Game of Thrones Thread

[Baitball Blogger]

Begins with Varys writing a letter revealing the identity of Gendry.

[Solly Mack]

1. Looked like he was writing about Jon.

[Baitball Blogger]

2. Yes! Of course. My mistake.

And now Daenarys is taking in the information regarding the Jon's betrayal in revealing his identity.

[Solly Mack]

4. Jon never said he wouldn't tell his family. No betrayal.

[Baitball Blogger]

5. Yikes! Daenarys works swiftly.

Varys is in hot water.

[dixiegrrrrl]

204. I bet he wished he WAS in water

given the outcome.

[Baitball Blogger]

208. I so want to see Tyrion get a baptism by fire, and come out clean and alive the way

Dany did.

[Baitball Blogger]

3. Oh, dear. Daenarys does not look good.

[Solly Mack]

6. Looks a lot like Viserys did.

[Baitball Blogger]

8. Oh, whoa!

She wanted blood, and she got it, double charred!

[RandySF]

7. I want Samwell on the Iron Throne

[Baitball Blogger]

9. I just hope that Daenarys can stop herself.

Jon has a chance to influence her.

[tblue37]

54. She can't. nt

[Baitball Blogger]

57. Yup.

[Solly Mack]

10. I knew Varys would die.

Still...

[Solly Mack]

11. True colors...true colors...true colors...shining through.

[Baitball Blogger]

16. Damn. I thought it would take a lot to turn me against Dany.

I knew the moment that Jon rejected her as his lover, that she was going to go down a path that would have me accepting her eventual demise.

[Solly Mack]

23. He had no choice. He's a man of the North. A Stark. Raised one by a man he loved and respected.

His mother was a Stark. A woman of the North. The Old Gods.

He had no choice.

But she can't or won't see it from his point of view.

[Baitball Blogger]

26. It will be interesting to see what happens if she's pregnant.

Right now, she's fighting that war quite successfully. How can anyone deny her, if Jon renounces the throne.

[Solly Mack]

29. It is interesting isn't it!

[Baitball Blogger]

31. Indeed.

Yay! The bells are ringing!!!!! But Cersei didn't order it. What is Dany going to do next?

[Baitball Blogger]

33. Shit no!

[Solly Mack]

12. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

So much hope riding on so much betrayal.

[Solly Mack]

13. Touching scene. Too bad it means death for one or both.

[redwitch]

14. Jaime should have stayed with Brienne.

Damn.

[Solly Mack]

15. I think so too.

But...oh well.

[redwitch]

17. Come on Arya!

I am hating this episode already!

[Solly Mack]

20. I'm nervous most of all.

Mostly about Arya.

[Baitball Blogger]

18. Well, we're going to find out if Tyrion has Targaryn DNA.

[Solly Mack]

21. How?

[Baitball Blogger]

22. If he walks out of the dragon fire, alive.

[Solly Mack]

24. That would be something to see.

[NewJeffCT]

175. especially since

when he killed the wight at Castle Black back in season 1, it was via fire and he burned his hands

[Solly Mack]

179. There is that.

[tblue37]

50. Cersei's prophecy was that she'd be killed by her younger brother. Jaime, her twin, was born

second. I think he, not Tyrion, is the younger brother who will kill her, thus adding Queenslayer to his nicknames--and probably getting himself killed in the process. Maybe Tyrion will kill Danaerys and also get killed doing so.

[dixiegrrrrl]

206. But tyrion is with the side that did kill her, in the end.

I can hear George Martin about now: " I didn't say anything about HOW she was gonna be killed."

[Baitball Blogger]

19. She attacks with the sun at her back.

[Solly Mack]

25. That was well done. So far.

[Solly Mack]

27. Cersei is as rational as ever.

[Baitball Blogger]

28. At this point, it's just a matter of who gets to kill Cersei.

Her soldiers have dropped thier swords, no innocent townspeople have been killed.

But the bells aren't ringing.

[Solly Mack]

30. Cersei could kill herself. She's threatened to before.

I'd rather Arya did it though. or Jon.

[tblue37]

53. Jaime, who is the younger twin, will kill her, thus fulfilling the prophecy. nt

[Solly Mack]

56. Most likely, yes.

[shanny]

120. well, they fudged that one!

She dies with the hands of her younger brother wrapped around her neck...of course, they declined to have him kill her.

I was sure he would. I was sure that, in the end, he wouldn't stick with her. Damn.

[dixiegrrrrl]

205. "But the bells aren't ringing."

I have a feeling that is gonna become part of our lexicon.

[Baitball Blogger]

207. Well, if you're talking about Trump, I prefer the saying,

"Give up you oily Mother-Fucker!"

[Solly Mack]

32. Don't fall for the bell ringing. Don't fall for it.

I don't care what Tyrion or Jaime said...don't fall for it.

However, by that, I did NOT mean burn the Innocent or attack unarmed men.

I meant - be wary. Remain vigilant.

