Who Will Win The Iron Throne?

Who will sit on the Iron Throne? This is the big question plaguing every Game of Thrones fan and it's been dissected episode after episode, season after season — so much so that many Game of Thrones fans have come up with theories upon theories about it. Like, you thought that Mad Men had a ton of theories? (You have seen nothing until you have seen the amount of GoT theories. ) Add in the fact that George R.R. Martin still hasn't finished his beloved book series, and fans are positively antsy for an answer. It's all apart of the fun, right?!

Now in Season 5, the show is making some drastic departures from the source material — which is good if it's going to stand on its own, and makes fan theories based solely on the show gain a bit more credence. But, based on what we know of the characters as they currently stand, who is the biggest contender for the Iron Throne? Well, it depends on who you ask — depending on which fan theory you're currently tracking, it could be anyone from Daenerys to Jon Snow.

While I've already broken down some of the most hotly debated and crazy Game of Thrones theories out there on the web, how about the theories concerning the future successor of the crown? I mean, as fans, we all know King Tommen is just keeping the seat warm for the true king or queen to step forward and claim it — so who will it be?

Daenerys Targaryen

Varys told Tyrion at the beginning of Game of Thrones Season 5 that Westeros needs a leader with the love of his or her people and a strong family name, but that it wouldn't necessarily be a "him." Daenerys is a likely contender for the Iron Throne: She has the love of her people and the fans.

Emilia Clarke's character has become a fan favorite every since she debuted and started kicking ass in Season 1. She's been through years of physical and emotional abuse from her brother and her first husband Drogo, but it made her into the person she is today. Based on the trajectory of the show, and given Vary's blessing — that guy seems to know about everything before it happens — she might very well end up ruling over us all.

Jon Snow

Aside from Daenerys, there are two other characters who have major roles to play in Game of Thrones, and one of them is Jon Snow. He's been featured heavily since the pilot episode and there's definitely something more going on with him than he lets on. Melisandre certainly sees it, but what is this something?

If the R + J = L theory is correct, then it could be that Jon isn't really the bastard son of Eddard Stark, but rather a Targaryen, and related to Daenerys. As we previously detailed, the theory postulates that Jon is the secret child of Lyanna, Ned's sister, and Rhaegar Targaryen, the man who started the war by kidnapping Lyanna. If Jon is, in fact, a member of this house, then he has a claim to the Iron Throne. He already proved himself a capable warrior and leader when the Wildling army attacked The Wall — so a whole country can't be too difficult.

Tyrion Lannister

Varys said that Tyrion will never sit on the Iron Throne, which means he probably will. A popular fan theory centers around a scene from the books that didn't make it into the TV series: "the dragon has three heads." This refers to a vision Daenerys has in the House of the Undying: She sees Rhaegar who states this phrase to her. This seems to refer to the Targaryen legacy... in that there might be not one, but two more Targaryen children in the world besides Dany. Jon is a likely candidate, but Tyrion also has a hefty role to play in Game of Thrones.

Jon and Daenerys

While Jon and Daenerys are formidable on their own, can you imagine the badass power couple they'd make if they united? Jon is currently the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, which prohibits him from taking a wife — though there have been precedents made in the books that allow Night's Watchmen to leave their vows to rule. Dany, on the other hand, is getting ready to marry a member of the former slaveowners of Meereen. But, perhaps that guy will die and Jon will leave his post?

The unity would symbolize what George R. R. Martin's books are all about, A Song of Ice and Fire. Jon represents the ice, coming from the North and ruling the Night's Watch on the wintry Wall, while Dany is the fire, commanding dragons and remaining impervious to flame.

Sansa Stark

Aside from Dany, there's one other woman of Westeros who's been through hell and back. "Poor Sansa" seems to be an on-going phrase thrown out with every episode. She was first betrothed to Joffrey, who beheaded her father and tortured her. Then, she had to learn that most of her family was slaughtered, followed by an unwanted marriage to Tyrion... and it all culminated in Sunday's hard-to-watch episode.

One Game of Thrones fan laid out reasons as to why she could eventually come to sit on the Iron Throne. In a nutshell, it's basically through her character's growth over the seasons: She's become a cunning woman who knows how to play the game. Plus, you remember what they say about the North and how they always remember, right? She still has those loyal to her family name.

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