8 things we want to see in the season finale of ‘Game of Thrones’

On Sunday the fifth season of “Game of Thrones” will come to an end, and there’s still a whole lot of plot to cover, loose ends to tie up and a character (or two) who needs to get their comeuppance. So what would we like to see? A lot. (Warning: Book spoilers and wild speculation ahead.)

Sand snakes get a do-over

The daughters of the recently deceased fan favorite Prince Oberyn Martell were ushered into this season with a whole lot of hype. Alas, their big showdown against Jaime Lannister and Bronn was not the spectacle of fight choreography that was promised. The Sand Snakes (and the viewers) should get a do-over. In fact, just about everything that happened in Dorne should probably be re-addressed and spiced up. Fingers crossed that Doran Martell is cooking up something good, because he’s been awfully calm this entire season. Make with the vengeance already.

King Tommen rains hellfire on King’s Landing (and the return of Ser Pounce)

Breakout “Game of Thrones” star Ser Pounce needs another cameo. Also, wouldn’t it be great if the kind-hearted, king of King’s Landing discovered his own inner fire and moved to save Margaery Tyrell? It would be nice to see a little heroism restored in the big city. But just Margery, not Cersei Lannister. The Queen Mother needs some more time to think about all the terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad decisions she’s made over the last few years.

Arya Stark does something, anything really

After 10 episodes of intense floor-cleaning and oyster-shucking, now is the time for action. The girl may still be in training, but the audience is bored. Unearth Needle and find thy vengeance, tiny assassin. Or at the very least, give the Thin Man a poisoned oyster. Arya has been such an enjoyable character every other season.

Olly rips his face off, revealing he’s actually a lizard

There’s something about this kid .…

Lady Stoneheart appears, murders everyone

(Nonbook readers, skip this section, spoiler talk ahead.)

In the books, Lady Stoneheart is the resurrected spirit of Catelyn Stark. Stoneheart is also the one characters author George R.R. Martin admitted he would like to see in the series (but hasn’t yet). Whether we’re going to see this new iteration of the Stark character remains to be seen. It could happen; the final episode is called “Mother’s Mercy,” after all. But just imagine the return of this Westeros legend, teaming up with Sansa Stark to flay Ramsay Bolton right in front of his father.

The return of Gendry, the fox from the South

Remember Gendry? The smoking-hot bastard son of King Robert Baratheon disappeared via rowboat last season. Only the old gods know where he is, because we haven’t seen this vessel of king’s blood since the Priestess Melisandre did her whole leech seduction routine. This was a complicated character who (dare we say) had great, youthful chemistry with Arya. With the list of characters the audience can cheer for rapidly depleting with every child they decide to burn, Westeros could really use another hero.

Stannis loses everything

Stannis’ army becomes self-aware, realizes this whole season has been “too much,” picks up and heads south. A very meta moment, indeed, but sometimes enough is enough.

Bran! Bran! Bran!

How about a whole episode dedicated to the young character everyone conveniently ignored this season? Remember Bran Stark? Remember Hodor? Remember their odd standoff with the collection of Harryhausen-esque skeletons? “Game of Thrones” should check in with the kids again and see what they’re up to. What’s happening way up north? Just kidding, Bran’s the worst. And this Bran-free season has been nothing short of bliss.