The Iron Throne
Game of Thrones | Season 8 | Episode 6

The Iron Throne

TV-MA | 1 HR 19 MIN

Written and Directed by David Benioff & D.B. Weiss

Tyrion surveys the destruction of King's Landing as ashes fall upon dead bodies and crumbled buildings. Jon Snow and Davos are upset to discover Grey Worm and the Unsullied executing Lannister prisoners of war on the queen's command. Davos suggests Jon speak with Daenerys. Tyrion heads to the bottom of the Red Keep, where he is broken-hearted to find his siblings, Cersei and Jaime, killed by the fallen rubble.

Daenerys addresses her army with an impassioned speech about breaking the wheel. She names Grey Worm her Master of War. Jon, Tyrion and Arya watch the Dragon Queen declare her plans to "liberate" the entire world. Afterwards, Tyrion admits to freeing Jaime, and removes his Hand of the Queen pin, tossing it to the ground. "Take him," Daenerys orders her soldiers. Arya finds a moment with Jon, warning him that he is a threat to Daenerys no matter what he may think.

Jon visits Tyrion in his cell. Tyrion fears Daenerys will never stop attempting to conquer the world – asking Jon what he would have done in her stead during the attack on King's Landing. Jon continues to support Daenerys but pauses when Tyrion mentions Sansa and Arya. He tells Jon he has to make a choice between doing the right thing for the people of Westeros or remaining loyal to his queen.

"Build the new world with me. This is our reason." – Daenerys Targaryen

Inside the remnants of the Great Hall, Daenerys stands before the Iron Throne. The ground is covered in ash. Jon enters and tries to convince her to forgive Tyrion; to be merciful. Daenerys maintains she has a better vision for the world and asks him to help her create it. Jon vows his allegiance to her once more and kisses her, before stabbing a knife into her heart. Daenerys falls in his arms and dies.

Drogon lands in the Hall. Grieving over his mother's lifeless body, the dragon releases a firey blast directly at the Iron Throne, melting the seat of power down to nothing. Grasping Daenerys in his claws, Drogon takes off over the sea.

"There is nothing in the world more powerful than a good story." – Tyrion Lannister

Weeks later, Tyrion is led in chains to the King's Landing dragonpit. There he finds Samwell Tarly, Bran, Arya and Sansa Stark, Edmure Tully, Gendry Baratheon, Yara Greyjoy, Brienne of Tarth, Davos, and other leaders of the Great Houses of Westeros. Grey Worm refuses to release Jon Snow on the grounds of treason. The House leaders explain to Tyrion there is no king or queen to rule on Jon's fate. Tyrion suggests they look to the keeper of their stories, of their history: Bran the Broken. The group agrees but for Sansa, who declares the North will remain its own kingdom. Bran accepts the title, and names Tyrion his Hand. "He's made many terrible mistakes," the new King says of the imp, "He's going to spend the rest of his life fixing them."

Knowing the release or death of Jon will start another war, Bran decides to send him to the Night's Watch. Jon continues to wonder whether what he did was right; a question Tyrion cannot yet answer.

Ships are readied. Grey Worm and his Unsullied set sail for the island of Naath, while Jon bids goodbye to his Stark family. Sansa regrets she was unable to gain Jon's release, but he comforts her by saying the North will be in good hands under her guidance. He tells Arya she may visit him at Castle Black; the young woman confesses she has other plans – exploring the unmapped territories of the world. Jon apologizes to Bran for not being there when he needed him, but the Three-Eyed Raven and King of the Six Kingdoms responds that Jon was exactly where he was supposed to be.

"We serve at your pleasure, King Bran the Broken." – Tyrion Lannister

Brienne of Tarth enters the heroic deeds of Jaime Lannister in the white Kingsguard book. As Lord Commander of the Kingsguard she joins Tyrion and the other masters – Ser Bronn, Master of Coin, Ser Davos, Master of Ships, and Grand Maester Samwell Tarly – in the Small Council chambers. Sam shares Archmaester Ebrose's newest history book, A Song of Ice and Fire, with Tyrion – who is surprised to learn he does not grace its pages. The group begins to plan for the restoration of the city.

Jon returns to Castle Black, where he is reunited with Tormund and Ghost. As Sansa Stark takes her seat on the throne as Queen in the North, and Arya Stark sets sail across the seas on her own ship, Jon rides once again beyond the Wall, guiding the surviving Free Folk back to their home.

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