[Baitball Blogger]

35. I think Dany is fighting this war in her own way, but I also think that the seven kingdoms will not

be hers.

Why didn't she just go to the tower where Cersei was standing and burned that one building?

[Solly Mack]

37. I'd have gone after Cersei too. The obvious target.

[Solly Mack]

34. And she has lost her ever-loving mind.

[Baitball Blogger]

36. Yup.

Two mad queens will be put down.

[Solly Mack]

38. Jon finds no honor in this. None. Without honor, Stark men do badly. They do badly keeping to their

honor, too....a lot of the times.

[Baitball Blogger]

40. I'm just disappointed that, knowing the only rational outcome, it

means there will not be that exhalting moment we had with the Night King was killed.

Looks like Jaime sustained a critical wound. Now Arya can take his face.

[Solly Mack]

42. I don't know how this will end. But I want it over. All over.

[Baitball Blogger]

44. Yup. No happy ending.

[Solly Mack]

47. Bittersweet was how it was described by the players.

[Solly Mack]

39. I don't care for Jaime but to be killed by a Greyjoy? No! No! No!

That can't happen!

[Baitball Blogger]

41. Yes, but there is one way to fulfill the prophecy.

If Arya takes his face.

[Solly Mack]

43. Jaime is still kicking. So far.

[Baitball Blogger]

46. Oh, dear. The hound was just seconds from a clean getaway.

[avebury]

84. Greyjoy was like a cockroach.

When he crawled out of the sea I thought, is there no way to kill him for good?

[Solly Mack]

87. I did so detest that character.

[shanny]

122. He seriously didn't get the death he richly deserved.

Booo!

[SleeplessinSoCal]

141. he died the way any western dufus has....

Last edited Mon May 13, 2019, 12:42 PM - Edit history (1)

Being proud of killing the fastest gun in the west. I.e
"The man who shot Liberty Valence."

Takeaways

War is truly evil
The young who suffer war will grow up deeply scarred.
Being so sure you are right is fatal
Revenge killing gets you in the end

Question: Was Arya a ghost riding a ghost horse?

[Solly Mack]

45. Arya called the Hound by his real name.

[Baitball Blogger]

48. And the Hound marches to his destiny.

While Arya waits below.

[Solly Mack]

49. The monster kills his maker. Foreshadowing?

[Baitball Blogger]

52. Looks like he has to go for the head.

The Mountain must be a zombie.

Right now, I hope Arya helps him beat the Mountain, and Jaime kills Cersei.

[Solly Mack]

55. I said last week she might. So....maybe. There she is now.

[Baitball Blogger]

59. Interesting how Arya was taking the blows out in the street, parallel to what was happening to the

Hound.

[Solly Mack]

60. Yes.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

139. Yes he is

Clyborn's black magic

[Solly Mack]

51. Will he or won't he? Kingslayer. Queenslayer.

[Solly Mack]

58. If Daenerys kills Arya with that dragon I hope Jon feeds Dany to Ghost.

[Baitball Blogger]

62. Arya rises from the ashes.

Where has Jaime taken Cersei?

[Solly Mack]

63. She looks bad though and still running.

[Baitball Blogger]

67. Not making wise choices, either, on behalf of other people.

[kozar]

106. caring about others?

Maybe setting her up to be queen? ( Gendry's bride? )

[Dave Starsky]

162. I think she finally learned the futility of blood revenge.

And where it ultimately leads.

That desire for blood revenge was her raison d'etre for much of her life.

[Solly Mack]

61. Sandor Clegane born of fire at his brother's hand returns to fire with his brother's body.

[Baitball Blogger]

64. Sad, poetic justice.

I imagine the rest will be the same.

[MuseRider]

177. I so loved the Hound.

This was the perfect ending for him as much as I hated it. I never wanted to see Clegane bowl but this was good, it really was.

[Solly Mack]

182. I agree. Sad but fitting end.

[Solly Mack]

65. I think Arya just might kill a mad queen after all.

She better not be burning right now. Dammit.

[Baitball Blogger]

66. Yup. Daenarys has green eyes?

[Solly Mack]

68. I believe so.

[shanny]

123. Somebody needs to.

[Solly Mack]

125. Yes, but it's still sad.

So much potential.

But then again - good does not always win. So...

[shanny]

127. Yes. But we should have seen this coming

ever since Dany stood emotionless while Khal Drogo crowned Viserys.

[Solly Mack]

130. I did see it coming. Never been a big fan of hers.

The signs were all there.

People would get annoyed with me for not seeing Daenerys in the way they saw her.

She might still rule though. Not certain how it will end.

[shanny]

131. Me neither.

Her "good sense" in having advisors who could talk her down from her revenge-filled impulses is a far cry from Jon's nature.

Also, didn't / don't get the attraction.

But, haven't figured out how, but she's outta here.

