GAME OF THRONES, Season 8
Year of Release: 2019
JR's Rating:
(9.2 out of 10, Impressive)
JR's Rating:
(9.2 out of 10, Impressive)
"Winter Is Coming"
The final stretch looks rough but the battles against the dead and for the Iron Throne has been anticipated for so long. Power has always been a point of discussion, and weighing its consequences is a duty.
"When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies, but the pack survives."
- said Sansa Stark to Arya Stark
Waging war against the dead is inconceivable but it idealizes the concept of death being the enemy of all. The difficulty of winning against death is in reality not possible but when everyone is up for one goal, the once impossible may become possible. Defeating the Night King has always been known from the onset of watching the series. It's one of the threats that glooms king and men in Westeros that without action may also mean their end. The dead was successfully withstood not without casualty. The end of the fight against the dead eventually starts the war for power.
"Love is more powerful than reason. We all know that. Love is the death of duty.
Sometimes, duty is the death of love"
- Jon Snow & Tyrion Lannister dialogue
Jon Snow, Cersei, Daenerys. These three we invested so much time and emotions (may it be love or hate) for so long. But when decisions are to be made, the living, the people, are what marks being a king or queen in the first place. The rise towards the top of dynasties come with a huge fall especially when all comes to naught. The abuse of power had threatened Westeros for so long and the end of the Iron Throne brings forth an enlightened leadership that is of the people, for the people, and by the people. Birthright doesn't really justify being good, wisdom is formed through experience and choice which are what makes a king. What better way to have a king than putting someone who already knows how it should be done. I guess that's a way to end it.
Technical wise, cinematography, direction and design were spot on. Narrative wise, I have to say this season could have been stretched out for 2-3 seasons separating the storylines for the fight against the dead and the fight for the Iron Throne. Everything we so loved about the series was cramped into 6 episodes not without paying tribute to many stories of the past. The last season is self-referential but the degree of parallelism and detail was intricate proving that indeed the Game of Thrones is a so powerful story that has it's modern day ramifications and worth. Chaos and fear may inspire good endings after all.
🚩🚩🚩SPOILERS AHEAD 🚩🚩🚩
Here are 10 of my most memorable moments
from the eighth season of Game of Thrones:
✅ Queen Cersei
- She’s the woman we love to despise and hate. Played by Lena Headey, Queen Cersei has been at the side of the throne for so long but now the one seated at it. She craves for power while also having deep seated love for family and loyalty towards her house. I guess that’s even her motivation for wanting to be seated at the Iron Throne. She implores poetic justice to all her enemies but she would face her match against a more furious Daenerys Stormborn after failure to commit men to Winterfell, the murder of Missandei and also the unwillingness to surrender. Queen Cersei, born alongside Jaime, died with her lover and brother Jaime at the hands of the very stronghold that she hoped will protect her. Her calm yet vicious demeanor is unlikeable but how witty she is in playing the Game of Thrones is commendable. Though, I really hoped her death to be more poetic than what transpired in this season.
✅ Daenerys
- We saw the rise and fall of Daenerys Targaryen at the hands of her enemies and even her loyal allies. She started as an offering in a bid for her brother’s claim to the throne. She would eventually have dragons whilst proving her ability to be resistant to fire. She laid the foundation on ending slavery amongst the many cities she would visit before stepping foot on Westeros. Her leadership would come into question though for her use of inhumane punishments towards her enemies (or any who goes against her way), it’s an impulsiveness that even her counselors can’t control. Her rise to the Iron Throne was not without tragedy for the entire of King’s Landing. Her urgency towards the throne would cause her demise under the hands of her lover (and nephew), Jon Snow. Her inspiration of fear led her to replicate her father’s leadership which the people of Westeros have been fighting against for years. There is this want to have her queen from the very beginning due to how much she gone through but would not have been for her, there wouldn’t be a signal towards a more enlightened and progressive view on leadership. I can't imagine anyone playing Daenerys than the beautiful Emilia Clarke.
