Game of Thrones series finale: 5 things you need to know

Everything has come to an end on Game of Thrones. Let’s break down the last episode, including what you need to know for tomorrow morning.

Warning: Game of Thrones spoilers below, including the end of the entire series.

The Game of Thrones saga has come to a close, at least for now. We have a new ruler; we have more.

But in case you missed the episode or just need a recap to make sure that you know what happened, we’re here to help you out.

It’s time to start with the biggest moment:

Maisie Williams as Arya Stark, Isaac Hempstead Wright as Bran Stark, and Sansa Stark. Photo: Macall B. Polay/HBO

Bran Stark is King of the Six Kingdoms

After a speech from Tyrion Lannister effectively settling a republic up for Westeros, suggesting that monarchs be chosen each time by the lords and ladies of Westeros, he proposes none other than Bran to lead them all, and the lords and ladies of Westeros, Yara Greyjoy included, all vote to make him their king.

Unfortunately, Tyrion doesn’t get his execution, though; he’s Hand of the King again. Davos Seaworth as Master of Ships, Sam Tarly as Grand Maester, Brienne of Tarth, and Bronn as Master of Coin are all on the Council; there are a few Masters missing. Sam even brings a book titled A Song of Ice and Fire to the meeting.

Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen. Photo: Courtesy of HBO

Daenerys Targaryen is dead

After giving the kind of speech that probably struck fear into the hearts of everyone rational, Daenerys Targaryen finally enters the throne room of the Red Keep. It’s there that Jon Snow meets her, pleading with her one last time to not keep up the slaughter and death.

He pretends to agree. They exchange a kiss, and then Jon stabs her. She dies in his arms, silent, staring up at the sky through the ruins of the Red Keep.

Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO

The Iron Throne is no more

Naturally, Drogon flies in almost immediately. Upon seeing his mother, he nudges at her, and then realizing she’s dead, he gets a bit … upset, enough to completely torch the Iron Throne, reducing it to molten metal before flying off with his mother’s body one last time. Whoever rules will have to get a new throne.

Kit Harington as Jon Snow. Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO

Jon Snow is once again a member of the Night’s Watch

For killing Daenerys, Jon does not get the Iron Throne. He instead gets to avoid dying for his own crime of regicide by going to the Night’s Watch. “I don’t expect we’ll ever see each other again,” he tells Tyrion, although Tyrion puts paid to that right away.

For the first time in a long time, we get to see Jon in the look we know him best in: loose curls, a greatcloak, and in all black beneath it. He ends essentially where he began the series, although the last thing he does is go north beyond the Wall with Tormund, Ghost, and the wildlings.

Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark. Photo: Helen Sloan/Courtesy of HBO

All hail Sansa Stark, First of Her Name, Queen of the North and Arya Stark, explorer

In the meeting where Bran is made king, Sansa does not actually vote. Instead, she asks one final time for the North to be made independent, and her brother agrees. One of the last scenes we get has her walking through the great hall of Winterfell and men kneeling to her, with a wolf crown placed on her head. Meanwhile, Arya, with a new hairstyle, sets out to find what lies to the west of Westeros, walking on a wolf ship.

What did you think of the Game of Thrones series finale? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.