If she executes or even demotes Tyrion maybe Braun will shoot her with a crossbow for ruining his plans for Highgarden. (I do like Braun, very much, and I wish we knew more about his background)

[Solly Mack]

132. I'm definitely on her side against Cersei and I cheered her other victories - to a degree.

But her words and some of her actions simply did not fall on the side of good and actual mercy.

She was raised by her insane brother and even though she was glad to be rid of him - and I was too - his words and delusions live on in her head.

And it showed.

[Solly Mack]

69. Warrior on a white horse rides.

[Liberal Veteran]

76. Hmmm....brings this to mind.

I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him.

[Baitball Blogger]

80. You're probably onto something.

That horse was also smudged with ash.

[Solly Mack]

83. It is a symbol of death...a white horse. In some myths.

Some, a warrior on a white horse means prevailing over negative forces.

[Baitball Blogger]

150. And, yet, none of us asked the logical question. How did a horse just magically appear,

right there when Arya needed it? Is this another gift from a hidden hand? The God of Light? Or from Bran?

[Solly Mack]

151. or if it is a Stallion.

I stopped asking the Where did that come from/How did that happen/How is that possible questions.

Seemed best to during this last season. At least while I watch.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

212. the whole story is full of magic.

And terrors. But tons of black magic. I wondered if it was a ghost horse and Arya had died. It seems unlikely that any of our favorite characters are still alive given their multitude of near death experiences.

I buy it all. These are very intelligent people behind this venture. I just rewatch and try to wring out of it all the allegories I can.

[tblue37]

213. The doomed little girl had a toy white horse with blood on its legs. nt

[Solly Mack]

70. Nobody seems to care that Jaime and Cersei are at the bottom of the heap.

lol

[Baitball Blogger]

75. Wonder if Tyrion will get off without punishment.

And, I will feel cheated if Cersei still lives. Tyrion said his good-byes to Jaime, and Jaime goes down with Cersei. I'm okay with that.

The camera was on Arya for the better part of the end, which is to say that Arya will set the pace for the last episode.

[Solly Mack]

81. I think Tyrion survives. If only because of all the things Daenerys does not know.

She was up on the dragon for the most part.

But maybe he doesn't.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

111. My guess: Dany tries to burn him but he doesn't burn because...

He's a fucking Targaryen. Boom.

[Baitball Blogger]

113. Yup. my guess too.

[kozar]

118. I agree with this theory

We always thought he was Targaryen too. But our thoughts are he will be killed saving someone else to justify his thought of the "horrible" life he led...time will tell,,,in 7 days,like 7 kingdoms and 7 gods,,,,yeah it is all 7's..lol

Koz

[Zoonart]

176. THIS!

[Liberal Veteran]

71. Wow.

That was brutal.

[Solly Mack]

72. Yes. :(

[mainstreetonce]

73. I don't see Jon in the preview

But thank the Seven I see the Imp.

[kozar]

93. they seem to be showing

now when and how characters are dying. Don't think Jon is gone because of that.

This is getting real interesting!!!


Koz

[Recursion]

74. Seriously? This is Lost all over again

[mainstreetonce]

77. No way

Very unpredictable

[Recursion]

79. I meant in terms of the showrunners' contempt for the characters (nt)

[Baitball Blogger]

82. Looks like we're headed in that direction.

I guess we're supposed to be happy that we end with four Starks.

[Solly Mack]

86. It's not so much Starks as what they represent.

Besides, I'm not at all convinced they all survive.

Martin once said the reality is...good does not always win. No one is preordained simply because they're good.

So...who knows?

[mainstreetonce]

88. Is there still an Iron throne?

???

[kozar]

90. a good observation,,,, nt

[Solly Mack]

92. No kidding. The Keep looked destroyed.

[Baitball Blogger]

95. Didn't Dany have a dream where she destroyed the throne?

[kozar]

97. Im not sure, Let me binge watch all,

and will get back to you about Tuesday??

[Solly Mack]

101. It was a goal. Can't recall about a dream though.

[shanny]

128. In the House of the Undying?

[tblue37]

215. When the mages captured her. She walked through the destroyed throne room as snow fell. nt

[tblue37]

214. Remember Dany's dream when the mages captured her? She walked through the

destroyed throne room in King's Landing, with snow falling into it because the roof was gone.

[Baitball Blogger]

91. I do see complications if Dany rules without the approval of the seven kingdoms.

For one thing, if she dies, what happens to the unsully and the dothraki? Do they fight to the end? Or just leave willingly. I assume the dragon is a goner too.

It would almost be better if she takes them back to the east where she was appreciated as a ruler. Because there's nothing for her in the seven kingdoms. Frankly, why would she want to rule in a place where she wasn't wanted? She becomes just like the rulers she unseated back home.

[Solly Mack]

100. She could live to rule and put Jon and Arya to death.

Make war with the North and The Vale...as well as other kingdoms.

Do what her ancestors did long ago - burn people until they yield.

History repeating itself.

or not.

