Game of Thrones – 8.06 – The Iron Throne
Nine years
ago another commercially successful, highly discursive, supernatural show closed
out its last episode with a final scene that mirrored its opening scene. This
was the series finale of Lost. George RR Martin famously announced that the
Lost finale was like a turd on his doorstep and I imagine this is how a lot of
people are feeling about the Thrones finale right now!
The final episode
of Lost was divisive, but I believe that the honest intention of the Lindelof
and Cuse was to keep the discourse around the show ongoing, long after Lost had
finished. Conversely, I really don’t think the current conversation about the
Thrones finale was what the Benioff and Weiss were going for! Lost took time in
its last season to honour each of their characters by devoting at least one
episode to their point of view, resolving several character arcs. Admittedly,
Thrones does not have the same format but this lack of focus on character, the
unnecessary obfuscation with depicting where a character’s head is at, is why
so many people feel short changed by this final season. Being one of the few
that adore the finale of Lost, I can revisit it on multiple occasions and the
emotional impact has not lessened. You can put that finale in front of me right
now and when it gets to the ultrasound scene about five minutes in, I am a
wreck. I cry an awful lot at everything: the last 20 minutes of Hamilton, the
last 5 chapters of Deathly Hallows, even the bit in Friends at Monica’s wedding
when you realise who took the pregnancy test! It’s easy to make me cry so I
think I can grade the effectiveness of the Thrones finale on me as disappointingly
lacklustre by its failure to provoke an emotional response.
It is a
massive waste as I was so eager to give myself over to it. I was willing it to
move me emotionally but the closest I got to shedding a tear was when Drogon
checked up on his dead mother – but if you give a creature characteristics that
make them resemble a sad dog, it’s quite easy to manipulate a response! And this
scene usually works for me, when it happens in The Lion King and The Godfather,
but here I don’t think the creatives did enough to make me feel the emotion.
I feel the
same with the montage of Ned’s children, no positive emotional response. First
of all, why the fuck isn’t Bran included? The montage has two Starks setting out
on a journey and one getting crowned. Why aren’t we showing two getting
crowned? What a waste of visual poetry. One throwaway line in season six
wondering what’s west of Westeros is not enough to feel that Arya’s voyage is a
satisfying resolution for her character. We invested two seasons watching her
become an assassin that can magically morph into other people and fight without
use of her eyes, and the payoff is that she’s going to use all that training…to
become a sailor. After several seasons of failing to do so, Jon finally learns
to tell lies and murder an unarmed woman. For this, he is made to reunite with
his mate and old pet. This is what the revelations of his lineage and
machinations of Varys have led to. Sansa is anointed as queen of the North. Who
knew the North’s independence was such a major motivator in her actions? It’s
presented as a triumph but the victory feels hollow. What does independence of
the North even mean? Her brother is already king of the country so what new
freedom does the North’s independence allow Sansa that she doesn’t already
have? Imagine the people of the North rejoicing to hear about Bran: “At last,
the North rules over the Seven Kingdoms, maybe we can finally get a bit of coin
– oh wait, we’re not entitled to any of that now our land has been excluded
from all of the rest of the country’s entitlements…thanks Sansa”. The show has
not explained any reason why independence for the North benefits anyone, so I
can’t get excited about seeing Sansa crowned. She is the leader of an
independent state of fairly racist and petty subjects and all of her friends,
family and allies are located in other Kingdoms or countries. How is this a
logical culmination of her arc?
