There are very few shows on TV that generate quite the buzz online as Game of Thrones. Adding to the problem of how it will all end is the fact that the books are ahead of the TV show, and the series is as of yet incomplete. So many fantasy fans know a lot more about what's going to happen because they've read the books, despite George R.R. Martin claiming the TV show will diverge somewhat from the books in season five.

Personally, I find the TV show's habit of replacing non-essential characters with lead characters — or changing what the lead characters are up to — a little annoying, as it shows me that particular plot points weren't that important after all. And given my hatred of spoilers, venturing into fan theories about what's going to happen in GOT was a little risky, but far too intriguing to ignore.

As someone who has read all of the available books in "A Song Of Ice And Fire", I have been able to discount a few fan theories outright. But there are many more that could well work, so these have made the list. I'll also do my best not to spoil what's coming on TV (if the books still bear any resemblance to the TV show at all, that is).

Daario is Really Benjen Stark

One of the fan theories as to why Daario was re-cast is that he is really Benjen Stark. While this explains the new dark-haired look perfectly, this does nothing to explain why on earth Benjen would just abandon the wall and head off to see what Daenerys was up to. But we like mysteries.

Bran Started The Game Of Thrones

The original theory is that Bran is a time traveller and that he triggered the Game of Thrones in order to save Westeros from a worse fate. He supposedly possessed Jaime in order to get himself thrown out of the tower and trigger this whole chain of events, because the alternate world he sees in the future is somehow even worse.

The time travel part seems crazy, but there still could be something to this theory. If you've read the books. Ahem.

Syrio Isn't Dead

Syrio never died. Not explicitly, anyway, which is how everyone else on GOT seems to die. Note, there is also a theory that Syrio is Jaquen, but that's difficult to believe. Whereas we do have a little mystery around Syrio's supposed death that has been explained in fan threads.

When Cersei talks about Arya probably being dead, she still thinks Syrio is Arya's dancing master, despite Syrio having told Meryn Trant that he had been the first sword of Braavos. So Meryn Trant lied to Cersei about Syrio's talents, and would probably have covered up the dead guardsmen that tried to kill him.

Septa Lemore Is Ashara Dayne

It's openly rumoured in Westerosi that Ned Stark and Ashara Dayne were in love, and that Ashara Dayne leapt to her death while pregnant after realising she couldn't be with him. She's also frequently believed to be the mother of Jon Snow, if she had given birth before dying. But to say she reinvented hersef as Septa Lemore is an interesting twist.

When Tyrion meets Septa Lemore he notes that she hasn't always been a septa. There are no actual giveaways as to who Septa Lemore may be, but this theory works as well as anything.

Roose Bolton is an Immortal

The theory goes that Roose Bolton is the product of a human-other liaison, and thus has the power of immortality. He uses techniques similar to the Faceless men to change skin and avoid detection every now and then, so he hasn't been detected. The theory doesn't have a lot of backing, but it would certainly add something to the action going on at the Dreadfort.

Azor Ahai is Ramsay Snow

Melisandre prophesises frequently about the Lord of Light, R'hllor, believing he has reincarnated Azor Ahai in the form of Stannis Baratheon. Which no fan in their right mind believes. Some people think that the prophecy is about Jon Snow or even Daenerys, but there is a faction of fans that actually think Azor Ahai might be Ramsay Snow. Which, if he is also the grandchild of an Other, would be quite something.

R + L = J

You're dying to know who Jon Snow's parents are, aren't you? Yes, no-one truly believes Jon is Ned Stark's bastard (except Catelyn), and many of us secretly hope he is a Baratheon child. There's another theory, the R + L = J theory, and it's actually fairly believable. The story goes that Ned's sister Lyanna gave birth to Jon after her relations with Prince Rhaegar Targaryen — Rhaegar + Lyanna = Jon. This theory is lent some credibility by Lyanna's deathbed plea to "Promise me, Ned".

Which means Jon is a Targaryen. Or, does that make him a bastard Waters? Either way, if this theory is right he has Targaryen blood, so things will get interesting.

Samwell Tarly is a Targaryen

Another theory about the offspring from Lyanna and Rhaegar's fling is that it could have produced Samwell Tarly. This could explain why Sam's father hates him, why he never fit into his family and why he would never become a Tarly heir.

Tyrion is a Targaryen

The theory is that King Aerys, the father of Daenerys, lamented the lack of first bedding rights traditionally given to the king. He then took certain liberties with Tywin’s wife, Joanna, during the bedding ceremony.

In the books, Tyrion's description is far more Targaryen in nature: "One green eye and one black one peered out from under a lank fall of hair so blond it seemed white". So, this isn't completely unrealistic. And since Tyrion loves dragons "with a morbid fascination", it would be awesome to see him finally get to ride one.

Tywin obviously knows there is a possibility Tyrion isn't his, and he's not happy about it in the slightest. He makes reference to it on several occasions, saying things like "I cannot prove that you are not mine" and "You are no son of mine", though the latter could be a comment inspired by his imminent death.

So, Jon and Samwell could be the nephews of Daenerys and Tyrion, who are half-brother and sister. Getting interesting, hey?

The Dragon Has Three Heads

Daenerys Targaryen, the "Mother of Dragons" is an obvious candidate for the throne and peace for Westeros. However, she was given a prophecy in the House of the Undying: "The dragon has three heads". Given the plausability of the last theories, this could easily mean that there are at least three living Targaryens, including: Daenerys, Jon, Tyrion and Samwell.

The leading "Dragon has three heads" theories talk about the former three, as Samwell's Targaryon theory is less widely believed. They also discount another potential Targaryen heir that we meet later in the books, claiming that this person is not really Targaryen.

Although this only gets us halfway to what happens in the end, it certainly is a darn good theory that will be interesting to watch play out.

What Are Your GOT Fan Theories?

You've seen the show and you're keen for more episodes to binge-watch. Maybe you've even read the books and know of even more fantastic theories that TV-show-only GOT fans don't know enough about yet.

What do you think will happen in the end of GOT? What interesting ideas do you have about the fate of our favourite lead characters? Did you hear about the Varys Merman theory? Share your most absurd and fantastic theories in the comments so we can all discuss them.

And on to season five!