[kozar]

102. every thread I read here

makes sense in a way,including this one,,this is what made GOT great,,,they always surprised in early years and now at the end,,they have trained us to guess!! what brilliant writing!

koz

[Solly Mack]

105. I enjoy the guessing. I want it to be over though.

[kozar]

108. I do too,but

I dont,,Im tired of movies and even TV being rehash of older shows I watched when young..this series felt fresh, could not comapre it to anything. Guess that is why we love it so much,,it is fun to watch and think. I fear the void post GOT in a way.



Koz

[MuseRider]

178. I never thought I would say this

but I am ready for it to end as well. Just a few weeks ago I thought I would be teary and upset about this but I am ready. I just love being told a good story, I rarely look for errors or missteps in something this huge with so many people creating the story because I just love the ride. I can see them and I can be critical but this is not MY story so I am content to just enjoy it. At this point it is stressing me out, next week that can end however it ends.

I have never been so involved for so long in so many ways with anything. What a ride.

[Solly Mack]

180. I need the break. I really do. Still want those books though. :)

[MuseRider]

183. Me too.

I loved reading the books.

[Solly Mack]

190. My biggest desire from both the series and the books

especially the books...is for Arya to be happy.

She's not real. She's only a character in a book - but I want her to be happy.

No matter how silly that sounds.

[hlthe2b]

203. I've weaned myself off just about every series I ever regularly watched, so yeah, I'm ready too.

I'm going to have to find some other diversion from the 24/7 political debacles, though.

[MuseRider]

209. I finally was able to do that.

I mostly get what I know here or on other sites and news sites. I cannot stand all those talking heads anymore but the moment I leave the room or the house my husband puts CNN on and he would watch it 24 hours a day. I come home, put on my headphones or leave to another room. I can't stand it anymore and am almost not able to stand reading it but I know I have to.

I love Podcasts and listening to books. That is keeping me sane and hard work outside. Good luck!

[hlthe2b]

210. Yup.. I will be switching to podcasts and audible books.

[shanny]

126. I think the magic goes away.

The Night King is gone. The wights are gone. Melisandre and Lord Beric are gone. 2 dragons are gone.

One remains, its mother--manifestly unfit to rule--and Jon, who has risen from the dead For A Reason....

Hmmm. He confronts Dany, she tries to burn him...can't (maybe not Tyrion either?)...he kills her? And Drogon? or he dies when she does? It really is not possible to make a dragon beloved after it just burned the largest city in Westeros.

Crap I don't know. Although I do know Westeros is plumb out of fighting men, imported or otherwise; all the Great Houses have been decimated...Dany is unfit, Jon doesn't want it.

If they can find the Iron Throne they should melt it down and turn it into ballot boxes (not my idea...but I like it)

[Baitball Blogger]

78. No way.

GoT is linear.

[kozar]

85. Holy Crap!

What an episode!!! Mrs. K and I talking,sometimes gasping at moments,, and constantly changing our minds as to our speculation as to how GOT would end on almost a minute by minute basis. In our opinion,,,just great writing and entertainment value. And now only 7 more days till we change our speculations again..WOW,,,just Wow


Koz

[kozar]

89. I only have one clue,,Spoiler alert!!! dont read if you didnt watch

A white horse came to Arya,,,she has never ridden a white horse and only "leaders" have,,so much going on this episode,but that is what stood out to me..

Koz

[Baitball Blogger]

98. Hmmm...interesting.

[NewJeffCT]

191. I was thinking something different entirely

"I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come.” I looked, and behold, a pale horse; and (s)he who sat on it had the name Death"

I added the (s) to make it applicable to Arya, but the books do mention death coming on a pale mare (the bloody flux/aka dysentery)

[Baitball Blogger]

96. Best recap of audience reaction. We are going back and forth.

[kozar]

94. 1 other thing,,

Did anyone notice? While Arya running just ahead of destruction,,she bumped a man, looked at him. Both Mrs. K and yelled at same time,, That was Gendry!! I vote that Arya accepts Gendry's proposal and they end up on the Throne.


Koz

[mainstreetonce]

107. My latest guess Arya has seen enough death

She goes back to Gendry and their child will be the future king.
The plan from season one was the throne goes to a future Baratheon/Stark.

[kozar]

109. boom ,,yes! nt

[Bradshaw3]

115. I thought it was him too n/t

[exboyfil]

99. Dany finishing the job daddy started

That was horrifying.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

117. Ivanka Targaryen. nt

[Hela]

103. Arya had a white pony back in season 2 or 3....

[kozar]

104. ty,,you are correct

Maybe it was a foreshadow? BTW I love Arya because of that smirk in pic you posted. Mrs. K told me tonight, " you always liked the tomboy look" must be my weakness.

Koz

[Hela]

110. Lots of foreshadowing in that season!

And Arya’s my favorite—I’ll be really upset next week if she dies!

[kozar]

112. OH DAMN!!!

Mrs K just reminded me Samuel Tarley is still alive and awful quiet!

