But of course, markets can be wrong.
So can experts.
Carolyne Larrington, a professor of medieval
European literature at Oxford and author of
”Winter is Coming: The Medieval World of
Game of Thrones,” doesn’t think Sansa wants
to sit on the Iron Throne, any more than her
father did.
Instead, she sees Daenerys as the most likely
choice, with her dragons and Dothraki hordes.
Larrington said the show, once known for its
moral shades of gray, has become more clearly
a fight of good vs. evil as it nears its end.
“I think that’s why they’ll play it safe, and give it
to Daenerys,” she said.
Craven credits Daenerys with having developed
superior leadership skills: She inspires people
by walking into flames and surviving. She frees
slaves and tries to rule for the benefit of others.
Plus, she has dragons.
She is “the queen we chose,” in the words of her
interpreter and adviser, Missandei.
It’s a surprisingly positive lesson from a
show that has relentlessly crushed so many
beloved characters.
“All the leadership that goes forward
successfully against the odds — with the
exception of Cersei — involves leaders that
are motivated by helping other people,”
Craven says. “Their leadership isn’t strictly
about their own achievement or standing at
the top of the org chart.”
Let’s hope that leadership style works against
the army of the Night King.