What will happen in Season 2? (Theories)
- 1). Mira's death/determination might mean Kings Landing is no longer going to be a POV unless a). the surviving Forrester brother seeks shelter there, though that seems extremely unlikely or b). Malcolm Branfield is sent there as a sort of minor spy for Dany, which again is very unlikely.
Or maybe Lyman Lannister - actually no, I don't think we're ever seeing him again. Poor guy.
With Kings Landing out of the picture do you think Season 2 will constrain its setting to the North or can it conceivably be replaced with another setting, like the Vale or Riverlands?
- 2). The idea of going a full 5-6 episodes with a determinant Asher/Rodrik seems like way too much work, unless the storyline remains generally the same in which case it would be a simple matter of model swapping and minor dialogue changes. Towards the end of episode 6, both Asher and Rodrik are pretty much in the exact same spot of having lost Ironrath to the Whitehills. So hopefully they would both have the same goal in mind to regain both themselves (mentally and physically) as well as Ironrath.
Talia is the only companion guaranteed to survive towards the end of Season 1, while Royland/Duncan were determinant and so was Gwyn in Asher's route. Which means their all probably going to die, except Talia.
Maybe the main story of Season 2 will be how the Forresters work to reclaim their land and stronghold... S6 Sansa Stark style!
- 3). Good ol' Uncle Malcolm might be our new Essos POV, working hard to win Targaryen favor for House Forrester. However its difficult to picture how he can help the Forresters now, assuming the main storyline is about reclaiming Ironrath. Unless he obtains Dany's permission to return to Westeros with a contingent of warriors to take back Ironrath.
This is unlikely but feasible. By Season 5 Dany has already conquered the slave cities and is keeping hold of them through the Unsullied. Therefore she wouldn't need as much mercenaries as she did before. Malcolm could lead a small army and sail to Westeros and use them to either retake Ironrath or lay siege against Highpoint. It would be interesting if Malcolm even briefly became ruler of Ironrath in Asher/Rodrik's absence.
Of course none of that is going to happen and Malcolm might be written off entirely since him getting an army from Dany and then sailing to Westeros to help the Forresters would be far too similar to Asher's Season 1 storyline.
RIP Malcolm, last of the Branfields - if only you could have some conceivable use to the story...
POVs are separated by location, so Talia won't be a POV unless she's forcibly separated from Rodrik/Ryon, which was not the case in the ending of Episode 6. Of course if Rodrik/Asher die then Talia could take their POV.
- 4). Ryon and Beshka... could be a Sansa and Brienne situation, however Ryon is too young to properly plan how to retake Ironrath and Telltale hasn't really shown that they can properly do a child protagonist (TWD S2 was a disappointment), so it seems more likely for Beshka to be a new POV.
Then the question remains of their role, last we saw them Beshka had rescued Ryon and was riding him off to some place safe from the Whitehills. This was done in the midst of chaos so they wouldn't have any way to maintain contact with Asher/Rodrik, whom they may even assume dead.
The question remains: Once Beshka gets Ryon to safety, then what?
Beshka will protect Ryon like her own family and Ryon will want to be important to the story and plead with Beshka to reunite him with his siblings, wherever they may be. She will probably try to find them but the question remains just what exactly the Forresters will do next?
Common ground is found with allies with whom the Forresters could seek refuge. The most obvious choice is the Glenmores but Arthur's death might serve to sever relations with them, more so if Rodrik is dead. Maybe some Forrester soldiers survived (definitely not Soldier #167) and would be willing to band together to their surviving Lord.
Its kind of poetic if you think about it. The Forrester motto is Iron from Ice. The harshness of the North making them stronger, like forging iron.
Season 1 was about adapting to Bolton rule after the fall of the Starks. Despite their best efforts, the Forresters were unable to maintain themselves, thus they collapsed. But miraculously they survived (not all of them are dead) which means Season 2 will be about rebuilding.
Like reforging iron, making it stronger than before. That's why I think that the Whitehills should be dealt with by the end of Season 2, so that if they do a Season 3 we can start from fresh ground ready for a completely new storyline.
- 5). Oh and Gared and Gregor's Magical Bastards - it seems they'll be forced South one way or another. Either from Gared's decision or the advancing undead horde. It seems a lot about the North Grove remains unexplained, including just how long its been associated with the Forresters or what role it will play in Season 2.
Perhaps it depends on whether Gared decided to leave it and presumably let it fall into decline or... no, I actually have no idea where the North Grove storyline is going and how it could be linked with saving House Forrester.
What do you speculate will happen in Season 2?
