deerstalker

We’re already wondering what never-before-seen spot in Westeros we might visit in Game of Thrones last season, after EW‘s first look at the show’s final year. An all-new set wasn’t the only intriguing tidbit they shared, though, as our direwolf ears perked up reading “there are characters in the finale that I did not expect.” That raises a number of fascinating possibilities: one is that we could see a return we aren’t expecting. But who could be important enough to be in the finale even if they aren’t usually on the show? Minor ones who mean a lot to more important characters.

Daario Naharis

In the season six finale Daenerys commanded the sellsword to stay behind in Slaver’s Bay the Bay of Dragons to keep the peace in Meereen when she left for Westeros. Will he do that if learns his former lover is in danger after Cersei hired the Golden Company? How will he react if he hears stories about ice demons on the march? Or could he even show up to fight against the Mother of Dragons; a scorned lover’s revenge?

Hot Pie

What? Think it’s laughable he’ll be around for the finale? Uh, it would be crazy to think the ultimate survivor won’t still be standing at the end. Not only would Arya be sure to grab him from the King’s Road if the North flees south to escape the White Walkers, but you always need someone who knows what it takes to get the gravy right.

Red Priestesses of R’hllor

We 100% expect Melisandre to return, but not alone; expect some of her fellow devotees of the Lord of Light to travel to the Seven Kingdoms too. We saw one delivering sermons about Daenerys in Volantis, and another swore to serve her in Meereen. Now is the time for them to fight the darkness, so don’t be surprised if they come to Westeros with every other red priest and priestesses of R’hllor in tow.

Jaqen H’ghar

You know which group is really into death? The Faceless Men. Arya’s former mentor and world class assassin could be drawn to the living’s Great War with the icy dead, though which side he’d fight for might not be as obvious.

Ser Ilyn Payne

No one ever hears Ilyn Payne coming.

…You get it.

There’s one very obvious, very excellent reason to bring back this silent killer for the first time since season two (who was last referenced in season four): so Arya can take him off her list. That would be a tasty conclusion for the man who beheaded Ned Stark.

Illyrio Mopatis

The Magister of Pentos only appeared in season one (though Tyrion and Varys stayed at his home in season five), but his brief role was vitally important to the show. He arranged Daenerys’ marriage to Khal Drogo in the premiere. Why though? What was his endgame? Why did he ever help the orphaned Targaryens at all? This is one thread the show has left hanging, and it would be nice to see it come full circle with a payoff.

Quaithe

Remember Quaithe, the mysterious shadowbinder in Qarth who somehow knew way too much about Jorah Mormont? Hopefully the show does, because if she never shows up again, her presence will have proven pretty to be totally pointless. She’s more important in the novels, but we’re hopeful she has a reason to follow through on keeping Jorah loyal to Daenerys.

(Wight) Hodor

YEAH WE WENT THERE. You better be ready for wight Hodor, a giant, blue-eyed giant trying to murder Bran. He died north of the Wall in the clutches of other wights. Why wouldn’t the Night King have raised him up? Who wouldn’t want a large, super strong soldier who would also be psychologically devastating for his opponent?

This horribleness is happening. Oh, it’s happening. But don’t worry, we won’t leave you on such a terrible note.

Syrio Forel

Syyyyyyrrrriiiiooooooo Forrrreeeellllllllllll!!!!

Technically we never saw Arya’s water dancing instructor die, and the First Sword of Braavos was only facing Meryn ****ing Trant. Even without a sword we give Syrio a decent chance of escaping that. So where’s he been? It’s not like he could have gone after Arya, and she’s been missing ever since. There’s been no reason for him to have returned, at least not until the Night King invaded.

Because as we all know, there’s only one thing we say to the god of death.

Which one of these characters would you most love to see return? Who did we leave off that should have made it? Tell us in the comments below.

Images: HBO

This is one cosmic collaboration — and possibly written in the stars? Vans revealed their NASA-inspired collection Friday to celebrate the agency’s 60 years of space exploration and innovation. The Space Voyager line, […]

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Cat Brooks is gearing up for one of the biggest moments of her life—a race to become the new mayor in Oakland, California.

