Ryan Shoots First: Game of Thrones (S8 Ep6) “The Iron Throne”

Well that is it, and with that the most epic TV series of our generation is over. This whole season has been very controversial with fans across the spectrum about how and why certain arcs wound up and I imagine this finale will do nothing to stop that momentum. One complaint I know will be loud is that the finale was be boring and while yes it was pretty slow and plotting in many ways that’s how Game of Thrones has worked. The second to last or the penultimate episode of the season is usually the action packed episode with the finale being aftermath and set up. Maybe the episode could have used a little more action but with so many key players off the table I cannot say that I was surprised and kinda expected a toned down finale.

The episode starts in the wake of Dany’s assault on Kings Landing from last week. Tyrion, Jon and Davos make their way up the street assessing the damage they come across numerous burned bodies including the mother and daughter we saw last week that Arya helped. Tyrion goes off to find Dany while Davos and Jon come across Grey Worm executing Lannister soldiers in the street. He attempts to talk him out of it but Grey Worm essentially tells him to take it up with the Queen. Before finding Dany Tyrion goes down in the dungeons to see if Jaime and Cersei made it out. He is distraught to come across Jaime’s hand and eventually uncovers their bodies in the rubble.

We cut to outside the Red Keep where Jon makes his way to the top of the steps as Arya does the same lurking in the shadows. There is a cool scene as Drogon lands and his wings appear to be on Dany as she as accepted her position as a dragon. Tyrion comes up behind her and walks straight up to her she tells him she knows he freed Jaime and he says she burned a city down. She has him arrested and taken and gives a speech calling back to the promos Khal Drogo made to her in season 1 that they would kill all the men in armor and tear down their buildings of stone. She also references her claim that she will break the wheel. She tells the troops she will not stop with Westeros and will “liberate” the rest of the world.

The next scene is a long conversation between Tyrion and Jon where Tyrion implores him to go against Dany, that his duty is to the people and even plays the “shield of the realms of men” line on him. Jon seems torn between his overwhelming sense of duty and loyalty, his feeling that what happens wasn’t right and also his Love for Dany. He tells Tyrion he will stand by his queen.

Dany is now standing before the Iron Throne, all she has ever wanted as the throne room is torn to pieces just like in her vision in the House of the Undying. Jon is angry about the killing especially of the innocent people but Dany claims the ends define the means. She professes she still loves Jon and tells him they can break the wheel together. Jon tells her she will always be his queen as he plunges a knife into her heart. She dies in his arms and Drogon comes calling. He sees Jon and in anger melts the iron throne to a pile of molten metal. He then takes Dany and flies off.

We fast forward a few months as we meet in the old dragon pits and Grey Worm brings Tyrion before a council of the leading houses of Westeros. Sansa and Arya ask why Jon was not brought and Grey Worm informs us they have him prisoner. The Unsullied and the Dothraki still occupy the city. With no King Sam brings up the novel idea to let all of Westeros decide and that is quickly dismissed but they decide that the head houses will choose one. Tyrion elects Bran as he is the memories of the world and knows all making him wise, he also cannot have sons meaning we are saved the burden of bratty kids squabbling over the throne. It is decided that this will be the new way kings are elected and Bran is named Bran the Broken King of Westeros. Sansa is the only one of the houses that will not vote and claims she wants the North to stay independent, Bran aggrees. Bran also names Tyrion his hand even though Grey Worm is not happy about it.

Tyrion now visits Jon in his cell and informs him that the Unsullied have agreed to allow him to go and retake command of the Night’s Watch and retake the oath. On his way back to the wall he encounters his siblings. Arya proclaims that she is sailing west to explore the uncharted rest of the world. We see Brienne in the book of past Kings Guards updating Jaimes profile with all of his righteous deeds. We then have a scene with Tyrion and his small council as they attempt to begin restoring order, also Bronn FINALLY gets everything he has been promised for 8 seasons.

Jon arrives at Castle Black where Tormund and Ghost are waiting he heads North with the wildlings as the shot cycles between Jon, Sansa as the Queen of the North and Arya setting sail. With that the series is over.

Overall Thoughts:

I can’t say it is how I would have done it but I also will respect the writers’ decisions. Much will be made of Jon going back to the wall but over the show’s history it is where he became who he is and he has a heart for the people there and the Wildlings. His ability to protect them when no one else will is his purpose. I really like how Arya’s story ended, she has in the past mentioned exploring and asking what was west of Westeros and her character cannot sit still so with her last week deciding to give up her path of death this is a great moment for her character. There was no way to end a show like this and make everyone happy you can’t develop so many beloved characters and get them all perfect for everyone but I think for the most parts everyone’s resolutions fit in their character and anyone who has followed the show was foolish to expect a squeaky clean ending.  

Observations:

• I believe the opening ring on the credits showed Drogon destroying Kings Landing
• Kings Landing in the models of the opening credits being broken was a nice touch.
• Have to Imagine when everyone finally seeing Dany just thinking “What the hell man?!?”
• Looks like if Jaime and Cersei had moved about 3 feet to the right they would have been ok.
• Arya is ridiculously sneaky. She has invested a lot of XP into Sneak.
• Tyrion’s line “Varys ashes can tell my ashes “see I told you”
• Drogon the gate keeper just trying to take a break in the snow.
• Jon actually did it, he did it.
• Drogon nudging Dany, they say Dragons are very wise and I think him destroying the Throne reflected him knowing it is the root of all this evil and death.
• I wonder if he is taking Dany’s body to Valyria
• Jon could have just come out and said “So Dany flew of on Drogon and totally said I am in charge.
• So did the Dothraki just go home? I can’t imagine they were ok with everything and I can’t imagine anyone wants them just riding around Westeros pillaging villages.
• Edmure taking his shot was hilarious, Sansa is like sit down.
• Bran wins, what were his odds in vegas? Anyone win an office pool?
• I assume he knew all along with his “Why do you think I came all the way here”
• Democracy! Kind of I suppose a representative democracy!
• I loved Davos “I’m not sure I get a vot but I!”
• Why wouldn’t Sansa bend the knee to her own brother? She wanted that crown.
• Tyrion’s side eye to Sansa when he proclaims him Bran the Broken king of the SIX kingdoms.
• Pod on the Kingsguard maybe the best arc in the show.
• Memes of what Brienne is writing in Jaimes section of the book is priceless, well done internet.
• Do we really even need a Knights Watch anymore? I suppose to help support the wildling camps north of the broken wall.
• Ok seeing Jon reunite with Tormund and Ghost makes it a little better.
• Everyone got their Ghost pet finally.

Predictions (yes really):

• The first time they have to elect a new King this whole process goes to pot and a war starts.