Comments
The Mira that was executed was actually a double. (Actual possibility)
Mira really was executed and Malcolm is sent to King's Landing as a spy. Since he is the last male heir to a house from the Reach it could make for an interested plotline. (Actual possibility)
If Mira marries Morgryn, he takes her to the Vale were he hopes to gather a small army from a minor house to press his claim on Ironrath. (Wishful thinking)
There will be Whitehill POV. (Wishful thinking)
If Eleana was captured she forced to marry a Whitehill. The wedding will be hosted at Rillwater Crossing. It won't end well for the Whitehills. (Wishful thinking)
House Tarwick will play a larger role. (Wishful thinking)
Likely, Beskha is travelling with Ryon fast, heading east (where the sun is, look at the ending), likely into a (the?) harbour to meet up with Asher/Rodrik and likely to sail back to Essos. There's Nothing to do more in Westeros for her and Asher/Rodrik. They need to run. And the safest place is Meerreen, although she hates the place. Now, with the Targaryen alliance, she, Ryon, Asher/Rodrik, Talia, Malcolm can be reunited with a friendly, powerful great house to serve.
If Asher survived, he knows of the alliance. Perhaps Rodrik knows of it too, provided Malcolm explains why he stays in Essos to him in his letter with the "err... sellswords, EP5". So likely the surviving big brother, Talia and whoever is with them go to Essos. Asher knows the ship was hired, so it's just a question of whether they can get there safely and the sail. 3 adults can't probably sail such a shit on their own. Although maybe. One way or another Westeros is a deathtrap. The Glenmores are weak, Lord Glenmore gave his daughter to Gryff just to survive. You think he'll care about Talia? Glenmores are too weak to be trusted, and even if they try helping, they'll never hold against the Whitehills on their own. They can try to hide the Forresters, but they can only do it for so long. Either way they don't need any more trouble. Well, unless it's about Rodrik and Elaena and if she likes the way you treated her (unlikely, because you told her Ironrath is not her place, and if you didnt, she's hostage at Highpoint) you have more chances. But then what do you do there? Just keep hidden? Westeros is too Dangerous for Forresters, I'd flee to the other side of the world were I one of them, and preferably together with the common folk you saved (if you did save them). Ironrath résidents can give the Manpower needed to sail the ship back to Meereen. Saving them shall also be a part of the mission. Not just for the House but also for the people. The people first, you know. Would be nice to have a choice here, risk the house, or run ASAP to safety. Red choice, save the people. Blue choice, don't take risks. Nobility or stategic selfishness (or shall I say wisdom?)
Getting to king's landing is dangerous. The trip is long, and it takes to pass trough the twins. I doubt Walder Frey likes Forresters after the red wedding, so I would not risk that. Plus King's landing is a dangerous place anyway. Easy to find murderers there. If you chose to save Mira, you offer the surviving Forresters to Morgryn's dinner. He'll want them "out of the way" as he says. Going north is Madness. It involves going near Highpoint, crossing Bolton lands. Plus Ramsey has no problems with Killing people of the Watch. Plus the Watch is not family friendly, and the wildlings and white walkers are coming. So heading north is truly risky. South as well. East.
The game could be more interesting if you decide to stay in Westeros. But then before taking back Ironrath, good luck surviving first. The Whitehills will be looking for you. And eventually, they will find you. So you can't stay in Westeros. I doubt Beskha wants it. "Westeros and its bloody houses. Who fucking cares?". But you could be offered the chance to stay and trying to survive in Westeros. I'm not saying it's impossible, but it's going to be real hard. Maybe if you're with Gwyn as Asher, her father will be mad at her, while knowing you were honest with the marriage and only lady Forrester is to blame. Perhaps he won't be so cruel as to hunt down every single Forrester and murder them. But then again he has the opportunity to do so, so why not doing it. "You Forrester have shit on us for générations. Now the Starks are no longer there to have your backs, are they?" "I'm just sorry I wasn't there to put the dagger into his heart myself. Now the Forresters finally get their due"
"Last house standing, wins" said Ramsay.
Likely, you'll get to play as Talia to help your brother, since he's the one that will need the saving most likely. If you play as asher/rodrik, it will be merely to make décisions about where to go, what to say. But the brother is too wounded to help in combat. For now at least. Beskha will probably a playable character. You get the choice where to go, and build up some relation with your new little brother. You could be an annoying sister or a very nice and caring one. Some degree of fun would be nice here. GoT doesn't have to be all about grief, pain, war, betrayal, slaughter and murder. That would be the first time playing as a non-Forrester addressing a Branfield Forrester. Beskha's quest could be to either reunite with Asher/Rodrik or run to a safe place first. once again, your choice, and it shall matter. (abandoning Asher could lead to his death if Gwyn isn't there to stop any Whitehill soldier from finishing him). A badass rescue Asher scene playing as Beskha or Asher (your choice) could be done in case you decide to save your little (or big) brother.
