Episode 9 of each season of Game of Thrones has always presented the year’s most epic events. Here are our predictions for what’s in store for this year’s penultimate episode.
Game of Thrones season 5, episode 9 is titled “The Dance of the Dragons.” The title is almost a direct reference to A Dance with Dragons, the fifth book in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series — and it strongly suggests that Daenerys’ dragons may play a pivotal role in the episode.
The episode synopsis is as oblique as ever, though we can still glean a few solid hints from its words.
“Stannis confronts a troubling decision. Jon returns to The Wall,” HBO says. In Braavos, “Mace visits the Iron Bank. Arya encounters someone from her past. Dany reluctantly oversees a traditional celebration of athleticism.”
What might happen on ‘Game of Thrones’ season 5, episode 9?
Will Arya break with the Faceless Men?
Arya’s training as a Faceless Man, and her quest to abandon her identity as Arya Stark, has made gradual, painful progress throughout season 5. But with the mission she received in last week’s episode, it seemed like “Lanna” was finally taking solid steps toward becoming a servant of the Many-Faced God — something Arya was itching to do.
The fly in the ointment? Mace Tyrell will be landing in Braavos this week, guarded by Ser Meryn Trant — the Kingsguard knight who became one of the first names in Arya’s prayer after he murdered Syrio Forel. Braavos is a small city, especially on television, so it seems more than likely that Arya will wind up confronted with one of her most personal targets.
While there is no guarantee that Arya will kill Meryn Trant, Chekhov’s Needle makes us think that this is more likely than not. And since pursuing personal vendettas is strictly against the doctrine of the Faceless Men, we suspect that this decision will prove to be a major breaking point between Arya and Jaqen H’ghar.
Arya might not leave the Faceless Men; she might not be given that opportunity. But we definitely don’t expect her to be on good terms with the death cult by the time “The Dance of the Dragons” wraps up.
Will Stannis burn Shireen?
This appalling possibility is not only on the menu for “The Dance of the Dragons” — it might just be the main course. Melisandre has already flat-out asked Stannis to sacrifice his daughter to R’hllor, promising the king that Shireen’s blood would deliver everything he desired.
Though Stannis rejected Melisandre’s proposal at the time, it’s worth noting that Melisandre’s plan has been taking root for a long time. The priestess spoke to Shireen in season 4 about sacrifices for R’hllor, dismissing the pain of being burnt alive as a trial to pass through.
“Women scream when they give birth,” Melisandre told the princess. “Afterward, they are filled with joy.”
Melisandre has also been laying groundwork on the matter with Selyse, convincing her to bring Shireen to the Wall because “The Lord needs her.”
So it seems inevitable that someone is going to try and burn Shireen for R’hllor in Game of Thrones season 5, episode 9. The real question is who — and whether or not they will succeed.
The most evident option would be that Selyse organizes the sacrifice on Melisandre’s urging, with Stannis then forced to decide whether to save his daughter, or let the ceremony continue. But we can’t help but wonder if Game of Thrones will pull a reversal on us, and have Stannis arrange Shireen’s death. Selyse Baratheon has hated her daughter with single-minded intensity since we’ve met her — perhaps, with Shireen’s life in the balance, the queen might finally come to realize that she does truly love her daughter.
Related: George R.R. Martin discusses rape and reality on Game of Thrones
Of course, we are still left to worry about whether or not Shireen will actually die in “The Dance of the Dragons.” Game of Thrones has portrayed many appalling acts of violence in its five-year run, but will they go as far as murdering an innocent girl? Could Davos let such a thing happen? And how about HBO?
We hope not — but nothing would surprise us anymore.
What awaits Dany in Daznak’s Pit?
Daenerys has faced numerous personal and political trials (you know, for a change) in Game of Thrones season 5. But all of Dany’s personal, political, and military ambitions for Meereen will come to a violent head in Sunday’s episode.
The bulk of the drama is certain to take place in Daznak’s Pit, literally the main stage of the fighting pits. Before that, however, we can’t help but wonder if we might see Dany’s marriage to Hizdhar come to fruition — and whether the wedding will increase the queen’s anxieties about her future in Meereen.
The arrival (again!) of Ser Jorah will also most likely prove to be a source of tension for Dany, as will the fact that her concessions force her to preside over the brutal sport-killing of the pits. In addition, given the episode title, we can’t help but suspect that at least one of the dragons will arrive to cause further chaos in Daznak’s Pit. Will this be Drogon, last seen by Tyrion above the ruins of Valyria? Or will events conspire to free Rhaegal and Viserion from their chains, and send the creatures spilling down fire across Meereen?
Whatever happens, the scene at Daznak’s Pit is all but guaranteed to be a game-changing event for Dany — and possibly Game of Thrones overall. This one scene, filmed at the Plaza del Toro bullring in Osuna, Spain, took an incredible 12 days to complete.
“It’s quite complex, there’s a lot of action happening,” line producer Peter Welter Soler said of Daznak’s Pit. “We need that time.”
What’s NOT going to happen in ‘Game of Thrones’ season 5, episode 9?
As epic as “The Dance of the Dragons” promises to be, not every plot line can advance to its climax in Game of Thrones season 5, episode 9. We suspect that the political turmoil of King’s Landing may continue to bide its time this week, and we don’t expect to see major action at Winterfell. However, both Cersei and Brienne may be coaxed to take small steps in preparation for the season finale.
Similarly, Jon Snow’s return to the Wall will likely turn up the tension, but will probably not come to a boil so soon after the epic battle at Hardhome. As for Dorne, anything could happen — but we suspect that further negotiations will be made before the story kicks into high gear again.
No matter what happens, the final two episodes of Game of Thrones season 5 are certain to bring an explosive end to a shocking, violent, and powerful season.
Game of Thrones season 5, episode 9, “The Dance of the Dragons,” airs on Sunday, June 7 at 9:00 p.m. on HBO.
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