The Game Of Thrones Finale's Not So Hidden Political Message

“The world we need is a world of mercy”

Masterpiece. Of all the epic moments in a show packed with them, “Game Of Thrones” succeeded in what I’ve been suspecting all season long - they ended it with a powerful statement about not about the realms of some fantastical world - but about the very world we live in today. A world of maniac rulers, a world of walls, and world of warring factions. Last week they told us that war is hell, this week they told to believe in a better world.

The episode opened with a glimpse at the opposite of a better world - a power hungry leader with fiery emotions speaking to her base and getting them fired up about how they’re going to make the realm/Westeros great again! This was the biggest political rally in the history of the show and one that felt very familiar. Sure maybe Dany’s descend into a mad ruler was a little quick, but even if you thought that (aka most of the people on Twitter) - the show served up a perfect counterpoint to that in Tyrion’s epic speech about how people will always do what they think is right, even if it’s wrong. Make no mistake this episode was full of the epic quotables that defined the early years of the show (Chaos is a ladder) and this one was no exception.

It was one line from this scene that stuck with me through the episode and it’s the line included above - “the world we need is a world of mercy.” What a statement from the showrunners to include something like this in the finale of one of the biggest pop culture franchises ever. What a message! Throughout the show we’ve seen endless amounts of killings of every sort. Killing for fun (Joffrey & Ramsey), killing for perceived moral superiority (Dany in seasons 1-6), killing for prophecy (Stannis), killing for laws (Jon Snow), and just loads and loads of killing on the battlefield - but now we see that all of that death didn’t mean anything. If this wasn’t clear to you - they literally melt the Throne, the object that was supposedly driving all of the bloodshed.

We go straight from the burning of the throne to an almost bizarre political scene that felt like it should have been out of VEEP! All of these leaders, some whom we’ve haven’t seen in a long time gather to decide the fate of the realm. They squabble and threaten murder, bumble through speeches, and generally laugh at Sam’s suggestion for democracy - and then pick the most unqualified person in the entire group. And why is that -because in Tyrion’s words “Nothing is more powerful than a good story.” Isn’t that what politics is all about - not how qualified you are - but who can move you the most, who can inspire you, and who can make you believe in a better world.

Quick note - My Mom was a professor of Special Education and she would have been thrilled that a disabled person got to be King!

But what struck me the most was the final image of the show - the wildlings returning back to their homes after being away for so long. And who’s with them - Jon Snow, the guy who always does the “right thing,” and a guy who literally DIED for his belief in helping the downtrodden! He leads these immigrant people into the world of which they fled after serving his time in the realm. And who’s he going with his - his best bud Tormund - a dude who used to be his sworn enemy. Can’t we all just get along??  It takes someone who is merciful, who’s been on top of the wall and on both sides of the wall to understand that walls are just structures for people to pass through (sometimes with a giant ice dragon) or through a gate - but in the end, we’re all just people looking for a safe place to call home in a scary world.

So glad Justice was served for Ghost. #Justice4Ghost. Also shoutout to King's Landing now being a wheelchair accessible. What a ride! #GameOfThronesFinale #GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/n6SntGmVv6

— Tim Goessling (@thislalife) May 20, 2019

Game Of Thrones Recap - Season 8 Episode 5 - The Bells

How long have the “Game Of Thrones” showrunners  known that Dany was going to go full evil? From the very start? Last season, when she roasted the Tarlys? I’m fascinated by this question because the level of violence on display from her tonight was SHOCKING, even for the show’s standards. There’s actually a lot to unpack in this episode - but I want to focus on one thing that jumped out to me - the approach to that all the wartime chaos and killing.

Throughout the show there have been some kickass fights, battles, and epic kills. The Battle Of Castle Black, with its giant ice scythes, giant’s shooting arrows and impaling people into the sky, hammer kills and more is a standout. Last season’s Dragon/Dothraki dual combo on the loot train was also totally epic, but nothing comes close to this. After the 30th shot of roasting humans I was like - damn, the director really wants us to feel uncomfortable with all this chaos. Even when Grey Worm starting beasting on people - it was more bloodlust than exciting.  Contrast that scene with Arya’s scenes (hello showy tracking shots) and you can get a sense at the horror of war that the director is going for.

