I watched the episode again tonight and noticed that. I did a little research and apparently there are many direwolf statues in the crypt. But the scenes in there are so dark it’s hard to see them. Of course, the internet sees everything. Here are two screen shots from the first season:
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So it could be Rickon or some other ancestor.
I don’t think it’s been very long since Rickon was killed, and it seems unlikely to me that they would have gone to the trouble of carving a memorial statue. They’re far too busy preparing for the coming battle.
Just FYI, the opening credits have depicted Winterfell and its relation to the tree since the first episode.
My WAG: Sansa and Jaime will marry, uniting the warring families and bringing peace (after they defeat the Night Walkers).
It’s well known that GOT was partially inspired by the War of the Roses, which was a long and bloody conflict between two Plantagenet branches (Lancasters and Yorks). There are tons of parallels here, including Kings who inherited thrones much too early, regicide, mental illness, and overbearing mother-rulers.
Anywho, the War of the Roses ended with Henry Tudor (a Lancastrian) returning from exile and winning a huge battle. While he claimed the throne by force, he brilliantly cemented his victory by marrying a woman from his rival family, Elizabeth of York (Stark), thus uniting the two warring families.
So while it could be either Jaime or Tyrion and Sansa or Arya, I think Jaime and Sansa makes the most sense. Though if it were Tyrion, with Sansa finally inviting her long-lost husband into her bed, that would make me smile, too.
And what better way to end the series than with the promise of peace? FINALLY.
Pod was standing in the background in a couple shots. He had no speaking lines.
I admit I also mistook Gendry for Pod as he rode in. I should have realized that Pod was already at Winterfell. Some episode summaries mention that Brienne and Pod are both seen briefly in the background in this episode, but don’t have a speaking role. FWIW, both Gwendoline Christie and Daniel Portman appear in the IMDB credits for the episode.
Well, that’s what I get for fast forwarding through the credits all these years. 
But it was still cool seeing it in “in real life”.
Brienne and Pod are standing behind Sansa in the receiving line when Jon and Daenerys arrive. After Daenerrys compliments Sansa on her beauty and Sansa doesn’t reply, Brienne gives her just the slightest little side-eye.
Thanks for the tip. Yes, they are standing just behind Bran in the first shot. You get more glimpses of Brienne than Pod.
Game of Thrones: Gendry actor says fans keep confusing him with Podrick
They’re both dark haired young men of similar build who always seem to have stubble.
Podrick’s a Baratheon bastard and will end up on the Iron Throne. Mark my words!
Democracy! The next Westerosi war will between proponents of an Electoral College versus supporters of proportional representation.
Not a bad theory, and well said!
It seems to me that maybe there’s someone else we know of who returned from exile with an army and flies a banner with a red dragon on it.
Podrick is from the noble house of Payne, no mere bastard!
What relation is he to the executioner?
Distant relative I think, he was taken in as a squire because of Ilyn. Speaking of whom apparently he is over his cancer now, it would rock if they brought him back.
Arya might like a moment alone with him. It’d be great if she used his own sword on him.
[Moderating]
Edited in the episode title.
I doubt Pod would mind overmuch.
Why did they even keep it secret?
