GOT

IBleedMaroonDawg

All-American
Nov 12, 2007
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Agreed that clues to Dany being crazy werent given, at least they werent obvious.
Watcing Tyrion recap Dany's rise to the throne makes it seem quite obvious in retrospect that she was fast and loose with mass killing, and had just hidden it well under the guise of her version of justice.

True, but when you have to have a character explain a major plot point in a monolouge it usually means you rushed through things and had to explain everything you just did to your audience. HBO wanted more episodes but the show runners refused because they didn't want to screw up their Disney gig with the new Star Wars Trilogy 2022. So they rushed the ending so they could drop everything and run because Disney would have just found someone else if they were unabe to start working on the SW Trilogy.

I can accept everything that happened but after so many seasons of crafted story telling it felt like we went from reading a novel to a Reader's Digest condensed version of the story at the end.
 

Seinfeld

All-American
Nov 30, 2006
11,194
7,069
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Of all the character endings this season, I thought Jaime’s demise was the best. Between his own helplessness in going back to Cersei and Tyrion basically giving up his own life in order to help him do so, it was like watching some poor drug addict that just can’t put down the needle. Then, the scene with Brienne writing the rest of his story got me.

Of all the incredible characters on the show, Jaime was one of my 2-3 favorites
 

Go Budaw

Redshirt
Aug 22, 2012
7,321
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36
I think maybe that was the point. It is basically retirement but Grey Worm doesn't know that. They pretty much knew that he could then go north with the Free Folk and live his life away from The 6 Kingdoms. The only drawback is if they made him swear his oath again and if he still holds his honor that high. Most people would say screw it but does Jon really stay north of the wall or is he just a man that is basically running a prison for lawbreakers and bastards?

The other thing is that the Night’s Watch isn’t exactly a prison or life of isolation. Remember way back in Season 1 when Jon’s Uncle Benjen came to Winterfell for a night and partook of the festivities that were going on when the King was in town. And also the guy they sent to King’s Landing to grab new recruits, etc. They aren’t locked in a cell.
 

engie

Freshman
May 29, 2011
10,757
92
48
Every “good” period of time in Westeros history that we know about lasted the maximum or two Targ reigns. At most 40-50 years. Bran likely lives several hundred years and brings peace and stability for the duration of that time period. The stability of that fact along with his omniscience really ties it all together and makes it make sense. One would assume he would also eventually recruit the next 3 eyed raven and pass along his throne to that person, basically having a country run at all times by a living god. Of course the show runners wouldn’t choose to explain any of that and make the actually quite logical solution dumb as f.

It’s also dumb as f that Sansa secedes the north from her brother’s kingdom, but the show had to prop up girl power somehow after killing off the rest of the ones it had propped up for far too long.

Arya’s arc is exactly as expected from early on. I’m just surprised yara wasn’t captaining that ship.
 

WutheringDawg

Senior
Dec 4, 2010
1,767
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I watched it this morning and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised after hearing the maelstrom of negative reactions. I’m also an optimist when it comes to entertainment and prefer to look at the things that I liked rather than the stuff that I didn’t.

First off, again it was visually the most stunning television that has ever been created. The rain(reign) of ash during the first half of the episode, was striking. It’s circulated around twitter a lot but the scene of Dany as she walks forward with drogon’s wings spread wide to present her as not just the mother of dragons, but a dragon herself might have been a little on the nose but was a great shot. And Jon’s walk to the runes Red Keep did a great job of illustrating his “oh ****, she’s the bad guy” realization.

I was satisfied with every character arc resolution. Was it the best version of each? Probably not, but the ones that mattered the most - Tyrian, Jon, Sansa and Arya - were all satisfying.

I was glad that Tyrian went out on a high note. We all know that he’a been on a long losing streak, but his counseling of Jon about love and duty, death and the afterlife felt like vintage GoT. And provided a great callback to one of the show’s wisest characters - Maester Aemon. It was fitting for a character that has found himself in that position multiple times to once again present an alternative to his own death. And that he got to drop the honeycomb and an *** line one more time was perfect. I also particularly enjoyed Tyrion’s moment of grief and ITV his dead siblings. Dinklage acted it superbly and you could feel the sadness of a man who realizes that he’s now completely alone.

Sansa’s role was a little lite but she fills up the screen when she got an opportunity. Her casual dunking on of Edmur Tully was hilarious and his subsequent sword bonking off the chair was perfect. But watching Sansa complete her journey from willfully and hopefully looking for a marriage to Joffrey to badass Queen in the North was the exact ending that I can only imagine that everyone wanted. She could never rule the 7(6) kingdoms from Winterfell and I’m glad she stayed there to be celebrated.

Arya was never going to be able to fit into the future of Westeros and her leaving was the only conclusion that felt natural. The farewell between Jon and her felt emotionally genuine and it is probably my favorite character combination in the show.

