The year 2019 will be remembered for being absolutely soul crushing for not one, but three fandoms. Avengers: Endgame will be the end of the Marvel superheroes as we knew them for the last 11 years. Supernatural finally announced that the 15th season will be their last. And Game Of Thrones stans embraced themselves for the harshest winter in the middle of April, at least a year ago.
The epic fantasy journey that started in the April of 2011 is about to end this April, and just so much has happened in the past eight years. Three dragons (two alive and one undead) and about 174,373 deaths later, we are here, waiting for an absolution that may never come. All your favourites may just crumble to dust just like our Avengers at the end of Infinity War, never to return, because George R R Martin is definitely more heartless than MCU. But, last we met them, most of them were still alive and kicking it, gearing up for a war never seen before. So, here’s a quick recap of where the key players were when we saw them last.
Daenerys Targaryen
By the end of season 7, Daenerys was one dragon short but more determined than ever before to take on the White Walkers before laying her claim to the Iron Throne. She has no clue, however, that Viserion has been brought back as an undead dragon who breathes ice now. She also has no clue that her latest paramour, Jon Snow, is her nephew.
Jon Snow/Aegon Targaryen
Jon Snow has not only bend the knee to Daenerys, without even consulting any of his Stark siblings, he has also given his heart away to her. Keeping up with his true self, he knows nothing about his real parents or that he’s actually a Targaryen and related to Daenerys.
Cersei Lannister
Even though Cersei told Jaime that she is expecting a child again, going by the season 8 trailers we’ve seen so far, that could have been a lie. Well, she was merrily sipping wine while contemplating, so that’s what the common theory is. Last time we saw her, Cersei also revealed to Jaime that she intends to betray the Starks and Targaryens, yet again. She also has access to tons of wildfyre that could come in handy in battling the White Walkers.
Jaime Lannister
Jaime was last seen riding North, all alone after he figured that Cersei had no plans of aiding the Targaryens and Starks in their battle against the White Walkers. Even though, he remained loyal to his sister/lover Cersei through most of her scheming days, Jaime is thankfully not as daft as Cersei. He knows that if the undead win, the end of the Lannisters and basically everyone else in Westeros is guaranteed.
Tyrion Lannister
Last we saw the youngest Lannister, he looked worried as hell about the growing intimacy between Jon and Daenerys. But no one is quite sure why. It could be because he had feelings for Dany or it could be something else entirely. He was also crucial in convincing his siblings (at least, Jaime) to band together and fight the undead army before they kill off everybody.
Arya Stark
When we last saw Arya, she was more badass than when we first met her. She is a bonafide assassin with the ninja-level skills now. Oh, and she was the one who nipped the lying Littlefinger before the season was over, ending his cheating, scheming ways once and for all.
Sansa Stark
Sansa is definitely wiser and more hardened than the first time we met her and decided to hate her. She has metamorphosed into a true-blue wolf now. Along with Arya, she took down Littlefinger and brought him to justice for leading Ned Stark to his death. She was, however, quite unhappy to find out that Jon bent the knee to Daenerys without consulting her, even though he left her in charge of the North.
Samwell Tarly
Sam left the archaic confines of the Citadel with Gilly and her daughter/sister. After arriving at Winterfell he helped Bran figure out that Jon is actually a true-born Targaryen and the rightful heir to the Iron Throne.
Gendry
Even though a bastard, Gendry is technically the last Baratheon still alive in Westeros. Along with, Jon and company, he goes beyond the Wall to capture a wight. He does get back alive, unlike Viserion.
Lord Varys
Along with Tyrion, Lord Varys is now on team Daenerys for next queen of Westeros. He ensured Daenerys now has the support of The Reach and Dorne on her side as well.
Melisandre
It is the priestess of the Red God, Melisandre who led Stannis Baratheon to his downfall, before realising that all her visions about a “prince that was promised” were actually about Jon and Daenerys. She essentially advised Daenerys to meet Jon before leaving for Volantis. She also made a mysterious declaration about coming back to Westeros to die, so hopefully we will see this child-killer dying a well-deserved death before the series ends forever.
Tormund Giantsbane
After the Night’s King manages to destroy the Wall with Viserion’s help, Tormund and Beric Dondarrion are trapped on top of the remaining part of the Wall still standing. There’s no way to tell if they are still alive or if they were able to send a raven to alert anyone at Winterfell about an ice dragon approaching along with an undead army.
The Others
Jorah Mormont might have no romantic future left with Dany, but he was last seen loyally standing behind the Targaryen-Stark alliance, with Grey Worm, Missandei, Davos Seaworth, and Brienne of Tarth in tow. Sandor “The Hound” Clegane had also joined their efforts to stop the White Walkers. Theon Greyjoy set sail to rescue his sister Yara, who was captured by Euron Greyjoy along with Ellaria and Tyene Sand at the end of season seven. While Cersei poisoned Tyene, for all we know Ellaria is still alive. All this while, the Night King marched south along with an undead dragon and army.
