This text comprises spoilers for “Sport of Thrones.”
It’s hard to believe it’s been six years since the controversial series finale of HBO’s “Game of Thrones.” The sequence, primarily based on George R.R. Martin’s “A Tune of Ice and Fireplace” fantasy novels, was extensively acclaimed throughout its preliminary run, with its slew of wealthy, dynamic, and unforgettable characters that introduced the realm of Westeros to such vivid life, in addition to the masterful means it staged a few of the most epic fantasy sequences ever produced on both tv or movie. Though the notorious remaining season stays topic to a lot scrutiny from critics and followers alike, nothing will take away the moments of true peak long-form storytelling on show in the course of the sequence’ highlights.
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The variety of fatalities all through the story elevated “Sport of Thrones” to grow to be one of many defining popular culture phenomena of the 2010s. Season 1 famously kills off Lord Eddard “Ned” Stark (Sean Bean), which shocked many viewers on condition that Ned is the de facto protagonist up till his execution within the first season’s penultimate episode, “Baelor.” Arguably, essentially the most well-known sequence of bloodshed within the sequence comes within the type of season 3’s penultimate episode, “The Rains of Castamere,” where the infamous “Red Wedding” occurs, killing off essential characters together with Robb Stark (Richard Madden), Talisa Stark (Oona Chaplin), and Catelyn Stark (Michelle Fairley). Martin is understood for his wealthy character improvement in his tales, which makes sure characters’ deaths actually sting.
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Whereas Home Stark of Winterfell is notably topic to a few of the greatest tragedies within the sequence, Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner), Arya Stark (Maisie Williams), Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright), and Jon Snow (Package Harington) all survive by means of the sequence finale. Whereas some could assume every of their respective actors/actresses was happy to make it by means of the complete sequence alive, one in every of them actually wished to see their character die.
Sophie Turner wished Sansa Stark to die an epic dying
Few characters have endured as a lot trauma as Sansa. The eldest daughter of Lord Ned and Girl Catelyn, Sansa grew to become beloved by viewers for her resilience by means of a few of the darkest tales and experiences of the complete sequence. Sansa was topic to the worst abuses possible from her companions. Whether or not or not it’s Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson) or Ramsay Bolton (Iwan Rheon), Sansa’s abuse felt all too actual for a lot of viewers, which made the respective comeuppances for each Joffrey and Ramsay a few of the most satisfying deaths in the complete sequence.
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Though Sansa’s arc ends with one of many few satisfying notes within the “Sport of Thrones” sequence finale, Sophie Turner hoped she could be given a distinct ending. Particularly, she wished Sansa to expertise an epic dying of her personal, given the precedent set within the sequence for definitive and memorable demises. Talking to WSJ in 2016, earlier than the premiere of season 6, she expressed hope in seeing Sansa’s demise:
“If you happen to’re on ‘Sport of Thrones’ and you do not have a cool dying scene, then what is the level?”
Throughout that interval, “Sport of Thrones” already had its “Crimson Wedding ceremony,” Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) had dedicated patricide towards his father Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance), and King Joffrey Baratheon succumbed to poison throughout his wedding ceremony. On condition that Turner’s interview was held earlier than season 6 aired, followers had been solely mere weeks away from witnessing a few of the sequence’ highest heights. The one-two punch of the ultimate two episodes, “Battle of the Bastards” and “The Winds of Winter,” is a ravishing showcase of revenge and narrative catharsis for Home Stark, on condition that Sansa leaves Ramsay to her dogs and Arya gets the ultimate revenge, killing the sons of Walder Frey (David Bradley), baking them right into a meat pie, and feeding it to that loathsome patriarch. After unmasking her servant’s disguise, she reveals her true identification to the pathetic Lord Frey and slits his throat.
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Sansa Stark had one of many solely satisfying conclusions of the sequence
Each doable dialogue and debate concerning the unsatisfying nature of the ultimate season of “Sport of Thrones” has been had. To relitigate the various underwhelming revelations, comparable to Bran the Damaged turning into King of the Six Kingdoms, or the abrupt fall from grace for Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), could be beating a lifeless horse. Nevertheless, many critics and followers had been happy with the place Sansa’s arc takes her. By the end of the series, Sansa is crowned Queen in the North and declares the North’s independence from Westeros.
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By crowning Sansa as Queen within the North and giving her the authority to ascertain independence for her kingdom, the present provides her one of many few fulfilling character arcs that tells a whole story of her coming-of-age and her maturation as a younger lady. Sansa stays dedicated to the legacy of Home Stark, and he or she seeks to guard her folks within the method she deems most secure for his or her prosperity.
“Sport of Thrones” and its prequel, “Home of the Dragon,” can be found to stream on HBO Max.