Game of Thrones (HBO)

[Falhófnir]

Well, I’m glad the finale brought a closing to all of the character arcs. In that sense, I’m satisfied.

I started thinking about why they made such a big deal of Jon’s lineage since last season (and really the whole series), and how disappointing it was that in the end it didn’t really lead to much. The R+L=J hints.. Bran’s visions.. Sam’s discovery.. Varys’s letters.. It all seems like such a waste, when Jon just ends up back at the Wall anyway.

And then it hit me.. Maybe Bran WANTED to be king all along. If he hadn’t insisted on telling Jon his lineage, it wouldn’t have set in motion the sequence of events that pushed Dany over the edge. Maybe he foresaw that it was the only way to get both Jon and Dany out of the picture and then he’d have a shot at the crown.. And his whole “I don’t want anymore” attitude was just an act. This was Bran playing and winning the game of thrones.

Or maybe I'm grasping at straws and just want it to make more sense.

Won't spoil too much if you want to read the novels at some point (if you haven't already) but it's a bigger deal in there!

Spoiler: elaboration

I think Jon's character is *possibly* merged with another Targaryen survivor (or at least that's what Varys is saying as of the latest book) and it looks like the whole thing might play out significantly differently - "the Dragon has three heads".

 

[Shanghaichica]

Won't spoil too much if you want to read the novels at some point (if you haven't already) but it's a bigger deal in there!

Spoiler: elaboration

I think Jon's character is *possibly* merged with another Targaryen survivor (or at least that's what Varys is saying as of the latest book) and it looks like the whole thing might play out significantly differently - "the Dragon has three heads".

I think the books will be significantly different. They already were up until the point when the show passed them.

 

[iLog.Genius]

I think the books will be significantly different. They already were up until the point when the show passed them.

Prior to Season 8, didn't George RR Martin say that the ending for the books is going to be very similar to what we see on screen? I'll have to see if I can find the article again.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Prior to Season 8, didn't George RR Martin say that the ending for the books is going to be very similar to what we see on screen? I'll have to see if I can find the article again.

The ending may be similar but the way he gets there will be very different imo. Characters like Jamie and Sansa have already had very different storylines in the books. Also there’s the Ageon plot in the book which didn’t happen in the TV show, lady stone heart and Stannis is still alive.

 

[Roller]

Now that I've had a few more hours to think about the finale…

• The time jump still bothers me. I would've liked to see what prompted the lords and ladies of Westeros to convene. That would have been a good opportunity for some Bran-magic to get the word out.
• As others have noted, why all the story elements about Jon's true parentage if it made little difference in the end? Sure, his reveal to Dany made him more of a threat (and maybe pushed him over the edge in deciding to kill her), but I expected more.
• Didn't Varys send notes about Jon throughout the Seven Kingdoms? Was their acquiescence to Tyrion's plan to choose a new ruler other than Jon their way of saying "no more Targaryens for us!"
  
• Getting rid of the two most threatening & destructive characters — the Night King and Dany — was ultimately too easy, with few adverse consequences for Arya and Jon. Much as I like him, I think Jon should have suffered more. The pain of losing his lover, hard as it was for him, didn't seem enough.
• D&D did once claim that GRRM had shared his vision of the ending with them. Even if that's true, now that he's seen the reaction, he can always change things if he wants (assuming he ever writes the last book).
• Drogon is still alive. Maybe he'll sign up for an installment of How to Train Your Dragon.
• Unlike some of the best episodes in GoT, I don't have a strong urge to rewatch the finale, though I may revisit parts of all the seasons at some point.

BTW, I see that water bottles were spotted last night, including one next to Samwell's leg at the outdoor council. He probably needed a drink even more at the inside meeting, though — those maester robes can't be very comfortable without A/C.

 

[Falhófnir]

The ending may be similar but the way he gets there will be very different imo. Characters like Jamie and Sansa have already had very different storylines in the books. Also there’s the Ageon plot in the book which didn’t happen in the TV show, lady stone heart and Stannis is still alive.

I also wouldn't be surprised if book Cersei's storyline wasn't just as simple as cutting the gordian knot like she did at the end of season 6 - there are a lot more Tyrells in the books and they've been set up to clash!

 

[Shanghaichica]

The ending may be similar but the way he gets there will be very different imo. Characters like Jamie and Sansa have already had very different storylines in the books. Also there’s the Ageon plot in the book which didn’t happen in the TV show, lady stone heart and Stannis is still alive.