Getting saved would look great. Saving would feel great. Either way. I suppose fighting as Beskha shall involve using WASD for the left-hand sword and arrows for the right-hand sword. Should be challenging,demanding, good looking and rewarding. Choices shall matter. In the end if you play good, everyone shall survive. If you play dumb, you shall get the appropriate conséquences too. For example saving Asher/Rodrik means Beskha and Asher/Rodrik get superficial injuries. Not helping means Beska totally ok but her brother gets killed.
Malcolm shall be a playable character. He should help Dany well enough thanks to his sword and wisdom to give the player the ability to make Dany more comfortable lending some troops to at least rescue the Forresters with a exodus mission by boat. In the long run ,handling things right with Dany's business shall help get the troops you need to get Ironrath back, and siege Highpoint. Gwyn's presence should be decisive then, she will be a diplomatic ally as a Forrester spokesperson, or a traitor to Asher in case he becomes overly aggressive and cruel to her family while eventually getting the upper hand thanks to Dany's help. There should also be a marriage opportunity in Meereen for both of them (Asher and Gwyn). With her proposing marriage only if you play real chivalrous and diplomatic with the Whitehills.Perhaps her efforts in this case could convince Houses Forrester and Whitehill to unite against those that started the bloodshed, the Boltons. This way, when Jon Snow and his sister Sansa Stark go gather men to fight the Boltons, you should have the opportunity to join them as a recovered Asher/Rodrik. Ludd could agree to the union, provided he knows Asher isn't to blame, or Rodrik is honest and the Forresters are more a threat than an opportunity for conquer, particularyly after the pillage of Ironrath.
Maybe there should be a Whitehill playable character. In this case, either the diplomatic Gwyn shall do, or Ludd's heir in case Ludd died. But then peace between the two would be too easy to obtain, playing for a Forrester and Whitehill lord at the same time. Peace should be attainable in the long run, but not easily, only with real smart player décisions, consistantly, throughout the game. Diplomacy shall be more useful that it was in S1. If Gwyn is playable, you either use her as a mediator between Forresters and Whitehills, or, in case Asher was beheaded in S1, you let here join House Forrester in a quest to avenge her love, or at least help her love's family, inclding Rodrik (if she and him got along in S1) and Talia, which she apparently likes as a good kid. She could be a spy for the Forresters, for example. Or you could play as a whitehill soldier looking for redemption after he realizes his wrongs. You'd die at the hands of Rodrik/Asher in case you don't handle the "please mercy" dialogue with him. The ability to get killed by a S1 playable characater would make the game much richer. Imagine begging for your life as a badly wounded Whitehill soldier in front of an angry Rodrik? Joining with him in case you succeed to convince him to show mercy?
There should be a Mira escape scene, provided she gets the necessary help from her brother. Once again you get to make the choice to risk it or not, and when. Any mistake can be Deadly to your character, and that shall not end in a game over scene. A total defeat ending shall be possible, as well as an admirable, cunning Victory with no more Forrester deaths too. If Tom survived, you get the chance to either avenge Mira, or try getting a better life in king's landing for yourself. Altruistic or egoistic, shall always be a choice.
Gared shall clearly be a playable character. In case you head South the night's Watch will have your head and you'll get killed by Stannis with the rest of the free folk. Maybe a risky save Sylvi choice can be made, especially if you promised Cotter to protect her. A save Elsera or Josera choice can begood too, once she loses control completely because of the distance to the grove. Perhaps you could get the chance to reunite with Forresters, but this shall be made extremely difficult. The wall, Stannis, the Boltons and Whitehills on the way should present a real threat.
If you decided to stay, you should get the chance to get Elsera use blood magic, discover the power of the grove to unleash its full potential. Creating Deadly shadows to kill whitehill family members should be part of it. You get to play as the shadow, with the face of Gared Tuttle. With all the whitehill family members eliminated, which shall be only possible if you bucthered Cotter, the Whitehills shall engage in mutual warfare that you could fuel by putting them against each other if Malcolm succeeds with getting troops sent to Westeros from Dany. Some other north grove powers shall be also developped, to make sure the game surprises us with new magic stuff. Not just shadows, but shadows too.
Choices shall be graded. At the end of an episode, you should be informed whether you were diplomatic or not, defying or peace seeking, respectful or not, dishonest, agressive or calm, constructive/vengeful, noble or cruel and cunning. And then how much in numbers to compare it to the average of players.