Last year’s season finale was one of the finest hours of television ever produced. It’s no surprise then that the season seven finale isn’t nearly as mindblowing. However, it still gets a lot of things right.
The finale’s shining moment is undoubtedly the Dragonpit meeting. Over the course of seven seasons, we’d never really seen SO many characters gathered in one place so this was an absolute joy to behold. Moreover, the sheer number of reunions (The Hound and Brienne, Tyrion and Podrick, Tyrion and Bronn, Jaime & Brienne etc…) really illustrated the show’s enormous sense of scope and magnitude. Plus it’s just ridiculously exciting to see characters who’ve never really shared screen-time together (Jon and Cersei) finally butt heads.
After a couple of weeks of horrendous storytelling with Littlefinger turning Sansa on her younger sister, the show finally made sense of it all by revealing the Stark sisters to have been colluding in their attempt to take out the sleazeball for good. While this twist doesn’t make up for the boring buildup that came before it, the moment in which Arya actually sliced Littlefinger’s throat has to be one of the most satisfying things I’ve seen in a long time. In addition, we got some incredible continuity with Sansa listing all the evil machinations that Baelish pulled off over the years starting with the pilot. In the end, I am so relieved to be done with this repetitive character; he outlived his importance to the narrative a long time ago.
I have a genuine concern with regards to Jon’s storyline. A year ago, we discovered that he was in fact a Targaryen. It’s been a whole season and he STILL doesn’t know the truth about his parentage or name (it’s Aegon Targaryen by the way). I know that Game of Thrones likes to take its time, but the hype has died down as far as I’m concerned. The moment in which Jon finally discovers that he’s the true heir to the Iron Throne should feel like a momentous occasion, but now it just feels like a bullet point in a list of things that have to happen before the show comes to an end. At least we can enjoy the fact that Jon is now sleeping with his aunt? *Cringe*. The writers sure dropped the ball with this one didn’t they?
Finally, I didn’t find the end scene to be all that impressive. Sure it was expertly executed with its top-notch CGI, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that the whole White Walker invasion should have happened a long time ago. After all, we’ve been hearing the prophetic phrase (“Winter is Coming”) for seven seasons now. In addition, Viserion’s death and subsequent resurrection in episode six all but ensured that he would be making his return in those final moments. I really needed something more explosive to tide me over for the next two years. Just imagine how much more impactful this season would have been had it ended with Viserion’s horrifying death? I still get goosebumps thinking about that masterful scene and nothing in this finale comes close.
Bits & Beheadings
– Bromance: Bronn and Tyrion admit they miss each other. These two used to be hysterical.
– The Hound threatens his brother and tells him that he “knows” who’s coming for him. Any guesses?
– Naturally, Dany’s arrival is oh so cinematic. I love that she chooses to arrive on Drogon to showcase her power while Cersei tries her best to maintain her composure.
– Cersei tells Dany they’ve been waiting for her for a while? Really? It was more like two seconds.
– There’s real sense of suspense as The Hound opens the box and the wight doesn’t jump out immediately. The moment when he does escape and charge at Cersei is especially thrilling.
– Notice how fascinated Qyburn is by the Wight. It’s a testament to this scene’s execution that with so many characters, even the less important once get memorable character moments.
– Love how loyal Jon is to Dany as he declines Cersei’s offer.
– Cersei glaring daggers at Brienne after she tries to talk to Jaime is everything.
– Hilarious visual: Tyrion walking beside The Mountain. Particularly love the POV shot from below.
– A gem of a scene: Cersei’s confrontation with Tyrion. I so missed Lena Headey and Peter Dinklage facing off one-on-one. Both performers pack SO many layers into each and every line. My favorite moment? Tyrion pouring his sister a glass of wine. We all know how much the Lannisters love their wine.
– Did Cersei purposely touch her belly so Tyrion would assume she’s pregnant?
– How dull was Theon fighting with the Iron Fleet captain? The one good moment: his getting kicked in the nonexistent balls and then taking back control. I fail to see what this character adds to the show (at least Jon finally forgave him in an equally tedious scene).
– I love that Cersei tells Jaime that one of Dany’s dragons was missing. The show could have easily avoided mentioning this.
– Euron leaving was in fact a ploy. Cersei sent him to the Iron Bank to bring back an army of mercenaries called The Golden Company. This should be good.
– Was anyone surprised by Cersei’s constant flip-flopping and betrayals? I honestly lost track.
– Is Jaime really done with Cersei for good? I genuinely thought the show might kill him off for a second. It’s interesting to note that Cersei was unable to kill both of her brothers this week. I guess pregnancy’s making her soft?
– Love the super slow GOT theme as snow arrives in King’s Landing. Gorgeous.
– I don’t buy the theory that Tyrion is attracted to Dany (he looked very creepy as he watched Jon enter her room). My guess is he’s probably just worried about her getting distracted with all the romance
– Rheagar Targaryen looks just like Viserys. I thought he was the same actor for a moment (he’s not). I guess the producers couldn’t afford a new wig?