✅ Jon Snow
- Jon Snow seems a more fitting king of Westeros than the unstable Cersei and impulsive Daenerys. He may have all the good looks only a king could have (as portrayed by Kit Harington) because all Jon Snow cared about was what’s best for his people. He’s been named Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, he’s been named King in the North, and he’s been rose back to life for a reason. He led a successful fight against the dead. In the end, it would all come to the biggest decision of what’s best for Westeros. Duty is the death of love as Tyrion said. Jon Snow sacrifices his allegiance and love for Daenerys to end the madness that conspired the Iron Throne for so long. Jon Snow may just be the best choice for the throne due to how just and honourable a man he is but compromise is to be made for the peace that the entire of Westeros has been craving for so long. Jon Snow will forever be one of my favorite characters not just in Game of Thrones but in TV and entertainment too just by how intricate, symbolic and honorable his story was.
✅ Self-References, Parallelism & Symbolisms
- A true Game of Thrones fan would get the many references the directors and actors placed in the show's final season. In fact, the ending (the last episode) is exactly parallel to the start of the story of each Stark sibling at the very first season. The death and end of Cersei has been mentioned for so long, and we are just to wait in this season what would happen. But forecasting of scenes isn't just through asking a fortune teller or witch but rather attending to the dialogues of past. One perfect and obvious example was exploring the meaning to Lady Melisandre's prophecy to Arya Stark on the many eyes. It was actually her killing Walder Frey (brown), Petyr Baelish (green), and the Night King (blue). The dialogue was so subtle that only through this season such would be explained. It's really good having watched past episodes so recent because you would realize how big some words really meant and are put into play. On a visual prophecy, if you go back to an episode where Bran was telepathic with the Three-Eyed Raven, the play of Daenerys destroying King's Landing was already shown. In fact, Daenerys is parallel and self-referential to her Mad King father. On another note, the first episode of this final season seem like a reminiscence of the very first episode of Game of Thrones with the many subtle hints of direction. I could list many more references but it's possible I also missed a few. The self-references, parallelism and symbolism are just a few show of how attention and intricacy was placed on the series.
✅ Opening Credits
- I never skipped those few minutes that begin each episode of Game of Thrones. The iconic tune is an earworm to loyal viewers of the series. What I liked about the opening credits of the final season though was how they were impacted by events of the past or the previous episode. The frozen path is slowly moving towards Winterfell at the opening of the first three episodes. Winterfell gets damaged at the opening credits of the fourth episode while King's Landing on the opening of the final episode. It's another of those attention to detail that was given too much love and effort for each episode of the final season. Technical-wise, the opening credits did a massive overhaul upgrade from the past seasons.
✅ Dragon Flight
- Now going towards specific scenes, the dragon flight of Jon Snow and Daenerys reminded me of a few scenes from an animated film I highly revere. (I guess you probably know what that movie is.) It was very intimate that realizing the reality of Jon and Daenerys's relationship makes you confused on the romanticity and ethics of what's going on between them. But why I liked this scene so much isn't really what happens but more on the visual effects that was placed on the dragons being ridden. The presence of the dragons in this particular scene felt really realistic showing you just how the series had improved on their show and portrayal of the dragons. The texture and movements of the dragons are perfect expensive CGI that would soon be the standard for future fantasy or adventure series.
✅ Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
✅ The Long Night
✅ The Bells
✅ King Bran, Arya, Queen Sansa, Lord Snow
- What happened to the Stark siblings (even accounting Jon) was parallel and symbolic to their initial and progressive appearances in the series. Sansa becomes Queen after wanting for so long to be one. Arya's Braavosi trainer made her want to explore Braavos and eventually want to sail on her own. Bran being king is somewhat exemplified with him sitting on a "moving" throne. While Lord Snow, who leaves for the Night's Watch on the first season, goes back to being one after calling his watch ended a few episodes before. (I guess you can't really leave the Night's Watch unless a King authorizes you to.) How the final episode of this season ended validated how everything was all about the Starks. While I do agree that the series could have done a different route, everything ended so harmoniously and fittingly to the characters we followed throughout the series that we would eventually learn to continually love.
Given the chance to rate this season of Game of Thrones,
I'll give it an impressive 9.2/10.
