This episode in the aftermath of the defeat of the Night King, was one of farewells--in many forms. Loved the emotional send-off of the characters who fell in the Great Battle with the lighting of the funeral pyres. It was good for those who remained as well as home viewers to get to say goodbye as well. Jorah, Theon, Dolorous Edd, Lyanna Mormont, Beric, farewell!
Lots of other farewells as well, as GoT culls more characters--some go off peacefully--Tormund back to the north after striking out once and for all with Brienne. Sam and Gilly as they say goodbye to Jon as he heads south, probably not to return. Ghost, who is sent with Tormund by Jon. Gendry, as he gets the cold shoulder and friend-zoned by Arya. A sneaky departure from Winterfell by Arya who states she will probably not return. She joins the Hound on the road back to King's Landing where the Hound has 'unfinished business'. And, of course, the final farewell to Rheagal, taken ruthlessly down by a scorpion (wow! Qyburn has been a busy boy), and Missendei by beheading at the hands of the Mountain. but not without uttering her final word "dracarys'.
There were lots of emotional highs and lows in this episode as well. The celebratory feast was wonderful! The light hearted revelry, the flirting, the drinking, the toasts--to Jon, and Arya, the lordship given to Gendry by Dani. The emotional undercurrents between Dani and Jon, Brienne and Jaime, and Tormund and Brienne. The lovely moments between Brienne and Jaime, followed by the grief of Jaime's final words to her as he heads back to Cersei and King's Landing, and her heartfelt sorrow at his departure. The grief of Grey Worm and Missendei as they stand just a few feet apart, knowing that she is about to die, and when she does, his grief that he has now lost everything that made him human. And last but not least, Dani's rage at the loss of Missendei and her dragon. Her life will now be ruled by hate and revenge towards Cersei and Euron. I don't see her escaping from this. She is on her way to becoming the tyrant she despises. Not that Cersei doesn't deserve everything she gets, but Dani will now not listen to what any of her advisor's will tell her.
I see the rift growing between Jon and Dani, only to get larger now that the word has begun to spread about Jon's true parentage (thanks, Sansa), and her realization that the Westerosi will not be very willing to accept her rule (and a suspicion that Jon would get their loyalty). Missendei's last word--dracarys--will undoubtedly predict what she will actually do.
Tyrion and Varys--loyalties are shaken, will it be Dani or Jon? More to come on this part.
And always more questions. What are Sansa, Bran, and Brienne going to be up to at Winterfell? Will Arya and the Hound be the ones to sneakily get into King's Landing and take care of Cersei and the Mountain---or will Jaime do it? Will Dani go down the crazy path like her family? Will Euron question whether he is the father of Cersei's baby after Tyrion mentions the baby in his plea? (Can he count?) And Jon--will he finally take a leadership role that doesn't involve doom and destruction of those around him, and result in a final victory?
I really liked this episode. How some of the story lines are being wound up gracefully, the surprising deaths of Rhaegal and Missendei, the tormented evil of Cersei, the hints left for us of things to come. Only 2 more episodes left!