I don’t know what to say about Bran, but I’m fine with the decision to make him king. Sure said he doesn’t want it, but Jon Snow didn’t want to be lord Commander of the Night’s watch until he was, and he want to be king in the north, until he was. Not much to say here except that does seem that possibly knew this was the conclusion for some time now.

People are upset about Jon’s arc, but I don’t really agree with that. Obviously he’s far happier in the north, away from the politics of everything and to be given the opportunity to take the Black as his punishment makes sense. Yes, sure the Dothraki and Unsullied leave shortly after the summit and he could have turned around and not followed through, But that’s not Jon and his honor wouldn’t allow him to not follow through. And that’s not Sansa either, even if Jon wanted to reneg, you can bet she’d be the first to slap that down as the queen in the north. The fact that his parentage was never revealed doesn’t bother me because I don’t think it would have changed anything. Sure it could have gone, Jon is identified as Aegon during the council and everyone backs him, provoking Greyworm to see this as Jon not getting punished and thusly executing him. I’m glad we got the Ghost reunion and the knowledge that Jon is somewhere that he can find peace.

Also, I could watch an entire series revolving around the Small Council’s interactions. And I want to shout out the sound person. The dragon screeches have always been a highlight, but his anguish upon discovering Dany was next level. Saddest I’ve ever felt for a CGI dragon who just roasted an entire city.

Overall it was one of the greatest shows of our time and while the last season had many flaws it still made for a great viewing experience and will hopefully have a positive effect on the Winds of Winter. By that I mean, GRRM has openly spoken about the pressure of finishing the story being overwhelming, now that pressure should feel lesser as the bar for what will be deemed as a good ending has been lowered substantially. Hopefully we get to find out soon.
 
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Dawg_4_lifes

Redshirt
Sep 17, 2016
922
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I'm just going to pretend that it ended at Ep 3.

Tyrion and Bron made it thru alive and they were my favorite two characters.
 

WutheringDawg

Senior
Dec 4, 2010
1,767
678
113
I'm not sure how Sansa's decision is "girl power" other than yes, she is a girl. But the idea that it is a forced political statement is just not what I see on the screen. One, the North has only been a part of the seven kingdoms for about 300~ years. Prior to Aegon's conquest, there was a king in the north who was not subject to the rule of the rule of the King of Westeros. Two, there is recent history within the GoT timeline that has revived this idea. Once Joffrey ordered Ned's execution the North revolted and Robb took the title. It only makes sense that Sansa would declare the North as it's own independent state as it keeps with the tradition of the house and the North writ large.
 
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Ranchdawg

All-Conference
Dec 13, 2012
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That's my initial question. He did give some clues that he foresaw this. He tells all about Jon. He helps setup the night king. He tells Jon that he was exactly where he needed to be. He says to Tyrion at the end that was why he traveled all this way.

I just don't think they gave us enough breadcrumbs earlier.

I feel like the Bran to King was handled like the Arya slays Night King. They both disappeared for some time then pop up miraculously to seize the day. It was like the writers were hiding this to make it a splash. I didn't like the Arya kills Night King without a lead up and I didn't like the Bran to King lead up. Tyrion tries to speak and Grey Worm shuts him up but then the group wants to hear what he has to say and they go with it??? It was almost like a political statement with Grey Worm being Donald Trump and the group being Democrats. :)

Overall though, I liked the final episode. Tyrion survived. Jon survived to be reunited with the Wildlings and Ghost. Bran was a good choice for King. Sansa got to be Queen of the North and Arya got to go on another quest. I really thought Arya would be the one to kill both Cersei and Dany. I'm sure the writers toyed with the idea of Drogon roasting Jon and thought better of it. After all, he was resurrected for a purpose and that purpose was fulfilled.
 

Maroon Eagle

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May 24, 2006
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For those that haven’t read all the books, Arya sails to what will eventually become Mississippi where she builds the capital city of the New World: Starkville.— Woody Whitehurst (@woodywhitehurst) May 20, 2019
 

IBleedMaroonDawg

All-American
Nov 12, 2007
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This article pretty much nails the problems I had with the last two seasons.

https://www.vox.com/game-of-thrones...rones-finale-season-8-bran-tyrion-iron-throne

Let’s zoom in on the resolution of the Iron Throne plot, the show’s core concern over eight seasons.
So Tyrion is in jail, apparently for several weeks. He is brought befor an assembly of the Seven Kingdoms’ most powerful lords and ladies — from protagonists like Sansa and Arya to side characters like Yara Greyjoy and whoever the new Prince of Dorne is. Everyone has apparently decided to meet to negotiate Tyrion and Jon’s fate with Grey Worm and the Unsullied, a discussion that could potentially end in yet another brutal battle if they can’t work out a compromise. The fate of the country hangs in the balance.
In the past, a meeting of this importance could have taken up an entire episode of Game of Thrones. The show would have paid close attention to each of its main characters’ objectives and approaches to the discussion, with the side characters’ interests and motivations somewhat outlined as well.
 

