus, Reek/Theon has escaped Winterfell and taken Jeyne with him (Ramsay's bride). 

But here's the thing: Book readers have long speculated that the letter was not written by Ramsay, and the stated events are therefore unconfirmed. There are a number of hypothetical letter writers, including Mance Rayder himself.

Regardless of who wrote it in the books, the Pink Letter is Jon Snow's motivation for leaving Castle Black to respond to the threat. In the books, this is why several Night's Watch men stab Jon. Not just because of the wildlings, but because he was about to break his vows and ride south to engage in warfare with Ramsay. 

Jon Snow Game of Thrones season five

"A Dance with Dragons" ends shortly after the Pink Letter and Jon's assassination chapter. We don't get another point-of-view written in the North, so there's no way for book readers to know for certain that Ramsay has already defeated Stannis, or captured Mance. 

Jon Snow reads Pink Letter Game of Thrones This brings us to the show's version of this letter. 

First off, and most importantly, the letter is unarguably written by Ramsay Bolton. We watch as a Bolton rider arrives to Castle Black, with a wax-sealed letter bearing the Bolton sigil (not just a "smear of pink wax" as it's described in the books). 

Pink Letter seal Game of Thrones

Plus it's written after Jon is assassinated (and resurrected) and after viewers watched Stannis lose the battle at Winterfell. Sansa is Ramsay's actual bride in the show, and Mance Rayder is dead. 

Here's what the show version of the letter read: 

To the traitor and bastard Jon Snow

You allowed thousands of wildlings past the Wall. You have betrayed your own kind, you have betrayed the North. Winterfell is mine, bastard, come and see. Your brother Rickon is in my dungeon. His direwolf’s skin is on my floor, come and see.

I want my bride back. Send her to me, bastard, and I will not trouble you or your wildling lovers. Keep her from me, and I will ride north and slaughter every wildling man, woman, and babe living under your protection. You will watch as I skin them living. You will watch as my soldiers take turns raping your sister. You will watch as my dogs devour your wild little brother. Then I will spoon your eyes from their sockets and let my dogs do the rest. Come and see.

Ramsay Bolton Lord of Winterfell, and Warden of the North.

Sansa Stark Castle Black Game of ThronesIn the show canon at least, writers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have done away with any ambiguity about the author of the letter. In a season six teaser, we heard Ramsay say "Winterfell is mine, come and see"— clearly reading from this letter script. Listen below:

And with Mance dead, there's no character in Winterfell who knows all the information contained in that letter and has motivation to impersonate Ramsay. Some people thought Sansa could have crafted the letter, since a fight against the Boltons is what she wants and this letter motivated Jon to agree. But how could Sansa possibly know about Rickon? 

Based on behind-the-scenes interviews from Benioff and Weiss, we know they consult with Martin on key plot points. If they've spoken with him about the letter, the show may have just proved several fan theories wrong. If not, book readers have more mystery to look forward to in the next installment, "The Winds of Winter."

One this is for certain — Jon and Sansa are headed south together on the show. Their plan is to visit the other northern houses previously sworn to House Stark, and hope they can gather a force large enough to match Ramsay Bolton in the battlefield. Snowbowl — or the Battle of the Bastards — is coming. 

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A 'Game of Thrones' actress dropped a potentially huge spoiler about Arya Stark and Jon Snow

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The Waif and Arya Faye Marsay Game of Thrones

Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Game of Thrones" season six, including speculation of future events.

"Game of Thrones" actors tend to be extra-careful during interviews these days, since superfans can draw conclusions from even the most cryptic of clues. The latest incident comes from Faye Marsay, the actress who portrays Arya's nemesis in the House of Black and White: the Waif.

Marsay appeared on British television program This Morning, where she had a very interesting conversation with hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby about Jon Snow. 

Jon Snow, Arya Stark, and the Faceless men?

Schofield and Willoughby brought up the "secret" of Jon Snow's resurrection, and Marsay admitted that she was one of the few cast members who knew he was returning. But why? As Schofield pointed out to her, even Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark) didn't know right away. "But how did you know, because you're not even —"

Marsay cut him off: "I can't tell you how I know … I can't tell you." Schofield, clearly confused, prodded the actress a bit. "Is it like something to do with what's coming up?" he asked.

"I'm just going to leave that one there," Marsay said.

This could be major news. Logic follows that Marsay knew about Jon's return because the Faceless Men are somehow aware of the resurrection. Perhaps the show might go so far as to have Arya sent out on an assassination mission to kill Jon again

"I'm not in the same part of the country," Marsay said. "But anything can happen in 'Game of Thrones.'" 

Fan theories and clues

Anything, indeed. Even before Marsay's comments, fans had speculated that Arya could be tasked with killing her beloved half-brother. Why? People believe Arya will eventually return to Westeros. Having such a badass character like Arya actually shed her identity and remain in Braavos forever would be too anticlimactic. 

Three years ago, a Redditor posed the idea to the /r/asoiaf subreddit: "As we all know Arya is training to be a faceless man and [in my opinion] will soon be given a mission to kill one of the main characters. My question is who? I think it will be (tinfoil) Jon Snow ..."

Jon Snow and Arya Stark season one Game of ThronesBut people weren't very receptive to the idea. First of all, in the books we know that Faceless Men cannot be hired to kill someone they know. This is just part of their code. Secondly, the motivation is shaky. Why would a Faceless man need to kill Jon Snow? 

In the books, Jon submits a request for a loan from the Iron Bank of Braavos. People thought perhaps the bank would hire the Faceless Men if he didn't pay them back, but that's a stretch. The loan hasn't even been given yet in the books, let alone needed collecting on. 

Another thin reason would be that the Many Faced God, the God of Death, commanded Jon be killed because his resurrection was unnatural, and Melisandre technically "stole a life" from the God of Death. But again, that's not very likely. We know other characters (Berric Dondarrion and Catelyn Stark) who have been reborn in the books, and so far no Faceless Men were sent after them. 

Jon Snow Season Six Game of ThronesWhich brings us to Ramsay Bolton. We know that Westerosi people are aware of the Faceless Men and the service they provide. In season one, Littlefinger proposed hiring a Faceless Man to kill Daenerys Targaryen on behalf of Robert Baratheon. 

The most logical reason for a Faceless Man to be ordered after Jon Snow comes down to Ramsay. The new Lord of Winterfell has a major reason to want Jon Snow dead, since Jon has now left the Night's Watch and intends on retaking Winterfell with Sansa by his side. If Ramsay hired the Faceless Men to assassinate Jon Snow, the task could very well fall to Arya.

If this is true, what will Arya do?

Let's assume this will happen. In the preview for episode five, "The Door," Jaqen asks Arya "Does death only come for the wicked, and leave the decent behind?" If theories are correct, he's referring to Jon as the "decent" person who death must come to. 

Then, episode six's description says "Arya faces a difficult choice." In what is probably not a coincidence, that episode is titled "Blood of My Blood." Arya's difficult choice could be the decision to kill her "blood," Jon Snow. But will she go through with it?

Arya Stark Jaqen Hall of Faces Game of Thrones HBO's description for episode seven, "The Broken Man," has another vague hint about this plot: "Arya makes a plan."

We hope her plan involves not murdering Jon Snow, and escaping from the House of Black and White for good. She has her sight back, and based on episode three's training montage it looks like Arya is getting better at playing games with the Waif.

