Warning: This article contains spoilers and speculation for future episodes of Game of Thrones.
Game of Thrones is invading Hall H for its annual San Diego Comic-Con panel on Friday, but a new trailer previewing upcoming episodes leaked online a few hours early.
Although HBO has worked quickly to pull the video from YouTube, copies are still floating around online. (We’ll update with the official version once it goes live.) There’s no indication that the footage is directly linked to San Diego Comic-Con, but it would make sense given the timing. And for Game of Thrones fans, the new footage is a real treat after years of seeing only blooper reels or the occasional casting announcement, which is partially due to Game of Thrones’ delayed schedule. For the first time, San Diego Comic-Con is happening in the middle of a Game of Thrones season.
“I was born to rule the Seven Kingdoms, and I will,” Daenerys says, kicking off nearly a full minute of footage, much of it new or providing new angles to scenes we’ve already caught glimpses of.
Randyll and Dickon Tarly, Samwell’s father and brother, are at King’s Landing, while Lannister soldiers are afoot (though no word if Ed Sheeran and crew are among them). Jon Snow, perhaps for the first time, says Daenerys’ name to the lords of the north as children train for the war to come. And at the end, another fateful meeting between characters will take place. (No, not that one yet.)
Melisandre, having been exiled from the North by Jon last season for her role in burning Shireen Baratheon alive, is now face to face with Daenerys herself.
“I believe you have a role to play,” she tells Daenerys, “as does another.”
As of last season, the red priestess of R’hllor believed that Jon was the Prince That Was Promised after the Lord of Light gave her the power to resurrect him. But there’s ample evidence to suggest that it’s actually Daenerys. Some different red priestesses proclaimed that Dany was the Prince last season after chatting with Tyrion Lannister and Varys, who ruled Meereen in her name. Though Melisandre saw Jon in the flames, it’s possible that since heading south she may have seen another face. Why else would she be at Dragonstone instead of heading to the place she once called home?
Fans have argued (and still do) whether Jon or Dany will fulfill the prophecy, but Melisandre provides an even stronger suggestion: Why not both of them?
Game of Thrones’ next episode airs July 23.
