Game Of Thrones Power Rankings: Team Lannister to Rise Again

There’s a saying in Westeros: you’ve got to play the game of thrones to win. Or something like that, anyway. For a story about people competing to sit on a chair made of swords, we’ve seen surprisingly little of the Iron Throne in recent episodes. Make no mistake though – this is what everyone is competing for.

The question, then, is who’s winning? Please welcome Cultured Vultures’ first official Game of Thrones Power Rankings. First off, some stipulations: our rankings will only include characters and factions vying for power in Westeros. The Night’s Watch are busy fighting each other and the White Walkers, so won’t be on this list.

 

1. Team Lannister

The Lannisters have taken a few hits in recent episodes – Cersei’s imprisonment and walk of shame, the death of Princess Myrcella – but it’s still Tommen sitting on the Iron Throne. The High Sparrow and his minions may be on the point of turning King’s Landing into a Theocracy, but never ever count out the Lannisters. With the return of Jamie and Bronn, and Cersei now free to scheme, expect Team Lannister to take the fight to the High Sparrow.

2. Team Sparrow

What’s the High Sparrow’s game? Is he really the pure man of the people he says he is? Is he a fraud or a genuine religious fanatic? Either way his Faith Militant might not have the Iron Throne, but they have the streets of King’s Landing. The people of Westeros are changeable, but right now they’re behind the High Sparrow and his austere religious practices. Until someone brings an army to the city that’s unlikely to change – and after all the wars, who has the money left to do that?

 

3. Team Bolton

Ramsey Bolton, weasel faced sociopath of The Dreadfort, just bossed Stannis’s entire army. The last Baratheon brother is dead, and the Bolton’s look pretty much secure in the North. Many northerners are still loyal to House Stark, but with Roose Bolton’s smarts and his bastard’s horrifying methods it’s hard to see who could challenge them right now.

 

4. Team Sansa

Speaking of the Boltons, their next challenger might have just slipped through their fingers. Team Sansa might only include four people for now, but as the last Stark believed to be alive she could be a rallying point for the North. She’s spent five seasons with a front row seat to the politicking of the seven kingdoms and she’s survived it all. If there’s anyone who can resurrect Robb Stark’s army it’s Sansa. Right now she doesn’t have much, but watch this space.

 

5. Team Targaryen

Oh, Daenerys, when did your story become so exhausting? For a while there when Tyrion showed up you had a new and interesting character to play off. Now you’ve abandoned your burgeoning empire and that massive army and you’ve got captured by the Dothraki. Don’t get us wrong, we don’t mind the Dothraki – they’re cool – but isn’t it time you started thinking about making your big move on Westeros? You can’t do that as a prisoner of the Dothraki. If you want to keep your place in the top five you need to do better.

 

The rest:

Littlefinger

We’ve yet to see Petyr Baelish in season six, but over the course of the show he’s built himself a solid power base. Don’t count him out.

Team Tyrell

Margaery and Loras are still enjoying the inside of the Faith Militant’s dungeon, but no doubt the Queen of Thornes has a plan to get them out.

Team Greyjoy

We’ve not seen the Iron Island for ages, but they’ll be back this season, possibly to challenge the Boltons for control of the North.

Team Dorne

What’s going on in Dorne you guys? I’m struggling to keep track and struggling even more to keep caring.

Team Stannis

Melisandre and Davos are still alive, but I think we can safely say this team has burnt out.