Why Sansa Stark Will Probably Win the ‘Game of Thrones’

Even though Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) defeated the Lannisters and took King’s Landing on last week’s penultimate episode of Game of Thrones, her atrocious actions seem to have doomed her in the process. It’s not that it’s outside the realm of possibility for a war criminal to “win” Game of Thrones, but we already know of three major characters who have the means, want, and opportunity to kill her in the finale.

So who takes the Iron Throne? Jon Snow (Kit Harington) doesn’t want to rule, and it’s unlikely the realm will rally around Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage). Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) could wind up as king, but that wouldn’t necessarily be a win for him.

No matter what happens to the Iron Throne next week, one character has cleverly positioned herself to win. Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) has essentially moved everyone on the board so that the check mate is just about hers. Here’s every probable outcome for Game of Thrones, and why in almost every single one, everything is seemingly coming up Sansa Stark.

Daenerys Targaryen is Killed, and the Nobles Rally Around Jon Snow to take the Iron Throne

This may be the tidiest outcome, which makes us think it’s possibly the least likely. Nevertheless, we think Sansa’s “Plan A” was that she tells Tyrion about Jon’s true heritage, and then Tyrion tells Varys, who in turn rallies the realm to Jon’s cause.

If Jon Snow takes the realm, she wins because it means the North and her family are safe. Jon is in command, she is left as Warden in the North, and she can easily exert her own influence over her cousin. Not only that, but in this scenario, Sansa has effectively gotten rid of all of her remaining rivals. Sansa wins.

Daenerys Dies, Jon Dies (or Takes the Black), and Bran Stark is Chosen to be King

Should Jon be the person to take Daenerys down, he will probably also die or return to the Night’s Watch out of guilt. If so, that doesn’t leave too many strong leaders left in Westeros who have a claim to the Iron Throne, or the wisdom to lead.

One theory that has emerged is if this happens, Bran Stark could be placed in charge. We think this would be unlikely as Bran is the Three-Eyed Raven and has already turned down a position of leadership in Winterfell. However, if taking the Iron Throne is the Three-Eyed Raven’s long game, then Sansa still wins. As with Jon, Bran as king puts her and the North in a position of power.

Daenerys Dies, Jon Dies (or Takes the Black), and Tyrion Lannister Somehow Becomes King

However unlikely this scenario is at this point, and we think it’s a long shot, it still would be a win for Sansa Stark. Even though Tyrion Lannister isn’t a Stark, he was once Sansa’s husband. The two have already shared at least one tender moment and Tyrion has suggested they should have stay married. With Cersei and Jaime gone, Tyrion will be quite isolated and may want to reinstate a union with Sansa. Even if that doesn’t happen, Sansa has already successfully manipulated Tyrion into revealing the truth of Jon’s parentage, which means she would still hold sway over the Iron Throne. Sansa, again, wins.

The Iron Throne is Destroyed and Westeros Reverts to Seven Kingdoms

Oh wow, does Sansa Stark win in this scenario. It’s not just that she’s Warden of the North and getting her territory’s full freedom, if Westeros breaks the wheel and does away with a central monarch, power will likely rest in a small council of various territory chiefs. Sansa already holds considerable sway over the Riverlands and the Vale. Gendry will probably lean on her for help managing the Stormlands, and thanks to Theon, she has a strong natural alliance with Yara and the Iron Islands. If Bronn actually winds up Lord of Highgarden as Tyrion promised, that puts the Reach in his hands, and he knows Sansa.

Sign up for Decider’s Game Of Thrones newsletter — it’s everything you need to get you prepared for the final season! Delivered weekly.Essentially, she would easily control such a political system. Sansa wins.

Daenerys Wins and Stays in Power

This is obviously the most precarious outcome for Sansa Stark. She’s betting that she’s knocked down enough dominos on the table to prevent this from happening, but if it does, then she won’t win, but she also may not die. Obviously Daenerys will have it in for Sansa, but Sansa still has considerable allies in Westeros and north of the Wall. She’s got the loyalty of Brienne of Tarth, Podrick Payne, and of course, her sister Arya. With Bran’s seer abilities, she may even get enough of a heads up about a possible dragon attack on Winterfell — enough to evacuate and head north.

However, we don’t consider this likely. Daenerys seems to have burned all her bridges along with the smallfolk of King’s Landing. She’s in greater danger than she likely realizes, and someone will try to take her down.

When and if Daenerys dies, Sansa wins. It’s as simple as that.

The Game of Thrones Series Finale premieres Sunday, May 19, 2019 on HBO.

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