Melisandre told Stannis that the only way to defeat the Boltons and take Winterfell was to sacrifice Shireen.

But there's more to it than that.

Jon Snow will be killed by his own men for trying to make peace with the Wildlings. Might be the kid who killed Ygritte, might be Thorne. Doesn't matter. He'll be killed.

Melisandre will then sacrifice Shireen to resurrect Jon. Since Jon is/was dead, he has been released from his oath to the Nights Watch. "Now his watch has ended." Stannis, who may or may know what has just happened, will then legitimize Jon Snow and he will then become Jon Stark, heir to Winterfell.

With a Stark leading Stannis' army into Winterfell, there's now way the Boltons will be able to keep Winterfell once a male Stark returns to Winterfell.

It is a three headed Dragon, so there are 3 riders of the Dragons. It is widely believed Tyrion is one and that would be an efficient way to establish that.

Did anyone else who read the book get the impression that Jon Snow's death was something of a fake out? I remember the second book lead us to believe that Theon Greyjoy was dead , but we later learned he wasn't. I don't really buy the whole sacrificing of Shireen to resurrect Jon . Resurrection really doesn't fit this show aside from the Others and Thoros ....okay maybe it does. Also, looks like Mance is officially dead on the show.

Possible, but in the books there are a lot of hints that Shireen will be VERY important in the end game of the story. She is a healed girl with Greyscale and not a Stone Man, and Greyscale will be important to the war against the White Walkers. Also, it is hinted several times in the book that Shireen may actually be who resides on the Iron Throne at the end of the series. She is in some ways the rightful heir once Stannis dies. I do not think they will go there in the story on TV, and I do think that there is quite a good chance she is as important in the show as in the books. She is the one character in the stories truly good at heart. If they do sacrifice her, I am not sure I could handle it, she is one of my favorite characters both in the books and in the show. I do think it is misdirection. Maybe the sacrifice is actually Melisandre.

There's also foreshadowing in the books that she'll be burned. I mean she's the only person with kingsblood that Mel has access to right now, so the possibility is there.

Almost everyone assumes it is some sort of fake out, mostly that Meilsandre will resurrect him (she knows his lineage and importance in the books) - she says something like "when I look into the flames now all I see is Snow", and all the Baeric Dondarrion and LS stuff was a prelude to his resurrection, which will also free him from his oath. Many think he is the "ICE" in a Song of Ice and Fire, and ultimately one of the three Dragonriders. Tyrion being the other very likely one.

the title of the saga kind of says it all. Ice=Jon, Fire=Dany, but I cannot figure where Tyrion goes in the mix. Maybe the singer? I've kind of thought Bran might be a rider , or...the dragons are uncontrollable and Bran must Warg into one of them for Jon to ride it.

It is quite possible that Ice = The Others and Fire = Dragons as well or a double meaning. I think, though, that there is a possibility that Jon is truly dead. Highly unlikely, but possible.

Stannis and Bolton's forces clashing near Winterfell in the snow, with the backdrop of a princess rescue (perhaps with Theon making his redemption).

Cersei's humiliation, with her turning to her "trump card" provided by her necromancer.

Mutiny at the North Wall against Jon Snow.

Arya going "full assassin" in Bravos.

And I think the season closer will be Drogon crashing the grand reopening of the arena fights in Mereen.

I have no idea where the Dorne stuff is going though ... that's completely off the rails