It was one of the most heart-wrenching moments of the entire seventh season of Game Of Thrones.
And now speculation has begun to swirl around the shocking death of Daenerys Targaryen’s beloved dragon Viserion, after he was speared by the vicious Night King in mid-flight.
Rather than it merely being an act of defense on the spur of the moment, rumblings have emerged online that the Night King and his Walkers had been deliberately plotting to kill Viserion all along, so as to reanimate him and use him agaisnt Daenery’s herself.
Look who’s walking! New Game Of Thrones theory emerges about the White Walkers ENTRAPPING Daenerys Targaryen’s beloved dragon Viserion to kill and reanimate him ON PURPOSE
As the latest season draws to a close, some have begun to question whether several of the potential plot holes are going to be tied up – one of them being why the Walker army hasn’t moved in two seasons.
But theories suggest they have stayed put simply to entrap Daenerys and her army, in order to claim her dragons for themselves and use them to their advantage.
The White Walkers have stayed north of The Wall since episode eight of the fifth season.
Could it simply be that they lured Viserion straight to them, fully intending to do so all along?
Tragic: Speculation has begun to swirl around the shocking death of Daenerys Targaryen’s beloved dragon Viserion, after he was speared by the vicious Night King in mid-flight
With a dragon now reanimated as a Wight, the Army of the Dead will use Daenerys best weapon against her.
Prior to this, the Wights were fairly weak, unable to break across The Wall that kept them out of Westeros.
Now, rather than climb The Wall (risking their lives at the hands of the Knight’s Watch) they might use their new monstrous tool to either crash through it, burn it down or fly them across.
The shock death (and consequent resurrection) of Viserion was as much of a shock to Daenerys as it was to fans of the show.
She had no idea how easily the Night King could take down her beasts.
It’s alive (again): With a dragon now reanimated as a Wight, the Army of the Dead will use Daenerys best weapon against her
He may not have realised this himself, but it’s also been alluded to amongst the fans online that the Night King has had contact with Bran Stark in his visions – meaning he may be able to see the future.
This is one of many speculations to come from the latest episode of Game Of Thrones’ penultimate season.
A selection of VERY beady-eyed viewers, who noticed something off kilter about Jon Snow [Kit Harrington’s] sword.
The weapon, which has the face of a dire wolf carved into the handle, was seen lying back the snowy bank of the lake that Jon was plunged into, almost finishing him off.
‘Did it just blink?’ Game Of Thrones fans have whipped themselves into a frenzy as they believe Jon Snow’s dire wolf sword is ALIVE
But as he clambered out, using the sword as a support, fans believed they witnessed the eyes of the wolf blinking.
This has led to speculation that there is a hidden clue to what’s to come in the seemingly-animated sword.
‘Hang on, did Jon Snow’s sword come to life on GoT?’ asked one excited fan, followed by a second who echoed ‘Is it just me or did Jon Snow’s sword just blink? #WhatTheF***! #GoTS7.’
Another added: ‘Jon Snow sword is alive!?! Hw cm i dint realize this b4 #GoTS7e6.’
Nearly a gonna: The weapon, which has the face of a dire wolf carved into the handle, was seen lying back the snowy bank of the lake that Jon was plunged into, almost finishing him off
A fourth viewer questioned: ‘Jon Snow’s sword LONGCLAW opened his EYE? Or just a effect of transparent crystal? #GoTS7.’
Another typed ‘hang on, did #GameOfThrones see Jon Snow’s sword Longclaw come to life during Beyond The Wall?’ echoed by another who wrote ‘watch the wolf of the sword. The sword is alive!’
Others were far less convinced, and even provided an explanation to disprove it.
‘The people who think Jon Snow’s sword had glowing eyes should stop smoking pot, it’s just a rack focu,’ one wrote.
Eagle-eyed: As he clambered out, using the sword as a support, fans believed they witnessed the eyes of the wolf blinking
‘The eyes are see through and the darkness is the gloves Jon Snow is wearing passing behind the sword and you see them through the eyes,’ came another explanation.
Others didn’t have a clue: ‘There was so much going on in that episode. I didn’t notice that Jon Snow’s sword even had that head on it!’
The weapon, originally belonging to House Mormont, was given to Jon by former Lord Commander Jeoh Mormont.
Fan theories have suggested that ‘it may be a future Bran warging into the sword to help save Jon’.
Blink and you’ll miss it: ‘Hang on, did Jon Snow’s sword come to life on GoT?’ asked one excited fan, followed by a second who echoed ‘Is it just me or did Jon Snow’s sword just blink? #WhatTheF***! #GoTS7’
Aside from the frenzy that ensued following the episode, other fans noticed a number of plot holes, leaving viewers baffled with the show’s creators choices.
Fans found the return of Benjen Stark too convenient while the concept that Jon Snow survived five days – which one dedicated fan worked out – in the middle of a frozen lake, waiting for Daenerys to save them a little far fetched.
Many viewers were left scratching their heads on how the group managed to survived the cold temperatures after Thoros died.
One fan passionately wrote: ‘It’s time to admit to ourselves, that GoT has fallen off. This season is a bunch of plot holes, and poor writing. #GameOfThrones’.
Hitting out: Many viewers were left scratching their heads on how the group managed to survived the cold temperatures after Thoros died
‘We’ve gotten to the point where people that don’t even read the books can see the major plot holes in Game of Thrones,’ another shared.
‘Everyone losing minds over #GameOfThrones – plot holes, predictability, sloppy writing. Disappointed after how great season has been so far’.
Despite the fury by some fans, other loyal viewers couldn’t help but disregard the plot gaps and focus on the thrilling season.
Staying strong: Despite the fury by some fans, other loyal viewers couldn’t help but disregard the plot gaps and focus on the thrilling season
A Twitter user wrote: ‘That was riddled with plot holes and I still enjoyed every second. #GameOfThrones’.
‘People need to quit complaining about game of thrones plot holes… it’s the greatest show of all time now sit down,’ another said.
Game of Thrones season seven’s finale airs on Sunday (August 27) with a feature-length finale at 2AM on Sky Atlantic in the UK and the next evening (Monday August 28) at 9PM.
Speculation: Fan theories have suggested that ‘it may be a future Bran warging into the sword to help save Jon’