Game of Thrones Series Finale Review: The Iron Throne (Season 8 Episode 6)
On Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 6, “The Iron Throne,” the fate of Westeros is decided, and the characters appear as thrilled by the outcome as the audience.
When Daenerys Targaryen draws her last breath, so does Game of Thrones. With the demise of arguably the last of the most charismatic and volatile characters, what’s left is an overwhelming feeling of defeat. How else can you explain Bran, “The Bland,” becoming the new ruler of Westeros?
For every example of how viewers should see Dany’s downfall coming, there are just as many to refute these claims. There are times when she shows a great deal of restraint when it would benefit her to do otherwise.
Nobody has a problem with the Daenerys who brings her Dothraki, her Unsullied, and her dragons to the North and plays an instrumental role in saving the entire world. That kind of aggro behavior is acceptable, particularly if she’s perceived to be under the control of the King of the North.
But gratitude gives way to something else when Dany dares to want a piece for herself. Sansa isn’t considered untrustworthy because she demands the North secede from the rest of the Realm. How much damage can she do tucked away out in the Westerosi equivalent of the boondocks?
Dany’s biggest failing is her ambition. Maybe after laying waste to King’s Landing, Dany would be wise not to promise world domination. Does conquering a kingdom mean breaking a few eggs? Yes. Although it’s difficult to reconcile this Dany with the one who locked up her dragons after they burned a shepherd’s child to death (just one more disservice done to a stellar character).
Tyrion sheds tears over his brother, sister, and their unborn child (a few feet over, and Jaime and Cersei would still have a pulse). The sole purpose of this scene is to make Tyrion less loathsome as he encourages Jon to kill the new queen.
Robert Baratheon wages war over a woman who never loved him and is heralded, along with Ned Stark, as a conquering hero. Bronn kills for money, property, and women. He blackmails and threatens two men who view him as an ally, and he ends up sitting beside the Hand of the King.
Daenerys watches one of her closest friends and allies get decapitated, her dragon-child shot down, and she’s supposed to be merciful? The contradictions and hypocrisy between the dispositions of men and women as rulers put earthquake-induced sized cracks in the foundation that Dany would become too powerful and, therefore, too much of a threat.
Despite the less-than-subtle fascist imagery framing the first few minutes of Dany’s abbreviated reign, even Jon isn’t convinced murdering her is the right call. He chooses to do so to guarantee his sisters’ safety, and because Dany reveals herself to be a savvy politician.
Jon: What about everyone else? All the other people who think they know what’s good?
Dany: They don’t get to choose.
Call this governing philosophy what you will, but even in a democracy, it’s a still few who make decisions for the many. This statement seals the deal for Jon, but Dany’s attitude is no different than the lords and ladies of Westeros who mock Samwell for suggesting the people have a say in deciding who rules them.
Viewers who expect a reluctant ruler get their wish. It just isn’t Jon Snow, and Bran’s fortuitous turn is suspect. He envisions Drogon flying over King’s Landing as well as the snow-covered Iron Throne during Season 2 on Episode 4, “Garden of Bones.”
Tyrion: I know you don’t want it. I know you don’t care about power. But I ask you now, if we choose you … will you wear the crown? Will you lead the Seven Kingdoms to the best of your abilities from this day until your last day?
Bran: Why do you think I came all this way?
Maybe it’s so easy for Bran to tell people things work out the way they’re supposed to because he sees this coming all along. Does this make him more or less dangerous?
At worst, Bran is far more conniving than any of those who have fought to sit on the Iron Throne. At best, he lacks any discernable emotion whether it be anger or empathy which isn’t an ideal quality in a leader.
As flawed as “The Iron Throne” is (likely to be remembered along with Seinfeld, The Sopranos, and Lost as one of the worst finales ever), we do get some happy-ish endings: a woman rules the North for the first time, Arya heads for parts unknown, Tyrion and Bronn kiss and make up, Brienne gives Jaime a happy ending, and Jon reunites with Ghost and heads beyond the Wall which is where just about everybody believes he belongs.
What did you think of this episode of Game of Thrones? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Jennifer Lind-Westbrook
Jennifer has been working as a freelance writer for six years, contributing to BuddyTV, Screen Rant, TVRage, Hidden Remote, Gossip On This, and PopMatters. She prefers binge-watching old episodes of The Office (British and American versions) to long walks on the beach. She's still holding out hope that Happy Endings will get a revival.
One thought on “Game of Thrones Series Finale Review: The Iron Throne (Season 8 Episode 6)”
Pretty clear that you’re just butt-hurt that your favorite character died and you want to make it about gender politics because that’s the only lens you can view the world through.
Dany was a narcissist. She’s always been a narcissist, and she earned that knife.
Get a job you’re actually good at.
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