In the full-length trailer released back in April, Arya was seen leaping from the rooftop of a building. She was clearly being chased — perhaps by the Waif? (This image doesn't look exactly like Arya, but we know she used body doubles while filming season six.)

game of thrones season 6Then, in a follow-up trailer, we get an ominous shot of that same scene with Arya wearing a blue-sleeved tunic, smearing a bloody hand along a wall. 

Did she just assassinate a person while following the orders of the Faceless Men? Or did she kill the Waif as part of her plan to escape?

Braavos Arya hand Game of Thrones april trailer 91Then again, we could be speculating over all of this for no reason. Perhaps Marsay simply got a script that included the Waif telling Arya about the goings-on in Westeros, including Jon and Sansa's fight for Winterfell. Then, knowing her siblings are alive and battling, Arya decides she has to join the fray. 

No matter the storyline, we're guaranteed to see some interesting developments in Braavos coming up. Arya finally has her sight back, and is ready to get her hands bloody again. 

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Jaime and Cersei may have a dark destiny if this 'Game of Thrones' theory is correct

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Jaime and Cersei Lannister Game of Thrones Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Game of Thrones," including speculation of future events. 

The eighth episode of "Game of Thrones" featured Jaime Lannister prominently as a devoted partner to his twin (and lover) Cersei. He literally threatened to kill a baby in order to get back to her, which was brutally similar to the time he pushed Bran Stark out of a tower in order to protect himself and Cersei. Can their love really last, though?

So far on the show, Jaime and Cersei are more committed than ever to one another. But all that could change if this theory is correct. 

In the books, Cersei's murder is prophesied by a witch. And not just any witch, but a woman who correctly predicts two other important details of Cersei's future. Some people believe this prophecy subtly names Jaime Lannister as the person destined to kill Cersei. 

We've seen this fortune teller in the series, back in the premiere episode of season five.

Season five opened with a flashback to young Cersei seeking out a fortune teller named Maggy the FrogIn both the books and show, Cersei is told she can ask three questions of the witch. For fans of the novels, this seemed like a pretty clear cut scene to adapt. However, there was a big omission from the interaction between Cersei and Maggy. 

Young Cersei Game of Thrones Helen Sloan

Cersei's questions for Maggy

The first question and answer were almost word for word from a scene of the fourth book, "A Feast for Crows." Here's how the conversation played out on screen:

Cersei: I'm promised to the prince. When will we marry?
Maggy: Never. You will wed the king.
Cersei: But I will be queen?
Maggy: Oh yes. You will be queen, for a time ... until there comes another, younger and more beautiful, to cast you down and take all that you hold dear.

Many fans of the books have analyzed the last line from Maggy over and over again.

Maggy the Frog prophecy Game of Thrones Helen SloanFor a long time, the standing theory was that the "younger, more beautiful" person was another queen. Margaery Tyrell was a clear candidate and the most obvious choice. She was about to marry Tommen and become Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, and this means bad news for Cersei. 

But the wording from Maggy is tricky, and it's never specified that this other figure is another queenor even in fact a woman. (Though some believe this could be Daenerys, Sansa, or even Brienne of Tarth.)

Back in the show's opening scene, Cersei moves on from this disconcerting answer, and asks her second question: "Will the king and I have children?" Maggy responds with: "The king will have twenty, you will have three." Cersei tried to interrupt, clearly confused.

Readers and viewers alike now understand that she and the former king, Robert Baratheon, never conceived together; all of his children were bastards and all of hers were born from the incestuous relationship she has with her brother, Jamie Lannister.

Tommen and Jaime Myrcella Game of Thrones Season 6Maggy continues, stating "Gold will be their crowns, and gold their shrouds," before devolving into hysterical laughter.

This line can be interpreted in a few different ways. The gold crowns could be literal crowns, since Joffrey and Tommen were both crowned king. Plus, in the books, there is a plot centered around women in Dorne crowning Myrcella queen. But it probably simply refers to their hair color: blonde, like their parents.

"Gold their shrouds" is more direct: all of Cersei's children will die. Joffrey and Myrcella have already both been murdered, and each was shown in golden funeral garb. Tommen's days are likely numbered.

In this moment of the show, book fans knew exactly what Maggy was going to say next. Or so they thought. Instead, the scene quickly ended, cutting to present-day Cersei on her way to her father's funeral.

Cersei and Meryn Trant Game of Thrones Macall B. PolayShe's clearly musing over how recent events seem to be playing out along Maggy's predictions. And here is where many book readers were left dismayed.

The book text has a third, and crucial, line in Maggy's answer.

The "valonqar" prophecy

Before Cersei leaves the witch's tent, she is told one final and foreboding thing. "And when your tears have drowned you, the valonqar shall wrap his hands about your pale white throat and choke the life from you," Maggy says.

This is huge in the realm of Cersei-centric theories. Not only does the text make it clear that her children are going to die before her, but it also predicts her murder at the hands of "the valonqar." In the High Valyrian language of the east, "valonqar" means "little brother." Maggy is telling Cersei that her death will come at the hands of a younger brother.

game of thrones tyrion season 4Knowing that, all minds may jump to Tyrion, the youngest of the Lannister children. He's currently in exile after being persecuted unfairly by Cersei for the death of her son Joffrey. But, just as with Maggy's first prediction, there are alternate interpretations to this line.

The case for Jaime Lannister

Jaime — Cersei's twin, lover, and father of her children — was the last to leave their mother's womb, making him younger than Cersei by mere minutes. He is technically another of her "little brothers." Could he turn on Cersei in the future, and strangle her to death?

Their relationship was tense in season five. Cersei loathed Jaime's missing hand, and therefore fighting skills, and then he blundered by releasing Tyrion and consequentially allowing his father to be murdered. Jaime is also becoming impatient with Cersei's insistence on terrorizing Tyrion and her increasing paranoia. We have seen Jaime grow from the narcissistic "kingslayer" to a more compassionate and nuanced man.

However, season six has shown Jaime reverting back to being Cersei's number one man. Despite Myrcella's death, the twins seem closer than ever. Jaime has assured Cersei that nothing else in the world matters except them. So were the "valonqar" theories wrong? 

Jaime Lannister Riverrun Game of ThronesWe know from the books that Jaime does eventually become disillusioned with Cersei. This is partially due a major falling out he has with Tyrion, during which Jaime learns about Cersei's lack of faithfulness to their relationship. 

But since the show left out that significant scene between Tyrion and Jaime, it's unclear whether we'll ever see Cersei lose her twin as a steadfast companion.

The abrupt end to the fortune-telling back in season five makes us wonder why show creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss left out the "volanqar" prophecy. Are they planning on revisiting the flashback and finishing out the scene at some point or is it not as important as book readers thought, and not worth mentioning?

If it wasn't worth mentioning, perhaps that's because it sounded redundant and was already addressed in the first answer, where Cersei learns of "another, younger and more beautiful" who will cast her down. Could that individual be the same as the "valonqar"? As noted earlier, there is no gender associated with this younger and more beautiful enemy. Jaime Lannister, born moments after Cersei, is known for his devilish good looks across the kingdom. Jaime Lannister, whose character arc may lead him further and further away from the hateful and paranoid Cersei, could be her undoing.

Cersei Lannister Game of Thrones Helen SloanNow that Jaime has successfully won back Riverrun on behalf of the Freys, we can assume he'll return to King's Landing. Cersei was denied the right to a trial by combat (the newly pious Tommen made the controversial call) and so she'll need the support of Jaime more than ever.

