Game of Thrones: Who has the best chance at the Iron Throne? (Week 5)

While most contenders are still in the game, let’s discuss who’s got the hottest claim. Each week, we’ll break down the front-runner for the Iron Throne

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Game of Thrones‘ most recent episode, “The Last of the Starks”.

The stage is set. We are closer than ever before to crowning a winner to the Game of Thrones. 

This Sunday’s episode will bring with it the answer to fans’ most burning question: who will end up on the Iron Throne? Each week I have given my two cents, and this will likely be the final prediction of the season, barring the need for another after this coming Sunday. Last week I gave the top spot to Cersei Lannister. Let’s see who takes our top favorite and underdog slots this week.

Game of Thrones – “The Long Night”. Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO

Favorite: Jon Snow/Aegon Targaryen

Unwilling as he may be, Jon seems to be the clear favorite for the throne after last week’s maneuvering. It seems all but certain that Daenerys will go full Mad Queen next week, especially after Missandei’s prophetic last words, or word, “Dracarys” (High Valyrian for “dragon-fire”). Cersei herself looks in precarious position as well. Though at a huge militaristic advantage, she has Dany, Arya, Jaime, and Tyrion making their way to the fight, all with well-expressed desires or prophecy that lead to them killing her. It seems next week’s battle will be a race to burn King’s Landing to ashes between a Drogon-mounted Dany, and Cersei the witch of wildfire.

All this context seems to be building toward an obvious conclusion: Daenerys proves herself not fit to rule, and loses the support of Jon, the North, and pretty much anyone who wants someone sane on the throne.

And honestly, I feel bad that Dany has been put in this position. She has constantly aired on the side of compromise, and listened whole-heartedly to each of her advisors, even when she felt they were wrong. It was the constant failings of diplomacy that ripped two dragons and half her forces away, not her inherent capacity for violence.

That said, her turn to the mad is all but assured. And then, who will have to dramatically sacrifice her for the good of the realm? Aegon “Jon Snow” Stark-Targaryen. This is all inferred through my knowledge of Westerosi prophecy and D&D’s plot-structures, but I think this is a point we all see coming. Even if we assume that it will not happen that way, the political maneuvering of Varys and Sansa in last week’s episode shows that there’s already a serious insurgency among Dany’s advisors and banner-men. If word of his parentage disseminates further, he could have the whole of the realm backing him before long.

The only point of concern I have is of Jon turning it down. He has always shown a serious reluctance to lead, but constantly finds himself with no choice but to put his skills to good use. He effortlessly commands the respect and admiration of all around him, and carries with him Ned Stark’s knack for just deliberation and unshakable honor. Surely he would make the best king of our eligible remainders.

Underdog: No one

Don’t worry, I am not being cheeky and putting Arya in this slot. I, instead, want to highlight a distinct possibility that I am a massive fan of. All of the above could still very much occur on Sunday. We will undoubtedly lose a huge handful of characters, and Jon could very well be compelled to take the throne. But Jon has seen another type of appointment take place before.

The Night’s Watch has democratic means of electing their Lord Commanders. Jon has been the beneficiary of this exact system before. I think there is a chance that next week we see the Iron Throne abolished for good. Jon could possibly be the very first democratically elected ruler in Westerosi history, if he decides to run in the first place.

I think the only satisfying ending would be to break the wheel. Otherwise, the endless cycle of petty in-fighting will continue, the innocent will suffer, and humanity will continue to aimlessly meander its way to extinction. These characters have to learn something from the defeat of the Night King. Lets hope that lesson is one that values life, honor, and sacrifice, over fire, blood, and fear.

Game of Thrones continues next Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.

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