Game of Thrones: The Fight for the Iron Throne

Game of Thrones is one of the most well known worldwide phenomenons. I’ve been hearing bits and pieces about this show over the years, and I’m a fan of Sophie Turner’s work. This show seemed a bit over the top with the gore and sex, and now that I’ve watched it, that hasn’t changed. But I never expected the intricate storylines and amazing history this show explores. I’ve watched the entire eight seasons in a month. The theme song never leaves my brain. The character’s fates and faces bounce around my head. Watching the show finale is not only something on my calendar, it is necessary for my sanity.

Arya has, what I consider, the most extensive journey. Daenarys covers more ground and accomplishes more, but she does so under the weight of royal blood and responsibility, with small amounts of control over her own fate. Aya has the freedom to explore. After being dragged to the capitol and placated with a sword master and a new hobby of chasing cats, Arya’s life changes when her father is executed for treason. Sansa stays with hopes of playing the political game. Ayra runs. She joins the night watch, is captured, serves Tywin Lannister, lives like a savage while traveling with The Hound, and travels to Bravos to become one of the Unnamed.

Sansa starts out as an innocent girl with stars in her eyes, turns into a relentlessly tortured punching bag, and eventually becomes a leader of the North with a spine of steel. I really wish the Starks had trained all of their children to defend themselves. Sansa could have really benefitted from having a knife on her at all times. Instead, she had to rely on her mind and wits and extreme patience. I kept hoping someone, anyone, would show up and save her. But ultimately, Sansa saves herself. It’s interesting how she and Daenarys don’t get along, I think they actually have a lot in common.

I love Margaery, especially her relationship with her grandmother. They are two women on the road to world domination. Honestly, Olena should be Queen. I would support her. I really appreciate how Margaery and Sansa become friends, not enemies. They are both just trying to play the political game and make it out alive. The Tyrell women are very entertaining to watch, and Olenna is nothing short of a force to be reckoned with. Plus, Olenna got rid of Joffrey, for which she has everyone’s undying gratitude.

Speaking of Khaleesi, she begins this story as a girl sold to savages, helpless against her brother’s wishes. She wins over the Draki, becomes a queen, and the mother of dragons. She builds an army, punishes her enemies, and frees slaves. She learns to rule, and learns that ruling is much more difficult than conquering. One by one, she destroys her enemies. But she reaches the point when everyone is failing her and it’s difficult to distinguish between an alliance and a problem.

Speaking of problems, Jon is basically a walking eye roll. I like him, especially when he’s with Ygritte. But he’s so much like Ned: earnest to the point of getting himself killed.

I love Jon and Sam’s friendship. Jon teaches Sam how to fight, and gives him the confidence he needs to grow up. They take care of each other, and fight the white walkers. Jon is the fighter, Sam is the brains. I was really worried they were going to kill Sam off, but he’s played such an important part in this story, Jon’s story especially. Unlike his sisters, Jon still has his wolf, though he loses track of him sometimes. He could have used Ghost when he was captured by the Wildings, but it turned out fairly well for him. Ygritte is tough and sassy and I adore every time she makes fun of Jon Snow, the warrior lord who’s afraid of girls.

There are many strong opinions in the fandom, especially in regards to Jon and Daenerys. I think they make great allies, they’re not strong leaders (though Jon clearly needs help with his decision making skills). Daenerys gets so much blame for her decisions, but she only does what she has promised. She has vowed to reclaim her birthright, vanquish her enemies, and rule the seven kingdoms. Nothing she does is truly a surprise. As for her and Jon, they don’t have the same easy chemistry as the other couples. I wish they had made it a purely political match, because the romance definitely feels forced. Daenerys setting aside her crusade to help Jon for the sake of love is not even remotely believable. She helps him destroy the army of the dead because she sees for herself that they are a threat.

As a sidenote, I’m so glad Arya got to be the one to kill the night king. Her fighting skills are unparalleled, and she fascinates me.

The youngest Starks have their own adventures, though we mostly just see Brandon. Bran may have lost his ability to walk, but he gained the Sight. He travels north of the wall and tracks down a truly mystical source. It’s interesting how the older Starks are all waist deep in politics, while the younger Starks deal in magic.

None of these characters make it out unscathed. Some of them don’t even make it out alive. This is a gritty violent sexual show, with little sympathy for its occupants. But they still thrive. Sansa becomes an amazing leader. Arya discards her title and becomes the greatest fighter in the kingdom. Bran becomes an all seeing seer. Jon learns his true parentage and faces an army of skeletons. Daenerys goes from being a slave to the mother of dragons. Jaime goes from being the most annoying human to breathe, to a remarkably decent knight who might occasionally deserve Brienne. I could go on, it’s amazing to see not only the plot twists and turns, but the character growth over eight seasons.

I especially appreciate how Jaime and Brienne don’t follow the standard couple expectations. Traditionally, the man is masculine and strong, and the woman is feminine and sweet. But they are both the perfect mix of masculine and feminine. They protect each other, even when they can’t stay together.

This show breaks through barriers and destroys common character molds. The intricate plot manages drama and intrigue while staying true to the story and characters. The characters themselves endure so much pain, but they use that to fix their kingdom. The strong survive and the weak die, but really, the lucky survive. Or maybe death is lucky. It could honestly go either way.

I loved the ending, though it broke my heart to see Daenerys lose herself so thoroughly. I wanted to cheer for the girl who was abused by her brother and sold into slavery in exchange for a crown, who worked and learned and defied the odds, who won over hearts and destroyed enemies and made such beautiful and fiery declarations. Her fate was to return dragons to the world, free slaves, and lay siege. But peace was not in her cards. However, somehow the Starks always carry on with their duty. They survive, they rule, they help others survive. It’s a fitting ending, and I’m happy the characters were given so much freedom to expand. And I’m really impressed with Drogo for melting that stupid iconic throne, and Tyrion for knowing just who to replace it with.