[Solly Mack]

114. Watching for the second time. I'm a glutton.

[kozar]

116. oh no!!

not me!! I am having 1,2,,,maybe more rum drinks to settle my brain down,,lol

[Solly Mack]

119. I really want the books finished. Until they are...binge watching from the beginning is next.

After the series finale.

[kozar]

121. we actually binged

starting 6 weeks before season 8 premier,,,, just to get our minds fresh into story again. as far as reading,,, Mrs. K just ordered firs t2 books online,,,guess I'll be reading alot once series ends.

Koz

[RandySF]

124. My theory

The writers took King's Landing off the board Winterfell becomes the new capitol.

[shanny]

129. Hmmm.

You may be onto something. We've only ever heard what a horrible place it is, how poorly the Starks (not just men) fare there, and how little interest any of them have in leaving the North.

I like it.

[Baitball Blogger]

149. At least, in the interim.

I cheated and checked to see what was behind the title, "The Last of the Starks." There is an explanation, but it doesn't tie in with an episode that burns King's Landing to the ground. The reason is that the Ned Stark generation ends with Bran, Arya and Sansa. Jon is actually a Targaryn, since his father's last name is ruling. Bran doesn't consider himself a Stark anymore, since he is becoming the Three Eyed Raven. And Arya and Sansa will take on the name of their husband, as will their children, if they marry.

Hence, the Last of the Starks, which has nothing to do with the episode that destroys King's Landing.

[ansible]

133. All Hail The Mad Queen

If you're surprised at what she did tonight, you need to rewatch the earlier episodes.

[Solly Mack]

134. Back around to Sandor and the Mountain.

[Bradshaw3]

135. Surprised at how many main characters are still alive

We don't know for sure whether Jaime and Cersie are dead (likely not) and for that matter, the Hound (likely so). I thought a lot more would have been killed off by the time we got to the last episode. Despite it's flaws I like the show and am looking forward to the finale.

[Solly Mack]

136. Now the double-dip twins.

[RandySF]

137. I'm going to buy the eight season B;u-ray set

And take in every conversation between Tyrian and Varys.

[Baitball Blogger]

142. What do you expect to find?

It is weird how Tyrion essentially set him up, Not intrnt, but he had to know how Varys would respond.

[Solly Mack]

138. Arya running about King's Landing reminds of when she escaped the Keep and hid

in King's Landing....until her father was beheaded.

[912gdm]

140. damn.....

daenerys needs offed.



and what's with the hate in GD cause people watch a show?

[Baitball Blogger]

143. Link?

Political purists?

[hlthe2b]

144. The GD thread...

That is a phenomenon that I hate to see, but it seems when people don't feel part of something, they feel they have to "attack it" in order to justify their own apathy. I guess we've all been in that position about one thing or the other, (mine is, admittedly all things "reality tv", but it is still not a "good look"...

[Bradshaw3]

154. Yeah the "I watched it for the first time last night"

and I'm going to mock it folks. I make fun of it sometimes and I'm not a fantasy fan but since I've watched it from the beginning I can appreciate the many other elements it has, such as the relationships, the narrative about winning the throne, and the commentary about how humans will act when thrust into certain situations and the takes on climate change politics, etc.

[NewJeffCT]

145. Some spectacular moments, but

I don't think the show has handled both Tyrion and Jon Snow very well since they went beyond the books. Tyrion hasn't really pulled off anything especially clever since escaping King's Landing and killing his father. Jon had his great moment with the Battle of the Bastards and killing Ramsay, but spent the Battle of Winterfell running around, ducking and covering and accomplishing little.

Arya could have been absent from this episode and it would not have made a difference. She runs in one direction, and then runs in another and gets dirty and dusty and scratched along the way.

The books do a better job of hinting at Daenerys possibly being mad, and I think the show has made her change from kind hearted to merciless avenging mad queen too quickly. Heck, even George Lucas had Anakin Skywalker showing some flashes of anger and rage before he went full Dark Side.

Still disappointed about Ghost.

They've been setting it up so Jon has to kill Dany at the end, but I wonder if they have a last twist in them? She kills Jon and Tyrion and ends up bitter, angry and alone on the iron Throne and everybody in fear of her, since that's all she has? Thus leaving Sansa as the Warden/Queen of the North (Ice) and Daenerys in King's Landing (Fire) at the end?

The episode was called The Last of the Starks? Why? The episode ended with all 4 of them still alive.

[Baitball Blogger]

146. About the comment, "The Last of the Starks."

Maybe it's because they are about to jump ship from the honor and duty that they were taught by Ned Stark? Sansa is already there, and Bran is barely a Stark.

On Edit: I cheated and understand the meaning behind "The Last of the Starks," but not why it was the title of the episode.

I think Arya's confused stumbling through an embattled city is going to set the stage for what comes next.

[Solly Mack]

147. I had to completely sever the books from the show to enjoy the show.

And this last season I have let all expectations go.

It's kind of like watching something that resembles the story but isn't actually the story.

