The final season of Game of Thrones, HBO’s epic fantasy series based on George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” novels, remains one of the most talked-about and controversial conclusions in television history. After eight seasons of complex political intrigue, sprawling battles, and captivating characters, the way the series wrapped up left many viewers and critics deeply dissatisfied. Understanding how Game of Thrones ended requires examining the key plot points, character arcs, and creative decisions that shaped the final episodes.
The Long Night and its Aftermath
The Battle of Winterfell, often referred to as “The Long Night,” was the penultimate battle between the living and the dead. The Night King, leading his army of White Walkers and wights, finally reached Winterfell, posing an existential threat to Westeros. The battle sequence, filmed in near-darkness, was criticized for its visibility and strategic decisions.
Ultimately, Arya Stark delivered the killing blow to the Night King, shattering him and his army. This victory, while seemingly decisive, felt rushed to some viewers. The Night King, built up as the ultimate villain for seven seasons, was defeated relatively easily, leaving many to wonder about the purpose of his entire arc.
Following the victory against the Night King, the focus shifted back to the political struggle for the Iron Throne. Daenerys Targaryen, having lost much of her army and two of her dragons, remained determined to claim what she believed was rightfully hers. Cersei Lannister, entrenched in King’s Landing, stood as her final obstacle.
The Mad Queen and the Fall of King’s Landing
Daenerys Targaryen’s descent into madness, culminating in the destruction of King’s Landing, was perhaps the most divisive aspect of the final season. Throughout the series, Daenerys had been portrayed as a compassionate ruler, fighting to liberate the oppressed. However, in the final episodes, her desire for power and vengeance took over.
After the Lannister army surrendered, Daenerys, riding her dragon Drogon, unleashed fire upon King’s Landing, burning the city and its inhabitants to the ground. This act of mass murder horrified many viewers and led to accusations that her character arc was rushed and unearned. The sudden shift from benevolent queen to genocidal tyrant felt jarring to many.
The burning of King’s Landing had significant consequences for the remaining characters. Jon Snow, who had sworn allegiance to Daenerys and was secretly a Targaryen himself, was forced to confront the implications of her actions. His internal conflict intensified as he grappled with his love for Daenerys and his duty to protect the realm.
Jon’s Decision and the New Order
Jon Snow, torn between love and duty, ultimately made the difficult decision to assassinate Daenerys Targaryen. He realized that her thirst for power would only lead to further destruction and that she could not be allowed to rule. This act of regicide, while morally complex, was seen by some as necessary to prevent further bloodshed.
Following Daenerys’s death, the question of who would rule Westeros became paramount. The surviving lords and ladies of the realm gathered in the Dragonpit to decide the future of the Seven Kingdoms. After much deliberation, they chose Bran Stark, the Three-Eyed Raven, as their king.
Bran’s selection was based on his ability to see the past, present, and future. He was seen as an impartial ruler who could use his knowledge to guide Westeros towards a more peaceful and prosperous future. Bran’s story arc took on a completely unexpected turn, transitioning from the most incapacitated Stark child to become ruler of all.
Tyrion Lannister, pardoned for his crimes, was appointed Hand to the King, tasked with advising Bran and helping him govern. He accepted the role, determined to rebuild Westeros and create a fairer society.
The Fates of Key Characters
The final season saw the resolution of several major character arcs, though not always in ways that pleased the audience.
- Jon Snow: Exiled to the Night’s Watch for his assassination of Daenerys, Jon returned to the North, finding a semblance of peace among the Wildlings.
- Arya Stark: Embarked on a journey west of Westeros, seeking to explore uncharted territories and discover new lands.
- Sansa Stark: Declared Queen in the North, securing independence for the region and fulfilling her ambition to rule.
- Tyrion Lannister: Appointed Hand to the King, dedicated to rebuilding Westeros and advising Bran.
- Brienne of Tarth: Became Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, continuing to serve and protect the realm.
- Bran Stark: Became King of the Six Kingdoms (the North being independent), ruling with his knowledge of the past, present, and future.
Criticisms of the Ending
The ending of Game of Thrones faced widespread criticism for several reasons. Many felt that the plot was rushed, character arcs were unearned, and the overall quality of writing declined significantly in the final seasons.
