Game of Thrones: Season 8

photo courtesy of IMDb

Wrap-Up

I will be the first to admit I am psycho for HBO’s “Game of Thrones” series. I’m apart of the fan base that is nearly a cult, with 17.4 million viewers of the premiere of season eight, according to CNN. I watched the first seven seasons near the end of second semester last year — what better way to procrastinate studying for finals and IB exams, right?

To fully prepare myself for the release of the highly anticipated and final season which premiered on April 14, I rewatched the entire show — all 67 hour-long episodes. The first seven seasons are filled with gory beheadings, backstabbing, family separations, war and, of course, many romantic storylines — and I am sure the rest of season eight will be no different.

The intricate storylines for each of the Stark children, the main characters, keep the show fast-paced and engage the viewers. When you finally think that Arya Stark is going home or Jon Snow is safe at the wall or Sansa Stark will not be forced into yet another marriage, well think again. Because nine times out of ten you’re wrong.

At the conclusion of season seven, Cersei Lannister, a true tyrant, sat on the throne. As new characters are introduced and rise to power, the question of who will overthrow Cersei and end up on the Iron Throne as the leader of the fictional Seven Kingdoms grows. That’s why the eighth season has been hyped up and so anticipated, posters plastered on billboards and advertisements on TV.

Much to the disappointment of action-loving fans, episode one of season eight is anticlimactic at best. For those that didn’t rewatch the entire show, this episode serves as a recap of what happened in season seven and sets up the remainder of season eight. For the die-hard fans like me, staying up past 2 a.m. to watch the premiere after a long flight, the episode answered none of the questions that season seven left us with. How will Daenerys Targaryen react to the news about Jon’s true parents and what is Sansa going to do about Daenerys taking over? HBO, I’m still waiting for answers.

Episode two was an emotional whirlwind as everyone at Winterfell, the home of the Starks in the North, prepares for an inevitable battle. Secrets are revealed, but like episode one, there was limited action.

The second episode captured more of the character’s emotions as they sat around a fire and talked about how they were all going to die in battle in the morning, however the plot did not advance — much to my disappointment. This episode sets the foundation for the longest continuous battle in television history in episode three on April 28.

Throne Theories

Cersei Lannister clearly needs to be knocked off of her high horse, or in this case the Iron Throne. In my perfect world, the power couple Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen would be leading together.

Even though in season seven it was revealed that Daenerys is actually Jon’s aunt, incest is not unheard of in “Game of Thrones,” and the two make a perfect match — just hear me out. Jon Snow is driven by principle and morals, and Daenerys is equally compassionate, but short-tempered and will make the hard choices that Jon would otherwise struggle with. She’s not afraid to use her dragons to burn traitors alive, and Jon will go to war to protect his family and the North.

Ruling together, the Seven Kingdoms can kiss the Lannister dynasty goodbye and be ruled by two compassionate people striving for peace.

As indecisive as I am, I can’t count Sansa Stark out just yet in the fight for who will end up on the throne. She went from an innocent, snobby child to the smartest female in the show — I wouldn’t be too upset if she ended up on the Iron Throne. She’s manipulative to protect herself and her home, the North, but her temper is controlled.  

The Fanatic’s Thoughts

“So I think it would be really cool if Arya won it because when she hooks up Gendry, who’s the Baratheon bastard… he’s like the only heir to the Baratheons, and it makes sense to join the South and the North. Then the North wouldn’t have to bend the knee because Gendry wouldn’t make [Arya] do that.” -Meredith Sternberg, teacher

“I think that Jon should get the throne because if he doesn’t have any role in leading, the North is for sure going to secede and that would be a problem because then the Seven Kingdoms wouldn’t have as many kingdoms or land.” -Ava Stechschulte, junior

“I want Daenerys because she has been such a strong leader throughout all eight seasons. She’s also my favorite character, and it also reflects real feminism and female power if she wins over the other males.” -Lydia Seymour, sophomore