It feels like Game of Thrones only just returned, but thanks to a shorter season 7 we already have to say goodbye. Still, it certainly wasn’t boring. The finale episode saw some explosive revelations, several twists and turns, and a final action sequence to send the season off in style. For those who had trouble keeping track, these were the biggest and most important moments of the finale episode.
Cersei Lannister agreed to help Jon and Daenerys fight the White Walkers, but later revealed she was lying. Apparently even the sight of a zombie getting chopped in half and then carrying on moving wasn’t enough to put the shakes into the current Queen of Westeros, who revealed to Jaime her plans to double-cross her would-be allies. Hardly out of character for her, especially since the White Walkers could be her greatest asset in keeping hold of the Iron Throne. However, it had immediate consequences as Jaime was finally pushed to turn his back on his sister.
Littlefinger was given a surprise trial for his many crimes against the Starks, and executed by Arya. This surely came as a relief to fans who were angered by the Stark sisters seemingly being so easily manipulated by Lord Petyr Baelish, who finally got his comeuppance for betraying Ned Stark, murdering Lysa Arryn, and handing Sansa over to Ramsay Bolton. Thanks to Bran’s ability to see the past, Sansa knew all about the terrible things that Littlefinger has done in his quest for survival, power, and romance with one of the Stark women. After a brief trial, Littlefinger had his throat cut by Arya, who then happily conceded the title of Lady of Winterfell to her sister.
Jon Snow’s real name was revealed to be Aegon Targaryen. Again, Bran’s visions came into play here as he revealed to Sam Tarly that Jon is the son of Rhaegar Targaryen (Daenerys’ brother) and Lyanna Stark (Ned’s sister), after which Sam revealed what he had learned in the Citadel: that Jon is not a Snow or a Sand, or indeed a bastard at all, but the legitimate and rightful heir to the Iron Throne thanks to Rhaegar getting his previous marriage annulled and marrying Lyanna in a secret ceremony. Before she died, Lyanna also revealed to Ned Jon’s true name - Aegon Targaryen, named after his ancestor Aegon the Conquerer.
Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen got close. Really close. Yes, in the grand old Targaryen tradition of incest, Jon and his aunt Daenerys finally let their sexual tension boil over - to Tyrion’s apparent dismay. The subject of whether Daenerys is still capable of having children has cropped up in the fandom again recently, so don’t rule out this coupling resulting in a possible pregnancy next season. On the other hand, Jon and Daenerys getting together could simply be a way of complicating things if Jon finds out he’s the rightful King of Westeros… or perhaps a way of resolving that conflict by having the two rule side-by-side.
The Wall was destroyed by the Night King’s ice dragon. As Beric Dondarrion and Tormund Giantsbane watched in horror, the Night King emerged from the North on the back of the dragon formerly known as Viserion, who now breathes cold flame powerful enough to bring the Wall crumbling down. The army of the dead walked over the ruins of mankind’s last remaining defense, meaning that when season 8 arrives the Night King’s forces will be marching unimpeded towards Winterfell and the rest of the North.
Who will survive the war between the living and the dead? Who will sit on the Iron Throne when it’s over? These are questions that may not be answered until 2019, but until then we can have plenty of fun speculating.