It's helped.

[Baitball Blogger]

148. Oh, and, yes, I would have wanted more background on Dany's madness.

I knew she could show incredible cruelty, but it never applied to the downtrodden or townspeople. It would have been helpful to see more of why she saw the entire population of King's Landing as the enemy, instead of just focusing on the leadership, as was her pattern. I mean, so she was slighted at the banquet after the battle of the Night King, and she must have noticed the racism that was directed to her army; and the distrust from the people she just saved from a supernatural danger, but killing the entire population in Kings Landing is completely mental. I am now fully on board with someone putting her down before she reigns as queen.

Agree that Jon and Tyrion deserve a moment before the end.

[Dave Starsky]

153. She knows the Westerosians don't (and will never) love and trust her...

The way they do Jon, so she is opting to strike fear into all their hearts, instead. It's the classic Macchiavellian move relied upon by tyrants for centuries.

She basically completed the job her did dad tried to start long ago, for the same reason, before Jaime killed him.

[mainstreetonce]

155. So who will be

The Queen slayer?

[Dave Starsky]

156. Would it surprise you if it were Tyrion?

Because it sure seems they're setting it up that way.

[mainstreetonce]

158. Maybe

I could see that,but I also see Tyrion forgiving Dany because she inherited the genes of her father.
Tyrion will blame himself.

[NewJeffCT]

164. She never tried with Westeros

On the show. She helped win the big battle for Winterfell, just like Stannis did at Castle Black several seasons back. But, she wasn't down in the mud with the troops like Arya, Jon, the Hound, Jamie, Brienne, etc. Yes, she was there at the end, but only with Jorah by her side.

Jon is popular in the North and the Wildings, who are north of the North and basically devastated because of the Night King, but it's very questionable beyond a few people outside of the North - do they know him in The Reach, the Stormlands or Dorne? How about The Vale? The Riverlands probably know his name, but not much else.

[MuseRider]

200. Sansa killed Ramsay not Jon. n/t

[NewJeffCT]

202. He beat Ramsay one and one

and backed off when he saw Sansa watching him beat Ramsay to a pulp

[eShirl]

218. Arya's difference to the episode: she got Sandor through the Lannister perimeter.

her name is famous in Westeros by then

[FarPoint]

152. I just feel used as a fan...

No longer utilizing the well knitted characters...just random killing of each...

[coti]

160. Beyond the visuals, the show hasn't been very good since the books ended

The showrunners have allowed the fans to write the show and everything that has occurred for the last couple of seasons has been predictable. The storytelling has completely derailed.

[FarPoint]

172. I totally agree...

D and D failed as writers without Martin involved....So disappointed.

[dixiegrrrrl]

211. Yet another good series that went one season too far.

I watched just as eagerly as everyone else, and saw a lot of "filler"...overly prolonged fights between important characters,
a little toooo much endurance of badly injured characters....unless the Mountain was a zombie.

I hung in there to see the end of Circie, then saw a rather flat scene. Or maybe it was just me, feeling flat by what feels like a rushed end to the series.

[tblue37]

216. Fanservice. Unfortunately. nt

[Yavin4]

157. I guess that I'm in the minority, but I felt that this was an amazing episode that saved the entire

series. It's brilliant and bold story telling that's sorely needed in our time because it forces the audience to truly question who is good and who is evil which was the entire point of both the books and TV series.

Riley McAtee, a columnist on theringer.com and a critic of the show, wrote:

By demolishing King’s Landing, Dany not only betrays the moral backbone Thrones spent six-plus seasons establishing for her, but she makes her impending queenship more difficult.

Do a search and replace on that quote with this:

By demolishing {Vietnam, Cambodia, Iraq, etc.}, the U.S. not only betrays the moral backbone {that the US} spent decades establishing, but the {US} makes {its} impending {leadership} more difficult.

Riley, unwittingly, stumbles upon the entire point that GRRM and D&D are trying to make. We may think that we're doing good. That we're "saviors", but what we're really doing is creating long lasting damage.

Much of the criticism that I'm reading and hearing is that they're mad that who they thought was their hero turned out to be evil, but the evidence of her evil was always there. They just didn't want to see it. Just like the evidence of our evil is always there, but we don't want to see it. We don't want to see the toll on human life and the damage that we bring when we try to "liberate" a nation.

[mainstreetonce]

159. I agree that the episode was well written.

I think Davos had it right..Tyrion is blinded by love for Dany

[Dave Starsky]

161. Very nicely put.

People gotta remember that the books are full of those kinds of "character reversals". And this behavior from Dany was telegraphed from the beginning.

