The Game of Thrones Fantasy League – 8.06 – The Iron Throne

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