I keep saying “the director” but the guy has a name and it’s Miguel Sapochinik - and he’s responsible for some legendary episodes including The Battle Of Winterfell, The Battle Of The Bastards, and my favorite episode ever Hardhome. All of those episodes feature violence and combat not as a thrill - but mostly has a terrifying hellscape that no one should have to live through. Tonight was like that on steroids - my jaw was on the floor for most of it, just thinking - damn that is a lot of innocent people dying - which makes the episode kind of an ANTI-ACTION action episode, which is I think is pretty cool.

Of course the one outlier piece in this episode was the much hyped CleganeBowl and while it didn’t disappoint in epicness (loved the dragon flying over while they were fighting) - it did have a finale in line with the rest of the message of the episode: you can fight, stab, eye push, sword - but it doesn’t matter - violence only will end you falling into the flames of hell. Cool.

And while lots of characters bit it, I’m just excited for the final episode. I was worried they were going to limp into the finale but got dayuuum, I’m pretty thrilled. How is it going to go down with Jon Snow and Dany? Is the North going to come down to rock with Jon one last time. Is Arya get another big kill? We shall see!

Jon Snow: It's not you it's me
Dany: Oh, honey.
Jon Snow: Just kidding it is DEFINITELY YOU.#GameofThrones Dany pic.twitter.com/nNTlzII42M

— Tim Goessling (@thislalife) May 13, 2019

Game Of Thrones Recap - Episodes 4 - Season 8

Now the smoke has cleared and the bodies have been burned (why tho) we can see what Game Of Thrones, at the cusp of the finale is really all about. It’s not just about power and the lust to be in the big chair - it’s about measure and the make of the person who sits in that big chair. Now don’t worry, I’m not abandoning the classics - YES there was some direwolf badassery but we’re a long way from people getting their throats ripped out by dogs. And sure, there was a lil more family feud of Westeros but for me this episode was extremely illuminating because I realized what the show is doing - they’re gonna let Daenerys go FULL EVIL and then win. It won’t feel good but that’s the game.

It became obvious she was crazy when last season when she had a Tarly BBQ in the middle of the day, but Daenerys has been climbing the evil ladder very steadily. I think what show runners Benioff & Weiss are doing is showcasing how everyone’s favorite #girlboss becomes a monster. All the speeches, all the kick-ass moments, all the “hardship” - basically everything that made Daenerys a household name and your sister/daughter/mother/girlfriend/wife’s go to Halloween costume - is gonna be real complicated when she roasts half of King’s Landing alive and the innocents are screaming.

You could see this as Benioff and Weiss showcasing just what the personal cost of power is, but this is really about abandoning the noble female archetype. So many LEGENDARY characters on TV have been moral black holes and still achieved GAWD status - I’m looking at you Walter White, Tony Soprano, and Don Draper - but never has a woman been so evil and so cool - until now. Well that’s about to change because while Daenerys has always been cool - we’re about to get tested in how much dope dragon shit and one liners we can take before we' bail on her. Drapes, White, and Soprano were not good people but none of them were full blown mega psycho mad queen dictator maniacs.

Who knows maybe at Halloween this year when you see someone with an amazing wig looking medieval -you’ll say “Wow, nice Mother of Dragons,” and they’ll say ‘uhhhh - this is Elsa from Frozen.”

It's not about Cersi, Dany, Sansa, Brienne, Jaime, and even the dragons - IT IS ABOUT FRIENDSHIP! Jon Snow and Tormund are friendship goals and I'm here for it! #goals #GameofThrones #Justice4Ghost pic.twitter.com/KOtH8MEMF8

— Tim Goessling (@thislalife) May 6, 2019

Game Of Thrones Recap - A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms - Season 8 Episode 2

I loved this episode. Don’t get me wrong - I love fire and madness but this episode was full of character moments and laughs.

DIREWOLF BADASSERY - Confirmed on the horizon as Ghost was spotted at Winterfell. So fitting he was standing with Edd, Sam, and Jon.