She could
have taken the Throne herself. Over the last season Sansa has shown her instincts
to be spot on, she’s spoken out for her people and her play of the game of
thrones has proved to be exceptional: the cataclysmic events of The Bells were
an indirect consequence of Sansa’s seeds of doubt planted in Tyrion. At the
Dragonpit, she clearly exerts the most authority, essentially running the
proceedings and I’m sure most of the assembled would not object to her taking
the Throne. She’s got Bran, Arya, Brienne, Yohn, Robin and Edmure. Sam and
Davos are Team Stark so would also likely go along with it. Yara and the
Dornish prince would probably also follow suit seeing as they do with Bran. To
make Sansa the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms would be a gigantic payoff for her
season one character. It would quake the history of monarchy in Westeros as
there would finally be an acknowledged queen, making this story, above all the
events in Westerosi history, worth filming. The centrepiece of conflict for the
last two seasons has been two women vying for Queen, and a Thrones-appropriate
resolution for this would be that both die and a queen you weren’t expecting
comes along. A queen who, when you rewatch the show, has actually been the
chief instigator of the main conflict. She could be the "younger queen" of Cersei's prophecy. She is a Stark with red hair, i.e. a
song of ice and fire. Isn’t this better than Bran??
I feel this
makes way more sense than what we’re given. Tyrion could still be Hand of the
Queen and Bran would make a perfect Master of Whisperers. It’s very strange
that the show took this route, I can’t imagine they believed what we got would
be appreciated. It does a disservice to the cast and crew that work on the
show. I’m a fan, I want it to do well but I think this is a disaster of an
ending.
Here were
some predictions I made about season 8 directly after the s7 finale:
I expected an explosive first episode where the
Undead army descended on Winterfell – wrong
Tormund and Beric get to Winterfell to warn of the
oncoming onslaught, Bran to also warn - correct
Golden Company unlikely to take arms against
Daenerys – wrong (though right about the elephants)
Arya and Melisandre to meet again - correct
Clegane brothers are going to face off and Gregor
to die in fire - correct
Jon will ride Rhaegal - correct
Bran will be able to warg into Viserion - wrong
Dany not bothered by incest - correct
Varys’ reacts to Littlefinger’s death - wrong
Jon and Arya reunite and discuss swords – correct but not to the extent I’d have liked
Direwolves come back – half
right, just Ghost
Theon will rescue Yara and both will defeat Euron –
half right
Cersei to die before the birth of her baby,
probably by Wildfire – mostly right
Gendry to reunite with Arya - right
Grey Worm and Missandei will get back together but
won’t have a happy ending – right, though I
had forgotten they hadn’t reunited by the s7 finale
Ser Jorah to meet Lyanna - correct
Here’s an extract from my thoughts on season seven
“I am a bit bored of battle episodes
where we have clear heroes who are basically getting fucked until someone comes
up to save them. I want to see people win with ingenuity, not luck. The Lord of
the Rings has influenced battle scenes for too long. As much as I love
Gandalf/Rohirrim/Ghost Army/Knights of the Vale/Dragons coming in stage left
just when you think All is Lost, it’s really overdone. Let’s see some strategy
next year.” – WRONG!
Here’s another quote from my season seven post “As much as the show terrified me this year
that Daenerys might die, I don’t think she will. The show is her story. In the
War of the Roses, the Lancasters and Yorks fought each other until Henry Tudor
came over from France to defeat Richard III and take the Throne. Dany has been
the Henry Tudor of the show. But after all that, the show hasn’t really
endorsed having a monarch as giving a stable land. I feel that ending isn’t
GRRM enough. It would work in the show, Dany being queen happily ever after.
The writing of the books has never been that interested in good people being
good rulers.” – so the whole War of the Roses parallel falls apart here,
which is quite a disappointment. Instead the current system of rule is
reminiscent of the Dalai Lama: like him, the Three Eyed Raven transfers to
another person when the body he inhabits dies. The Three Eyed Raven system is a
little weird though as it’s this old creep grooming boys...so that’s what Westeros
has to look forward to!
I don’t feel completely negative about the finale
and show itself. I have never been one of those viewers who gets bothered by
the characters teleporting around the country (Jaime and Cersei do it in the
first episode). I enjoyed the dialogue and directing, the acting has been
brilliant, and I don’t fault any of the technical aspects on the show. Shot
composition, soundtrack, even the lighting, I’ve been singing their praises.
It’s just a shame the scripts didn’t do right by these talents.
