Mistakes from Game of Thrones S8 E4: The Last of the Starks
It’s always stressful sitting down to watch Game of Thrones. As Cersei said in the first season, “When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die.” It’s a fact that has been made apparent every season. The Last of the Starks is no exception to the rule.
Yet there were some critical mistakes made by characters in this episode that seemed like they should have been obvious, making me question the cleverness and savvy of the characters.
Before you carry on, I feel it’s fair to warn you that this post is full of spoilers. Watch Episode 4 first.
Before I begin picking these decisions apart, I have to point out that I really enjoyed this episode. It was an emotional rollercoaster, as they tend to be. And my favorite moment had to be Sansa and the Hound having their moment together.
But no story is perfect, and in The Last of the Starks, several characters proved they are not ready for the Last War, and they haven’t learned anything from the mistakes of their past.
Eddard Stark’s Reappearance
Okay, so maybe it wasn’t really Ned Stark come to life, but Jon made so many critical mistakes in this episode based on the code of honor that Ned Stark taught him. While that doesn’t seem like it should be a bad thing, you have to wonder if Jon has heard what happened to Ned. Ned followed his code and it led him to his death.
We see this flaw more than once in this episode. First, when Daenerys comes to him and asks him not to tell anyone, to swear Bran and Samwell to secrecy. Not only does Jon believe that Sansa and Arya will keep his secret, but he tells Daenerys as much. She tries to get him to see the truth, that Sansa isn’t the girl he knew, but Jon has blinders on and believes that his sisters still follow that same Stark code of honor that Ned taught them. Daenerys is right about Sansa (as we quickly discover once Jon does spill the beans). Sansa was trained by Little Finger. She knows how to play this game better than anyone, and information is power.
And as if that wasn’t enough, Jon insists that he doesn’t want the throne and that his refusal will be enough — much like Ned when Robert died — and we all know how that turned out. Daenerys tries to talk reason with him, but his stubborn belief that anyone else might honor his word will prove to be a fatal flaw. Once again, Daenerys isn’t wrong. Jon didn’t want to be Lord Commander, but the men of the Night’s Watch voted him in, and he shouldered the responsibility. He didn’t want to be King of the North, but the Lords of the North insisted and, once again, he shouldered the burden. Would it really be so different if the people made him King of the Seven Kingdoms, even if he didn’t want the crown?
If Jon doesn’t die by the end of this series, he will owe his life to either Sansa or Arya — or both.
This isn’t the only mistake Jon makes following his code of honor. Not much later, when everyone gathers for a council meeting, Sansa tries to reason with Daenerys. The men need rest before marching off to another war. Even though she is right, Daenerys refuses to listen and throws a veiled threat at Sansa. Jon immediately steps in and says the north will honor their agreement, instead of agreeing with Sansa and admitting that the men do need rest. His code of honor not only could cost him his life, but the lives of so many who do need rest.
Jon’s Inability to Call Daenerys to the Spotlight
Tormund raves about how fantastic Jon is. “What kind of person climbs on the back of a ****ing dragon? A madman. Or a king!” This was a golden opportunity for Jon to pull Daenerys into the light. All he had to do was point out that she was the dragon-riding queen, and they owed much of their victory to her. Passing the buck to her at that moment could have made a huge difference, and Jon is supposed to be smart enough to know that.
Arya is an Assassin, People!
Everyone is gathered to discuss strategy and assess the remaining resources, but no one stops to think about the one thing they have that will help turn the tides — and it isn’t a dragon.
Arya has proven herself resourceful and capable. She has stealth, tools, and assassin skills no one else in Westeros possesses. Yet no one even suggests her as part of their strategy. It’s like taking your best tool and leaving in the toolbox. It fits the bolt perfectly, but you would rather struggle with all the rest of the tools. She could slip in, pick off Cersei’s allies, and force Cersei to her knees for Daenerys to finish off (or she could do it herself).
Let’s not forget, as well, that Arya knows how to get in and out of the Red Keep through the dungeons. She slipped out of the Red Keep twice in the first season using that secret passage. So they have the best assassin in Westeros who also happens to know how to sneak into the Red Keep. Why are they not using this to their advantage?
Boats Don’t Pivot, Yo!
Daenerys flys her two dragons over the fleet and watches in horror as Raegon is killed by bolts connected to hidden Iron Island ships. Wisely, she pulls back so Drogon doesn’t die. Unwisely, she doesn’t pivot around the rocks and burn the enemy fleet from behind. Not only would it have decimated Cersei’s forces, but she could have prevented the deaths of many of her men — and Missandei. Dany’s inability to think of this strategy cost her dearly.
Now, it’s possible the bolt launchers are on pivots. But even if they are, she had a chance to take them by surprise before they had a chance to turn. Those deaths are on your head, Daenerys.
Ghost’s Face When Jon Walks Away
Okay, so maybe this wasn’t really that big of a deal, but Jon takes the time to say goodbye to Tormund and Sam before riding south, but Ghost doesn’t get anything? Sure, he’s just a dire wolf, but Ghost is highly intelligent and the two of them have been through just as much together. Ever Arya gave Nymeria a proper goodbye. This felt a little heartless, Jon.
Burn King’s Landing
Daenerys goes against exactly what she said she wouldn’t do in previous seasons — she determines that the only way to defeat Cersei is to burn the Red Keep and everyone in it. Whatever happened to, “That’s not the kind of queen I want to be”?
Okay, so maybe this isn’t so much a mistake on Daenerys’s part, but this girl is clearly off her rocker now. Losing Viserion, Rhaegon, Jorah, and Missandei, along with most of the Dothraki and half the Unsullies, has pushed Daenerys too far. She’s losing her patience and her closest allies, and now all she can see is the throne.
She won’t make the right choice before this is over. She’s too mad with hunger for that throne.
What are your thoughts? Do you agree, or do you have a different take on the episode? Comment below!
