True to Character: “The Last Starks” thrives in characters being who they’ve always been
In it’s final season Game of Thrones has continued to enthrall audiences yet has also prompted significant criticism. This is far from an unexpected development — considering the popularity of the series both in literature and on the screen the final stanza were inevitably going to disappoint some. One of the common critiques of the final season thus far has been the accusation of fan service.
It’s hard to blame the show-runners for indulging the fancies of the audience. After all we have spent the past 8 years growing to love (or hate) these characters. The first 20 minutes or so of “The Last of the Starks” continued the trend. Gendry was legitimized and named Lord of Storm’s End. Jamie and Brienne consummated five seasons of sexual tension. Tyrion once again played his favorite drinking game. Podrick Payne’s virtuoso skills in the bedroom were once again referenced.
But then things began to shift. It started with Arya turning down Gendry’s proposal. In the “happily ever after” version of Thrones, the two would make a perfect match as lord and lady of the Stormlands. Yet settling down seems antithetical to the Arya we’ve seen grow and develop over the past eight seasons — it’s “not her.”
Moments later, Jon and Daenerys finally confronted the lingering issue of Jon’s true parentage. The easy, fan service solution would have been the two agreeing to rule together — the Last Targaryens reestablishing their family’s dynasty and living happily ever after. Instead both stayed true to character. Jon, ever his father/uncle’s son insists on both standing by his vow to Daenerys but also his honor to his family, hoping (likely in vain) that honor can reconcile these two seemingly incompatible ideals.
Daenerys, for all her now undeniable red flags heralding a descent to madness, has always found purpose in the belief that she is the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. For seven seasons her claim was her true north. It makes sense that the revelation of another living Targaryen who actually holds a stronger claim to the throne would send her into crisis. I still wonder if the seemingly impending “Dance of Dragons” between Jon and Daenerys will ultimately prove a red herring. Regardless we don’t seem headed for the happy reestablishment of a Targaryen dynasty with Jon and Dany ruling together.
Speaking of the Lannisters, it’s hard to call Jaime Lannister and Brienne’s encounter pure fan service. The chemistry between the two characters has been present for seasons on end. Yet, Jaime’s decision to return to Cersei also was a moment true to character. By now the Kingslayer has fully come to grips with what his sister is. Jaime has evolved as a character as much as any on the show, save perhaps Sansa. All the same, the man has been in love with her for decades and, as he told Brienne, done terrible things to be with her. Confronted with the possibility Cersei’s impending execution, Jaime did what he always has — whatever it takes to be with his twin sister.
Yet is was Varys who had perhaps the most consequential moments of being true to character in “The Last of the Starks.” The spy master has always claimed to serve the realm above all else. That motivation led him to back Daenerys’s claim initially and now has guided him to the point of betrayal of the Mother of Dragons. In a simpler show, Varys would likely be pushed off to the side, simply existing in the background as a member of Daenerys’ small council. Part of what makes Thrones great is that Varys continues to act only in what he views as the best interest of the people or Westeros.
All of these moments set up a final two episodes where it truly feels like anything could happen. Last week’s decision to end the White Walker arc seemed premature to many (including yours truly). However, given that Thrones has opted to conclude with the conflicts of the living and the living, “The Last of the Starks” was a near flawless episode setting up that conflict — acheived by means of staying true to character.
