Of all the numerous deaths that have taken place across the previous seven seasons of Game of Thrones, few were as satisfying as that of Lord Petyr Baelish, otherwise known as Littlefinger. After leering over Catelyn and Sansa Stark, causing *several* major conflicts and battles, and basically doing whatever he could to save his own skin while jeopardising everyone else's, the conniving little coward finally met his end at the hands of Arya Stark in season seven.
... Or did he?
One fan theory suggests that Baelish is actually still alive and well, and is plotting to take the Iron Throne - and it actually holds a lot of sand once you dig into it.
In order to explain how this could be possible, we need to go back to episode four of the previous season, The Spoils of War. During the episode, Arya spies on Littlefinger, and - though we can't make out exactly what's going on - it's clear that the guy is up to something fishy (then again, when isn't he).
He can be seen speaking to a woman, and at one point hands her something. She, in response, says, "Your time is up."
As of yet, it doesn't appear that this interaction has been explained - so what did it mean?
Well, what if the object that Littlefinger handed over was an iron coin, the currency of the faceless men in Braavos? And what if Baelish's time being up meant that the woman was now going to assume the role of Littlefinger? And what if she was the one who Arya killed, rather than the man we've known to be Baelish all this time?
And if you needed a little more convincing, it was previously disclosed that Baelish's great-grandfather was from Braavos - meaning he could quite easily be a faceless man.
You've got to admit - it is possible. And, given how scheming he's been in the past, this wouldn't even be the most outrageous action the lord has taken in his quest to somehow assume the iron throne.
But this is not the only out-there fan theory to emerge from the newest season.
It's also been suggested that the Night King is a Targaryen: a theory solidified in the white walker symbol that has cropped up a number of times throughout the show.
Here's a look at the mysterious symbol in the first episode of season eight:The sigil bears a striking resemblance to the Targaryen three-headed dragon.
What's more, we already know that the Night King can ride a dragon, as we saw him doing so in season seven. And who are the only two other people we know to be able to ride dragons? Jon and Daenerys - who, as we know now, are both from house Targaryen.
Just imagine if both these theories turn out to be correct. Littlefinger's alive, the Night King is the true heir to the Iron Throne - whatever's next? Season eight will answer it all.