I Liked the Game of Thrones Finale, but I Get Why You Didn’t.

You can’t logon any social media site without seeing Game of Thrones finale complaints. People are upset, some even angry. Personally, I thought the ending of GOT was good and also, par for the course in that we didn’t see most of it coming. Why are people so mad about it? I found myself searching my brain for the answers to this question. I think the first reason people are angry is because their beloved predictions didn’t mean a darn thing. The Azor Ahai prophecy meant, well, nothing. The witch’s prediction for young Cersei– also, ended up only being partially true. 

People hate when their predictions aren’t correct. But as I read through each angry Tweet and Facebook post, I found myself wondering exactly why it was so hated. It wasn’t the best episode I ever watched, but it left me satisfied. Our favorite characters came out on top. Ned Stark would have indeed been proud. Jon Snow never wanted to be King. Dany was going a bit mad– so good riddance. Sansa got the crown she wanted since Episode 1. And those who wanted to be wild and free are just that. I found myself thinking all day Monday about what exactly all these angry people wanted to be different.

First of all, Jon being the one to kill Dany was a shock to me. In those moments that seemed like HOURS during the fatal kiss, I found myself wondering who it was that died– and who delivered the kill? Did Dany kill Jon? Did Jon kill Dany? Or did Arya kill Dany– with an arrow? I definitely didn’t see loyal Jon being the one to go through with it. I think some people were mad because Jon & Dany were the symbolic “Song of Ice and Fire.” Even though Dany was going mad and I found myself disliking her more and more with each episode, I think people still loved her and didn’t want to see her go, despite her wicked ways.

Secondly. Bran the Broken. As they each stated his or her “I,” all except Sansa, I found myself thinking, “Well, he won’t be the King anyway; he’s the Three-Eyed Raven. He told Tyrion ‘no’ once before.” But then…he accepted. WHAT?! Bran, the King and ruler of the 7– er, 6, kingdoms?! Well, that was a shocker. I found myself thinking it was dumb, but then, I examined my choices. Of course, I wanted Jon to be King, to live up to his true Targaryen name and take the Throne to which he has rightful claim. But that’s not what he wanted. As Tormund said a few episodes back, he had the REAL North in him, where he ended up. Did they want Sansa? Sansa lets her emotion takes over and can be irrational at times. Did they want Arya? Because she sure as heck didn’t want a crown. After I thought it through, Bran would be the most emotionless, level-headed King. Not to mention, he is wise, knowing everything that has happened in all of Westeros. He was never anyone’s favorite and almost seemed to be an irrelevant and unexciting part of the story throughout the entire show, so I can see the frustration with this. More so, I think the part that upsets GOT fans the very most is the fact that Jon Snow’s true lineage, to which we all placed so much importance upon, ultimately meant…well, nothing to the story line. And so here we are, “All hail Bran the Broken, First of His Name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of…” You get the idea. Definitely didn’t see that one coming. 

Thirdly, it was rushed. At times, I empathized with those who felt the last season was rushed– thrown together almost haphazardly at times. I found myself wondering if it was the wait for the final season that caused me to feel this way. Was it years of waiting for the conclusion that caused many of us to feel unsatisfied by its quick happening? I think some of the really good parts came before the finale– namely Arya’s legendary slaying of the Night King. After an episode like that, it’s no wonder the finale seemed somewhat uneventful. The predictions and anticipation came to an abrupt halt as Arya sailed west and Jon rode north, just like that. I know I personally never have had so much of an emotional investment in a show. Game of Thrones had me from the get go and saying goodbye to this show I’ve grown to love had me feeling all the feels too.

Lastly, the “Game of Thrones” ended with no throne, but instead a puddle of melted iron torched to nothing by an apparently philosophically perceptive dragon. So many of us pondered the thought of who would sit on that very Iron Throne for YEARS. I myself, have pictured the Night King, Cersei, Jon Snow, and Dany sitting regally upon that royal metal; but in the end, the iconic throne itself didn’t even matter.  

To summarize, I’m not mad. I liked it. And when I actually let the finale sink in further, I loved it. I love that Jon did what he needed to do and ended up happy where he wants to be. I love that Sansa got her crown and became strong as ever along the way. I love that Arya doesn’t have to answer to anyone and can be a fierce, independent woman and not a “lady.” And my all-time favorite part?! Jon getting to give Ghost the loving that little dude deserves. He saved his butt how many times?! Do some of the earlier-stated things that upset others bother me a little or make me feel like it was a slightly rushed storyline? Yes, but it was never my story to tell. I enjoyed every second of Game of Thrones and I, without a doubt, believe it is the best show of our time. I’m just glad I got to be a part of the ride. 

xo,
Ashley