After last week’s battle-centric episode, we had a lot of ground to cover in the Game of Thrones season finale for basically every single storyline. I don’t usually watch the scenes from previous episodes, but this week I did.
I was out of town all weekend and didn’t watch the show until Monday, but luckily I managed to stay spoiler free.
King’s Landing
We opened with a close up of Tyrion’s eye, and a whole lot of changes.
Tyrion’s alive, but injured. And demoted – since Tywin was back in town, he’d taken over as Hand of the King. Littlefinger was given the Castle of Harrenhaal for what he did in uniting the houses Lannister and Tyrell. And, very importantly, Joffrey was married to Lady Margaery of House Tyrell instead of Sansa.
Poor Sansa. She turned down Hound’s offer to escape because she thought she’d be safer at King’s Landing, and almost instantly her entire fate was turned upside-down. Sansa was relieved not to be marrying Joffrey, but Littlefinger soon informed her that she wouldn’t be sent home. She’d be beaten and treated as a prostitute.
Bronn’s no longer in charge of the City Watch, so Tyrion is now powerless. Varys told him that even though Tyrion would get no recognition, many people knew that without Tyrion King’s Landing would have been defeated. But at least he still has Shea.
On The Road
I understand why Brienne is such a popular character. Lady is a bad ass! That whole thing with her and Jamie and the Stark soldiers was amazing – they almost had them convinced that Jamie was just an ordinary criminal, but when they were backed to a corner Brienne took on all three guys and one. Ain’t no thang, right?
Battleground
Meanwhile, Robb was whining to his mother than he wanted to go back on his word and not marry the Frey daughter, because he loves Talisa. Catelyn didn’t have much of a leg to stand on when it came to discussing the idea of honor with him, because she’d given up Jamie Lannister. So despite his mother’s protestations, Robb and Talisa secretly married.
Dragonstone
Stannis was furious with Melisandre, because she said he’d win the war and he’d lost the battle at King’s Landing. Yeah, I’d say that was reason enough to be angry. Though choking her almost to death seemed a bit much. But then he saw some kind of future in the flames of a fire. But what?
Winterfell
Theon was feeling pretty down on himself. Nothing was working out for him in Winterfell, but he couldn’t go home to the Iron Islands either. Luwon told him the best thing to do would be to join the Night’s Watch, where he’d get a fresh start. Theon didn’t take the advice though, and instead was knocked out by his own man. Theon is the Game of Thrones version of Mad Men’s Glenn – everything turns to crap.
When Osha came out of hiding with Hodor, Bran and Rickon, the village had been burned down and Luwon was dying. He told them to travel to the wall to find Jon Snow.
Qarth
Finally, some dragon action! Some completely bonkers dragon action! Look, there’s a lot about what happened with Daeny that I didn’t understand, because I’m never sure what’s magic and what’s not. The warlocks basically wanted Daeny and her dragons because she makes the dragons stronger, and the dragons make their magic stronger. She was briefly reunited with the illusions of Drogo and her unborn child, and then she was held captive with her dragons. But they breathed fire and killed that scary, skinny warlock man.
Then, after escaping, she discovered that Xaro’s safe was actually empty. All the riches he’d told her about were a lie. She locked him and her handmaid, who was sleeping with him, in the safe to die. They looted the rest of Qarth, in order to use any gold and jewels to buy a ship. It looks like Khaleesi has officially arrived, and she’s not the meek little girl some might take her for.
On The Run
Arya told Jaquen that she wants to learn how to kill like he does, and he told her to come to Braavos and become a Faceless Man – and then, literally, he changed his face. Arya declined, because she still wants to be reunited with her family. But Jaqen also gave her a special coin. If she ever wants to see him again, she can give it to someone from Braavos and say a special phrase.
Beyond The Wall
Jon Snow killed Halfhand, which I think was following Halfhand’s own instructions, so that he could officially join the Wildlings. That means we get to meet The King Beyond The Wall…but not until next season.
We finally got to see the white walkers, which are basically zombies. Unfortunately, they got Sam. Well, I assume they got Sam. Poor Sam. Anyway, they’re creepy and gross and make a terrible screeching noise. I’ve got to say, guys, I’m not really into this. Dragons, fine. Magic, OK sure. But now zombies too? Geez, how many mystical things do I need to worry about?
