Who's Going to Take Over King's Landing?

GAME OF THRONES SEASON 4 SPOILERS AHEAD. Unless you've been living under a rock, or don't watch Game of Thrones, in which case stop reading this article and go start right now, you know by now that King Joffrey Baratheon, of the Houses Lannister, Baratheon, and Shitbird, is dead. FINALLY.

Speculation is already running rampant over who we should thank/who will lose their head for toppling the king, and while I desperately hope it was Sansa, only time will tell who was actually responsible for the most deserved death in GoT history. In the mean time, Joffrey's barely-seen little brother, Tommen, will be taking the Iron Throne, although there's no way he's going to be wielding any real power.

Here are a couple guesses as to who will really be pulling the strings over the course of Tommen's (presumably, because it's Westeros) very short reign.

Cersei Lannister

If Cersei was only barely hanging onto sanity before, that grip's certainly loosened now. Tommen is the last child she's able to protect, and Cersei will no doubt fight tooth and nail to keep him safe and in power. At this point, she's like a mama grizzly bear ready for a fight. Woe unto those who would challenge the once and future Queen Regent.

Tywin Lannister

Tywin never liked Joffrey much. After all, Joffrey was just about the only person who could- or would- dare to question Tywin's judgement. Surely the young, impressionable Tommen will be more receptive to his grandfather's opinions than his brother was. And why shouldn't he be? With Cersei off the deep end, Tyrion in jail, and Jaime incapacitated, Tywin may be the last hope for restoring the Lannisters' reputation.

Margaery Tyrell

Just because she won't be queen now doesn't mean Margaery should be discounted as a powerful political force. Another young, impressionable Baratheon boy on the throne? She could play him like a piano. Or, whatever kind of piano-like instrument they have in Westeros.

Lady Olenna Tyrell

Margaery trusts her, Tywin defers to her, and Cersei can't stand her- Lady Olenna might be the dark horse to secretly pull the strings behind the scenes of the Iron Throne after all.

Oberyn Martel

He came to Westeros for a reason. What that reason is, exactly, we're not sure- but if he aligns himself with Ser Loras, and therefore the Tyrell family, and therefore the Lannisters, he's in a prime position to make sure the new king acts in his favor. Plus, his knowledge of Myrcella's whereabouts could present him with some pretty choice opportunities for bribing (or blackmailing) Cersei.

Images: HBO, giphy.com