Game of Thrones: Will a woman end up on the Iron Throne?

With the finale episode of Game of Thrones airing this weekend, fans are closer than ever to discovering who will sit on the Iron Throne. But will it be a woman?

The final episode of Game of Thrones is quickly approaching, meaning that fans’ days of speculating over who will wind up on the Iron Throne are almost at an end. After Cersei’s demise during “The Bells,” at least one contender can be taken out of the equation. But with Daenerys turning into her worst self during the most recent episode, it’s seeming less and less likely that a woman will sit on the Iron Throne at the end of the finale.

Of course, Daenerys will probably get to sit on the Iron Throne for a few minutes—assuming the thing didn’t turn to ashes after her actions during the “The Bells.” Given her assault on King’s Landing, however, it’s also becoming less and less likely that Daenerys will survive through the entire series finale, much less find herself wearing a crown at the end of it.

Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen. Photo: Courtesy of HBO

That doesn’t leave viewers with a ton of options as far as rulers go—especially female ones. While Sansa certainly knows how the game of thrones is played, she doesn’t have any true claim to the Seven Kingdoms. And no matter how desperate the lords and ladies of Westeros become, they’re probably not going to take well to the assertion, “Hi, I’m the only character left standing. Kneel.” Sansa might wind up becoming the Queen in the North, but it’s doubtful that she’ll take on the role of the queen.

Arya’s in a similar situation, with the added bonus that she’s never shown any interest in ruling over anything. If she didn’t want Winterfell or Storm’s End, why would she possibly want King’s Landing? Arya’s not the political type, and she’s made it clear that she prefers fighting to leading. The same can be said for Brienne of Tarth.

Kit Harington as Jon Snow, Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark, Maisie Williams as Arya Stark,

and Isaac Hempstead Wright as Bran Stark. Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO

Yara Greyjoy has the Iron Islands to contend with, and while she’s currently the queen there, the show hasn’t implied that her story arc will go much further than that. Like Sansa, she has the respect of her people, but not necessarily the rest of Westeros. And Yara’s even further from having a claim to the Seven Kingdoms than the Stark sisters are.

If we’re being honest, Jon is the most likely contender of the characters still standing. And while Jon’s insistence that he doesn’t want the seat of power makes him well suited for it, his reign won’t exactly enforce the notion that a powerful woman is capable of wearing the crown.

At this point, the monarchy of Westeros being destroyed is probably the best that fans wishing for a feminist ending can hope for. While the show seems to be building up to Jon becoming king, it’s managed to surprise viewers in the past.

Perhaps the Seven Kingdoms will elect their own leaders, much like the Iron Islands and the North have previously. Or maybe Westeros will see its first democracy before the next episode is through. As Varys liked to say, “Power resides where men believe it resides.”

Of course, there’s also the off chance that Daenerys really will terrify all of Westeros into permanently bending the knee… Dracarys?

The Game of Thrones series finale airs on Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.