Board Thread:Speculation House/@comment-27276671-20160214220907/@comment-410526-20160516110716

SomeoneYouUsedToKnow wrote: If Miles did that, viewers would drop like flies, and the fandom would rise up in arms against RT. The Cerebus Syndrome in Vol.3, especially the multiple deaths of important and loved characters, was already very polarizing.

...

Here's my predictions for Vol.4: It will be like Vol.2, in terms of darkness and tone. It won't be smiles-and-rainbows like Vol.1, but it won't be death-and-ruin like Vol.3's last episodes. I think there's definitely some merit to the Game of Thrones comparison. If nothing else, Volume 4 will almost certainly follow multiple interrelated plot threads. There's no point breaking Team RWBY up and having our main characters in different kingdoms if they don't take advantage of the narrative possibilities.

More than that though, like GoT, the fact that they've been willing to off major characters indicates that there is genuine danger for our protagonists. The plot armor is less conspicuous. Even if they don't actually off any characters anytime soon, they've established that they can if they want to.

As for the tone, I don't think it'll be similar to any Volume so far. I agree they can't continue the pitch-black darkness of Volume 3 without losing all contrast and dynamics, but they simply can't return to how it was during the first half of Volume 2, where the worst thing to happen was Pyrrha not having a date to prom.

Ideally, it'll be quieter, more emotional and more contemplative than any Volume so far. The best comparison would be episodes like "Destiny" or "End of the Beginning" (or "Mountain Glenn" from Vol 2), in terms of being more introspective and focused on characters' emotions.

BenRG wrote: I kind of think that Volume 4 will be a bit like the Hobbits' end of The Two Towers - about the journey, self-discovery and preparing themselves, mentally and physically, for the fight ahead. Couldn't agree more.