By James Lister

Game of Thrones is an incredibly stressful experience for multiple reasons. Firstly, no one is safe. George RR Martin has the tendency to make us care for a character and then suddenly decapitate them, leaving us in a state of paralysis whilst we slowly flood our rooms with our own tears. Secondly, this show tends to avoid anything remotely happy. The characters we cherish always go through some distress whilst the characters we despise reign triumphant.

The Winds of Winter is a perfect example of this, Season 6’s finale hit audiences with everything it had. It’s safe to assume that many people are not a fan of Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey). She caused the infamous Red Wedding and almost got Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) killed but nothing compares to what she achieved in this explosive season finale. Her plan maliciously unravelled in the opening arc which was probably the highlight of the entire episode. Not only did viewers receive a dose of spectacular CGI that puts some Hollywood movies to shame, but we also saw a previously tormented and broken Cersei rise from the ashes in style. Accompanied by a fantastically haunting soundtrack, composed by Ramin Djawadi, fans saw how dangerous a Lion can be. It was a chilling yet captivating scene that was structured in such a way that made us fear Cersei yet again. It acted as a warning because let’s face it… we all had a smug face when Cersei done her walk of atonement, and now Cersei is back; get ready to hear her roar.

After the spectacle of episode 9, the finale certainly had a lot to live up to and boy did it deliver. Audiences saw a fan favourite theory confirmed, a sweet act of revenge that was immensely satisfying but may have put people off eating pies, and our beloved Mother of Dragons finally adrift on the seas to Westeros. There was so much to digest that the only visible problems were that it’s over and we have to wait nine months to see what is next. Some people are okay with this, whilst others are quivering emotional wrecks.

Unlike some television finales that tie up loose ends, The Winds of Winter was happy to leave things unanswered. This isn’t because David Benioff ad D.B. Weiss are sadistic maniacs who thrive on the pain of fans (although it probably makes them smile). It’s because the universe of Game of Thrones is full of intricate details and stories that cannot be rushed. The creators have been building since the very start and now that the show appears to be approaching its end, all of those story arcs are bombarding audiences with revelations so shocking that it makes Love Island look like a child’s pantomime.

The finale was a spectacular piece of television. It had tear-jerking, spine-tingling and disturbing moments that revealed how well thought-dragons and cursing, it is a fabricated masterpiece that honours the original material whilst surprising audiences with new risky ideas. Look out the entire narrative is and how dedicated and respectful the actors are to their characters. This is not a show dedicated to nudity, at what they have created; an unpredictable realm where anything is possible and anyone can die- a fandoms worst fear.

Whilst recovering from the season finale and contemplating what to do now that it’s over (and where my social life has vanished to) it is clear that the worst is yet to come. Cersei has what she wants and that does not bode well for all of Westeros, Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) has her eyes set on the Iron throne and to top it off the knower of nothing, Jon Snow, is the only one that knows that the real enemy is coming and the only thing standing in their way… is a big block of ice. Audiences have a lot to look forward to so start counting down the days down and say goodbye to your favourite characters for the Long Night is coming… and the dead comes with it.

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