When Game of Thrones Season 7 premieres on July 17, fans are expecting to see the beginning of the end. It’s been confirmed, after all, that the show has only two short seasons left. In fact, we only have around 13 episodes left in all. So, it’s safe to say that the upcoming season is going to really move the story along. We’ll likely see fan-favorite characters Jon Snow and Daenerys drawn into an ultimate confrontation with the diabolical Queen Cersei. That’s pretty exciting! But what about the other well-loved characters who, well, haven’t really had much to do? Characters like Arya and Bran. We hate to say it, but at the moment they’re Game of Thrones‘ most boring characters. Let’s hope Season 7 gives them the exciting storylines they deserve.
What will happen to Arya in Season 7?
Arya Stark is a totally badass character who’s had some fantastic moments over the course of the series. But she’s run out of things to do and, frankly, we’re a little concerned the writers won’t give Arya the massive payoff she needs. From her early days training with Syrio, to fleeing the House of Black and White, Arya has continually surprised us with her toughness and resilience. Now, after a storyline that dragged on for far too long, she defeated the Waif. And the end of last season saw her deliciously kill Walder Frey, but what now?
As best we can tell, Arya only has two people left on her kill list: Cersei and The Mountain. Will she be the one to end Cersei’s tyrannical reign? Probably not — it just doesn’t feel like a match. Could she take down zombie-fied Gregor Clegane, finally serving justice for his leading of the brutal torture at Harrenhal? Maybe. It’s fun to imagine a scenario where Arya plays a part in “Cleganebowl,” the ultimate confrontation between brothers The Hound and The Mountain. Sadly, that’s not likely to happen since when we last saw The Hound, he was headed North, the opposite direction from King’s Landing.
Arya deserves more than a couple of rewarding character moments in Season 7. As she realizes her own destiny, let’s hope she has an important part to play in the fate of the Seven Kingdoms.
What will happen to Bran in Season 7?
Bran Stark is arguably the most fascinating character on Game of Thrones. So, why is his is storyline so boring right now? Bran is a warg — he has the supernatural ability to enter the minds of others — and he’s now the new Three-Eyed Raven, possessing the power of Greensight. Moreover, he now knows the true origin of the White Walkers. So, obviously, Bran should do something important with all of that power in Season 7.
Having escaped the Night King’s invasion of the Weirwood tree, the end of last season saw Bran complete his vision of the Tower of Joy. Now, he’s the only one who knows the secret of “R+L=J” — that Jon Snow is the child of Lyanna Stark and then-Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. That’s important because it gives Jon a rightful claim as ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. That said, how valuable would the revelation of Jon’s true parentage be at this point in the story? That’s something for the writers to sort out, but we hope Bran plays a key role.
Bran isn’t presently all that concerned with who sits on the Iron Throne, but on more grave matters. Season 7 should see Bran using his newfound knowledge and power to unite the lands of Westeros in preparation for the coming war with the White Walkers.
We love both Bran and Arya, and it’s safe to say that they both have an important role to play in the final two seasons of the show. Expect them to go from Game of Thrones‘ most boring and underserved characters — at the moment — to two of the most exciting over the course of the remaining episodes.
