Dany? First, a point in the show's favor - Dany's arc was the *only* one that was consistent with the show's past seasons and that made sense. During her arc, she arrived at cities and said give up or die, she crucified slave traders in a misguided attempt to show "you reap what you sow," she sent away advisers who loved her, bristled and resented anyone who didn't agree with her, BBQ'd the Tarleys instead of used them strategically, was more concerned with Jon's claim on the throne than her incest, employed no strategy to attack the city at the end (basically it was the same strategy as last week, but this time, the scorpions missed - really?), and threatened to kill Tyrion, probably her most loyal adviser left. I'm sure there are other examples I have forgotten. Add to that the mythology of her genetic family, which we heard about repeatedly, and how could she have done anything else? Dany's descent into madness is one of the handful of things that make perfect sense through the history of this show - if you aren't ignoring it because you proudly see her as something else. Did she turn too fast, and too hard? Maybe. But with only a few episodes, that had to happen quickly, and you can fault the pacing but not that it happened.

Arya? Why in the world did they build up Arya as a Faceless Man, with years of training, and then never use it this season at the climax? It didn't even appear she used it when she attached the NK. She sure as heck didn't use it last night. What a waste. She should have used it to get into the keep, and put her in a position to either take down someone on her own (Qyburn?) or save The Hound.

The Hound and Mountain? There were pieces that were OK. That the brothers had a final showdown was one of them. But it was never clear through the series what the resurrected Mountain remembered from when he was alive, or if he even had any memories or thoughts of his own. Now, at the end, not only does he recognize his brother, he also remembers his hatred for him AND it's significant enough that he defies his masters? That's a stretch. I know that falling into fire was poetic and has a link to The Hound's past. It would have worked better if the show had him recognize that end before it happened, and doing it anyway. They went through a stone wall.

And BTW, Qyburns's death was ludicrous. I actually laughed. He was brushed aside by his creation, hits his head and dies. Pointless. They may as well have had a rock fall on his head. Far better and more poetic for Arya to have killed him, Wasn't he on her list?

Jaime and Cersei? What a pointless ending. I suppose it had the metaphorical meaning of their transgressions were buried with them. But neither one stood for anything at the end except they loved each other, sort of. A far better ending would have been Cersei appearing to have won a costly defense, and Jaime killing her - and his own child - essentially for Brienne and a better world. Jaime would die after showing he was a changed and worthy man.

Euron? His downfall should have come at the hands of Asha. Not a random, pointless fight with Jaime.

Tyrion? One boneheaded move after another the past few episodes. No strategy, aside from making it clear that the bells ringing meant the city surrendered (and did it really? Because some people surrendered? Cersei didn't). He was sidelined to the keep during the battle with the NK. This is the guy who masterminded the successful battle of Blackwater Bay, reduced to an adviser who stared side eyed at Dany as she became nuttier. Why do this to him?

Varys? Uh, I guess. I mean, he seems to have sent messages to someone with some basic facts. Why didn't Dany use him when she found out? If she weren't mad, if she were at all strategic, she would have.

And what in the world was Jon doing this whole episode? He had to have seen the madness. Yet he stood around, silent. What kind of leader is that? I don't care that he loved his aunt. Tyrion stood up. Jon should have.

Who did I leave out? I enthusiastically watched this show for years. And it was very good. What the heck happened at the end?


[Post edited by WestyHokie at 05/13/2019 09:21AM]