It really shows that not a lot of thought was put
into these final scripts. They had been written before season seven had come
out, which also received criticism for the same issues. Perhaps Benioff and
Weiss should have delayed filming until after season seven had been released
and course-corrected in light of these criticisms. It’s a complaint that has
been put forward by both actors and the fans. It boggles because the show is
such a giant moneymaker for HBO, they could have got more episodes if they
wanted, so we can conclude that the creators clearly wanted out but instead of
leaving the show and handing the reins over to more capable members of the
writing team, like Bryan Cogman, they selfishly stayed on and chugged out an
inferior rushed product. It’s a pity because this show had carte blanche to do
whatever it wanted and got bungled instead. The show was a feast but it’s left
a foul taste in my mouth.
I guess there’s a reason why it’s taken GRRM so
long to write the next book. This story is too complex and sprawling to be
satisfyingly wrapped up in two shortened seasons.
Anyway,
enough moaning from me, on to the fantasy league! But first, some debatable
points:
Possible points of contention
A lot of
characters encounter relatives after battles this episodes. For ease, here’s
the full list:
Bran –
encounters Arya, Robin, Edmure, Jon
Jon –
encounters Arya, Bran, Sansa
Arya –
encounters Jon, Sansa, Bran, Edmure, Robin,
Cersei –
encounters Tyrion
Jaime –
encounters Tyrion
Sansa –
encounters Arya, Edmure, Bran, Jon
Tyrion –
encounters Cersei and Jaime
Edmure –
encounters Arya, Sansa, Bran, Robin
Robin –
encounters Arya, Sansa, Bran, Edmure
Tyrion gains
points for encountering a dragon skull.
Daenerys is
finally recognised as the official ruler of Westeros in this episode after she
declares herself as such in her speech.
Tyrion
mentions the Iron Throne, which is also the title of the episode giving him
points for both.
Yara has
been to the Iron Islands since we last saw her, gaining her points in this
episode.
Although
interrupted by Sansa, Tyrion earns monologue points for his thesis on ruling
rights.
Tyrion earns
haircut points for having his straggly beard groomed. Jon does not, as there is
not a significant change in his appearance after he’s released from the cells.
Jon gains
points twice for riding a horse. First for arriving at Castle Black and
secondly, after a presumable time jump, when leading the free folk beyond the
Wall.
Although not
visible, I have included Ghost in the last shot as he is proved to be present.
Despite not
appearing in the episode, Gilly, Nymeria, Archmaester Ebrose, Daario Naharis,
Jaqen H’ghar, Kinvara, Meera Reed, Quaithe, Salladhor Saan, and Tycho Nestoris
gain points for making it to the end of the series without dying as there have
been no reports of their deaths. Ellaria does not gain points it’s likely she
died when the Red Keep collapsed. Jon also does not gain points as he died in
Season 5.
