HBO's Game Of Thrones culminated with a controversial conclusion that polarized the fandom. Many narrative decisions were rejected, including Bran's ascension to the throne and the death of Daenerys. But there is hope for the fandom. Several theories surrounding the finale suggest that the song of ice and fire may not be complete after all.
The series finale left a multitude of unanswered questions and hypothetical scenarios. Here are ten theories that improve the finale of Game Of Thrones and potentially promise more war for Westeros.
Kinvara Resurrects Daenerys
Daenerys Targaryen met her demise at the hands of Jon Snow in the series finale. Many fans were dismayed by the Mother of Dragon's rapid fall from grace. A comforting theory for Dany fans suggests that Drogon took his mother's body to Volantis, where she was resurrected by the Red Priestess Kinvara.
Samwell Tarly claims that Drogon was last seen flying towards Volantis in the final episode. This opportunistic ending leaves a possibility for another clash between the Starks and Targaryens.
The White Walkers Survived
Many viewers felt that the resolution to the White Walker plot in "The Long Night" was anti-climatic. Arya Stark appeared out of nowhere to take down the Night King. His death sealed the fate of his army, who subsequently followed him to their (permanent) graves.
It remains possible that some of the White Walkers - including Craster's sons - could have survived. Another theory posits that Jon Snow and the wildlings soon discovered surviving White Walkers after traveling beyond the North.
Evil Bran
A widely believed theory in the Game Of Thrones fandom speculates that Bran Stark - or, more accurately, the Three-Eyed Raven - was evil. Bran seemingly foresaw Daenerys burning King's Landing yet did nothing to prevent this, allowing thousands to die so he could become King.
Bran insisted on informing Jon Snow about his parentage to sow dissent in Dany's ranks, triggering the Targaryen queen's downfall. The Three-Eyed Raven could have influenced Daenerys' madness or warged into Drogon during the Battle of King's Landing.
Bran Is The Night King
Alternatively, Bran Stark could secretly be the Night King, the ultimate evil of Game Of Thrones. Viewers witnessed Arya kill the Night King with a Valyrian steel dagger, but the ice zombie could have survived by transferring his spirit into Bran.
Bran's powers made him a target for the Night King, who seemingly wanted to kill him. If Bran was possessed by the Night King then he could have purposely orchestrated Jon and Dany's downfall to eliminate the two biggest threats to his reign.
The Iron Islands & Dorne Immediately Succeeded From The Six Kingdoms
Another gripe that fans had with the finale was the restructure of the Seven Kingdoms. Sansa demanded Northern independence from Bran, which her brother allowed. No other character followed her example, however, despite their previous intentions throughout the series.
Yara allied with Daenerys in return for the Iron Islands' emancipation in Season 6, whilst Dorne was an independent kingdom for generations. It can be assumed that these kingdoms immediately declared independence after leaving King's Landing.
Arya Sailed To Asshai
Arya Stark was last seen in the series finale bidding farewell to the Starks and setting sail west of Westeros. A possible theory indicates that Arya's adventures could take her around the globe to Asshai, the mysterious Essosi city of magic.
Arya's endgame shares similarities with Elissa Farman, a character from George RR Martin's Targaryen history book Fire And Blood. Elissa sailed west of Westeros with three stolen dragon eggs before her ship was spotted years later in the mystical city of Shadowbinders.
The North Struggles As An Independent Kingdom
Whereas Arya Stark departed Westeros in the series finale, her sister Sansa remained in Winterfell to rule as Queen in the North. Sansa's ascension is a fitting ending for her character, though the new queen may not have considered the consequences of her crown.
The North is a vast expanse of land with little food that has been devastated by multiple wars. Sansa would face many struggles as Queen that could test the North's desire to remain an autonomous kingdom.
Drogon Flew To Valyria
Other fans have theorized that, instead of flying to Volantis, Drogon took his mother's body to the ruins of Valyria. The Targaryens originally hailed from Old Valyria before fleeing to Dragonstone before the Doom. Drogon could have taken Daenerys' body to rest in her ancestral home.
This would be a poignant conclusion for Daenerys, who searched for a home all her life. Drogon was seen flying over Valyria in Season 5, so it remains possible that the dragon could return to his former haunt.
Rhaegal & Viserion Laid Eggs Before Dying
Dany's other dragons met tragic fates in the final two seasons of Game Of Thrones. Viserion was killed by the Night King before being reanimated as a wight in Season 7. Rhaegal briefly bonded with Jon Snow, though he was abruptly killed by Euron Greyjoy in Season 8's "The Last of the Starks."
Another comforting theory speculates that the dragons procreated before dying. Dragons have no fixed gender. Rhaegal and Viserion could have laid eggs in the catacombs of Meereen or on Dragonstone before their deaths.
Bronn Is Overthrown As Lord Of Highgarden
Bronn's new status in the series finale proved to be another controversial decision amongst fans. Despite having no experience, the sellsword was named Master of Coin by King Bran. Bronn was additionally given Highgarden, omitting the other lords in the Reach from the kingdom's most coveted castle.
Realistically, this decision would not go down well with the rest of Westeros. Another widely accepted theory suggests that Bronn was immediately ousted after returning to the Reach. The finale was less resolute than it seemed and several possible theories twist the show's outcome.