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Courtesy of HBO

Gendry Could Be An Important Ally In 'GoT' Season 7

by Megan Walsh

There is one question that Game of Thrones hasn't answered that looms above all others as the show prepares to launch into its seventh season. It's bigger than the question of Jon Snow's parentage. It's cloaked in more mystery than learning who gets the Iron Throne. It's a question that's been brewing for three years: what the hell happened to Gendry? After endearing himself to viewers by flashing his abs and calling Arya "m'lady," he rowed off into the night never to be seen again in Season 3. But will the show ever reveal his fate? Will Gendry be in Game of Thrones Season 7?

So far the answer has been a joking one: Joe Dempsie, who played Gendry, tweeted that he was "still rowin'"— something that showrunners Dan Weiss and David Benioff echoed in an appearance on the UFC Unfiltered podcast. But fans have begun to speculate that Season 7 will finally reveal just what Gendry's been up to all this time, as he may end up being very important to the plot now that the political situation in Westeros is ramping up once again. He is Robert Baratheon's last living child, which gives him a claim to the throne that could prove useful for those trying to oust Cersei from leadership.

In the trailer for Season 7, Jon Snow gives a speech about working together that sounded like it could be directed towards the recently-arrived Daenerys, but there is another option. Jon mentions to whomever he's speaking to that their families have worked together for centuries against a common enemy, which doesn't quite fit with Dany. The Starks and the Baratheons, on the other hand, have indeed been close for years. It's possible Jon crosses paths with Gendry and uses that speech to convince him to join in the fight. Jon is currently King in the North, but he would need assistance when it comes to securing the South as well. Having the son of Robert Baratheon on his team would definitely be helpful.

And there is some credence to the rumors that Gendry will be back. Dempsie has been spotted in Belfast, where Game of Thrones does much of its filming, and was even caught on set alongside Davos and Tyrion. Gendry meeting up with both Jon and Dany's righthand men could imply some kind of alliance between the three of them. It might be difficult at first because Gendry is the child of someone Dany considers a usurper, but it's interesting to contemplate.

It definitely looks like Gendry will finally be back on Game of Thrones after several years offscreen, but there's no telling yet how important he might be.