Written by Robert Henry
After the beheading of Missandei and her’s last words being “dracarys”, Daenerys knew what she needed to do in order to take the Kings Landing and the Red Keep. Missandei and her people are considered pacifistic people so the fact that her last words were essentially to burn the city and everyone in it is quite a major point in the second to the last episode. After the rumor that Jon is actually Aegon Targaryen and has a right to the Iron Throne, it is Tyrion who tells Dany that Lord Varys was the one who told people. So he was burned alive via Drogon for his betrayal.
Courtesy Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO
Then it’s down to business for Daenerys, with the attack on the Red Keep well planned on both sides of the battle.
Cersei knew by keeping the innocent people in Kings Landing and the Red Keep would make Dany the “bad” guy in the end. On the other side of the battle, Dany and her tacticians knew that she needed to defeat the Golden Company and Euron’s fleet in order to take out the surrounding dragon killing crossbow spears. Once that was done it was up to Jamie Lannister to ring the bells and force the surrender of Cersei’s army. Cersei’s army even laid down their weapons but that was not enough for what Dothraki hoard members were left and the Unsullied soldiers. They want revenge for the lack of help during the long night against the Night King and the beheading of Missandei.
Courtesy Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO
Once Dany sees through the plan of Cersei, she takes it upon herself to stay true to her bloodline as a Targaryen and for a bit went mad lighting up all of Kings Landing and the Red Keep.
We finally got to see what has been called the “Clegane Bowl” where the Sandor the Hound faces off against Gregor the Undead Mountain. This is big more for fans of the series and they both die by fire falling off a tower in the Red Keep. Sandor has a massive fear of fire and that was due to his brother Gregor the mountain.
Courtesy Photo: HBO
Jamie and Cersei try to escape thanks to some help from Davos by entering the dungeon where the dragon skulls lay. Unfortunately, the Red Keep is so damaged they end up stuck and presumably dead due to the ceiling crashing down. During this whole time Jon, or Aegon if you will, is horrified at how Dany has taken Kings Landing and the Red Keep.
Seeing as Kings Landing and the Red Keep is in shambles and on fire, it will be a curious thing to see if any of the other kingdoms will be on Dany’s side to have her rule over the Seven Kingdoms. I think that we will see Arya turn into the modern day “King Slayer” or I guess she would be the “Queen Slayer” if Dany is able to take the thrown.
Another possibility is that Jon/Aegon refutes his titles and heads back to the North, not to rule but to join the nights watch and/or find Tormund Giantsbane and Ghost and live his life in peace in the “real” North. This would give Sansa complete control of the North and Winterfell.
Courtesy Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO
Bran has repeatedly said he does not want to rule due to being the three-eyed raven. However, Bran knowing how the past was he will reshape the way the seven kingdoms are formed. All lands will be ruled by their respected rulers but will also have a say in what happens in the seven kingdoms. Bran, in my opinion, will form a group or council of members from each major house and the Iron Throne its self will be no more. I believe that Arya will head back to Braavos and rebuild or take control of training a new generation of assassins. She stated in the last episode that she has no plans on being a lady or a royal that sits around and does nothing but politics when she denied Gendry’s hand in marriage. Westeros will see major changes and if all of the major houses can get along under Bran’s new republic, we will see significant peace since before the first men arrived in Westeros.
Bran’s council will more than likely consist of Tyrion Lannister, Yara Greyjoy, Sansa Stark, Gendry Baratheon, Bronn of Blackwater and Samwell Tarly. With these heads of the kingdoms peace could be possible but who knows. We may just see Jon/Aegon and everyone that does not bend the knee and fealty to Daenerys Targaryen be burned. Turning Dany into her father the Mad King, however, in this case, the Mad Queen. Tune into HBO \ Sunday, May 19th at 9 PM EST or 6 PM PST to find out how this epic series will end. Who is to sit upon the Iron Throne, if there even is a thrown to sit on.
Courtesy Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO.
Title Image Credit- Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) looks over a burnt Kings Landing in Season 8, episode 6/series finale (debut 5/19/19):
Photo: Courtesy of HBO