#GameOfThrones #HBOOriginals
#2019Series #TVReviews #JRTVReviews
The final stretch looks rough but the battles against the dead and for the Iron Throne has been anticipated for so long. Power has always been a point of discussion, and weighing its consequences is a duty.
"When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies, but the pack survives."
- said Sansa Stark to Arya Stark
Waging war against the dead is inconceivable but it idealizes the concept of death being the enemy of all. The difficulty of winning against death is in reality not possible but when everyone is up for one goal, the once impossible may become possible. Defeating the Night King has always been known from the onset of watching the series. It's one of the threats that glooms king and men in Westeros that without action may also mean their end. The dead was successfully withstood not without casualty. The end of the fight against the dead eventually starts the war for power.
"Love is more powerful than reason. We all know that. Love is the death of duty.
Sometimes, duty is the death of love"
- Jon Snow & Tyrion Lannister dialogue
Jon Snow, Cersei, Daenerys. These three we invested so much time and emotions (may it be love or hate) for so long. But when decisions are to be made, the living, the people, are what marks being a king or queen in the first place. The rise towards the top of dynasties come with a huge fall especially when all comes to naught. The abuse of power had threatened Westeros for so long and the end of the Iron Throne brings forth an enlightened leadership that is of the people, for the people, and by the people. Birthright doesn't really justify being good, wisdom is formed through experience and choice which are what makes a king. What better way to have a king than putting someone who already knows how it should be done. I guess that's a way to end it.
Technical wise, cinematography, direction and design were spot on. Narrative wise, I have to say this season could have been stretched out for 2-3 seasons separating the storylines for the fight against the dead and the fight for the Iron Throne. Everything we so loved about the series was cramped into 6 episodes not without paying tribute to many stories of the past. The last season is self-referential but the degree of parallelism and detail was intricate proving that indeed the Game of Thrones is a so powerful story that has it's modern day ramifications and worth. Chaos and fear may inspire good endings after all.
🚩🚩🚩SPOILERS AHEAD 🚩🚩🚩
Here are 10 of my most memorable moments
from the eighth season of Game of Thrones:
✅ Queen Cersei
- She’s the woman we love to despise and hate. Played by Lena Headey, Queen Cersei has been at the side of the throne for so long but now the one seated at it. She craves for power while also having deep seated love for family and loyalty towards her house. I guess that’s even her motivation for wanting to be seated at the Iron Throne. She implores poetic justice to all her enemies but she would face her match against a more furious Daenerys Stormborn after failure to commit men to Winterfell, the murder of Missandei and also the unwillingness to surrender. Queen Cersei, born alongside Jaime, died with her lover and brother Jaime at the hands of the very stronghold that she hoped will protect her. Her calm yet vicious demeanor is unlikeable but how witty she is in playing the Game of Thrones is commendable. Though, I really hoped her death to be more poetic than what transpired in this season.
✅ Daenerys
- We saw the rise and fall of Daenerys Targaryen at the hands of her enemies and even her loyal allies. She started as an offering in a bid for her brother’s claim to the throne. She would eventually have dragons whilst proving her ability to be resistant to fire. She laid the foundation on ending slavery amongst the many cities she would visit before stepping foot on Westeros. Her leadership would come into question though for her use of inhumane punishments towards her enemies (or any who goes against her way), it’s an impulsiveness that even her counselors can’t control. Her rise to the Iron Throne was not without tragedy for the entire of King’s Landing. Her urgency towards the throne would cause her demise under the hands of her lover (and nephew), Jon Snow. Her inspiration of fear led her to replicate her father’s leadership which the people of Westeros have been fighting against for years. There is this want to have her queen from the very beginning due to how much she gone through but would not have been for her, there wouldn’t be a signal towards a more enlightened and progressive view on leadership. I can't imagine anyone playing Daenerys than the beautiful Emilia Clarke.