Viewers know Cersei has been accused of adultery (sleeping with both Lancel Lannister and her brother Jaime), incest (see previous charge), and of conspiring to kill Robert Baratheon. 

What viewers don't know is whether or not Jaime is aware of all the charges. Perhaps him witnessing the trial and realizing she had relations with Lancel will be part of his moving away from her. A darker possibility is that Cersei goes full-on crazy and causes irreparable damage to the city in an attempt to beat the High Sparrow.

We know there are caches of wildfire (a magical fire substance capable of wiping out King's Landing) everywhere in the city. And Cersei has told various members of her family that she would "burn cities to the ground" for her children. If she follows through with that promise, Jaime may finally be forced to see his sister for the cruel woman she is.

He may even kill her to prevent the city burning down — just as he did with the Mad King Aerys Targaryen. Now that would be quite the full-circle character arc. Fans will have to wait until next week (or perhaps the finale) to see where Jaime lands. 

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13 mind-blowing predictions about future plotlines on 'Game of Thrones'

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Daario Daenerys targaryen Game of Thrones

Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Game of Thrones" including predictions and speculation of future events.

George R.R. Martin's epic fantasy series "A Song of Ice and Fire" isn't just the source material for HBO's television adaptation "Game of Thrones"  — it's the basis for literally hundreds (if not thousands) of fan theories. Discussion hubs like /r/asoiaf and Westeros.org are home to some of the most popular predictions for the future of the series. 

After all, we still have two seasons of the show to go, plus Martin's final two books: "The Winds of Winter" and "A Dream of Spring." 

We've rounded up some of the theories that could still be revealed as true on "Game of Thrones." The only one we've left off the list is "R + L = J," because at this point fans have accepted that theory for fact.

Scroll down for a look at these mind-bending predictions, and decide for yourself what their likelihoods are.

Daenerys is actually the villain, and will wreak havoc in Westeros.

Though Daenerys is a strong leader character who generally appears to be a champion for the common people, there is a running theory that she isn't the hero people think.

As Tech Insider Culture editor Megan Willett explained, both the show and the books have provided evidence that she could be headed down a darker path. There have been many analyses throughout the years that support this idea as well. 

The idea boils down to this: Daenerys is going to arrive in Westeros and be seen as a vicious conqueror — not the savior she thinks she is. Daenerys is beginning to see the benefit of full-blown war and violence over politics. And besides, there's another character who is being set up as the true hero of Westeros — Jon Snow.



Jon Snow may broker a peace with the White Walkers to restore peace to the realm.

One of the top posts of all time is a theory about the "true nature and purpose of the [White Walkers]." The thought starts with Martin's open affinity for grey-area characters. He doesn't believe in pure evil or pure good. Which begs the question: How are the White Walkers anything BUT pure evil?

Redditor c_forrester_thorne guessed that perhaps the White Walkers forged an ancient pact with men long ago, and helped build the Wall as part of their agreement. But now Daenerys and her dragons are a part of breaking that pact — hence their attack on Westeros. Here's part of the theory summary:

[The White Walkers] are hostile towards men because of [...] their incursion into the Other's agreed on territory, and the danger the Targs and their fire magic pose to the Others and the world at large. Rhaegar fathered a son by Lyanna to unite the blood of the dragonriders and the Other-kin, whether he knew it or not. Jon is that son and will bring peace between the Others and the realms of men.



Bran will warg into a dragon to help fight the White Walkers.

We've seen Bran grow from a young Stark boy into a teenager with more powers than he ever could have imagined. Not only is he a powerful greenseer capable of traveling throughout time and influencing events, but he can warg/skinchange into animals and humans alike. Warging, the act of transferring your consciousness into another being, is a relatively unexplored aspect of "Game of Thrones." 

Three years ago, Redditor svenhoek86 asked the /r/asoiaf community if warging into dragons was a possibility. There is a line from Bran that might be important foreshadowing. In both the show and the books, Bloodraven tells Bran that he'll never walk again, but he "will fly."

Daenerys has three dragons, and in the books there is a prophetic statement in a vision which states "the dragon must have three heads"— interpreted by book readers to mean there must be three dragon riders. Daenerys is one, and some believe either Jon Snow or Tyrion could be the second, leaving Bran the third dragon to "ride."



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'Game of Thrones' actor just shut down all of those crazy Sansa pregnancy theories

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Ramsay Bolton Game of Thrones

Warning: Major spoilers ahead for "Game of Thrones" season six.

No fandom loves their theories like the "Game of Thrones" followers, but every now and again some very divisive predictions crop up.

The hottest theory this week was that Sansa Stark is currently pregnant with Ramsay Bolton's baby. 

Gross, right? This would mean that Sansa became pregnant as a result of being brutally raped by the sadistic son of her family's murderer. 

But we can all rest easy, because there is virtually no chance this theory is correct.

The latest evidence some believers of the theory spotted was one of the final lines Ramsay said to Sansa before his hounds ate him alive in season six, episode nine. "You can't kill me," he told her. "I'm part of you now." 

Some fans took this line to mean that Ramsay knew Sansa was pregnant with his child — that there was a literal part of him inside her. But actor Iwan Rheon, who plays Ramsay on "Game of Thrones," debunked this guess in an interview with Bustle.

"What he's saying to her is that his mind, his mark, will be on her," Rheon told Bustle. "Very much like if you look at Theon now, he's not the same man as he was [...] So I think what Ramsay's saying is, 'You'll never be able to shake me off. No matter if I die, I'm always gonna be a part of you, because of what I've done to you.'"

sansa starkThis is a much more straightforward interpretation of the line, and it makes more sense from Ramsay's point of view. Sansa is literally about to kill him in the same way he's killed many other people (death by hounds). She has taken on a bit of his personality, and been molded into a more calloused person because of the trauma she experienced at his hands.

To further debunk the theory, it's unlikely Ramsay could know about a possible pregnancy, anyways. Plus, Sansa carrying his child would be a really great way for showrunners to undo all the progress her character has made so far in season six. We just don't see D.B. Weiss and David Benioff choosing to put Sansa through another significant trauma like that. 

Fans have been speculating about Sansa's pregnancy ever since the first promo images came out and people thought her stomach appeared to be a bit rotund.

Sansa Stark disheveled Game of Thrones Helen Sloan HBOHer conversation with Littlefinger in episode five fueled the flames even more when she said, "I can still feel what he did in my body, standing here right now." Then, she sewed herself a new dress after arriving at Castle Black, which others took to mean she was hiding a baby bump.

But these are all very open-ended pieces of evidence that can have multiple meanings. While there are often great bits of foreshadowing hidden in the series, we just don't think this is the case here. 

Furthermore, Sansa's body underwent significant trauma when she jumped from the walls of Winterfell and waded through a frozen river. She's probably malnourished, since food options at Castle Black and in a military camp couldn't have been very robust. The odds of her having a viable pregnancy are low.

game of thrones sansaSansa sewed herself a new dress because she wanted to shed the identity of "Mrs. Bolton the Rape Victim" and reclaim her Stark name. She isn't wearing new furs and a new gown with a direwolf sewed into it because she's hiding a pregnancy — it's because Sansa took charge at the end of season five and needed a new wardrobe to convey that message to the North (and to viewers). 