FAMILY FEUDS OF WESTEROS - Yuuuppppp. We’re talking future sister in law and sisters going head to head. We got spouse drama. It’s all here!

1. Of all the moments in this episode the one that stuck with me the most was Theon saying he would defend Bran at the Direswood. Theon’s arc on this show has been one of the wilder ones and to have him protecting him after all the shit Theon did at Winterfell is amazing.

2. Obviously Podrick is the campfire sing-along bro. Love it!

3. Dany is not off to a strong start. First off, why are you still going on about the throne? I mean everyone else is reflecting before the midnight showdown and you’re still going on about the throne!!! C’mon! Second - I thought she was going to kill Jon for a second there. Your brother and your best friend - yeah my brother can see across time and my best friend is smartest character on the show.

4. All of those little kids who went into the crypt are going to become wights.

5. While I love to see Tormund chugging Giant’s Milk - he’s kind of a punch line character at this point. Really need him to start wrecking people soon.

6. Gendry calling the White Walkers death was a great callback to Sir Berric’s epic “Death Is the Enemy” speech last season.

7. While the Gendry and Arya hookup was good enough, I’m more interested in how that weapon actually works - because in the blueprint it wasn’t just a spear. I think it’s a spear that splits in two or something like that.

8. Pretty sure they’ve put dragon glass on the battlements of Winterfell which is amazing.

9. The Mormont reunion was great - funny to think how people can be connected on this show. Also speaking of Ser Jorah - dude may be one of the most emotional characters on the show. He pines for Dany so hard.

10. Also - who makes the maps for the battles? Where was the guy who made the giant map at Dragonstone, was he not available?

It's not about Arya, it's not about Brienne and it's not about Dany. it's all about the #GameofThrones true MVP - Podrick the singer! What a guy! What a bro! Check out my video recap below! pic.twitter.com/Po9e7cVAS2

— Tim Goessling (@thislalife) April 22, 2019

Game Of Thrones Recap - Winterfell - Season 8 Premiere

So good to be back with my GAME TIME - aka my Game of Thrones recap. Everyone is amped so let’s just get into this.

Direwolf Badassery - Don’t you think for one second just because Jon Snow rides a dragon means we should forget about the direwolves. Don’t want- I NEED to see Ghost return to start kicking ass.

Family Feuds Of Westeros - Looks like there is going to be a lot sibling strife here and this episode certainly was hitting reality TV levels! Damn, someone just get the Starks on a recap show with Andy Cohen!

1. Between the ultimate “come at me bro” moment in yonder season and now this very dark art sculpture with a kid - The Night King is officially not only the big bad guy on the show but the ultimate in evil swag. He has moved past Joffrey.

2. I thought Euron was gonna get sliced in half by the mountain for a moment there.

3. Those opening credits were very shiny. Guess with this being the final run you gotta go big!

4. Ser Beric’s light em up sword is still amazing. So happy that Tormund is alive and even more happy to see Edd from the Night’s Watch. It is going to be very epic when all these characters come together.

5. As the seasons have moved on show runners Benioff & Weiss have really leaned into their comedy chops. There were some amazing one liners in this episode and I really enjoyed it. Now - does this mean we will get some Arnold style one liners later in the season? We will have to see!

6. It’s keeping me up at night when I think about which characters are going to become wights and then have to battle their friends. Wight Arya would be nuts.

7. What is that weapon Arya wants build? Looked like a hidden blade dagger.

8. I’m happy Theon and generally happy for the Greyjoys in general. They’ve been so through so much.

9. Alright, let’s get into this, I think that they’re setting this whole season up for Dany to die a heroes death and save the realm. She clearly has a lot to learn about leadership and the show has secretly been showing all the ways she tries and fails to adapt to new cities and cultures. That shit won’t fly in the North and in the end she’s going to have prove herself through something bold.

10. The next time we see dragons flying on the show they need to be kicking ass not going on a sightseeing trip!

So good to have #GameofThronesSeason8 finally here! Check out my recap where we learn more about the true meaning of the episodes title! #GameOfThrones #GOT #Recap pic.twitter.com/CJWyv73Gwf

— Tim Goessling (@thislalife) April 15, 2019