Season 5 Speculation: Will Sansa return to Winterfell

Since the official release of the Game of Thrones Season 5 trailer, the speculation discussion threads on Reddit’s /r/Gameofthrones and /r/ASOIAF have been bother numerous and fun/interesting, to say the least. From the potential character re-writes for Season 5, to the Ghost of High Heart’s (book character), prophecy translating to Sansa in Season 5. However, after all those speculation threads, one in particular is beginning to gain some legs, and actually resonates, with me.

See which theory, after the jump, and be wary of show spoilers.

An astute Reddit user by the name of kizipo along with some help from another Reddit user AdmiralKird, has put together a theory that Sansa will not only be traveling to Winterfell this season, but will also be taking the place of fake Arya, in marrying Ramsay Bolton. Here’s their proof.

The theory starts with a picture comparison of Lord Eddard and Lady Catelyn’s bed chamgers, from Season 1, to that of the room that Sansa in bathing in, from the Season 5 trailer.

Now, although the picture is dark, one can make out the stone in the room. That in itself is NOT proof that Sansa is bathing in Winterfell. However, it does serve as a base for this theory.

So now we’ve got two dark rooms, poorly lit at night, with stone walls.

Next, Kizipo offers a further proof, in the form of a picture from AdmiralKird, comparing the doors of Winterfell, to that of the Eyrie.

As you can see from the above picture, the doors of Winterfell are fashioned in a plain crossing square pattern, while the doors of the Eyrie are more ornate…decidedly so.

Kizipo’s final piece of proof, is a making of Winterfell video, where the square design is prevalent, on set.

 
In going back through the GIF breakdown of the Season 5 trailer, one thing is plainly evident. When Little Finger has Sansa’s face in his hands, and he is telling her to “avenge them”, Sansa is clearly distraught. Is the cause of Sansa’s consternation, the fact that she must go back to Winterfell, the burned-out husk of a castle that was her family’s home, in order to marry a legitimized bastard who is notorious for his cruelty?

Now, there are obvious problems with this theory. The chief among them being that Sansa is still legally married to Tyrion Lannister. However, with the influence that Little Finger holds with the Crown, it would not be a stretch to see that marriage annulled.

Also, there is the casting news that Charlotte Hope, who plays Ramsay’s paramour and partner in crime Myranda, would be in four episodes of Season 5. What does that mean for this Sansa to Winterfell theory? Well, if anything, we know that Ramsay cares little for the sanctity of marriage…I mean he did let his first wife eat her own fingers, before dying in a dungeon. Myranda could simply be there to taunt and mentally torture Sansa.

Finally, there is the emergence of “Dark Sansa”. One of the biggest complaints from the Season 5 new cast members, is that there was no Wyman Manderly. Could our new and improved “Dark Sansa” be taking his place? Might Sansa exact the revenge that Little Finger was encouraging her to do, in the form of…oh I don’t know, Frey Pies?

Does this theory have legs? Sure it does. Will it actually happen? Only time will tell. But, I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the matter. And, I am more than excited to see where Sansa’s story will take her, in Season 5.

• Published on 02/04/2015 at 11:41 AM CDT
• Last updated on 10/21/2016 at 1:06 PM CDT