One of the main criticisms was the rapid pace of the plot. The final seasons covered a vast amount of ground in a short amount of time, leading to rushed storylines and underdeveloped character development. Characters made decisions that seemed out of character or lacked sufficient motivation, leaving viewers feeling disconnected from their journeys.
Another criticism was the perceived abandonment of the source material. As the show progressed beyond the published books, the writers had to create their own storylines and resolutions. Many felt that they failed to capture the complexity and nuance of George R.R. Martin’s writing, resulting in a simplified and less satisfying conclusion.
Specific Criticisms of Daenerys’s Arc
Daenerys Targaryen’s descent into madness was particularly controversial. Critics argued that her transformation was not properly foreshadowed and felt like a betrayal of her character. They pointed out that her actions in the final episodes were inconsistent with her previous behavior and that her motivations were not adequately explored. This was especially jarring for fans who felt that the foundation of Daenerys’s character development was completely ignored.
The Simplification of Political Intrigue
The complex political maneuvering that characterized the earlier seasons of Game of Thrones was largely absent in the final season. The focus shifted from intricate plotting and scheming to large-scale battles and dramatic confrontations. Some felt that this simplification robbed the show of its intellectual depth and made the ending less satisfying.
Defenses of the Ending
Despite the widespread criticism, some defended the ending of Game of Thrones. They argued that the writers made the best decisions they could given the circumstances and that the ending, while not perfect, was consistent with the themes and characters of the series.
Some defenders pointed out that George R.R. Martin had provided the showrunners with an outline of how he intended the story to end. They argued that the show’s ending, while different in execution, stayed true to Martin’s overall vision. Whether this is true or not remains one of the most debated aspects of the ending.
Others argued that the ending was intentionally bittersweet, reflecting the harsh realities of the world of Game of Thrones. They pointed out that not every character got a happy ending and that the final season, while flawed, was a fitting conclusion to a complex and morally ambiguous story.
Thematic Consistency
Some argued that the ending, particularly Daenerys’s fate, was consistent with the themes of power and corruption that ran throughout the series. They pointed out that absolute power corrupts absolutely and that Daenerys’s descent into madness was a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition.
The Challenges of Adaptation
Defenders of the ending also acknowledged the challenges of adapting an unfinished book series for television. They pointed out that the showrunners had to make difficult decisions about which storylines to include and how to resolve them, and that they ultimately did the best they could with the material they had.
The Legacy of the Game of Thrones Finale
Regardless of one’s opinion of the ending, the Game of Thrones finale remains a significant event in television history. It sparked countless debates, divided audiences, and left a lasting impact on the landscape of television storytelling.
The controversy surrounding the ending highlighted the challenges of adapting complex literary works for the screen and the difficulty of satisfying a large and passionate fanbase. It also raised questions about the role of fan expectations in shaping the narrative of a television series.
The legacy of the Game of Thrones finale is complex and multifaceted. While it is often cited as an example of how not to end a television series, it also serves as a reminder of the power of storytelling and the importance of creating characters and worlds that resonate with audiences.
The prequel series, “House of the Dragon,” has been met with a much more positive reception, suggesting that the world of Westeros still has stories to tell and that the audience is still willing to listen. Perhaps, in time, the sting of the Game of Thrones finale will fade, and the series will be remembered for its overall brilliance rather than its divisive conclusion. The impact of the initial show, however, cannot be overstated.
Why was the Game of Thrones finale considered so divisive?
The Game of Thrones finale, particularly the final season, deviated significantly from established character arcs and plotlines, leading to widespread dissatisfaction among fans. Many felt that key characters acted out of character, plot resolutions felt rushed and unearned, and long-standing mysteries were either poorly explained or ignored altogether. Daenerys Targaryen’s sudden turn to “Mad Queen,” Bran Stark’s unlikely ascendance to the Iron Throne, and Jon Snow’s ambiguous fate were key points of contention.
Furthermore, the pacing of the final seasons was criticized for prioritizing spectacle over narrative depth. The shortened episode count forced the writers to condense complex storylines, resulting in plot holes and inconsistencies that strained believability. The diminished reliance on the source material, coupled with a perceived decline in writing quality, ultimately alienated a significant portion of the fanbase who felt the show had betrayed its earlier promise.
What were the major criticisms leveled against Daenerys Targaryen’s arc?
