Still Going Strong

With Season 5 finished, who will ultimately take the Iron Throne in HBO's adaptation of George R.R. Martin's text? Here are the major contenders, and why:

PETYR “LiTTLefinger” Baelish

No claim to noble family blood but Littlefinger is maybe the most manipulative character in the story, and that’s saying something. Don’t count him out for orchestrating amajor takeover when nobody’s looking.

Tyrion Lannister

As a popular fan theory goes, Tyrion may actually be a Targaryen, owing to an affair between mother Joanna and Aerys Targaryen, aka the Mad King. We’ve heard his father Tywin remark, “I can’t prove you are not my son” and, later, “You are no son of mine.” This sets him up to be Dany’s halfbrother and an eventual co- ruler.

Daenerys Targaryen

Her name makes her the legitimate claimant to the throne, traditionally the rightful property of Targaryens. Then there are her dragons. But there’s a hitch, which is that there are three dragons who will ( probably, hopefully) conquer Westeros. Whocould the other two dragon riders/ throne claimants be?

Bran Stark

Ned Stark’s crippled son hasn’t been seen this season, but besides being the rightful Lord of Winterfell, he’s been demonstrating some nifty supernatural powers that might enable him to become an unexpected conqueror ( hopefully, with the help of Hodor).

Gendry Baratheon

Remember the guy Melisandre planned to sacrifice, but Davos rescued and sent off in a rowboat? He’s a son of Robert Baratheon, and could emerge from out of nowhere to make a claim.

Jon snow

Down but not out, Jon Snow will disappear fromthe first part of the next season, but he’ll eventually rise up bigger and badder than before – as, the theory goes, legendary ruler Azor Ahai, a. k. a. the sword- wielding savior of theworld that Melisandre mistakenly thinks Stannis is. Jon’s father may also be revealed to be not Ned Stark but Rhaegar Targaryen, which will make him Dany and Tyrion’s nephew. — Sara Stewart