and final, season. And good on them! The show is one of the most famous in the world to date, with a committed and attentive fanbase.
After years of watching, it makes sense that one feels invested in the closure of such a relationship. However, while one can appreciate a critical eye, the season is not without good moments--even great ones, and those must be given the credit that is due.
Shining Moment: Jaime Knights Brienne
Jaime possibly meets his highest point as a character when he makes the choice to knight Brienne Of Tarth. He knows that she has always wanted to be a knight, even if she won't it to it amongst the everyone sitting by the fire.
Jaime takes the opportunity to do something that shows he cares for her and elevates him above the Jaime fans knew. Brienne receives the title her character always deserved, a relief in a show full of cruel twists.
Cut It: Arya And Gendry
Arya and Gendry's romance allows Arya to grow into a new phase of her character on-screen, exploring her sexuality and empowering herself in making the choice exactly how she wants it to be. If the show had more time to give in-depth attention to roles, the relationship would be worthwhile.
But as the show stands, they are desperate for screentime already, and Arya and Gendry's romance isn't as important as other issues that needed attention.
Shining Moment: Daenerys Weeps Over Jorah
Daenerys showing deep remorse over Jorah's death is a beautiful send-off for the character who loved her dearly, possibly more than anyone else. Jorah died exactly how he wanted to, defending Daenerys.
Daenerys is such a flaky personality that it's not easy to tell how she might respond, and so it's a relief when she attends to Jorah's death with humility and respect.
Cut It: Roaming The Castle During The Battle Of Winterfell
If Arya hadn't wandered off into the castle during the Battle of Winterfell, then Beric wouldn't have met his death protecting her from one of the dead. One could argue this makes the scene necessary.
But considering that Beric dying in this way is completely arbitrary and could easily be done in any circumstance, the scene remains with no decent argument for existing. It merely confuses the battle and wastes time.
Shining Moment: Sansa And Tyrion In The Crypt
By season eight, Sansa and Tyrion have both been through much since their time as a married couple. Both are more seasoned in the complicated ways of the world on a personal level, and Sansa is able to look back on their time together and value that Tyrion did his best with the situation dealt to them.
It's a touching scene when the two sit in the crypt together and briefly grasp hands before thinking they are about to die.
Cut It: Jon Riding A Dragon
Jon learns to ride a dragon in season seven. This is perhaps meant to gesture toward his Targaryen heritage and the fact that the dragons must like him because he is truly related to Daenerys.
First of all, Jon's heritage doesn't lead to much, so this allusion isn't necessary. Second of all, Jon flying the dragons becomes little more than flashy scenery and doesn't contribute to nor enhance the plot, which at this time is in desperate need of clarification.
Shining Moment: Singing Around The Fireplace
The scene around the fireplace is amongst the best in the season. from opposing parties all over Westeros sit together around a fire, calmly awaiting the start of the battle that may end them all. When Tyrion asks if someone will sing a song, all shrug quietly--except Podrick.
Podrick, ever the quiet yet surprising character, bursts out in a rich and earnest song, pulling all together in a shared moment of sorrow and community.
Cut It: Jon's Speech
In the aftermath of the battle at Winterfell, Jon gives what amounts to a bland, predictable speech that would be expected, at this point, from the somewhat bland character he has become by season eight.
Jon's speech is meant to be moving, but after the rushed scenes of the battle his morose, honest leader performance feels tired and redundant, and one wishes that if the writers weren't going to give Kit Harrington better material they might as well use the time to advance upon the many awaiting plot lines.
Shining Moment: Sansa Eating With Theon
Among the best things that come out of the later seasons of the show is Sansa's relationship with Theon. Theon and Sansa have both faced the same uniquely cruel ab, and so they understand each other in a way that nobody else could.
Theon may have betrayed Sansa's family in the past, but his actions leading up to his death were in service of the Starks, ending in him giving his life for them. Sansa grieving for Theon expresses the complex beauty of caring for someone, and how love can be wrapped up in grief and betrayal.
Cut It: Cersei With Euron
Euron Greyjoy's character is, seemingly, necessary for Cersei to stand a small chance against Daenerys. Without him, there wouldn't be much of a challenge between the two Queens.
However beyond this, Euron's role is hardly required for the number of scenes he appears in. For the constraints of time that the final season is strapped to, Euron's menacing jokes could be better replaced with, well, too many things to count.