The primary criticism surrounding Daenerys’ arc centered on her sudden descent into tyrannical madness in the penultimate episode. Critics argued that while hints of her Targaryen lineage and potential for cruelty were present throughout the series, the shift felt rushed and unconvincing. Her decision to indiscriminately burn King’s Landing, despite the city surrendering, seemed a jarring departure from her previously established ideals and motivations.
Many viewers felt that the writers sacrificed character development for shock value, turning a complex and nuanced character into a simple villain in service of a contrived plot twist. The abruptness of the change, coupled with a lack of sufficient foreshadowing in the preceding episodes, undermined the emotional impact of her actions and contributed to the overall dissatisfaction with the finale.
How did Bran Stark become King, and why was it controversial?
Bran Stark, possessing the collective memory of Westeros as the Three-Eyed Raven, was chosen as the new king during a council of lords and ladies. Tyrion Lannister argued that Bran’s ability to recall history made him the ideal ruler, as he could learn from past mistakes and govern with wisdom. This proposal was met with general agreement, particularly as Bran had expressed no desire for power himself.
The controversy stemmed from the perception that Bran’s ascension was unearned and anticlimactic. His character had become increasingly detached and passive in the later seasons, lacking the emotional investment or leadership qualities typically associated with a monarch. Many viewers felt that other characters, such as Jon Snow or Sansa Stark, were more deserving of the throne, and that Bran’s selection felt like a convenient but ultimately unsatisfying conclusion.
What was the fate of Jon Snow after the events of the Game of Thrones finale?
Jon Snow, having killed Daenerys to prevent her from further tyranny, was punished for his actions but spared execution. Instead, he was sentenced to return to the Night’s Watch and take the black once more, effectively exiling him from Westeros. This decision was presented as a compromise, satisfying both the Unsullied’s desire for retribution and the Northern lords’ desire to protect Jon.
Jon ultimately journeyed north of the Wall, joining the Wildlings he had befriended earlier in the series. This ambiguous ending suggested a potential return to a simpler life, free from the political intrigue and burdens of Westeros. While some viewers found this ending fitting, others felt it was a disappointing conclusion for a character who had played such a pivotal role in the overall narrative.
Why was the ending for characters like Tyrion and Sansa Stark divisive?
Tyrion Lannister, appointed Hand to King Bran, was seen by some as having his intelligence and wit diminished in the final seasons. His constant blunders and questionable decisions undermined his reputation as a brilliant strategist. While he played a key role in advocating for Bran’s kingship, some felt his character arc had been diminished, settling for a position beneath his potential.
Sansa Stark, crowned Queen in the North, achieved independence for her region but her storyline felt predictable to some. While her resilience and political acumen were celebrated, some found the separation of the Seven Kingdoms to be a weak and ultimately disappointing resolution to the overarching conflict. Many felt her character deserved a more nuanced and engaging ending than simply securing regional autonomy.
Did the show’s departure from the source material impact the finale’s reception?
Yes, the show’s departure from George R.R. Martin’s unfinished book series significantly impacted the finale’s reception. As the series progressed beyond the published novels, the writers were forced to create their own storylines and resolutions, often diverging from Martin’s established plot points and characterizations. This resulted in a perceived decline in writing quality and a sense that the show had lost its way.
Many fans felt that the writers lacked the same depth of understanding and nuance of the source material, leading to plot inconsistencies, rushed character development, and ultimately, an unsatisfying conclusion. The absence of Martin’s guiding hand contributed to the perception that the finale was a pale imitation of the books, lacking the thematic complexity and narrative richness that had defined the earlier seasons.
What role did audience expectations play in the negative reception of the finale?
Audience expectations played a significant role in the negative reception of the Game of Thrones finale. After years of intricate plotting, complex character development, and shocking twists, viewers had built up high expectations for a satisfying and meaningful conclusion. Many had developed their own theories and imagined scenarios for how the series would end, and the actual finale often contradicted these expectations.
The immense popularity of the series also created a sense of collective ownership among fans, leading to intense scrutiny and criticism of any perceived missteps. The perceived decline in writing quality, coupled with the divergence from established character arcs, amplified the disappointment and frustration among viewers who felt the show had failed to deliver on its earlier promise. Ultimately, the finale faced the impossible task of satisfying a diverse and highly invested audience, and its inability to do so contributed to its divisive legacy.