Much like the creative Arya theories that cropped up earlier this season (only to be debunked later), the "Sansa is pregnant" prediction probably won't pan out. Instead, we should all be relieved that Ramsay Bolton is finally gone, and no piece of him survives to torment Sansa. 

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NOW WATCH: Why Sunday’s episode of ‘Game of Thrones’ was the best yet

Fans guessed Sunday's big shocker on 'Game of Thrones' over 2 decades ago

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Jon Snow winterfell Game of ThronesWarning: Spoilers ahead for "Game of Thrones" season six.

"Game of Thrones" just gave book readers a huge reason to celebrate. We're much closer to learning who Jon Snow's parents really are. The season six finale made it pretty clear that the newly crowned King in the North is likely the son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen. That's a big deal because it would make Jon Snow the descendant of two of the greatest historically important houses in Westeros. 

The reveal came through one of Bran's greenseeing visions. He traveled back to the Tower of Joy, first teased in season six episode three, where he watched as young Ned Stark discovered his sister Lyanna dying from a childbirth gone wrong. Bran watched as she begged Ned to protect her baby, because Lyanna knew Robert Baratheon would never let a Targaryen child live, and so Ned was forced to pretend the baby was his own bastard son.

tower of joypromise me ned game of thrones

While the reveal wasn't quite as direct as fans might have hoped, the edited shot from a baby's face straight to Jon Snow was the most confirmation fans have had yet.

baby jon snow game of thronesjon snow game of thrones finale

Fans who have closely read George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series and spent time on fan forums like Westeros.org and the /r/asoiaf subreddit believed this theory (called "R + L = J") was a surefire thing. The earliest mentions Redditors have cataloged go back to 1998 on old chat logs and discussion boards. The fierce debate over the last two decades has cemented "R + L = J" into one of the most widely believed fan theories in the whole series.

Some people allege that Martin's editor, Anne Groell, figured out who Jon's real parents were when editing the first book of the series, "A Game of Thrones," before it was published in 1996. This would make sense, because many clues about Jon's real mother and father were given through Ned Stark's point-of-view chapters in "A Game of Thrones."

The fandom aside, learning Jon Snow's real parentage, as the show hinted at heavily in the finale, should have a huge impact on the series itself moving forward. 

What this means for Jon Snow

First off, if the reveal is true it makes Snow the literal "Song of Ice and Fire," because of his ties to the northern Starks and the dragon-riding Targaryens. This also means he is technically Daenerys' nephew and Sansa's cousin. In terms of claims to the Iron Throne, it would depend upon whether or not Rhaegar actually married Lyanna, making Jon a legitimate royal child.

Rhaegar was already married to Elia Martell, but Targaryens have a history of taking multiple wives, so it is possible he married Lyanna too. If he did, Jon's claim to the Iron Throne is technically stronger than Daenerys' claim. He's the direct male descendant of the Mad King, whereas she is the sister of the former prince.

Furthermore, this reveal would really cement Jon as the focal point of the series. Daenerys, Tyrion, and Jon are often pointed to as the three main characters, but it's becoming more and more apparent that Jon has all the makings of an archetypal hero. 

Jon SnowJon Snow has quite the résumé in Westeros. He was born into royalty, but whisked away and given a different identity for his protection. Then he was raised among highborn and trained to fight despite his bastard status. He joined the Night's Watch, and became a double agent among the wildlings. Then he held Castle Black against the largest army of the wildlings the North has ever seen before being elected as the youngest Lord Commander the Night's Watch has had in centuries.

After brokering a peace with the wildlings, he was assassinated and then magically brought back to life by a red priestess. He then assembled a sparse but loyal army and bravely battled the Boltons, eventually defeating Ramsay and retaking his family's castle. 

jon snow game of thronesJon owns a pet direwolf, one of the only two left known to mankind in Westeros. He carries an ancestral Valyrian steel sword — a weapon capable of killing White Walkers. Oh, and of course, Jon is one of three living people to ever fight a White Walker and survive. 

Now he's been crowned the King in the North and will lead the inevitable war against the White Walkers.

Jon is clearly being set up as the opposite of Daenerys, the Mother of Dragons who represents fire and destruction. She is a conqueror, headed to Westeros to reclaim the seat of power her family held for centuries. Daenerys has heroic qualities and certainly has overcome a lot of adversity to get to where she is today, but Jon's lack of awareness about his past is the key difference here. He never meant to rule, but it might be his only path forward.

Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark's union set a war in motion, the effects of which are the basis of the entire "Game of Thrones" series. Jon is the probable song of ice and fire, and his time has finally come. Now he just has to find out for himself.

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'Game of Thrones' changed up a fan-favorite book scene to make it even better in Sunday's finale

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Jaime Lannister Walder Frey Game of Thrones Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Game of Thrones" season six.

Sunday's beautifully bloody "Game of Thrones" finale was made even better when Arya Stark unexpectedly appeared at the Twins'. Using the face of a girl (one she presumably stole from the Hall of Faces before leaving Braavos), she managed to murder three Freys and personally avenge the death of her mother and brother back in season three. 

game of thrones catherine stark red wedding

Arya not only killed the Freys, but two of them (Lothar and Black Walder) were carved into pieces and baked into a pie. Arya then served the pie to their father, Walder Frey, before revealing herself as a Stark and slitting his throat.

Arya Stark Walder Frey Game of Thronesarya stark game of thrones

This is a plotline adapted from the books, only Arya has nothing to do with "Frey Pies" in George R.R. Martin's writing. In the books, a character named Wyman Manderly is the main focus of the Frey Pie theory. Manderly is the Lord of White Harbor, a house that has been loyal to the Stark family for a thousand years. He's one of book readers' favorite minor characters due to his fierce loyalty to the Starks.

We saw him in the season six finale, but only briefly and there was no mention of his involvement with the Frey Pies. In both the books and the show, one of his sons was present at the Red Wedding and was killed fighting to defend Robb Stark from the Freys.

Lord Wyman Manderly Game of ThronesIn the books, Manderly's other son was captured by the Lannisters, who was held until Manderly proved himself loyal to the Boltons and Freys. He allows three Frey men to live under his roof, and betroths one of them to his granddaughter. But eventually readers come to find out that his show of fealty to the traitorous Walder Frey and Roose Bolton were all a ruse.

In a stirring speech to Davos Seaworth, Manderly reveals his true feelings:

"My son Wendel came to the Twins a guest," Manderly says. "He ate Lord Walder's bread and salt, and hung his sword upon the wall to feast with friends. And they murdered him. Murdered, I say, and may the Freys choke upon their fables. I drink with Jared, jape with Symond, promise Rhaegar the hand of my own beloved granddaughter ... but never think that means I have forgotten. The north remembers, Lord Davos. The north remembers, and the mummer's farce is almost done. My son is home."

Manderly then travels to Winterfell for Ramsay Bolton's wedding. In the books, Ramsay doesn't marry Sansa Sark. Instead he marries a northern girl who used to live at Winterfell, Jeyne Poole, but she is being passed off as Arya Stark. Manderly arrives at the wedding feast, claiming that the three Freys living at White Harbor had been riding ahead of him. 

Frey scared Lady Stoneheart?Their absence is suspicious, but Manderly plays dumb. Then, at the wedding feast, Manderly reveals his contribution: Three gigantic savory pies. "The best pie you have ever tasted, my lords," Manderly tells the group. "Wash it down with Arbor gold and savor every bite. I know I shall."

