Just like that, we are done. My Sunday nights are free, my heart is empty and my mind can rest for the time being. Game of Thrones aired its final episode and delivered everything viewers could have wanted and more. We saw love, revenge, devotion ad belief question and tested. Let's break this down, both the final episode and the season as a whole.
Winners: LADIES. But seriously. The entire season showed a shift in the organization of Westeros. From largely male dominated households, and patriarchal structure, the female leaders have been brought to the forefront. Plus there were significantly fewer naked women. In the last episode we saw the beginning of an alliance with the female leader of Dorne, the female head of House Tyrell,(Olenna) the female contested leader of the Iron Islands and the last living Targaryen, Daenarys. Next season is going to be nuts. Let's delve into some of the big winners.
Cercei Lannister: Okay, she did the dang thing. As much as burning the entire Sept of Baelor, and with it hundreds of people including side characters (see below) she proved that being the Mad Queen can get things done. I am by no means condoning her actions and thing that she just has to die soon, but THE SEVEN KINGDOMS ARE BEING RULED BY A WOMAN. She gets what she wants at all costs.
Lady Lyanna : This chick. She is literally a child and so much cooler than I could ever hope to be. Her men showed bravery, and her rousing speech in Winterfell helped Jon be declared the King in the North. She is just everything.
The Stark Ladies: Both of the little ladies killed their arch nemeses. Sansa literally fed her rapist to the dogs, and Arya fed her mother's killer his own family. I am in awe of their power and fearlessness. I feel like Sansa got gipped the queenship a little bit, but I love Jon Snow so much I won't let that thought weigh me down.
Daenerys Targaryen: Queen of Dragons is sailing full speed ahead with the Dothraki army, a full fleet, the Iron Born, The Unsullied, Tyrion as her hand and THREE DRAGONS. She is ready to conquer and I am ready for her to conquer. The moment between her and Tyrion was one of my favorite of the entire series.
Losers: Side Plot Characters. This season shed a lot of the fat as far as the side plot characters. Dany lost her lover, many lost their lives and more faded away. This could be the mark that REAL stuff is about to go down. They need more time to focus on the big players. Who lost the most?
Melisandre: Our (least) favorite Red Witch is gone for now. She served her purpose (giving us Jon back) and his moved to the South. We still don't know why she turned into an old woman that one time? I suspect she will be back, but it won't end prettily.
The Faith: The whole system, from the High Sparrow down, burst into flames. Lesson: don't double cross Cercei. More so, blind belief and faith were questioned throughout the season. The last episode showed the beliefs of many of our main characters faltering. Dany showed fear, a witch admitting to wrongdoing, Tyrion admitting his lack of belief in most things. Jon's identity that is so carefully crafted is now shatterd (to viewers). Where will our heroes put their faith now? Hopefully in the right people (@Sansa Stark. Team Stay Away from Littlefinger).
Bravos and The Faceless Men: This really cool plot line seems to have come to an end. They taught Arya how to change her face and fight, she can now do whatever she is meant to do. Less of losers here, but still worth mentioning.
The Lannister children: Joffrey was really the only that deserved to die. Mycella died tragically and Tommen was just over his head. Their deaths mark the end of the Lannister line under Jamie and Cercei. So if one of their parents is usurped, who will replace them on the throne? The wheel is breaking.
Important Mentions:
Samwell Tarly: My joy is directly linked with his joy. When he started crying in the library, the whole series was worth it. Samwell for Grand Maester. Samwell for everything.
Theories: Both R+L= J and The Mad Queen came to fruition this week. Way to go, fans everywhere. We guessed it (meaning you guessed it and I read about it.)
Miguel Sapochnik: This man directed the heck out of the final two episodes of this season. From the battle scene that left me breathless to the absolutely beautiful first twenty minutes of the final episode, I was in awe. His work should not go unnoticed.
Predictions: I am no expert on the ins and outs of this world, but here are 5 things we know for sure:
1. Winter is here and the White Walkers are coming. There will be a war.
2. Cercei is crazy and the Mad Queen. The first part of her prophecy is complete and now some younger brother will be her demise. (See Cercei's prophecy for more detail). She has to go and Jamie has to go.
3. Jon is not only the King in the North, he has half Targaryen, half Stark. Literally the man of ice and fire. He seems to always be reluctantly thrust into leadership positions. Maybe that will continue all the way to the Iron Throne.
4. Dany is coming full force for the Seven Kingdoms and she has dragons. Another battle there for sure. She will have to take down whoever is in the throne at that point,
5. There will be a Stark reunion. Fingers crossed. Arya is headed north, Bran is just past the Wall and Sansa and Jon Snow are already holding Winterfell. Please let this be a happy ending.
Mull on that for the next year or more. Can they make seasons any faster? How will we survive this long winter without Jon Snow? Who will win the Game of Thrones and who will die? I for one can't wait to see.
