Was Game of Thrones Justified in Its Ending?

Game of Thrones has been one of the most controversial and divisive TV series of recent years. One of the most debated topics in this series is the ending. Many viewers have questioned whether the show deserved the conclusion it had. The narrative often portrays a chaotic world where those who cause harm to others meet their own downfall. This essay explores whether Daenerys Targaryen's (Daenerys) death was justified in the context of her character arc and the overarching themes of the show.

Character Motivations and Actions

The show Game of Thrones is filled with complex characters and morally ambiguous narratives. The beloved character, Daenerys Targaryen, has evolved significantly throughout the series. Her journey is marked by both compassion and cruelty as she seeks to restore her family’s throne while protecting the innocent.

Daenerys' grief and desire for vengeance stem from the oppression she and her family endured under the Targaryen tyrant, Aerys II Targaryen, known as the Mad King. Her actions in Kings Landing, particularly the executions and killings she ordered, were portrayed as fitting her character's background and the goal of her movement.

However, as the series progresses, Daenerys descends into madness and her character is seen as a tragic figure. The realization that she might have become as evil as the man she sought to avenge led to a considerable shift in her storyline. This descent was not a sudden change but a gradual process, influenced by her traumatic experiences and the chaos she was a part of. The show attempted to justify her downfall and death through her complex internal struggles.

Viewers' Reactions and Expectations

The ending of Game of Thrones was highly controversial, with many fans hoping for a more triumphant or even tragic ending for Daenerys. The narrative of a blood-soaked and ruthless world made it inevitable that her actions would lead to a painful result. The series had already featured several dark and brutal conclusions, making the final act of Game of Thrones a logical and fitting climax for the story.

For longtime fans, the emotional investment in characters like Jon Snow and Daenerys made their final scenes particularly painful. The stakes were high, and the audience had invested significant time and emotional attachment into these characters. Seeing Jon Snow suffer and Daenerys die in such a manner was a difficult pill to swallow for many viewers.

The fan reaction to the final season has been mixed. Some viewers praised the ending's consistency with the established tone of the series and the arduous journey the characters had endured throughout the eight seasons. Others found the ending to be too abrupt and lacking in closure, especially for characters who had such complex arcs.

Conclusion

In the end, the justification of characters' actions and endings in Game of Thrones is deeply rooted in the themes of the series. The overarching narrative of a chaotic world where chaos begets further chaos is a staple of the show. Daenerys Targaryen's death can be seen as a culmination of her actions and the internal struggles she faced throughout the series. While it may not have been the ending many fans desired, it was a fitting conclusion that stayed true to the tone and complexity of the show.

The tension and complexity that viewers have grown accustomed to in Game of Thrones made the ending both a necessity and a forgone conclusion. For the characters who have been through so much, the bitter-sweet outcome was perhaps the only way to bring the series to an end that reflected the reality of their world.