We knew before it aired that the final episode of Game of Thrones would engender strong opinions. It’s a show people have spent hours watching and rewatching and theorizing and arguing about, and the finale was the last chance the producers had to make that investment pay off. While there were some definite high points, the consensus seems to be one of disappointment with how it all came to a close.
The episode began in the aftermath of the destruction of King’s Landing. Tyrion wanders through the carnage to find Daenerys presiding over a fascist rally. Disgusted, he throws down his Hand of the Queen brooch and is naturally taken into custody.
When Tryion threw his pin #GameOfThronesFinale pic.twitter.com/VwRCTHsCMU
— ♤ || 11 days !! (@infinitaehyung) May 20, 2019
After a chat with Tyrion about what to do about their megalomaniacal queen, Jon makes his way to the now open-air throne room. Daenerys is there, staring at the throne, but she never gets to sit on it.
Jon snow after Killing daeneryspic.twitter.com/7cx8skq0Ep
— Ramzan kA musalman (@dead_bey_) May 20, 2019
daenerys not saying a single word after getting the tiniest jab in the gut while other characters were doing monologues on their deathbeds and getting stabbed everywhere and still surviving
— ً (@targarcyn) May 20, 2019
They really used all of her resources then got rid of her when they didn’t need her anymore lol if theres one saving grace in all this misery is how by ruining Daenerys they ruined the entire show.
— dragon's daughter (@yeahclarke) May 20, 2019
Drogon was particularly upset, and his wailing was the most heartbreaking part of the entire episode.
If mama can't have it, can't nobody have it. 😭 #GameofThrones #GameOfThronesFinale #Drogon pic.twitter.com/MtREnfFC7w
— 🖤Regina's Old Soul🖤 (@OldSoul7799) May 20, 2019
the most heartbreaking part of this scene is the way drogon nudges daenerys. he has lost both his brothers and now his mother. he deserves so much better. nobody speak to me ever again. #gameofthrones #GameOfThronesFinale #TheFinalEpisode pic.twitter.com/5ySfMvU2Hu
— Harshal (@iHarshalWatts) May 20, 2019
In his grief, Drogon blasts the Iron Throne with fire before carrying Daenerys’s body away.
Nobody can sit on that throne if there’s no throne #GameofThronesFinale pic.twitter.com/itxSu5LxBu
— 𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖 (@killferqueen) May 20, 2019
Drogon is mourning. I am mourning. I'm a mess! Drogon said if my mother can't sit on it, no one can. F*ck all yall. #GameOfThronesFinale
— EYSHA (@spunknsplendor) May 20, 2019
This climax occurred fairly early in the episode, and the remainder was just everyone figuring out what to do. An ad hoc group of fan favorites is assembled to decide who will be the king.
This is how they should've decided it.
(Sound on)#GameOfThonesFinale #GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/T3Vb4bQgfa— Lilly Margraf (@LillyMargraf) May 20, 2019
After a speech by Tyrion about the power of storytelling — kind of confusing, to be honest — they decide that Bran, who knows all the stories, will be king. Sansa decides without pushback to rule the North as an independent kingdom. Tyrion becomes the Hand of the King against his will (again) and Jon is sent to the Night’s Watch (again).
BRAN? BRRAAAANNNNN? WHAT THE FLYING FUCK? #GameOfThronesFinale pic.twitter.com/8iQB2il7Sf
— Remy Moua (@brokeremy) May 20, 2019
When you get all the credit in the group project but ain’t done shit #GameOfThronesFinale pic.twitter.com/W6XL59MtmJ
— ƒlow (@dad_with_dice) May 20, 2019
I really spent 8 years watching this show for bran to be king, dany dead and jon back at the nightwatch??? yall…. #GameOfThronesFinale pic.twitter.com/jWlAJ6kOJM
— 🐎 (@maddcosmos) May 20, 2019
One thing that did make people happy: Jon’s reunion with Ghost at Castle Black.
The most loyal trust worth and goodest boy in the whole show. And the only ray of light in the darkness of season 8 #GameOfThonesFinale pic.twitter.com/6a0IV3OQp9
— Tanky!! (@mattythomas60) May 20, 2019
Me when Jon Snow finally pet Ghost.#GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/S20SvMuAXr
— Justin (@JDab113) May 20, 2019
The new small council assembles, a bit of fan service that saw favorites like Davos, Bronn, Brienne, and Samwell ascend to leadership positions and discuss the issues of the realm.
2/ I really hope we mature past this Governing-By-Personal-Drama-And-Vengeance that, while entertaining, is UNLIVABLE. Banking, government and police work should be BORING. That’s the sign of an evolved society. Quietly planning, anticipating & getting it done.
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) May 20, 2019
Brienne, the new commander of the Kingsguard, sits down to write Jamie’s entry in the history of the group, which inspired the best meme we’ve seen from the finale.
Brienne filling out the kingsguard book #GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/ejv9fmWAXc
— tamago 🍳 GOT Spoilers! (@ttamagomo) May 20, 2019
I can't believe brienne wrote that omg #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/6TbIPuKTo5
— Kiran (@opalsrose) May 20, 2019
What Brienne actually wrote…#GameofThrones #GameOfThonesFinale pic.twitter.com/8jg7nQ25QM
— Witchcrafting & Wizardry (@witchcraft_wiz) May 20, 2019
But overall folks seem baffled and disappointed by how the show finally ended.
#GameOfThonesFinale Bran know everything and does nothing. Jon known nothing but he does everything. Dany does everything and get nothing. That sums it all up this season pic.twitter.com/uLcH60Mhz1
— coloredpapi (@Nellyzul66) May 20, 2019
