Game of Thrones fans, take a seat because some potentially major Season 7 news just dropped — and it's a doozy. According to Watchers on the Wall, Joe Dempsie has been spotted in Belfast, and you know what that means: Gendry is (probably) in Game of Thrones Season 7. Yes, I am freaking out too.
The last time Gendry appeared on Game of Thrones was in Season 3, and he was infamously last seen rowing away from Dragonstone after Ser Davos helped him escape being burned alive by Melisandre. Gendry not only couldn't swim, he had no experience navigating a boat and had precious few provisions. As a result, fans were understandably concerned about the lovable Gendry's well being, but the character has not been seen or heard from until now. Granted, there is no confirmation from HBO that he will actually return, and so far, the only evidence of a Gendry return is Dempsie being spotted in the Belfast airport. However, I will take what I can get where Gendry is concerned.
Gendry was one of Game of Thrones' only truly noble characters, and his friendship with Arya was a highlight of Seasons 2 and 3. Now that Arya is back in the Riverlands, and in desperate need of someone to remind her of her humanity, Season 7 would be the perfect time for Arya and Gendry to reunite. In the book universe, Gendry is part of the Brotherhood Without Banners, and while they previously sold Gendry to Melisandre on the show, it seems rather suspicious they returned to Game of Thrones at the end of Season 6. If they want to apologize to Gendry, offering him a place in their ranks would be a good start.
The big question every Gendry fan should be asking is why is now the right time for Gendry to return? It could be fan service since Gendry's fate is a lingering question no one can let go of, but knowing Game of Thrones, the show has something big in store for Gendry. Even though he is not true born, Gendry is the last known member of the Baratheon bloodline. In the North, Jon is changing hearts and minds about the status of bastards in Westeros society. Gendry was Robert's illegitimate son, but the people who live in King's Landing would be far more likely to rally around one of their own than to bow down to Cersei at this point. This makes Gendry a powerful pawn for anyone looking to overthrow Cersei.
However, Gendry never had kingly ambitions, so there are two more natural reasons for him to return in Season 7. The happier option is a reunion with Arya. If Gendry found his way back to the Riverlands and the Brotherhood Without Banners, he would be very close to Arya. Fans have long wanted these two to reunite, and Gendry is one of the few people left who could save Arya from completely losing herself in her desire to cross all the names off her list. On the other side of the coin, if Arya and Gendry reunite only for Gendry to die — well, that would not be great for Arya's state of mind.
There is another person who both Gendry and Arya have unfinished business with who is currently wondering aimlessly through Westeros, and that person is Melisandre. The last time Gendry was in the same room with Melisandre she wanted to sacrifice him to R'hllor. It is safe to say, these two characters have major unfinished business, and there is also the small matter of Melisandre promising Arya they would meet again.
The only thing more satisfying than a showdown between Arya, Gendry, and Melisandre would be seeing Arya and Gendry begrudgingly team up with the Red Woman. Melisandre wants to get back into Jon's good graces now that she believes him to be Azor Ahai reborn, and returning to Winterfell with his sister and a boy who has a good claim on the Iron Throne would be an excellent starting point.
No matter how Gendry is reintroduced into the story, it is going to be satisfying because at least fans will know the poor guy finally got to stop rowing.
Images: HBO; Giphy (3)