Character Scores
Here is a
full list of the characters and their awarded points. If one of your characters
does not appear in the following lists, this is due to their absence from the
episode, for which you shall be deducted five points per character:
Group A
Bran Stark –
255 points: appears (+5), visits KL
(+15), 4x reunites with previously lost blood relative (+30), is officially
declared ruler of Westeros (+100), makes it to the end of the series without
dying (+15)
Daenerys
Targaryen – 150 points: appears (+5),
rides dragon (+20), is officially declared ruler of Westeros (+100), makes
inspiring speech (+20), monologues for over three minutes (+20), has kiss
(+15), dies (-30)
Jon Snow – 210 points: appears (+5), 3x reunites
with previously lost blood relative (+30), has kiss (+15), kills someone (-10),
travels by boat (+10), 2x rides horse (+10), crosses the Wall (+50), last on
screen for series (+30)
Group B
Arya Stark –
180 points: appears (+5), 5x reunites
with previously lost blood relative (+30), travels by boat (+10), makes it to
the end of the series without dying (+15)
Cersei
Lannister – 35 points: appears (+5),
reunites with previously lost blood relative (+30)
Jaime
Lannister – 35 points: appears (+5),
reunites with previously lost blood relative (+30)
Sansa Stark
– 155 points: appears (+5), visits
KL (+15), 4x reunites with previously lost blood relative (+30), makes it to
the end of the series without dying (+15)
Tyrion
Lannister – 253 points: appears (+5),
first on screen (+15), first line (+10), encounters dragon (+20), 2x encounters
previously lost blood relative (+30), mentions Iron Throne (+15), mentions episode
title (+10), makes inspiring speech (+20), monologues (+30), has haircut (+20),
studies a book (+13), last line of the series (+20), makes it to the end of the
series without dying (+15)
Group C
Brienne of
Tarth – 48 points: appears (+5),
visits KL (+15), studies a book (+13), makes it to the end of the series
without dying (+15)
Samwell
Tarly – 40 points: appears (+5),
visits KL (+15), makes it to the end of the series without dying (+15)
Ser Davos
Seaworth – 20 points: appears (+5),
makes it to the end of the series without dying (+15)
Group D
Gendry – 35 points: appears (+5), visits KL
(+15), makes it to the end of the series without dying (+15)
Gilly – 10 points: does not appear (-5) makes
it to the end of the series without dying (+15)
Ser Bronn – 35 points: appears (+5), visits KL
(+15), makes it to the end of the series without dying (+15)
Tormund
Giantsbane – 110 points: appears
(+5), rides horse (+10), crosses the Wall (+50), last on screen (+30), makes it
to the end of the series without dying (+15)
Group E
Grey Worm – 20 points: appears (+5), kills someone
(-10), travels by boat (+10), makes it to the end of the series without dying
(+15)
Podrick
Payne – 35 points: appears (+5),
visits KL (+15), makes it to the end of the series without dying (+15)
Yara Greyjoy
– 45 points: appears (+5), visits
Iron Islands (+10), visits KL (+15), makes it to the end of the series without
dying (+15)
Group F
Drogon – 20 points: appears (+5), makes it to
the end of the series without dying (+15)
Ghost – 100 points: appears (+5), crosses the
Wall (+50), last on screen (+30), makes it to the end of the series without
dying (+15)
Nymeria – 10 points: does not appear (-5), makes
it to the end of the series without dying (+15)
Group H
Archmaester
Ebrose – 10 points: does not appear
(-5), makes it to the end of the series without dying (+15)
Daario
Naharis – 10 points: does not appear
(-5), makes it to the end of the series without dying (+15)
Edmure Tully
– 155 points: appears (+5), visits
KL (+15), 4x reunites with previously lost blood relative (+30), makes it to
the end of the series without dying (+15)
Jaqen H’ghar
– 10 points: does not appear (-5),
makes it to the end of the series without dying (+15)
Kinvara – 10 points: does not appear (-5), makes
it to the end of the series without dying (+15)
Meera Reed –
10 points: does not appear (-5),
makes it to the end of the series without dying (+15)
Quaithe – 10 points: does not appear (-5), makes
it to the end of the series without dying (+15)
Robin Arryn
– 155 points: appears (+5), visits
KL (+15), 4x reunites with previously lost blood relative (+30) makes it to the
end of the series without dying (+15)
Salladhor
Saan – 10 points: does not appear
(-5), makes it to the end of the series without dying (+15)
Tycho Nestoris
– 10 points: does not appear (-5),
makes it to the end of the series without dying (+15)
The Leaderboard
Congratulations
to CH who becomes our final points champion this week with 871 points! Well
done, CH!
And finally
massive congratulations to JB for retaining his insane lead from episode 3 all
the way to the end of the season. Well done on becoming the winner of The Game
of Thrones Fantasy League – Season 8!
Thanks for
playing, everyone! This is it for fantasy leagues. Perhaps I will revisit this
arena a few years down the line if the Thrones prequel is any good and
similarly loaded with chracters.
All the
best, MH
