10 new Game of Thrones theories of season 8, episode 3, "The Long Night"

Contrary to what many people thought, Cersei's selfish game paid off. The king of the night did not dismiss the king's landing. Until now, she has not suffered to have betrayed her promise to Tyrion, and now she will reap the rewards. She has a massive army and reinforcements from the Golden Company to fill her position at King's Landing.

Ellaria Sand pointed out in Season 7 that Daenerys had enough strength to dismiss King's Landing and take the Iron Throne on the spot; she did not, for the sake of the innocent who would die. Now, with all the Dothraki dead and the Unsullied severely diminished, she may not even have the necessary firepower in the worst case. Two dragons may not be enough; King's Landing will probably have one of these giant crossbows on every lap.

And there may be an ultimate subverted expectation: there will be no final and epic battle for the Iron Throne. Instead, it will be a more subtle and intellectual chess game, filled with conversations and maneuvers. Political prowess, rather than brute force, can determine the winner at the end of the day.

Think about infiltration and strategy rather than a big idiotic attack on the front. These last three episodes will be more in the aisle of Tyrion and Varys than Euron Greyjoy. Tyrion, in particular, has recently fallen behind and erred more than reason. Do not expect this to last longer.