“I’m running because the people — hundreds of Oaklanders — asked me to,” said Brooks. “I am deeply concerned about the direction in which our city is headed. As the recent Equity Indicators Report demonstrates, Oakland is failing to provide all of our community members with equitable opportunities to live, work, and thrive in Oakland. It’s time to elect politicians who are truly invested in a better future for the people of Oakland, and are willing to do the work to get us there.”

Currently, Brooks serves as the executive director and co-founder of the Justice Teams Network, a network of grassroots activists providing rapid response and healing justice in response to all forms of state violence across California. She’s also the co-founder of the Anti Police-Terror Project, an organizer, and proud resident of Oakland, California. Additionally, she’s served as executive director for both Youth Together and the National Lawyers Guild.

“I am most proud of the work we have done with families who are survivors of state violence and the development of the APTP First Responders Guide that trains communities to rapidly respond to incidents of police violence,” said Brooks. “It also trains organizers how to support families through the process of fighting for justice and rebuilding their lives. This model is currently being replicated across the country and parts of Canada.”

Recently, she left her position as co-host of KPFA radio’s morning show “Upfront” to run for mayor. In this interview, she shares her plans to uplift and transform the city of Oakland.

Black Enterprise: Across the US there is a lot of voter distrust of government and election security. What would you say to the person who’s reluctant to vote?

Cat Brooks: I would tell a person who’s reluctant to vote that I understand. People in the United States, and in Oakland, in particular, have worked with very few politicians who truly represent their interests within city government. So it would be rational for them to assume that this election is no different, and to stay home from the polls.

Our campaign is trying to create an environment in which politicians are held accountable — and that starts with us. We have been working to establish a political platform that reflects the wants and needs of the people of Oakland.

With respects to our judicial system, 45’s [President Trump] work has not been exclusively at the Supreme Court level. He has packed lower courts with judges who support his views and agenda. Strong city governments must not be afraid to litigate on behalf of themselves and their people. When 45’s judges come after unions, sanctuary, people of color, the LGBTQ community, and/or others, cities must invest in protecting those who are made vulnerable.

When it comes to each of the issues on your political platform, what are the changes you’d like to see and how specifically are you working to make those changes?

Housing is my number one priority and in the first 100 days of my administration. I want to get the 6,000 homeless people sleeping on our streets into shelters and beds. We can ramp up for a natural disaster, and make no mistake, this is a disaster that the UN just called ‘cruel and inhumane.’ So we will open up city buildings and public lands to provide safe, dignified shelter — first and foremost — while we do the long-term work of building the housing our population needs.

I want to zero in on partnerships that create wrap-around services for students and their families, including quality after-school and job training programs and programming that would create full-service community hubs through city social services and nonprofit organizations. Schools can and should be open seven days a week, offering support with things like adult education, conflict resolution, substance abuse counseling, and more. This takes the pressure off of teachers to solve every single social ill and allows them to focus on what we want them to do best: teach.

It is critical that Oakland better support small businesses and ensures equity. I want to create one-stop shops for all permitting and zones that limit big chain stores from displacing our small mom and-pops. I want to build partnerships with our community Colleges — such as Laney and Merritt — to create technical assistance for small businesses, particularly in East Oakland, where we need to ensure economic development without displacement.

Our City spends more money on overtime pay for police officers than it does on preparing our children for successful and thriving lives from day one. As Mayor, I will conduct a complete audit of the Oakland Police Department to determine how more than $271 million of the city’s dollars are being spent. It is time for 21st-century solutions to public safety that are rooted in prevention and not just criminalization, rooted in community-based, equity-focused methodologies that actually protect communities.

The air quality in parts of our city is a public health crisis. My own daughter has been hospitalized multiple times due to asthma. While I believe in the critical importance of jobs, I will not allow coal to be transported through West Oakland, further sickening our children.

Ensure Oakland is a sanctuary city by providing a commitment to a policy that prevents any collusion between local law enforcement and federal agencies. Also working closely with the most impacted communities to create and strengthen rapid response networks, “know-your-rights” training, and other community safety mechanisms.

The post Oakland Mayor Candidate, Cat Brooks, On the Issues appeared first on Black Enterprise.

Who knew Taraji P. Henson was providing the voice for one of the animated characters in "Ralph Breaks The Internet"? Check her out inside.