The three missing Freys were killed and cooked into those pies. At least, that was always the running fan theory. Arya's fulfillment of this scene in the show effectively confirms the Manderly plot in the books. 

At Ramsay's wedding feast in the books, Manderly proceeds to eat six servings of the Frey Pie whilst getting extremely drunk. Then he requests a song from the feast's bard: "Singer, give us a song about the Rat Cook."

The Rat Cook is an old fable, and it was actually told to show viewers by Bran back in the season three finale.

Bran Stark season three Game of Thrones"[He was] a cook in the Night's Watch," Bran says to Meera, Jojen, and Hodor. "He was angry at the king for something, I don't remember. When the king was visiting the Nightfort, the cook killed the king's son and cooked him into a big pie with onions, carrots, mushrooms and bacon. That night, he served the pie to the king. He liked the taste of his own son so much he asked for a second slice. The gods turned the cook into a giant white rat who could only eat his own young. He's been roaming the Nightfort ever since, devouring his own babies. No matter what he does, he's always hungry."

The link between the Rat Cook and Manderly is undeniable foreshadowing, something many book readers picked up on years ago. When Meera mocks Bran's concern about a common murderer being turned into a rat, Bran corrects her.

"It wasn't for murder the gods cursed the Rat Cook, or for serving the king's son in a pie," he says. "He killed a guest beneath his roof. That's something the gods can't forgive."

Robb and Catelyn Stark Game of Thrones The timing for this tale wasn't coincidental — Bran tells this story right after Walder Frey and Roose Bolton kill the Starks at the Red Wedding. Walder Frey gave Robb, Catelyn, and their men bread and salt, the symbol of guest right in Westeros. By killing the Starks under his roof after feeding them, Walder violated guest right. 

Now, three seasons later, Walder was punished for his crime against the Starks and the gods. But instead of Wyman Manderly serving up revenge, the showrunners opted to give Arya the honor. This way she was able to cross a name off her list and make a grand re-entrance to Westeros. Hopefully we'll see her learn about Jon and Sansa's victory in the north and head back to Winterfell in season seven. But until then, fans can savor the moment Walder Frey finally got what was coming to him.

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'Game of Thrones' has been hinting at Jon Snow's true parentage for 6 seasons — here's every clue we’ve seen

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Jon Snow parlay Battle of the Bastards Game of Thrones Helen Sloan

Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Game of Thrones" season six, including speculation of future events.

The "Game of Thrones" finale came just shy of explicitly confirming the series' biggest fan theories of all time. "R + L = J" is the super popular theory that states Jon Snow is the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. 

Rhaegar Targaryen was the son of the Mad King Aerys and older brother to Daenerys. He's never been seen on the show, not even in a flashback. Viewers did finally get a look at Lyanna in the finale. She was Ned Stark's younger sister, betrothed to Robert Baratheon before running away with Rhaegar and bearing his secret lovechild, Jon Snow. At least that's how the (probably true) theory goes. 

tower of joy

In the finale, fans were given a glimpse of Lyanna Stark handing off a baby to Ned, begging him to protect it from the wrath of Robert Baratheon. We've written out an extensive look at the extended context given for Jon Snow being the likely son of Rhaegar and Lyanna. But for now, let's look at specific instances from the show that support the theory as well.

Scroll down for a complete list of moments from "Game of Thrones" that prove "R + L = J" is true.

Ned Stark purposefully didn't call Jon his son, but instead said "my blood."

Ned kept Jon's true parentage a secret his entire life, choosing to raise Jon as his own for the boy's own protection. But Ned is an honorable and moral man. He avoided lying outright when he could help it. So when Jon asked Ned about his mother in season one, Ned replied carefully: "You are a Stark. You might not have my name, but you have my blood."

The Stark family blood does indeed run through Jon. It just happens to be Lyanna's blood, not Ned's.



Daenerys had a vision of "Snow" in the Throne Room.

When Daenerys enters the House of Undying in Qarth she experiences a series of prophetic visions. One of these was when she saw snow in the Throne Room of King's Landing. Immediately afterwards she walked through a door and found herself at the Wall. This was heavy foreshadowing of Jon Snow's true family history and ties to the royal Targaryen family. 

 

 



Oberyn Martell explicitly says that Rhaegar and Lyanna had an affair.

Before running off with Lyanna, Rhaegar Targaryen was married with Elia Martell — the sister of Oberyn Martell. The running story in Westeros was that Rhaegar kidnapped and raped Lyanna, but Oberyn seems to know about a different version of events. "The last time I was in the capital was many years ago," Oberyn told Tyrion. "Another wedding: my sister Elia and Rhaegar Targaryen, the last dragon. My sister loved him. She bore his children … and beautiful, noble Rhaegar Targaryen left her for another woman."

This was the first time in the series that viewers were told anything other than the kidnap and rape narrative. A significant moment for theorists watching.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

'Game of Thrones' finally set up Jaime Lannister to make a painfully dark choice about Cersei

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Cersei Iron Throne Game of THronesWarning: Spoilers ahead for "Game of Thrones," including speculation of future events. 

The "Game of Thrones" finale stunned viewers when Cersei Lannister not only pulled off one of the greatest character massacres in series' history, but then proceeded to claim the Iron Throne after her last living child committed suicide. The idea of a motherless Cersei ruling King's Landing is quite frankly horrifying, but if this fan theory is correct then her days are numbered.

In the books, Cersei's murder is prophesied by a witch. And not just any witch, but a woman who correctly predicts two other important details of Cersei's future. Some people believe this prophecy subtly names Jaime Lannister as the person destined to kill Cersei. 

Jaime Lannister with Bronn Game of ThronesWe've seen Cersei's fortune teller in the series, back in the premiere episode of season five.

Season five opened with a flashback to young Cersei seeking out a fortune teller named Maggy the FrogIn both the books and show, Cersei is told she can ask three questions of the witch. For fans of the novels, this seemed like a pretty clear cut scene to adapt. However, there was a big omission from the interaction between Cersei and Maggy. 

Young Cersei Game of Thrones Helen Sloan

Cersei's questions for Maggy

The first question and answer were almost word for word from a scene of the fourth book, "A Feast for Crows." Here's how the conversation played out on screen:

Cersei: I'm promised to the prince. When will we marry?
Maggy: Never. You will wed the king.
Cersei: But I will be queen?
Maggy: Oh yes. You will be queen, for a time ... until there comes another, younger and more beautiful, to cast you down and take all that you hold dear.

Many fans of the books have analyzed the last line from Maggy over and over again.

Maggy the Frog prophecy Game of Thrones Helen SloanFor a long time, the standing theory was that the "younger, more beautiful" person was another queen. Margaery Tyrell was a clear candidate and the most obvious choice. She was about to marry Tommen and become Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, and this means bad news for Cersei. 

But the wording from Maggy is tricky, and it's never specified that this other figure is another queenor even in fact a woman. (Though some believe this could be Daenerys, Sansa, or even Brienne of Tarth.)

Back in the show's opening scene, Cersei moves on from this disconcerting answer, and asks her second question: "Will the king and I have children?" Maggy responds with: "The king will have twenty, you will have three." Cersei tried to interrupt, clearly confused.

Readers and viewers alike now understand that she and the former king, Robert Baratheon, never conceived together; all of his children were bastards and all of hers were born from the incestuous relationship she has with her brother, Jamie Lannister.