✅ Jon Snow
- Jon Snow seems a more fitting king of Westeros than the unstable Cersei and impulsive Daenerys. He may have all the good looks only a king could have (as portrayed by Kit Harington) because all Jon Snow cared about was what’s best for his people. He’s been named Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, he’s been named King in the North, and he’s been rose back to life for a reason. He led a successful fight against the dead. In the end, it would all come to the biggest decision of what’s best for Westeros. Duty is the death of love as Tyrion said. Jon Snow sacrifices his allegiance and love for Daenerys to end the madness that conspired the Iron Throne for so long. Jon Snow may just be the best choice for the throne due to how just and honourable a man he is but compromise is to be made for the peace that the entire of Westeros has been craving for so long. Jon Snow will forever be one of my favorite characters not just in Game of Thrones but in TV and entertainment too just by how intricate, symbolic and honorable his story was.
✅ Self-References, Parallelism & Symbolisms
- A true Game of Thrones fan would get the many references the directors and actors placed in the show's final season. In fact, the ending (the last episode) is exactly parallel to the start of the story of each Stark sibling at the very first season. The death and end of Cersei has been mentioned for so long, and we are just to wait in this season what would happen. But forecasting of scenes isn't just through asking a fortune teller or witch but rather attending to the dialogues of past. One perfect and obvious example was exploring the meaning to Lady Melisandre's prophecy to Arya Stark on the many eyes. It was actually her killing Walder Frey (brown), Petyr Baelish (green), and the Night King (blue). The dialogue was so subtle that only through this season such would be explained. It's really good having watched past episodes so recent because you would realize how big some words really meant and are put into play. On a visual prophecy, if you go back to an episode where Bran was telepathic with the Three-Eyed Raven, the play of Daenerys destroying King's Landing was already shown. In fact, Daenerys is parallel and self-referential to her Mad King father. On another note, the first episode of this final season seem like a reminiscence of the very first episode of Game of Thrones with the many subtle hints of direction. I could list many more references but it's possible I also missed a few. The self-references, parallelism and symbolism are just a few show of how attention and intricacy was placed on the series.
✅ Opening Credits
- I never skipped those few minutes that begin each episode of Game of Thrones. The iconic tune is an earworm to loyal viewers of the series. What I liked about the opening credits of the final season though was how they were impacted by events of the past or the previous episode. The frozen path is slowly moving towards Winterfell at the opening of the first three episodes. Winterfell gets damaged at the opening credits of the fourth episode while King's Landing on the opening of the final episode. It's another of those attention to detail that was given too much love and effort for each episode of the final season. Technical-wise, the opening credits did a massive overhaul upgrade from the past seasons.
✅ Dragon Flight
- Now going towards specific scenes, the dragon flight of Jon Snow and Daenerys reminded me of a few scenes from an animated film I highly revere. (I guess you probably know what that movie is.) It was very intimate that realizing the reality of Jon and Daenerys's relationship makes you confused on the romanticity and ethics of what's going on between them. But why I liked this scene so much isn't really what happens but more on the visual effects that was placed on the dragons being ridden. The presence of the dragons in this particular scene felt really realistic showing you just how the series had improved on their show and portrayal of the dragons. The texture and movements of the dragons are perfect expensive CGI that would soon be the standard for future fantasy or adventure series.
✅ Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
✅ The Long Night
✅ The Bells
✅ King Bran, Arya, Queen Sansa, Lord Snow
- What happened to the Stark siblings (even accounting Jon) was parallel and symbolic to their initial and progressive appearances in the series. Sansa becomes Queen after wanting for so long to be one. Arya's Braavosi trainer made her want to explore Braavos and eventually want to sail on her own. Bran being king is somewhat exemplified with him sitting on a "moving" throne. While Lord Snow, who leaves for the Night's Watch on the first season, goes back to being one after calling his watch ended a few episodes before. (I guess you can't really leave the Night's Watch unless a King authorizes you to.) How the final episode of this season ended validated how everything was all about the Starks. While I do agree that the series could have done a different route, everything ended so harmoniously and fittingly to the characters we followed throughout the series that we would eventually learn to continually love.
Given the chance to rate this season of Game of Thrones,
I'll give it an impressive 9.2/10.
#GameOfThrones #HBOOriginals
#2019Series #TVReviews #JRTVReviews
Image Reference: IGN
Time Published: 21 May 2019 (8:00 PM)
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