Game of Thrones’ eighth and final season aired in 2019. (same year Euphoria aired) It received divisive reactions from critics, fans and viewers alike. Peter Dinklage won his second Emmy for “Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama.” Season 8 took home an Emmy for “Outstanding Drama Series.” Instead of “Better Call Saul.” A prequel titled, “House of the Dragon” is streaming on HBO Max. As a fan of Game of Thrones, I wanna share my thoughts on the final season if it’s bad.
This review contains huge SPOILERS. If you’re not up to date, read at your own risk.
Positive & Negative Qualities
Positive: The Main Cast reprise their roles one last time and they all did an excellent job for their respective performances.
Ramin Djwadi (Iron Man, Westworld) orchestrated the soundtrack.
Visual and Practical Effects bring the world of Westeros to life.
Cinematography captures in-depth imagery of Westeros.
Death Scenes are savage. If you have a weak stomach, be prepared. Get yourself a barf bag.
Season 7 Recap
- The Night King kills one of the dragons. Turns him into his pawn. Then, he uses him to destroy The Wall.
- Jamie forces Olenna to drink the same poison that killed Joffrey.
- Sam cures Jorah’s grayscale disease. He informs Jon dragonglass is The White Walkers’ weakness.
- As The White Walkers getting stronger, Jon forms an alliance with Daenerys. Hoping they can combine their strengths to defeat the undead.
- Arya reunites with Sansa and Bran. She kills Littlefinger.
- Unbeknownst to Jon, Bran learns his brother is a related to the Targaryens.
Negative: Due to George R. R. Martin working on the last two books “The Winds of Winter” and “A Dream of Spring,” David Benioff & D.B. Weiss made a lot of boo boos. The Series Finale is the worst thing to end a groundbreaking series since “The Sopranos.” I’m puzzled a kids’ show like “Code Lyoko” ended with a satisfying conclusion something David & D.B. Weiss failed to acknowledge the story, characters and story arcs.
Episode 68 – Winterfell
Theon rescues his sister.
Arya requests Gendry to forge a weapon.
Jamie arrives at Winterfell.
Sam drops a truth bomb about Jon’s heritage.
Jon reunites with Arya & Bran.
Episode 69 – A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Our favorite characters attend a mission briefing. They share one last night before an ultimate battle against The White Walkers.
Theon arrives at Winterfell. He volunteers to fight alongside Sansa.
Tyrion, & Jamie reflect on their glory days. The latter officially declares Brienne as a knight.
Jon drops a truth bomb to Daenerys he’s her nephew.
Episode 69 is my favorite episode.
Last scene ends with The Night Walkers staring at Winterfell. Thus, a final battle begins.
Episode 70 – The Long Night
Feces: The Night Walkers only killed three characters. Jorah, Lyanna & Theon.
The Night King never displays his combat skills. Arya easily defeats him. After all that buildup, I’m Tripling Down this flaw for ruining a villain who had potential to become more ruthless than Tywin, Joffrey & Cersei wrapped in one. It would’ve been awesome if The Night King beats her & Jon to a pulp displaying, he’s a bigger threat. As if J.J. Abrams wrote this fan fiction crap!
A Plot Hole involving why didn’t The Night King’s men tackle Arya before she leaps into the air like she’s freaking Wolverine?
A montage shows the characters about to meet their fates. I expected many including Sam, Jamie, Arya, Yara, Hound, Brienne, Sansa, Tyrion, Jon & Bran. I wanted Daenerys to be the last one standing. Gonna Double Down this con on each character who made it out alive. 2×10 = 20 This is supposed to be a show based on a book series known for killing beloved characters. George intends to subvert expectations, not overdue cliches like an overpowered warrior, Chekov’s Gun and incompetent bad guys.
Bran slacks off not helping his comrades. He’s got the powers of Three-Eyed Raven.
Episode 71 – The Last of the Starks
Rubbish: Arya turns down Gendry’s proposal to marry her. She only used him to forge a weapon and get laid. What a hoe bag! Our savior of the previous episode folks!
Euron kills Drogon’s brother Rhaegal. He and his other troops miss every shot at Drogon. They shoot like stormtroopers.
Episode 72 – The Bells
Jamie acts like a complete moron, reuniting with Cersei. He didn’t learn his lesson never siding with an evil queen. I expected Jamie to redeem himself for his misdeeds.
Jamie & Cersei’s death were never earned. Felt anti-climatic Poorly executed (no pun intended) lacking emotionality. Jodie’s death is more sadder than this stinker!
Daenerys acts way outta character causing collateral damage at King’s Landing. She doesn’t realize she’s killing innocent civilians, families, women and children. She could’ve done something strategic like breaking in the castle’s secret passage or send Arya using her face masks to disguise herself as Jamie. That would’ve prevent mass casualties.
Arya somehow dodges debris.
Episode 73 – The Iron Throne
Dishonor: The worst offender of them all, Jon fatally stabs Daenerys. WHAT THE HOLY COW!? After everything she went through, she’s easily defeated. I’m Tripling Down this con in multiplication. 3×4 = 12 Points
Besides her lackluster death mentioned above. My favorite character never had a proper funeral. I wanted her to sit on the Iron Throne without killing any civilians. She’s supposed to be a paragon rebuilding a civilization, not a homicidal tyrant. I feel Drogon’s pain, he molts the Iron Throne. A metaphor for David & D.B.’s piece of crud storytelling.
Arya decides to leave Westeros. Remember way back her goal was to stay with her loved ones? For no apparent reason, she does a one-eighty sailing for another adventure.
Bran becomes king of the seven kingdoms. Instead of Daenerys as queen. Remember a few episodes ago he has no interest in politics? He does a one-eighty.
The Final Verdict: F, FOR FAKER
Series Overall: B, FOR BOLD!
Game of Thrones’ eighth and final season is a misguided cluster fudge. It doesn’t deserve to win an Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series. Had George R.R. Martin published his final two books, we could’ve gotten a proper Emmy Award worthy ending. Even though Season 8 ended on a sour note worse than The Sopranos’ last episode, I still like the show looking back at the previous seasons. Season 4 is my personal favorite. I hope George’s upcoming books are 100 times legit. If David Benioff & D.B. Weiss set sail for their next TV project, I am setting my expectations super low. House of the Dragon better be good. At least they’re not involved as showrunners.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 