Game of Thrones ended on Sunday leaving fans with about as many questions about a few important characters as when the show started more than eight years ago.
The final episode of the series concluded with remaining members of the Stark family stepping into their new destinies. Arya (Maisie Williams) headed out at sea to discover new western lands that weren't yet on the map. Sansa (Sophie Turner) was crowned Queen in the North. Bran (Isaac Hempstead Wright) took his spot as the leader of Westeros and King of the Six Kingdoms. Meanwhile, Jon Snow (Kit Harington) essentially ended up right where he began—exiled back to the Wall after stabbing Queen Daenerys (Emilia Clarke).
Jon's final moments on the show confused some viewers who were hoping to see him on the Iron Throne. His real identity of Aegon Targaryen, the true and rightful heir to the throne, was revealed early in the season, and some fans were disappointed to see Jon in his final moments reuniting with his wildling buddy Tormund Giantsbane (Kristofer Hivju) and beloved dire wolf, Ghost.
Fans also questioned if there was any purpose to the Night's Watch after the defeat of the Night King and his white walkers. What was Jon supposed to be doing on the Wall, anyway?
The nights watch? Fam what are they gonna watch
— SABS 🤍 (@sxbvna) May 20, 2019
However, that question was brushed aside, as Jon didn't keep his post at the Wall for long. In his final scene, Jon led the Free Folk north, back into the snow-covered lands beyond the Wall. Some viewers felt it was appropriate for the show to end with Jon and the wildlings together again.
Well he’s not defending the wall, we all seen him leave with Tormund and the wildings. They didn’t just deliberately shot the one tiny bit of green grass for no reason, he’s going to become the King beyond the wall. Now that the night kings dead, life beyond the wall will prosper pic.twitter.com/jmzzZnvzXL
— GameOfThronesFanPage (@GameOfThronesFP) May 20, 2019
Jon gonna be king of the wildlings, Sansa queen of the north, Arya about to be christopher columbus, Bran got the six kingdoms. Stark dynasty strong
— Trey Smith (@SlimiHendrix) May 20, 2019
After all, the majority his time on the show was spent beyond the Wall with wildlings. Granted, he infiltrated their camps and only pretended to become one of them in his pursuit to overthrow Mance Rayder (Ciarán Hinds), but it was always obvious Jon did care about the wildlings.
It was north of the Wall where Jon first found love. Some fans found it particularly fitting he would abandon his Night's Watch post and return to the home of the woman who first captured his heart, Ygritte (Rose Leslie).
just realised jon ended up with the wildlings and greyworm ended up in nath. the places their first loves are from.
— deanne (@deannemistry) May 20, 2019
#gameofthrones pic.twitter.com/QtZ0UPUmej
While viewers had mixed feelings about Jon's fate, he likely was pleased to be back north. The series concluded with Jon and the Free Folk making their journey beyond the Wall. As they trekked through the woods once terrorized by the Night King and his army of white walkers, a sprout of grass emerged from the snow, signaling a new beginning for the people Jon wanted to protect since he first joined the Night's Watch at the beginning of the series.
See a few reactions to the Game of Thrones series finale below.
Everybody’s mad with Jon’s ending but he never wanted to rule. He didn’t fit in as a Stark or a Targaryen. It was the wildlings who didn’t care about his background but just who he was as a person in the now. It makes sense his character ends the way it did. #GameOfThonesFinale
— Jacqueline (@JacquelineCord) May 20, 2019
I must be really bad at symbolism but I had no idea what Jon was doing at the end. Like is he living with the wildlings? Escorting them home? Taking ghost on a walk? #GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/ioNeiWfBfI
— Kaila of House Mormont (@bbq_kaila) May 20, 2019
Jon Snow: told he was a bastard his whole life. Sent to the wall. Captured by wildlings. Killed by the nights watch. Recruited men to fight the night king. Won the long night. Found out he wasn’t a bastard and actually the true king. Killed the mad queen. SENT BACK TO THE WALL.
— ⚯͛ Toshinori no Genkai💛🐍💜 🏁△⃒⃘ (@DrDreddyMurphy) May 20, 2019
Bran: a just, wise King
— ethereal post-lesbian (@Dori_izafish) May 20, 2019
Sansa: Mother fucking QUEEN in the North
Arya: Exploring the unknown!!!!
Jon Snow: Beyond the wall thriving with the wildlings
Ghost: *gets a good boy scratch*
Me:#GameOfThronesFinale pic.twitter.com/Y9kZLGjU6b
There’s no white walkers and the wildlings are the homies now so wtf we need a nightwatch anyways for???
— Kerryon Johnson (@AyeyoKEJO) May 20, 2019
Rhaegar died so his son can go live with Wildlings. No dragon, nothing...ya hate to see it...
— Darron Lee (@DLeeMG8) May 20, 2019
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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