My Take: How Game of Thrones Should Have Ended

Well, we made it through our first weekend without Game of Thrones. I made this handy list of the 10 Stages of Grief after episode 3, but I think it’s also applicable for saying goodbye to, arguably, the greatest television show ever made. If we’re being honest, it’s also helpful in dealing with that less-than-stellar series finale.  Nikki listed all the reasons why that finale was the absolute worst. I’m not out there signing petitions, but I also think even a few changes could have made Season 8 a lot better. And because I loved the show so much, and I can’t stop thinking about it, I thought I’d give my version of how Game of Thrones should have ended.

Now. I didn’t throw the playbook out entirely. Who has time to try and fix all of Season 7 & 8’s issues? Other than, you know, GRRM, but…we’re talking years on that front (if ever). I don’t know how to make Bran more relevant, I don’t know how to make the Night King harder to defeat, I don’t know how to make Winter more…wintery and less like a mild cold front. But I do have a few small tweaks here and there that make the ending something I can live with. Plus, writing fanfic is FUN.

How Game of Thrones SHOULD Have Ended 

My ending picks up at the Battle of King’s Landing. Daenerys is torching the place, and a stabbed and dying Jaime Lannister is making his way up the stairs, when who should he run into but our favorite underutilized assassin, Arya! As Jaime told (his purely platonic but close friend) Brienne when he left Winterfell, he knew the only way to atone for all the atrocities he carried out at Cersei’s command is to take her out himself. But knowing he won’t make it, he charges Arya to carry out his mission. He doesn’t know that involves her cutting off his face and wearing it like a mask, but…I’m sure he’d be fine with it? Arya-as-Jaime finds Cersei, waits for the look of love and relief on her face, and then stabs her (which technically fulfills the Valonqar prophecy, right?). Then Arya takes off Jaime’s face, and whispers in Cersei’s ear “This is for Ned Stark”. BOOM BABY.

Meanwhile…

Daenerys stands in the destroyed throne room, staring at the Iron Throne. Aghast at the devastation she wrought in a moment of madness, Daenerys fears that she will indeed become just like her father if she takes the throne. She looks to Drogon, who is a very intelligent dragon wyvern. Epic throne melting ensues.

Dany needs an exit strategy. She asks Jon to reveal himself as Aegon Targaryen (with his superior claim to the throne), thus ensuring she can leave Westeros peacefully and with her dignity somewhat intact. He agrees, because that way he won’t have to kill her and make things awkward (whew!). Then she sails with her armies across the Narrow Sea, where she wisely and sanely rules as Queen of Meereen. With this stud.

Epilogue

Jon wastes no time in abdicating the throne, citing I just don’t want to “personal reasons” and “wanting to spend more time with family”. He lives out his days North of the Wall with Ghost and the Wildlings, trying to forget he had sex with his aunt. The Lords and Ladies of Westeros come together to choose who will rule in his stead. Sansa AND Yara demand independent kingdoms, and get them. The five other kingdoms elect to stay together, and they choose Bran to be their king, because why the hell not, since my first choice Sansa is a ride-or-die Northerner now. Bran is pretty useless, only popping in occasionally to make cryptic statements while maintaining too much eye contact, but the small council does a great job of ruling Westeros in his name. Arya abandons her assassin-y ways and becomes Captain of Sansa’s Queensguard. She sometimes wonders what’s west of Westeros, but then remembers that she doesn’t actually care. The End.

How do YOU think Game of Thrones should have ended?

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