Video by Meredith Ganzman
Sunday night marked the series finale of "Game of Thrones," a night fans have been itching for since the show's start in 2011. One thing is for sure - the show kept fans on their toes until the bitter end.
While many believed that Jon Snow was the rightful heir to the Iron Throne by blood and morality, writers of the show had different ideas, in typical "Game of Thrones" fashion. While last week's episode 5 left Daenerys Targaryen in complete control, fans and people of Westeros alike were unsettled by her ruthless means of getting there. In a heartwrenching moment between lovers Daenerys and Jon, Dany proposes that Jon rule alongside her. Jon expresses his deep love for her while simultaneously plunging a life-ending dagger through her torso.
Immediately following the heartbreaking murder scene, Daenerys's beloved dragon, Drogon, discovers his queen's lifeless body. In a fiery moment expected to kill Jon Snow, Drogon releases his anguish on the Iron Throne itself, reducing it to a puddle of molten metals. Jon gets out alive, but not in a position to rule the land.
With Daenerys dead, the Great Council must decide by vote on who is worthy of taking the crown. Tyrion Lannister, who had been kept prisoner up until now for multiple Daenerys betrayals, ultimately offers up the idea of Bran Stark taking over. In a moving speech, he convinces the Great Council, complete with sisters Arya and Sansa Stark, of Bran's qualifications, concluding with the idea that all further rulers be decided on by the lords of the realm.
Everyone promptly agrees except Sansa, who gives her blessing after deciding that the North will become independent under her rule while Bran takes his seat at the throne for six of the seven kingdoms. Bran appoints Tyrion as his hand.
So what's to become of Jon Snow? It's unclear at the episode's end, as he's seen humbly riding north of the Wall with a crowd of Wildlings, and, in a satisfying moment for fans, reunited with his direwolf, Ghost.