Honestly, should I even have to put spoiler alert anymore? I mean come on, you guys have had 8 years to hop on this #GOT train and you’ve been in denial of its greatness. Now you want to join the fun and make us guilty for wanting to share memes and talk about spoilers immediately following the episode. GET OUT OF HERE W/ IT **Okay end rant** I’ve watched the newest episode at least 5 times and I have a few things I need to get off my chest and questions I want to throw out to my fellow #GOT fans.
Let’s start with the disrespect done to Ghost. How are the writers going to 14 episodes (3 years real time) following Jons uprising from the dead at the Nights Watch to King in the North and all while not having his Direwolf at his side? Then once we’ve finally gotten a glimpse of one of the last of the Stark Direwolves, we see him charging at the army of dead with Sir Jorah (RIP) and the Dothraki (RIP) and don’t see him again. I spent the whole episode under the impression that there was no way Ghost could have survived. He doesn’t have armor like Ser Jorah and the wights took down Bran’s wolf Summer in like 45 seconds in the iconic Hold the Door episode. Low and behold, writers decide Ghost is alive and will play a significant role in the upcoming episodes. 1. Thanks for not killing him in such a terrible manner. 2. Stop being sloppy. What was the point of giving us 15 seconds of Ghost? True fans did not forget his existence even though you seemed to. Ghost deserves more respect, recognition, and attentiveness to his story line. He’s a DAY ONE character and has earned more screen time. Personally with GOT only giving us 3 more episodes I refuse to hear any complaints about budget. THEY OWE US THE BEST THEY CAN GIVE. Jon may be Aegon now but he will always be a Stark at heart. #BringBackGhost
Furthermore, while watching the flaming swords of the Dothraki go out one by one was visually stunning and very intense, it was also possibly the worst battle strategy on screen since Aragorn tried to distract Sauron in the Return of the King. In the Return of the King, the entire point of the battle was to buy Frodo time, similar to the GOT situation where they needed to buy time until the Night King appeared. However, they both impressively fail. In the Return of the King they get surrounded right away and the fight only lasts like 15 minutes maybe? Its out of sheer luck and the need for an ending the audience would accept that Frodo destroys the ring in Mount Doom in time. It’s a dramatic, last-minute save similar to what we saw at the Battle of Winterfell. Why did they throw all of their Dothraki in the cavalry into a blind charge in pitch blackness towards an army of the dead knowing that once they die, they join the army of the dead? I am still scratching my head over this one. They knew the army of dead was going to come for them. What did they gain from charging the army of the dead? Why didn’t they play more of a defensive position? Jon needs to start letting Sansa sit in on his battle planning meetings again.
Speaking of last minute saves, let’s talk about the most epic moment on television: the defeat of the Night King by Arya Stark. I was literally up and out of my seat at this moment and I truly thought it was over when I saw the Night King grab her by the throat. Ever since I was little I have always been a tom-boy and looked up to strong, independent girl characters that like to shatter expectations. Arya has been one of my favorite characters since episode one and as Sophie Turner said she truly is THAT BITCH. I’m done watching women being saved by men. After the performance by Arya and Lady Lyanna Mormont, we can finally stop saying “you fight like a girl” like it’s a bad thing.
The entire narrative surrounding the prophecies involving “The Prince that was promised” and Azor Ahai has pointed at many characters throughout the show including Jon, Dany, and Stannis, but I never once believed it to be Arya. Does this mean Arya is Azor Ahai? I can’t find much evidence supporting that theory other than the fact that she was the one to kill the Night King and possible stop the Long Night. Does it mean there’s more story to tell with stopping the Long Night? They’ve mentioned the story and the sword Lightbringer many times throughout the 8 seasons so I would be surprised if they don’t finish that story line with a clear vision of the rebirth of Azor Ahai. One of the most interesting theories I have seen and read mentions the creation of White Walkers coming from thrusting obsidian into the heart. If we follow the idea that Valyrian steel has the same properties as the obsidian (Dragonglass) then maybe Jon is forced to kill Dany (the woman he loves) by thrusting his sword into her heart, thus turning her into the Ice Queen. FIRE and ICE. Just an idea, the tension is there and clearly Dany is not happy to hear of his heritage and stronger claim to the throne (Even with Jon reminding us a million times “It doesn’t mattuh”).
Overall, I think they’re screwing us on time. I mean, if the Walking Dead can renew for another season without Rick how are we going to end in three episodes? I want MORE. I will spend these next three weeks delving head first into all of the fan fiction theory I can find and hope I can come to terms with the end of the greatest television show in history. Three things I must see happen by the end of the story:
- The Hound Vs The Mountain
- Arya Vs Cersei
- Brienne finds love (I’m all about this love triangle angle they’re going with right now)
Let me know what you guys think! Who will sit on the Iron Throne? What’s an ending you can’t stomach? Leave a comment!