Final Thoughts
I don’t know guys, I’m not convinced by this season. Is it possible for too much to be going on while very little happens? Because that’s how I feel. While I’m excited for what’s next for Daeny, the entire Qarth storyline kind of felt like a waste of time. And I’m still not sure I care too much about anything that happens beyond the wall. I expected there to be more conclusions by the end of this season, but so much is still left up in the air. What do you guys think?
I really liked the finale! My BF keeps reminding me that, for all the jockeying for the throne that’s going on, none of it will matter when The Others arrive, which made it a fitting end to the season. I loved Margaery claiming to have fallen in love with Joffrey, and look forward to seeing her play him like a fiddle next year.
That is a good point. I just wish I felt like more had happened this season.
Gotta say I’m honestly not sure how to respond to this entry, or the end of this season of G of T. Like you, I feel very unsatisfied with the season. 10 episodes, and nothing really happened till the 9th episode, then we get a quick round up of all the story lines in the 10th episode. Now we wait till next April to see where the story goes. I’m saying all of this from the point of view of someone who has read all the (written so far) books, too, knowing what is to come. I will say this… the third season will be epic, but I can’t help but think that many of the seasons will be this way… a whole lot going on but nothing really happening, except for a few plot climaxes here & there. I get that this is a very expensive series to film, but 10 episodes per year really is not enough. Really wish they could air the third season in the fall instead of waiting till next year!
I was worried I’d be the only one left feeling a bit unsatisfied, so I’m glad I’m not. I will still watch season three, but this season didn’t leave me so excited for what’s next like last season did. And a year is a long time to wait.
I sort of feel like one of the biggest payoffs in the finale was done off-screen because they went through their budget by the time of the final episode. Instead, they left the event ambiguous, and most people will viewers will not be figure out what actually happened. I’m talking about the fall of Winterfell. I feel like this isn’t a spoiler because it is revealed in the book and you can sport of piece it together if think carefully about what happened, but if you don’t want to know, skip the next sentence. Winterfell was torched by the northmen who were surrounding the castle and not by the iron islanders.
Season two was about what it should have been, although it did suffer more than the first season from the loss of detail in translating it to tv. I wonder how your opinions would change if it was all in there, especially the beyond the wall plot. I think they cut from the nights watch and from Bran’s story the most. It is basically a lot of banter like in the final scene pre-walkers, but it makes them seem like much more colorful characters.
Overall, the season was what it needed to be. Book two is considered one of the weaker in the series, but it is needed to transition the characters to where they need to be. If they stick closely to the story, you will be talking about how too many things are happening by this time next year.
Yeah, I wish that had been played out more dramatically. Now none of the Starks have a home, I guess, so that is big. Glad season three will be exciting though!
Ultimately, looking back on the season, it does feel like nothing much happened. Robb going against the agreement with Frey will have repercussions as will Sansa staying in King’s Landing. I agree with you, Daeny didn’t go anywhere this season. She had dragons at the end of last season and needed a ship, and now?
To me, what I wait for is to see what happens with Tyrion now, I think once Tywin gets a taste of what a crazy man Joffrey is, there will be room for Tyrion in the balance of power and that should be interesting.
Yeah, Daeny’s whole storyline felt like a placeholder. I hope she’s more important next season because I love her character. I am interested to see how things play out in King’s Landing.
I actually super loved last night’s episode! I mean, sure – not a whole lot happened given the amount of time we’ve all invested watching the episodes but I still found it a satisfying finale.
The strong female characters are totally leaving everyone else in the dust. Holy cow. That brief moment when Sansa burst out of her locked down King’s Landing character after being ‘freed’ of Joffrey, Lady Margaery’s unexpected coup, everything about Brienne and Arya, and *finally* Daeny is back on her dragon-fueled feet! I feel like we got so many overdue payoffs on their storylines last night.
Getting nervous about how they’ll keep all their supernaturals in check though…I don’t know how down I’ll be with the Dragons vs. Zombies war plus whatever Melisandre gives birth to next.
I do agree that the ladies are killing it, and when I think about next season I’m basically excited for what happens with them and with Tyrion. I have the same fear you do. I was super into the dragons, but I’m still not interested in these pony zombies.
I liked the finale, didn’t love it, but I kind of knew what to expect from reading the book -1000 pages and when I got to the end felt like nothing happened. From what I’ve heard Book/Season 2 is set-up for the rest. I’ve given up on the books, but will continue to watch the show.
That’s interesting, and a very convincing argument for me to not bother with the books. I’ve never planned to read them, but sometimes people try to tell me I should. (I like to read, it’s just, there are other things to read.)