Tommen and Jaime Myrcella Game of Thrones Season 6Maggy continues, stating "Gold will be their crowns, and gold their shrouds," before devolving into hysterical laughter.

This line can be interpreted in a few different ways. The gold crowns could be literal crowns, since Joffrey and Tommen were both crowned king. Plus, in the books, there is a plot centered around women in Dorne crowning Myrcella queen. But it probably simply refers to their hair color: blonde, like their parents.

"Gold their shrouds" is more direct: all of Cersei's children will die. Joffrey and Myrcella were both been murdered, and each was shown in golden funeral garb. Tommen killed himself by jumping out of a window. He was wearing a golden jacket. 

In this moment of the show, book fans knew exactly what Maggy was going to say next. Or so they thought. Instead, the scene quickly ended, cutting to present-day Cersei on her way to her father's funeral.

Cersei and Meryn Trant Game of Thrones Macall B. PolayShe's clearly musing over how recent events seem to be playing out along Maggy's predictions. And here is where many book readers were left dismayed.

The book text has a third, and crucial, line in Maggy's answer.

The "valonqar" prophecy

Before Cersei leaves the witch's tent, she is told one final and foreboding thing. "And when your tears have drowned you, the valonqar shall wrap his hands about your pale white throat and choke the life from you," Maggy says.

This is huge in the realm of Cersei-centric theories. Not only does the text make it clear that her children are going to die before her, but it also predicts her murder at the hands of "the valonqar." In the High Valyrian language of the east, "valonqar" means "little brother." Maggy is telling Cersei that her death will come at the hands of a younger brother.

game of thrones tyrion season 4Knowing that, all minds may jump to Tyrion, the youngest of the Lannister children. He's currently in exile after being persecuted unfairly by Cersei for the death of her son Joffrey. But, just as with Maggy's first prediction, there are alternate interpretations to this line.

The case for Jaime Lannister

Jaime — Cersei's twin, lover, and father of her children — was the last to leave their mother's womb, making him younger than Cersei by mere minutes. He is technically another of her "little brothers." Could he turn on Cersei in the future, and strangle her to death?

Their relationship was tense in season five. Cersei loathed Jaime's missing hand, and therefore fighting skills, and then he blundered by releasing Tyrion and consequentially allowing his father to be murdered. Jaime was also becoming impatient with Cersei's insistence on terrorizing Tyrion and her increasing paranoia. We have seen Jaime grow from the narcissistic "kingslayer" to a more compassionate and nuanced man.

Season six initially showed Jaime reverting back to being Cersei's number one man. Despite Myrcella's death, the twins seemed closer than ever. Jaime assured Cersei that nothing else in the world matters except them. 

But all that changed in the season finale. Jaime seemed angry and disappointed as he stared Cersei down in the Throne Room. He left King's Landing to represent House Lannister in the Riverlands, and by the time he returned Cersei had gone full Mad Queen. Tommen was Jaime's son, and Cersei effectively gave up on him the moment Tommen sided with the High Sparrow and denied her a trial by combat. 

Jaime Lannister Game of ThronesWe know from the books that Jaime does eventually become disillusioned with Cersei. This is partially due to a major falling out he has with Tyrion, during which Jaime learns about Cersei's lack of faithfulness to their relationship. 

But since the show left out that significant scene between Tyrion and Jaime, this final season six decision of Cersei's might be the new reason for Jaime finally breaking ties with his sister.

The abrupt end to the fortune-telling back in season five makes us wonder why show creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss left out the "volanqar" prophecy. Are they planning on revisiting the flashback and finishing out the scene at some point or is it not as important as book readers thought, and not worth mentioning?

If it wasn't worth mentioning, perhaps that's because it sounded redundant and was already addressed in the first answer, where Cersei learns of "another, younger and more beautiful" who will cast her down. Could that individual be the same as the "valonqar"? As noted earlier, there is no gender associated with this younger and more beautiful enemy. Jaime Lannister, born moments after Cersei, is known for his devilish good looks across the kingdom. Jaime Lannister, whose character arc may lead him further and further away from the hateful and paranoid Cersei, could be her undoing.

Cersei Lannister game of ThronesJaime was forced to kill the Mad King Aerys years ago in order to protect the people of King's Landing. Cersei has set herself up to be anything but a benevolent ruler, and her use of wildfire creates a direct parallel between herself and the former Targaryen ruler. If Queen Cersei follows in the Mad King's footsteps, will Jaime feel morally obligated to intervene? 

The final look between Cersei and Jaime in the season six finale seemed like the groundwork for a falling out in season seven. Cersei's rule in King's Landing might come to end more quickly than she anticipated, and with Daenerys on the way to Westeros her demise seems inevitable. Maggy the Frog will have the final word, after all.

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Redditors have a big theory about 'Mr. Robot' — but I really hope it doesn't come true

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Mr Robot

Warning: This post contains spoilers for "Mr. Robot."

"Mr. Robot" paints a complex psychological web. Given its heavy influence from "Fight Club," it practically begs you to believe that everything we see is in Elliot's (Rami Malek) head.

Indeed, in season one, it was revealed that the hacker (Christian Slater) who Elliot blindly followed was actually the ghost of his dead father. In season two, the show has given even more hints at the possibility that Elliot's entire reality is an illusion. Indeed, every poster and billboard for the show is plastered with the line "Control is an illusion."

Naturally, Redditors on r/mrrobot have been trying to back up this theory. Some surmise that Elliot is actually in prison or a psych ward, and everything we see on the show is an illusion

Reddit user jerryrock333 laid out all the clues:

"The bars and vertical lines, Leon's constant talking about Seinfeld reruns, the basketball game, Gideon looking over his shoulder during their meeting, Elliot telling us he can't trust us, etc. All of it really is good evidence supporting the theory."

This theory is really convincing.

Mr Robot

When reading those clues out loud all I can think about is how convincing it sounds.

Elliot is currently staying in a place outside of Manhattan that looks like a prison. He talks about being on a very strict schedule. The show itself is shot in a hazy way that makes it seem like somebody's dream. And again, Elliot is an unreliable narrator. As a show that enjoys tricking the viewer, it clearly has another big twist up its sleeve.

But would be really hard to make this theory work.

Mr Robot

Some Redditors are perpetuating this theory and at the same time calling it out. Again, the idea that Elliot has been imagining everything is fairly plausible, given that it's happened before. In short, the real issue is how uninspired this idea is. 

The "it's all a dream" or "it's all in my head" storytelling trick is, let's face it, a cop-out.

When your story is running out of steam, it's one way to throw in a quick shock. This kind of twist worked in "Fight Club" and "Memento." If you're going to use the device, it must either say something thematically, or the story must still hold up even after the twist is revealed. "Fight Club" and "Memento" pass on both of these levels. Meanwhile, you can look at most of M. Night Shyamalan's work and see that sometimes, a story as a whole doesn't hold up following a twist ending.

The twist from season one of "Mr. Robot" worked: Finding out that Mr. Robot was both Elliot's father and a ghost added an extra layer to both Elliot and his messed up family dynamics. Plus, season one still works as a whole.

If this theory did come true, it would ruin the show.

Mr Robot Popcorn

Putting Elliot into prison or an asylum could boost the show thematically by saying that dependence on technology has caused us to lose all control over our lives. That's interesting, but the show has already said this loud and clear, given that Elliot can't even seem to remember whether or not he actually pulled off the huge E-Corp hack. 