FQDawg

Senior
May 1, 2006
3,076
618
113
This article pretty much nails the problems I had with the last two seasons.

https://www.vox.com/game-of-thrones...rones-finale-season-8-bran-tyrion-iron-throne

Let’s zoom in on the resolution of the Iron Throne plot, the show’s core concern over eight seasons.
So Tyrion is in jail, apparently for several weeks. He is brought befor an assembly of the Seven Kingdoms’ most powerful lords and ladies — from protagonists like Sansa and Arya to side characters like Yara Greyjoy and whoever the new Prince of Dorne is. Everyone has apparently decided to meet to negotiate Tyrion and Jon’s fate with Grey Worm and the Unsullied, a discussion that could potentially end in yet another brutal battle if they can’t work out a compromise. The fate of the country hangs in the balance.
In the past, a meeting of this importance could have taken up an entire episode of Game of Thrones. The show would have paid close attention to each of its main characters’ objectives and approaches to the discussion, with the side characters’ interests and motivations somewhat outlined as well.

Did you really want an entire episode of what amounts to a committee meeting? I think they handled that scene about as well as they could. Plus, Sansa telling Edmure to sit down was comedy gold.
 

AzzurriDawg4

Redshirt
Nov 11, 2007
3,206
12
38
Jon should've been king for 15 minutes.


I keep thinking about the finale. My lingering feeling is that from Dany's death to the closing montage, it was mostly wasted. That said, if you take the first 30 min of the show up until Dany dies and Drogon flies off - and the ending montage in isolation, they were fantastic.


What if...Greyworm brings Tyrion before the Lords. Instead of stumping for Bran, he explains Jon's lineage. Bran and Sam back it up. H. Reed being there to do the same would have also been a nice touch. If Greyworm is willing to allow an impromptu vote to dictate what he does with his prisoners, he surely would be willing to consider that Jon is the true heir.


Jon is brought forward and does a few things: gives the north independence, allows the unsullied and dothraki passage back across the sea in return for their help against the dead, maybe even explains to the council that it was the terrors of this world and its people that drove Dany mad, not her blood, as a quasi redemption for her. Then he renounces his title, suggests Bran should be King and goes beyond the wall willingly to live in peace with Ghost and the freefolk. This gives the middle part of the episode so much more substance - a chance for one more stirring speech from Jon snow and some actual weight to the decisions made at the Dragon pit.


This is bittersweet.


Dany is killed by Jon (sweet, also bitter)


Jon is captured (bitter)


Jon is named King and recognized as Aegon (sweet)


Jon ties up loose ends (sweet)


Jon relinquishes title and gives to Bran (bitter)


But, since it is Jon/Aegon that suggested it and not Tyrion, its given more legitimacy (sweet)


Jon goes north to be happy and get bestest boi snuggles (bittersweet)


A lot of our favorites on the small council (sweet)


Sansa is the biggest badass left in Westeros as Queen in the North (sweet)


Arya is off on adventures (bitter and sweet)
<body id="cke_pastebin" style="position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; left: -1000px;">[FONT=&quot]I keep thinking about the finale. My lingering feeling is that from Dany's death to the closing montage, it was mostly wasted. That said, if you take the first 30 min of the show up until Dany dies and Drogon flies off - and the ending montage in isolation, they were fantastic.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]What if...Greyworm brings Tyrion before the Lords. Instead of stumping for Bran, he explains Jon's lineage. Bran and Sam back it up. H. Reed being there to do the same would have also been a nice touch. If Greyworm is willing to allow an impromptu vote to dictate what he does with his prisoners, he surely would be willing to consider that Jon is the true heir.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Jon is brought forward and does a few things: gives the north independence, allows the unsullied and dothraki passage back across the sea in return for their help against the dead, maybe even explains to them that it was the terrors of this world and its people that drove Dany mad, not her blood, as a quasi redemption for her. Then he renounces his title, suggests Bran should be King and goes beyond the wall willingly to live in peace with Ghost and the freefolk. This gives the middle part of the episode so much more substance - a chance for one more stirring speech from Jon snow and some actual weight to the decisions made at the Dragon pit.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]This is bittersweet.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Dany is killed by Jon (sweet, also bitter)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Jon is captured (bitter)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Jon is named King and recognized as Aegon (sweet)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Jon ties up loose ends (sweet)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Jon relinquishes title and gives to Bran (bitter)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]But, since it is Jon/Aegon that suggested it and not Tyrion, its given more legitimacy (sweet)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Jon goes north to be happy and get bestest boi snuggles (bittersweet)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]A lot of our favorites on the small council (sweet)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Sansa is the biggest badass left in Westeros as Queen in the North (sweet)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Arya is off on adventures (bitter and sweet)[/FONT]
</body>
 

Cooterpoot

Redshirt
Aug 29, 2012
4,239
2
0
I’m disappointed Dany and Sansa didn’t go full lesbian and get naked with each other. Just sayin, since we’re all leaving complaints.