Although Game of Thrones officially ended in 2019 with the airing of its eighth season, the conclusion remains a topic of debate among fans. Some view the ending as logical, while others believe the iconic series deserved a more fitting finale. However, the final episode managed to answer several burning questions regarding the fate of beloved characters like Jon Snow (Kit Harington), Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), and Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage), as well as introducing a new ruler of Westeros. Despite the series’ conclusion, five notable aspects of the last episode might encourage viewers to revisit it, though be warned—there may be spoilers ahead if you haven’t seen the entire show.
The first observation involves a hidden clue in the promotional poster for the first season, which foreshadowed the eventual ending. When Game of Thrones premiered in 2011, HBO took a risk with the series, investing heavily to depict the sprawling lands of Westeros and beyond. The central plot revolved around the rulers of the Seven Kingdoms competing for control of the Iron Throne. At the end of the series, Bran Stark, also known as the Three-Eyed Raven, was crowned King of Westeros. If you closely examine the season one poster featuring Ned Stark (Sean Bean) sitting on the throne, you’ll notice a raven perched on his right side—hinting at Bran’s future role.
The second observation focuses on Daenerys Targaryen’s decision to burn King’s Landing, which appeared impulsive and unplanned. In the fifth episode of the eighth season, Daenerys ignored Cersei Lannister’s surrender and chose to set the city ablaze with her dragon, Drogon. While some speculated that this move was calculated, the showrunners, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, later explained that Daenerys’ desire for destruction was triggered when she saw the Red Keep, built by her Targaryen ancestors. This realization made the battle deeply personal for her, leading her to abandon any notion of mercy.
Moving on to the third observation, Jon Snow’s killing of Daenerys was not premeditated. In Game of Thrones, Jon kills Daenerys only after realizing that she cannot be trusted to rule following her massacre of King’s Landing’s citizens. He confronts her and ends up stabbing her in a tragic moment. According to actor Kit Harington, Jon did not know he was going to kill her until their confrontation. In a commentary on the final episode, Harington said, “He didn’t know he was going to betray her until the very end,” adding that Daenerys’ threat to Jon’s sisters made the situation deeply personal for him.
The fourth observation is that Drogon’s destruction of the Iron Throne wasn’t deliberate. After Jon Snow kills Daenerys, Drogon is overcome with grief and unleashes a fiery breath that melts the Iron Throne. While it may seem like the dragon was purposefully destroying the symbol of Daenerys’ demise, the script clarified that the throne wasn’t Drogon’s intended target. Instead, it was simply in the path of his fire as he vented his anguish, accidentally melting the throne in the process.
Lastly, the fifth observation sheds light on the unstated reasons behind Bran Stark’s appointment as King. As Game of Thrones concludes, Bran is named King of the Six Kingdoms, with Tyrion Lannister and others backing his claim. The script also provides insight into why others supported his coronation. Lord Edmure Tully (Tobias Menzies), Bran’s uncle, believed he could influence his nephew, while Lord Gendry Baratheon (Joe Dempsie) followed the lead of his peers. Ser Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie) remained loyal to the Stark family, and Yara Greyjoy (Gemma Whelan) knew that her brother, Theon (Alfie Allen), died protecting Bran, so she believed Theon would be pleased with Bran’s ascension.
These five insights not only highlight the depth of the storytelling in Game of Thrones, but also offer fans new perspectives to consider when revisiting the series’ conclusion.