Also the Dornish plots are still very much alive in the books. There was none of this Jamie and Bronn nonsense in the books.

 

[ritmomundo]

Season 8 is already up for purchase on iTunes, Vudu and Amazon Video. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an HBO show available so quickly after it airs.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Season 8 is already up for purchase on iTunes, Vudu and Amazon Video. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an HBO show available so quickly after it airs.

It was up to purchase from Friday or Saturday but you won’t get any episodes until tomorrow (iTunes). I purchased it from iTunes but not sure when I’ll watch it all again.

 

[Alphazoid]

Just watched the last episode; it was...fine. Didn't love it...didn't hate it.

Think the overall impression for me for this season in general is 'anti-climactic'

Large buildups that ultimately fell short.

Oh well...

 

[Apple fanboy]

So I ducked out of this thread as soon as people mentioned how the series would end up (leaks).
I’ve been paranoid about hearing the ending as it would spoil the ending for me.

Anyway as I live in a bubble I got to the end!

I will say after the penultimate episode I was wondering what was left for the final one.

There seemed a number of obvious things that needed to get done it was just a question of who would do the deed and finish on top!

Things than bothered me.

Spoiler: Final episode

Why would Bran agree to be king when he had already declared he was no longer a Stark but the three eye raven.

After the battle of Winterfell you get the impression that most of the army has gone.

Yet there seems to be huge numbers (unlike those defending Kings Landing)

When Tyrion goes looking for his brother did anyone else wonder if they had survived? Glad they didn’t. Would have been weird. Especially as the city is basically gone (although seems strangely populated at the end!)

Lastly what is the point of the wall now? Wildlings are allies and the wraiths are dead.

Enjoyed the series. Will watch it again at some point no doubt.

 

[zmunkz]

.Didn't Varys send notes about Jon throughout the Seven Kingdoms? Was their acquiescence to Tyrion's plan to choose a new ruler other than Jon their way of saying "no more Targaryens for us!"

Good point, forgot about that. I was already upset his name wasn't even mentioned during that election committee.

 

[VanNess]

Scathing, brilliant, funny and spot on. Logic an overcome emotions:
'Game of Thrones' series finale recap: A disaster ending that fans didn't deserve
Subtitled: I love you, you're perfect, now die
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life...n-throne-jon-dany-arya-sansa-bran/3704539002/

But over the years, "Thrones" has been a story in which the good guys didn't win and the bad guys didn't get their comeuppance.

Whoever wrote this for USA Today should take some time to digest the story as a whole. Otherwise you end up with the line quoted above which is just plain ridiculous (and pretty much the rest of the article as well)

A non-exhaustive list of bad guys (and excluding season 8):

King Joffrey - poisoned and last seen purple-faced and gasping his final breaths

Tywin Lannister - skewered while sitting on the toilet by his son

Walder Frey - killed by Arya while impersonating his greatest weakness.

Viserys Targaryen - couldn't handle the gold hair dye

Ramsay Bolton - became the real doggie dinner.

Lord Baelish - the great manipulator was outplayed

Alliser Thorne - sentenced to death and hanged by Jon Snow

The High Sparrow - blown to bits by Cersei

Craster - stabbed to death

 

[Huntn]

Whoever wrote this for USA Today should take some time to digest the story as a whole. Otherwise you end up with the line quoted above which is just plain ridiculous (and pretty much the rest of the article as well)

A non-exhaustive list of bad guys (and excluding season 8):

King Joffrey - poisoned and last seen purple-faced and gasping his final breaths

Tywin Lannister - skewered while sitting on the toilet by his son

Walder Frey - killed by Arya while impersonating his greatest weakness.

Viserys Targaryen - couldn't handle the gold hair dye

Ramsay Bolton - became the real doggie dinner.

Lord Baelish - the great manipulator was outplayed

Alliser Thorne - sentenced to death and hanged by Jon Snow

The High Sparrow - blown to bits by Cersei

Craster - stabbed to death

Well, after the history you listed, some fans were not expecting all the candy coating on Episode 6. It seemed out of character.

 

[th0masp]

Anybody feel bad for the poor people of the island of Naath? Looks like they have a fleet of angry traumatized warrior eunuchs headed their way.

As for this show .... I- think I'm good. I have already conditioned myself to believe there are only two movies in the 'Alien' universe. Not a problem then to mindbleach the existence of seasons 7 and 8 of this show. GoT? An unfinished masterpiece of four great seasons with two seasons of sometimes decent fan fiction tucked on. There, see?