[Yavin4]

165. Thank you. Some of the criticism is that the show did not explain her turn.

Really? Since she landed in Westeros:

1. Her Dornish and Iron born fleets were ambushed and key allies were imprisoned and killed.
2. She supported that Suicide mission beyond the Wall, and lost one of her dragons in the process.
3. She brought her armies and her remaining dragons North to fight the Night King, but she was met with resistance and cold shoulders.
4. She lost her longest serving confidant Jorah Mormont during the battle of Winterfell.
5. Upon returning to Dragonstone, she loses another dragon.
6. She witnesses her other long serving confidant get be-headed in front of her.
7. Now, she has to deal with someone else having a claim on the throne and treason among her aides.

She's isolated, betrayed, and suffered great losses. She's in a quagmire, and she loses it. They set this up brilliantly, but people are upset because they wanted her to be a hero in the way heroes of other stories are. They wanted her to take all of these setbacks and personal affronts and just shrug them off?

[coti]

171. "Loses it" isn't motivation

And I have no emotional investment in the show.

When Daenerys has killed people questionably in the past, she has had clear reasons for her actions, whether they were right or wrong. This time, she just up and killed 10's of thousands of people pointlessly. There was nothing stopping her from just going to the Keep and taking the Throne. It's bad writing.

[Yavin4]

184. She already did that when she went North.

And was the biggest reason why they were able to defeat the Night King. She got no love or credit from the Northerners for her sacrifices. She's angry, alone, and dealing with treason from her own ranks. She doesn't know these people, but she knows that they won't ever love or accept her.

In her mind, the only course of action was instill fear in them because showing them love has not worked and has only led to major personal losses.

[hlthe2b]

174. Maybe all those upset at her predictable turn to the "mad: are the new parents who named their baby

Daenyris or Khaleesi... might be awkward to live with those names...LOL

Two of the most popular names for baby girls in America come from 'Game of Thrones'
https://www.businessinsider.com/game-of-thrones-arya-khaleesi-popular-names-for-baby-girls-2019-5

[coti]

163. Daenerys' actions were totally unmotivated, it wasn't good storytelling

The writers were just maneuvering the plot to get whereever it is they're trying to go, probably Jon killing Daenerys, or the other way around.

[Yavin4]

166. See my post at #165

Her actions have been motivated since the first episodes of Season 7.

[BlueTsunami2018]

169. They were perfectly motivated.

She laments to Jon that the people of Westeros don’t love her and she knows they love him. She eliminated much of the base of people that would have supported him if he chose to make the claim to the iron throne. Plus her burning it all down was foretold in a vision in season 2. She had a reason for doing what she did. Securing power.

[BlueTsunami2018]

167. Great episode.

Dany was always going to go full on mad. The vision she had earlier foretold it and the revelation about Jon sealed it. When she remarked that she wasn’t loved by the people, you had to know it was coming. She just eliminated Jon’s fan base and left only the people loyal to her.

Hound and Mountain ended as it should have. Jamie and Cersi falling together (if they did) at the very bottom of the red keep was fitting. Arya’s harrowing escape kept you on the edge.

I don’t know what people are complaining about, this was all gold.

[Yavin4]

168. Completely agree.

I think that most people are upset that the show didn't pay off in the way that they wanted it to pay off. That's not valid criticism.

[Baitball Blogger]

170. Too soon.

You make great points. We did need someone like Dany that would connect on a likeability meter, just to be betrayed by her worst demons. I think we are all Tyrion. Going through the same level of awareness.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

173. Dany going Mad Queen isn't the problem(s) I have with the episode.

That was pretty well developed over the seasons.

Also liked the Hound/Mountain fight.

But Cersei? That was not the end she deserved. They treated it like a Shakespearian tragedy but there has been nothing redeemable about her the whole series. She is a horrible fucking person and always has been. And Jamie? Looks like he's on the road to redemption, but, nope. Still a loser. And that minor Lovejoy character gets to be the one to basically kill Jamie? He did not deserve that level of importance at all. And using Arya just to humanize the fight? That's a waste of a complete kick-ass character.

[BlueTsunami2018]

194. I suppose everyone sees it as they want.

Cersei got much of what she deserved over the years, two children murdered, one committed suicide because of her actions, her entire world destroyed and crumbled around her quite literally. I realize people wanted her to suffer prolonged torture but I’d argue she had. I thought her (probable) demise was fair. Scared, helpless and lamenting the death of her unborn child isn’t a pretty way to go. Arya not killing her was something of a redemption. I thought the Hound’s words to her on a lifetime of revenge were quite poignant.

Jamie was never on the road to becoming a good guy, he was always going back and he was never a good guy as he told Ser Brianne in the previous episode. He went to fight for the living out of self interest. I thought Tyrion’s scene with Jamie was excellent, returning a favor and the heartfelt words. I sort of agree about Euron. He wasn’t worthy of killing Jamie as he once was, he’d have been easily dispatched if Jamie was whole, but as the shell of his former self? It seems fitting somehow. Besides, Jamie still won.

I really enjoyed the episode.

[awesomerwb1]

181. Had no problem with the last episode

Anyone surprised by Daenerys should go back to the history of her family. Plus it became more personal to her when her friend was beheaded, when the dothraki and the unsullied were almost obliterated. Add to that that she wants others to pay for her poor battle planning skills that also cost her one of her babies (dragon).