– Did anyone else get all teary eyed as Arya and Sansa bonded while reminiscing over how much they missed their dad?
– There’s been a lot of debate, but the show’s creators have confirmed that Viserion does in fact breathe blue fire and not ice.
– Was no one else bothered by the fact that The Wall only fell in one direction and none of the wights were harmed? Felt pretty contrived to me.
– I did love that final shot of Viserion flying towards the screen as the Army of the Dead walked past The Wall. Can’t wait for them dragons to face off in season eight!
Kings & Quips
Jaime: Maybe it really is all cocks in the end.
Bronn: Yet, your brother has chosen to side with the cockless.
Cersei: (to The Mountain) If anything goes wrong, kill the silver-haired bitch first, then our brother, then the bastard who calls himself king. The rest of them you can kill in any order you see fit.
The Hound: Who’s protecting her if you’re here?
Brienne: The only one that needs protecting is the one that gets in her way.
The Hound: Anyone touches it, I’ll kill you first.
The Hound: Seems every bad idea has some Lannister cunt behind it.
Tyrion: And some Clegane cunt to help them see it through.
Tyrion: I think we ought to begin with larger concerns.
Euron: Then why are you talking? You’re the smallest concern here.
Tyrion: (to Theon) Do you remember when we discussed dwarf jokes? His wasn’t even good. He explained it at the end. Never explain. It always ruins it.
Jon: Lord Tyrion tells me a million people live in this city. They’re about to become a million more soldiers in the Army of the Dead.
Cersei: I imagine for most of them it would be an improvement.
Jon: Then there are no more answers, only better and better lies.
Cersei: (to Tyrion) I shouldn’t be surprised, I suppose.
She’s your kind of woman a foreign whore who doesn’t know her place.
Dany: I can’t have children.
Jon: Who told you that?
Dany: The witch who murdered my husband.
Jon: Has it occurred to you she might not have been a reliable source of information?
Cersei: (to Jaime) I always knew you were the stupidest Lannister.
Sansa: You’re the strongest person I know.
Arya: I believe that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.
Sansa: Well, don’t get used to it. You’re still very strange and annoying.
Conclusion
A solid albeit unspectacular season finale from Game of Thrones.
Nad Rating
B+
B+ indeed!
I wanna add a few things
I personally felt that the Dragon Pit meeting was disappointing. All these powerful characters and all they could come up with was that? A fake truce from Cersei? I was expecting something much more mind-blowing. So the shining moment for me was Littlefinger’s death, not the meeting. Also disappointing was how Cersei backed off from killing both Jaime and Tyrion… as evil as this sounds I was expecting some action there. Another “checklist” I felt was Bran and Sam’s discussion about Jon being a Targaryen. This ruined the wait even more.
Episode 6 set a VERY high standard, sorry episode 7
Haha I’m glad to see I wasn’t the only one disappointed by this finale. The Bran/Sam discussion was definitely irritating as well! Here’s hoping they salvage things in season eight (if any of us are still alive by then). -_-
Sure this finale wasn’t the best but I think the final season should make up for it. Their saving the best for last. 😊
Definitely! I so hope that final season is epic!
Ok so you definitely convinced me that it wasn’t PERFECT 😜
Especially the part about Jon Snow’s identity. You definitely make a good point about how him finding out eventually will be super anticlimactic, sadly. Not cool. Or maybe they’ll make it a bit comical “oh shit I had sex with my aunt?” I’m honestly just looking forward for Tyrion’s reaction to all this.
But still thought the ending was epiiccc! Hahahha. Guess I’ll see what I think once I revisit this in my rewatch!
Yes tell me what you think after rewatching. But I don’t think I was too harsh on it, especially after the epic penultimate episode!
I thought the timing of the White Walker invasion was on point. It really sets into motion the beginning of the end of the series.
I believe the “who” in the Hound’s warning to his brother was himself. He was telling the Mountain he will be the one who ultimately ends him. I look forward to that showdown.
Littlefinger’s death was so satisfying and I felt the same about Theon’s fight. Not running away from a fight and turning what Ramsay did to him into an advantage felt like a great moment of growth for him. I hope that growth continues throughout the final season.
I agree with you about Tyrion’s concern for Dany. I don’t know why people see it as something romantic.
I thought of The Hound being the mysterious person but it felt too obvious to me. Hmm. I guess we won’t know for a while (how depressing).
Chin up. There’ll be plenty of TV shows to keep us occupied until the final season starts. The Good Place, Nikita, American Gods, and most of Outlander are on my list of shows to catch up on. Do you have such a list?
TOO MANY. It’s immensely overwhelming! I love Good Place, Nikita and American Gods so those are great choices. Never seen Outlander but I hear great things about it!
It’s worth watching. So is Twin Peaks: The Return. The stuff of TV legend.