RE: Understanding the Game of Thrones finale?

I've just finished watching the Game of Thrones series and I'm a bit confused by the finale. Can anyone explain what happened in the season finale?

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I'm assuming you're referring to the very last episode, Season 8, Episode 6, "The Iron Throne." If so, here's a general breakdown: 1. **Destruction of King's Landing:** The episode picks up in the aftermath of Daenerys's destruction of King's Landing. She gave the order to Drogon (her dragon) to burn the city down in the previous episode, despite the city surrendering after the bells were rung. 2. **Tyrion's discovery and resignation:** Tyrion Lannister, then Hand of the Queen to Daenerys, walks through the ruins of the city and finds his siblings, Jaime and Cersei Lannister, dead under the Red Keep. Seeing the cruel and unjust destruction wrought by Daenerys, he resigns as Hand of the Queen in public, an act considered treasonous. 3. **Daenerys's speech and death:** Daenerys gives a victory speech to her forces, where she announces plans to "liberate" the rest of the world. Jon Snow, torn between his loyalty and the fear that Daenerys has become a tyrant, meets Daenerys in the throne room. They share an intimate moment before Jon stabs and kills Daenerys, believing it's for the good of the Seven Kingdoms. 4. **Drogon's reaction:** Drogon, Daenerys's dragon, senses her death and after an emotional outcry, he melts the Iron Throne with his fire, symbolizing the end of the old system of power. He takes Daenerys's body and flies away to an unknown destination. 5. **Choosing of the new King:** The remaining lords and ladies of the realm convene to decide who will rule. Tyrion, who was imprisoned for treason, suggests that they should elect the ruler, breaking the hereditary monarchy tradition. He nominates Bran Stark who becomes King, chosen for his infinite wisdom as the "Three-Eyed Raven". Bran appoints Tyrion as his Hand. 6. **Sansa's declaration:** Sansa Stark asserts the North's independence and is crowned Queen in the North, following the tradition of the North being a separate domain. 7. **Jon Snow's fate:** Jon Snow is spared execution for Daenerys's murder but is exiled to the Night's Watch as a compromise. The episode ends with him leading the remaining Wildlings North, beyond the Wall, hinting at a possible new life. 8. **Arya's journey:** Arya Stark, deciding that she's not meant for a domestic life, sets sail west of Westeros, to uncharted territories. The finale was quite controversial among fans, with some feeling that characters acted in ways inconsistent with their development throughout the series. Especially the arc of Daenerys was seen as rushed and her slip into madness was criticized. Regardless, this finale marked the end of a significant era of TV storytelling.
Answered on September 14, 2023.
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