Would've been nicer if Arya had taken care of Cersei, but Arya wouldn't have survived Ser Gregor.

Final episode will be too short for a lot of fans as things will probably develop very quickly. Who will "take care" of Daenerys? Arya?

[Yavin4]

185. She lost two dragons before this battle.

And people are saying that her motivations for turning mad have not been laid out?!?!?!? Those dragons were her children.

[Rollo]

217. Yes, I already posted that Arya will be the one to deactivate Daenerys...

And a reluctant Jon Snow will take over the Iron Throne...

Or, maybe, Gendry (who would be heir to King Robert Baratheon, his father).

[exboyfil]

186. There were tactical reasons as well for killing the civilians

and the surrendering Lannisters. Consider the food supply with winter coming. There has been talk in prior episodes about useless mouths to feed.

Also is was never going to get Brownie points for just digging Cersei out of the Red Keep. In for a penny, in for a pound. Now all of Westeros will truly fear her (which was going to be her only base of power anyway). She already brought Dothraki to Westeros. That is worse than Wildlings. I suspect her plan is to move the seat of government to Dragonstone.

Unless someone kills her in the next episode, she will kill her remaining rivals (ie Starks) and adopt a bunker mentality on Dragonstone. It is going to be an ugly reign. She only has Grey Worm left as an adviser (I have to assume their is some unnamed Bloodrider as well).

[Rollo]

187. Arya will be the one to kill Danearis ...

With or without the blessing of Jon Snow ...

Either Jon or Gendry will ascend to the Iron Throne (or what's left of it)...

[Yavin4]

189. My theory is that Gendry will come to King's Landing with Sansa as his bride

They will take the throne as King and Queen.

[coti]

188. Prediction

Daenerys ends up killing Arya one way or another- maybe with Drogon? This is what it takes for Jon to finally turn against Daenerys. Jon kills Daenerys- as a Targaryen, Drogon can't hurt him- but, totally disallusioned, he doesn't want the Throne. Others have suggested he will go north to the wall again. Or maybe he just offs himself out of guilt.

So then who takes the Throne? The guy who the series has kept around, with royal blood, since the beginning, for little to no reason- Gendry.

[MuseRider]

192. Rewatching right now

First wonder, was Varys trying to poison Dany? Why was he in charge of feeding her and why was the little girl afraid of those watching her?

Why did Varys take off his rings when they were coming for him. I wonder if he set a plot in motion just in case. Watching with my son, we both think there was more to the Varys thing than met the eyes the first time. Hmmmmm.

[NewJeffCT]

193. I'm thinking there is more going on there as well

maybe the ring and other trinkets add to the authenticity of the letter?

I thought there was more with Bran and the Night King as well that might be explained last week or this week, but seemingly not.

[mainstreetonce]

195. Yes to the possible poisoning

Last edited Mon May 13, 2019, 06:26 PM - Edit history (1)

I think Tyrion knew Varys would go for that which is why he had Davos arrested.

[hlthe2b]

197. Davos wasn't arrested. I think you are confusing Varys...

Davos helped Tyrion smuggle Jaime.

[MuseRider]

198. Just finished.

Thanks, that confused me for a moment! Davos was not a part of that at all but a part of getting the boat for Jamie and Cersi.

[hlthe2b]

196. So apparently we all missed that Varys was trying to poison Daenarys

Game of Thrones Fans Almost Missed Varys' Sneaky Attempt to Poison Daenerys in Episode Five

https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a27453212/varys-daenerys-poison-plan-game-of-thrones-season-8-episode-5/
--snip--

“She won’t eat,” Martha told Varys.

"We’ll try again at supper,” he replied.

Martha let Varys know that she thought soldiers were watching her. “Of course they are,” he responded. "That's their job. What have I told you, Martha?”

"The bigger the risk, the bigger reward,” the girl replied.

Daenerys wasn’t named in the exchange, but on whom else’s behalf would the troops at Dragonstone be spying on a kitchen maid? And why else would Varys be concerned about whether or not the queen he wants to topple is well fed?

Varys trying to eliminate Daenerys by poison fits perfectly into a line from Season One, back when Ned Stark was trying to piece together the death of Jon Arryn, his predecessor as Robert Baratheon’s Hand. Ned suspects, correctly, that Arryn was poisoned, and told Grand Master Pycelle.

“I’ve heard it said that poison is a woman’s weapon,” said Ned.

“Yes, women, cravens, and eunuchs,” Pycelle responded. “Did you know that Lord Varys is a eunuch?”

[MuseRider]

199. HA! I almost never catch things like that

but I had not seen that article until just now.

[awesomerwb1]

201. So, the Red Keep has been destroyed.

I guess they'll have to dig for the iron throne? Where would the next iron throne be located? Where will the king or queen govern from?

[kairos12]

219. Is Darth Vader going to rule?