 

[bobob]

I am extremely disappointed with the final season of Game Of Thrones.

The major plot points were okay, but the stupidly compressed and rushed manner in which it was produced are unforgivable.

I read a comment from another discussion noting that the interplay between Robb Stark and Geoffery took place over 19 episodes. That is the amount of time that is required to fully develop a plot segment to the point that it is dramatically potent and allows the character development, political intrigue, and side stories to breathe life into the series.

If the showrunners were really just fed up with the series, then I would have preferred they skipped season 8 altogether and instead added on extra episode at the end of season 7 set ten years in the future where Tyrion simply sits in a chair and recounts the final plot points of what happened.

However to actually do it right, in my opinion, each of the six episodes of this 8th season should have been spun out into a full 10 episode season of their own.

 

[Shanghaichica]

So Sansa got to be queen in the north as compensation for being raped by Ramsey and Bran got to be king as compensation for being crippled.

 

[bandrews]

Things than bothered me.

Spoiler: Final episode

Lastly what is the point of the wall now? Wildlings are allies and the wraiths are dead.

Spoiler: Night Watch

Is it just me who thought the Watch was just a ruse to get Jon out of captivity? None of the people there were Crows - all Wildlings - men, women and children - and they all headed north of the wall to just go an live as free folk.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Spoiler: Night Watch

Is it just me who thought the Watch was just a ruse to get Jon out of captivity? None of the people there were Crows - all Wildlings - men, women and children - and they all headed north of the wall to just go an live as free folk.

Well once the warrior eunuchs clear off, what’s to stop Jon doing what he likes? I get the feeling that’s being free North of the wall though!

 

[sunapple]

Spoiler: Night Watch

Is it just me who thought the Watch was just a ruse to get Jon out of captivity? None of the people there were Crows - all Wildlings - men, women and children - and they all headed north of the wall to just go an live as free folk.

Jon brought them south and now he’s bringing them back home. There were some crows shown and it was mentioned that ‘the world always needs a place for bastards and criminals’ or something, suggesting the Night Watch will remain.

 

[AlliFlowers]

If the showrunners were really just fed up with the series, then I would have preferred they skipped season 8 altogether and instead added on extra episode at the end of season 7 set ten years in the future where Tyrion simply sits in a chair and recounts the final plot points of what happened.

We talked about this. It would truly have made more sense. They could have done a couple of quick scenes to back up Tyrion's narration. Would have been awesome. And would have explained how quickly everywhere was rebuilt and repopulated.

Lastly what is the point of the wall now? Wildlings are allies and the wraiths are dead.

Is it just me who thought the Watch was just a ruse to get Jon out of captivity? None of the people there were Crows - all Wildlings - men, women and children - and they all headed north of the wall to just go an live as free folk.

Jon brought them south and now he’s bringing them back home. There were some crows shown and it was mentioned that ‘the world always needs a place for bastards and criminals’ or something, suggesting the Night Watch will remain.

To these three quotes - yes, yes, and yes. I think in the end, Jon was going home. He grew up beyond the wall, and fit in well with the Free Folk. The wall is kinda like Australia in its infancy.

 

[bandrews]

We talked about this. It would truly have made more sense. They could have done a couple of quick scenes to back up Tyrion's narration. Would have been awesome. And would have explained how quickly everywhere was rebuilt and repopulated.







To these three quotes - yes, yes, and yes. I think in the end, Jon was going home. He grew up beyond the wall, and fit in well with the Free Folk. The wall is kinda like Australia in its infancy.

Saw this and had a little lol.

 

[sunapple]

Saw this and had a little lol.

Sandor Clegane: "You want to suck my dick; is that it?"
Tormund: "Dick?"
Sandor Clegane: "Cock."
Tormund: "Ah, dick. I like it."
Sandor Clegane: "Bet you do."
— Tormund and Sandor.

 

[Number-Six]

I would have watched a whole season of just Sandor and Tormund talking and killing.

It would have been glorious.

 

[cardfan]

I'll remember the show as doing the books justice. It's just that the writers, like the real author, had no idea how to end it. They were running out of time because of budget and other demands.

The Battle of Winterfell was epic. But such a battle should've pretty much decimated their armies. It went downhill quickly after this. If your Cersei, that's when you strike. Everything that happened afterwards is pretty much nonsense. I see the internet trying to rationalize or make sense of it. Stop trying. That finale (and much of season 8) was terrible on so many levels.