It would be both too big of a risk, and too easy, for the show to pull the rug out this much. When a show has as good of a first season as "Mr. Robot" had, there is a lot of pressure for the second season to live up to the hype. This is what caused shows like "Homeland" to succumb to the sophomore slump. While "Mr. Robot" is still full of promise, the reviews for season two so far have been mixed, and the season premiere experienced a ratings slip.

Suggesting that almost everything we've seen so far isn't real would be less of a great, mind-blowing twist, and more of a lack of confidence in the world and characters that captivated viewers in season one. 

This whole theory sounds very convincing. And that's what worries me the most.

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This popular fan theory perfectly explains 'Stranger Things'

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There are a lot of '80s pop culture references in the Netflix original series "Stranger Things," but there's one subtle Easter egg in particular which could explain some of the show's mysteries. It's sparked a popular fan theory about the main character that seems to make perfect sense, at least in the fantastical reality in which the show is set. There's more to "Eleven" than you might think.

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7 fan theories that completely change the way you’ll see your favorite shows

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friends

The INSIDER Summary

• "Breaking Bad" and "The Walking Dead" take place in the same universe. 
• Mac, Dee, and Dennis from "It's Always Sunny," don't look like the actors who play them. 
• "Friends" and "Parks and Recreation" also allegedly take place in the same universe. 


For die-hard fans of pop culture, TV shows aren't just about consuming content. They're also about analyzing and coming up with theories about beloved fictional universes. That's half the fun of watching a TV show in the first place. This is an age-old concept among people who love television, and fan theories have become a common occurrence all over the internet. If you happen to be the type of person who has an affinity for wearing tin foil hats, then fan theories should be right up your alley.

While certain fan theories seem downright bonkers, others have a tendency to add up if you look at the evidence. On that note, we have compiled a list of seven insanely compelling fan theories that completely change some of our favorite TV shows. Check out our list and let us know which ones you agree with in the comments section below. Now let's get started with a dark take on a classic kids show!

"Rugrats" - Angelica imagines the rest of the babies.

rugrats

One running theme within fan theories (particularly ones centered on kids shows) is the fact that they tend to get pretty dark. However, this 'Rugrats' one takes the cake. The theory suggests the idea that Angelica Pickles is the only member of the central cast of babies that actually exists. Within this theory, Tommy died as a result of a miscarriage (which is why Stu obsessively continues to make children's toys), Chuckie died in the same car accident that killed his mother, and Phil and Lil were aborted before the DeVilles could learn the sex of their baby. It's a terrifyingly grim theory about a beloved Nickelodeon program, but it also paints Angelica in a much different light compared to what we know about her. Try watching 'Rugrats' with a smile on your face now.

"Breaking Bad" & "The Walking Dead" - They take place in the same universe. 

breaking bad

Although nothing that ever occurs in 'Breaking Bad' suggests the possibility that zombies will eventually take over the planet, 'The Walking Dead' makes quite a few references to the world of Walter White. In particular, a 'Walking Dead' episode in Season 2 specifically showed that Merle Dixon had a stash of blue meth in his bike's saddlebag, and Daryl Dixon at one point apparently came across a Jesse Pinkman-esque drug dealer with an affinity for the word "b—h" before the apocalypse. While it seems unlikely that anything will ever come of this theory, it's incredibly cool to imagine how someone such as Saul Goodman might currently be surviving in a world populated by the undead. Can you imagine how well Mike would be doing if he had survived Walter's reign of terror?

"It's Always Sunny" - Mac, Dee, and Dennis don't look like the actors who play them.  

its always sunny in philadelphia cast

FXX's 'It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia' already feels like it takes place in a warped version of reality, and this fan theory takes that idea one step further. It suggests that, while Charlie and Frank look exactly like Charlie Day and Danny DeVito, Dennis, Mac, and Dee look nothing like the characters we see in the series. This is because their respective egos are so inflated that we see them how they see themselves. In reality, Mac is a scrawny man, Dennis is incredibly ugly, and Dee is confined to a back brace due to her terrible scoliosis. It's a widely held belief that this theory will receive confirmation during the last episode of the series, but we will have to wait and see if it holds any water.

"Seinfeld" - Episodes of Seinfeld take place weeks apart from each other. 

george jerry pitch nbc seinfeld

This fan theory admittedly doesn't change much about 'Seinfeld' regarding the theme, tone, or characterization of the legendary sitcom, but it goes a long way towards rationalizing why the characters are always hanging out in Jerry's apartment and almost never at work. This hypothesis proposes the idea that 'Seinfeld' doesn't actually take place week to week because Jerry is a successful comedian who spends the bulk of his time traveling the country to perform gigs and make TV show appearances. All we see during the sitcom is the time in between these extended periods of travel, which means that weeks (or even months) have taken place between each episode of the series. With 180 episodes taking place over nine years, the math is a bit complicated, but it's not outside the realm of possibility.

"The Walking Dead" - Rick and his group are partially deaf from gunfire. 

 the walking dead

Have you ever noticed how the walkers always manage to sneak up on our heroes in 'The Walking Dead?' This fan theory suggests the distinct possibility that prolonged exposure to gunfire has caused severe deafness among Rick Grimes and his group of survivors, thus making them more susceptible to walker attacks. There's precedent for this, as Rick's decision to fire his gun in the enclosed space of a tank in Season 1 of the series undoubtedly caused some major ear damage. This theory also goes a long way towards explaining why characters like Daryl and Michonne are better at fending off zombies and spotting an attack -- they stick to a crossbow and sword, respectively, so they're around loud gunfire less frequently than their friends.

"Friends" & "Parks and Recreation" - They take place in the same universe. 

chrissie hynde friends

This fan theory blows the NBC comedy landscape wide open, but it's the result of an incredibly minor moment on 'Friends.' During the 'Friends' episode, "The One With All The Candy," it's revealed by Monica that Rachel dated a guy named Ben Wyatt at one point in her long relationship history. If that name sounds familiar, that's because Ben Wyatt is the name of Adam Scott's character on 'Parks and Recreation.' What makes this theory so great is that it creates a connective tissue between two iconic NBC properties that could easily be expanded upon in the future. If 'Friends' and 'Parks and Recreation' exist in the same universe, then there's no reason why other single and multi-camera sitcoms can't also find themselves incorporated at some point -- thus creating an NBC Cinematic Universe.

"Breaking Bad" - Skyler's smoking gave Walt cancer. 

skyler walt breaking bad

Few television characters have ever received as much universal hatred as Anna Gunn's Skyler White, and this fan theory probably won't do her any favors in the long run. Throughout the run of 'Breaking Bad,' Skyler's smoking is depicted as a nasty habit, but it ultimately doesn't have much influence on the overall plot. This idea suggests the distinct possibility that her tobacco use in the years leading up to the series caused Walter White's lung cancer -- which in turn makes her knee-jerk reaction to blame Gray Matter Labs for his diagnosis all the more ironic. While none of this justifies Walter's actions throughout the course of the series, it does feel somewhat poetic that it all could've been avoided if Skyler simply hadn't smoked. That would've saved a lot of people a lot of trouble.

Of course there are far wilder fan theories out there, but these are some of the ones that are most compelling. Are there any you totally wish would come true?

