‘Game of Thrones’: Our ‘Who Lives, Who Dies’ Scorecard
Tormund Giantsbane (Even)
The fierce red-bearded leader of the Wildlings may be helping Jon and Sansa in the fight for Winterfell, but it’s Brienne’s heart he’s out to conquer, if those bedroom eyes he keeps shooting her are any indication. This complicates predictions for his survival. Normally he seems like the type who’d fall in the final battle, allowing his friends to avenge him, but we’re too fond of the idea of him settling down with the Maid of Tarth once the dust settles to blow off his chances entirely.
Davos Seaworth (1:2)
The definition of loyal, Ser Davos served Stannis Baratheon, right or wrong, until the bitter end — and provided a humanizing influence on the hard-as-nails monarch in the process. Now he’s playing a similar role with Jon and Sansa, knowing they’re humanity’s last best chance against the army of the dead. Our hope is that he’ll be rewarded for his service with a long retirement in the coastal community of his choice.
Melisandre (7:1)
The Red Woman’s a dead woman. Hell, beneath her magical illusions she’s at death’s door already, an old and exhausted sorceress who’s spent her life trying and failing to predict the identity of the Lord of Light’s chosen one. Now that she’s placed her hopes in Jon Snow, whom she revived from the dead for the purpose, she’s almost certainly going to give all that she has to see him triumph against the darkness, up to and including her own life.
Samwell Tarly (2:7)
He ain’t heavy, he’s Jon’s brother. Lord Snow’s closest friend has been sent far from the dangers of the North to learn to be a maester — and to raise Sam Jr. with his girlfriend Gilly on the down low in the process. He’ll likely encounter some unexpected menace while he’s there, considering all the rival factions vying for power in the south, but his intelligence and kindness mark him as an unlikely but uplifting survivor. He’s just the kind of guy a post-White Walker Westeros will need.
Meera Reed (1:2)
Osha the Wildling, Jojen the psychic, the older Three-Eyed Raven, Hodor the door-holder — one by one, all of Bran Stark’s traveling companions have been killed, leaving behind only spear-wielding teenager Meera Reed. Hooking up with the young man’s undead uncle Benjen should buy the kid some breathing room, though, and once she helps Bran secure his mystery role in the final battle against the White Walkers, we’re guessing she’ll be free to live a life of her own once again.