GAME OF THRONES (S8E6) “The Iron Throne”: An End For Cripples, Bastards & Broken Things

This is the end. The ashes have settled. It may be a somber one, but their fates have finally come to pass.

After a very divisive eighth and final season, Game of Thrones has concluded. Was it underwhelming? How did the game resolve itself? This will undoubtedly be argued among fans for many years to come, and while this last season was problematic, I believe the ending fit, even with its serrated edge.

Is there such a thing as a perfect ending? I know some shows (Breaking Bad for one) had very little bloodshed in terms of dissatisfying fans, but that’s rare. Often, some eggs are going to be broken, some passionate watchers enraged, but if you take that unattainable perfection out of the picture and you consider the course of these characters, The Iron Throne, makes sense.

“The Climb Is All There Is.”

Over the course of eight seasons we’ve seen the rise and fall of many monarchs and houses, and the main point of this series has been a conclusion to the question “who will rule?” Even more than the drive to be queen or king, the desire to just survive was enough of a struggle. Nothing has been easy for this group, and there have been more losses than wins. The finale continued this direction.

I’ve seen and understood the dissatisfaction with some of the writing and the arcs of some beloved characters, but I think these trajectories have long been in the making. I’ve been watching since it first aired, and there is a lot to take in and consider. In comparison to the last seven seasons this was weaker, and I believe that is irrefutable, though I stick with the previous declaration that I made: this show is still one of the best.

Dany couldn’t see past her own destructive tendencies. She imagined what she was doing was just and sought to liberate people. Was her arrival to such a destructive path hastened? Yes, but, to go back to Ned from season one “A madman sees what he sees.” It’s important to note she didn’t see it this way, and her advisors couldn’t talk her out of it this time. Tyrion, in a satisfying moment where he throws his pin to the ground, realizes he was wrong and accepts his fate as treason.

Like many, I think there are elements to this season that were rushed. There should have been more time, more groundwork put forth, and more time giving our female characters their due. However, I’m not stunned by the choices made.

After last weeks destruction of King’s landing and murderous rampage by Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) we knew she wasn’t long for this world. I think many suspected that Jon Snow (Kit Harington) would be the one to do it.

What I didn’t expect, and what was tragically symbolic, was the destruction of the throne by Drogon. Even if it’s a bit strange that he would be able to perceive the significance of such a move (though it’s said they’re smarter than humans). He could have easily killed Jon, but instead destroys what started it all. What everybody had been seeking and fighting for was melted into nothing.

Where does he take her body at the end? Bran mentions being able to see where the dragon went, and perhaps he’ll make his way into one of those expected spinoffs. Or, maybe, we don’t need to know.

“Night Gathers, And Now My Watch Begins.”

The final sequence is my favorite of the episode. This show began with The Starks and it ends with them too. They have always been the heart of Game of Thrones, always beating – often broken, but still (sometimes with the help of a priestess) pumping. Sansa, Arya, Bran and Jon all had their particular paths, and it’s as close to a happy ending for them as you could imagine.

I love the bookends of Jon at the wall at the start and the end. In the first episode Jon, who has the rightful claim to the throne but doesn’t want it, decides to ride north and be part of the night’s watch. He’s heroism at its finest: undiluted, honorable, and selfless. He has had the two loves of his life die in his arms, suffered a multitude of other miserable losses, but yet he still stands, willing to do what’s right for everyone.

Now, he’s finally doing what is right for him, and as he rides north of the wall with Ghost (yay!) and Tormund, there’s a satisfaction in his ending. His watch has ended, yet again, and as he rides north there’s a real sense of earned independence. Was I hoping he was the chosen one? Perhaps, but I don’t know that there could be a more sensible finality for Jon.

In season’s past Arya (Maisie Williams) has declared her desire to travel the world. Last week when The Hound (in an incredibly emotional and beautiful moment) turned her away from her pursuit of vengeance, he gave her an opportunity to seek the undiscovered: to live. She’s earned, just as all the Starks have, her freedom. She’s an unconventional and unique character, and the idea of her wandering the world – or worlds, is a comfort.

Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner), the most politically savvy, has been geared for ruling for a long time, and as ruler here she’s seeing her own dreams finalized. Her final moments of being crowned and declared queen of the north is nothing short of prideful. Could she have ruled everything? Probably. Should she have? That’s a tricky one.

Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) is king, and I think that’s where a lot of the disappointment lies. He’s unexpected, for sure, and he’s not the Stark we know from season one. He’s devoid of the emotions that have wrecked and grown empires. Instead, he’s as objective of a ruler as one can imagine because he knows everything. This has an advantage never seen in Westeros, and it is the beginning of something that could finally be considered fair.

Dany succeeded in breaking the wheel, and perhaps the realm can finally see lighter days because of what she’s done. Remember, this is a world that was primarily focused on lineage and the pursuit of power. The old ways are out. Regardless of the manner in which this all happened, you can’t deny that it was necessary. Even the smallest details seemed to have paved this particular road. This is the song of ice and fire and everyone had their part to play.

“If You Think This Has A Happy Ending, You Haven’t Been Paying Attention.”

Even though nobody truly makes it out of this show unscathed, there are some characters who do see a glimmer of happiness, some in ways that never would have been possible before. Besides the Starks, Sam is Grandmaester and he’s expecting a child with the woman he loves. Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) is hand to the king, a job he was always destined for, and Brienne (Gwendoline Christie) is commander of the king’s guard. Greyworm (Jacob Anderson) takes his Unsullied to his beloved’s homeland and Ser Davos (Liam Cunningham) is master of ships (and grammar too, haha, Stannis would be proud).

Even Bronn, whose role was significantly null in this season, gets to make biting remarks in the small council chamber with a title under his belt.

I don’t regret my investment in this show and regardless of coffee cups or water bottles making their way into shots, fast tracking character developments, poor lighting, or a desire for more, Game of Thrones is over and there is a lot to appreciate this season and in this episode.

It wasn’t an intense one, that’s generally saved for the penultimate (which definitely was) but instead it was picking up the pieces as best they could. I’ve seen some spectacular cinematography, gripping performances and sharp direction here. I was moved and sad to see it conclude. I look forward to viewing it through again.

Also, the show has Tyrion’s final line beginning a joke he’s tried to tell twice before (originally back in season one), but we still don’t hear its ending. I think that, sometimes, we don’t need to know everything.

As the series winds down, we hear the beautiful score, as severe as the first time it’s played, as Jon rides into the woods beyond the wall. The Iron Throne is now abolished. Seems fitting, as one of the biggest shows of all time ends, don’t ya think?

Were you satisfied? What should have happened? Let us know in the comments below!

All seasons are available to stream on HBO go/now.