SEE ALSO: THEN & NOW: What happened to the stars of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer,' 20 years later

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Jaime Lannister might need to make a painfully dark choice about Cersei in 'Game of Thrones' season 7

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Cersei Iron Throne Game of THrones

Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Game of Thrones," including speculation of future events. 

The "Game of Thrones" season six finale stunned viewers when Cersei Lannister not only pulled off one of the greatest character massacres in the series' history, but then proceeded to claim the Iron Throne after her last living child committed suicide. The idea of a motherless Cersei ruling King's Landing is frankly horrifying, but if this fan theory is correct, then her days are numbered.

In the books, Cersei's murder is prophesied by a witch. And not just any witch, but a woman who correctly predicts two other important details of Cersei's future. Some people believe this prophecy subtly names Jaime Lannister as the person destined to kill Cersei. 

Jaime Lannister with Bronn Game of Thrones

We've seen Cersei's fortune teller in the show, back in the first episode of season five.

Season five opened with a flashback to young Cersei seeking out a fortune teller named Maggy the FrogIn both the books and show, Cersei is told she can ask three questions of the witch. For fans of the novels, this seemed like a pretty clear cut scene to adapt. However, there was a big omission from the show's version of Cersei and Maggy's conversation. 

Young Cersei Game of Thrones Helen Sloan

Cersei's questions for Maggy

The first question and answer were almost word for word from a scene of the fourth book, "A Feast for Crows." Here's how the conversation played out on screen:

Cersei: I'm promised to the prince. When will we marry?
Maggy: Never. You will wed the king.
Cersei: But I will be queen?
Maggy: Oh yes. You will be queen, for a time ... until there comes another, younger and more beautiful, to cast you down and take all that you hold dear.

Many fans of the books have analyzed the last line from Maggy over and over again.

Maggy the Frog prophecy Game of Thrones Helen Sloan

For a long time, the standing theory was that the "younger, more beautiful" person was another queen. Margaery Tyrell was a clear candidate and the most obvious choice. She was about to marry Tommen and become Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, and this means bad news for Cersei. 

But the wording from Maggy is tricky, and it's never specified that this other figure is another queenor even in fact a woman. (Though some believe this could be Daenerys, Sansa, or even Brienne of Tarth.)

Back in the show's opening scene, Cersei moves on from this disconcerting answer, and asks her second question: "Will the king and I have children?" Maggy responds with: "The king will have twenty, you will have three." Cersei tried to interrupt, clearly confused.

Readers and viewers alike now understand that Cersei and the former king, Robert Baratheon, never conceived together; all of his children were bastards and all of hers were born from the incestuous relationship she has with her brother, Jamie Lannister.

Tommen and Jaime Myrcella Game of Thrones Season 6

Maggy continues, stating "Gold will be their crowns, and gold their shrouds," before devolving into hysterical laughter.

This line can be interpreted in a few different ways. The gold crowns could be literal crowns, since Joffrey and Tommen were both crowned king. Plus, in the books, there is a plot centered around women in Dorne crowning Myrcella queen. But it probably simply refers to their hair color: blonde, like their parents.

"Gold their shrouds" is more direct: all of Cersei's children will die. Joffrey and Myrcella were both been murdered, and each was shown in golden funeral garb. Tommen killed himself by jumping out of a window, and he was wearing a golden jacket. 

In this moment of the show, book readers knew exactly what Maggy was going to say next. Or so they thought. Instead, the scene quickly ended, cutting to present-day Cersei on her way to her father's funeral.

Cersei and Meryn Trant Game of Thrones Macall B. Polay

She's clearly musing over how recent events seem to be playing out along Maggy's predictions. And here is where many book readers were left dismayed.

The book text has a third, and crucial, line in Maggy's answer.

The "valonqar" prophecy

In the books, Cersei is told one final and foreboding thing about her future. "And when your tears have drowned you, the valonqar shall wrap his hands about your pale white throat and choke the life from you," Maggy says.

This is huge in the realm of Cersei-centric theories. Not only does the text make it clear that her children are going to die before her, but it also predicts her murder at the hands of "the valonqar." 

In the High Valyrian language of the east, "valonqar" means "little brother." Maggy is telling Cersei that her death will come at the hands of a younger brother.

Knowing that, all minds may jump to Tyrion, the youngest of the Lannister children. He's currently in exile after being persecuted unfairly by Cersei for the death of her son Joffrey. But, just as with Maggy's first prediction, there are alternate interpretations to this line.

game of thrones tyrion season 4

The case for Jaime Lannister

Jaime — Cersei's twin, lover, and father of her children — was the last to leave their mother's womb, making him younger than Cersei by mere minutes. He is technically another of her "little brothers." Could he turn on Cersei in the future, and strangle her to death?

Their relationship was tense in season five. Cersei loathed Jaime's missing hand, and therefore diminished fighting skills. Then he blundered by releasing Tyrion and consequentially allowing his father to be murdered. Jaime was also becoming impatient with Cersei's insistence on terrorizing Tyrion and her increasing paranoia. We have seen Jaime grow from the narcissistic "kingslayer" to a more compassionate and nuanced man.

Season six initially showed Jaime reverting back to being Cersei's number one man. Despite Myrcella's death, the twins seemed closer than ever. Jaime assured Cersei that nothing else in the world matters except them. 

But all that changed in the season finale. Jaime seemed angry and disappointed as he stared Cersei down in the Throne Room.

Jaime Lannister Game of Thrones

He left King's Landing to represent House Lannister in the Riverlands, and by the time he returned Cersei had gone full Mad Queen. Tommen was Jaime's son, and Cersei effectively gave up on him the moment Tommen sided with the High Sparrow and denied her a trial by combat. 

We know from the books that Jaime does eventually become disillusioned with Cersei. This is partially due to a major falling out he has with Tyrion, during which Jaime learns about Cersei's lack of faithfulness to their relationship. 

But since the show left out that significant scene between Tyrion and Jaime, this final season six decision of Cersei's might be the new reason for Jaime finally breaking ties with his sister.

The abrupt end to the fortune-telling back in season five makes us wonder why show creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss left out the "volanqar" prophecy. Are they planning on revisiting the flashback and finishing out the scene at some point or is it not as important as book readers thought, and not worth mentioning?

If it wasn't worth mentioning, perhaps that's because it sounded redundant and was already addressed in the first answer, where Cersei learns of "another, younger and more beautiful" who will cast her down. Could that individual be the same as the "valonqar"? As noted earlier, there is no gender associated with this younger and more beautiful enemy. Jaime Lannister, born moments after Cersei, is known for his devilish good looks across the kingdom. Jaime Lannister, whose character arc may lead him further and further away from the hateful and paranoid Cersei, could be her undoing.

Cersei Lannister game of Thrones

Jaime was forced to kill the Mad King Aerys years ago in order to protect the people of King's Landing. Cersei has set herself up to be anything but a benevolent ruler, and her use of wildfire creates a direct parallel between herself and the former Targaryen ruler. If Queen Cersei follows in the Mad King's footsteps, will Jaime feel morally obligated to intervene? 

The final look between Cersei and Jaime in the season six finale seemed like the groundwork for a falling out in season seven. Cersei's rule in King's Landing might come to end more quickly than she anticipated, and with Daenerys on the way to Westeros her demise seems inevitable. Maggy the Frog will have the final word, after all.

SEE ALSO: All the 'Game of Thrones' deaths, ranked from least tragic to most tragic

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