Game Of Thrones season 8: 7 questions we have after The Bells

The first death emerged before the battle had even started. After Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) told Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) about Varys’ (Conleth Hill) doubts in her leadership, the latter was executed by the mother of dragons at the hands of Drogon. 

At the outset of the battle at King’s Landing, The Golden Company army leader Harry Strickland (Marc Rissmann) was killed by Grey Worm’s (Jacob Anderson) spear, as the remaining Dothraki and Unsullied ripped through their forces.

In one of the best moments, Daenerys lives up to her mad queen potential by ignoring the bells signalling King’s Landing’s surrender and choosing to burn hundreds of innocent lives. This decision appears to anger Arya Stark (Maisie Williams), Jon Snow (Kit Harington) and Tyrion, and will surely be the key contentious point moving forward. 

Euron Greyjoy (Pilou Asbaek) is presumably dead after being stabbed through the chest by Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and left on a rock outside the walls. Jaime, however, is injured in the fight, and seeks out sister Cersei (Lena Headey) with blood dripping from his wounds. 

The Hound (Rory McCann) finally confronted his brother Gregor Clegane on the crumbling steps of the Red Keep. Before they kickstarted Cleganebowl, Gregor aka The Mountain kills his saviour Qyburn (Anton Lesser) who attempts to stand in his way. The Hound and The Mountain both fight, before they both leap to their deaths into the dragon flames below amidst the scuffle. 

The most notable death came at the episode’s conclusion. As the walls crumbled around them, Jaime and Cersei retreat underground, while she still carries their unborn child, and both cry into each other’s arms. The walls then collapse all around them, appearing to seal their fate. 

What was the point of The Golden Company army?

After they were touted as one of the most impressive armies around, The Golden Company’s impact on the show barely left a scratch. Leader Harry Strickland was wiped out in the opening minutes of the battle, while the rest were simply screaming fodder under dragon fire. 

The show has had a problem in season eight of wiping out previously believed huge threats in one fell swoop. The White Walkers and majority of the Dothraki were swept aside swiftly in the battle for Winterfell, and now the role of The Golden Company feels particularly superfluous in light of their tiny significance in the final fight.

In other words, maybe those darn elephants would have been memorable, at least.

Where is Yara Greyjoy?

One notable absence was Yara Greyjoy (Gemma Whelan), who was oddly not called upon by Daenerys to fight, despite knowing she was residing in the Iron Islands with a fleet.

It’s likely Yara will appear in the final episode. We’ve yet to see her reaction to Theon and Euron’s death, and with Daenerys and Jon Snow now in firm disagreement, Yara could be a vital ally for both of them. But which way will she fall? 

Arya played the role of the hero once again as she attempted to help King’s Landing citizens flee from the collapsing buildings and wildfire, in some of the most stunning sequences of the entire show. 

But why was such a point made about Arya’s harrowing journey through the wreckage? It could be a short-term ploy to make people believe the character will die, of course, but that isn’t how Game Of Thrones operates. Arya’s approach was a direct contrast with Daenerys as she rained hellfire from above, so could this provide the former motivation to kill the Mother Of Dragons?

Arya has rode off on a horse presumably back to Winterfell, and we can imagine Daenerys’ actions will ring alarm bells with Sansa (Sophie Turner). So could Arya be the silent assassin sent by her sister to wipe out the threat to the North if Daenerys becomes queen? 

Will all the Stark siblings survive? 

Interestingly, the Stark family are the only ones so far who haven’t suffered any major casualties in season eight. Arya, Sansa and Bran (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) are all alive and kicking, and as a trio they’re arguably the most powerful family in Westeros. 

The show has largely been about the growth of the Stark siblings from innocent youths to formidable leaders or warriors. Their hanging presence over Winterfell makes sense as a final note on their journey, but could they go onto claim the Iron Throne as a trio too?

Who will Bronn kill now?

Bronn was previously assigned to kill Jaime and Tyrion Lannister at the orders of Cersei, who promised a handsome reward. She’s now presumably dead, with Tyrion previously offering to pay double to spare his life in the form of Highgarden. But will Daenerys be so willing to allow Bronn his prize now Cersei’s dead?

Bronn’s purpose feels like it’s a key in the show’s endgame, especially as Tyrion isn’t exactly known for his fighting prowess. After seeing Daenerys wipe out so many civilians in King’s Landing, will Tyrion promise Highgarden to Bronn in return for the end of Daenerys before she completely loses her mind? 

Who will take the Iron Throne?

It’s the ultimate question on Game Of Thrones, but it’s likely the last time we can ask it. The stage is set for one final round with the fantasy phenomena, which will presumably give us a decisive answer on who, if anyone, emerges victorious on the Iron Throne. 

At the moment, it feels strongly geared towards the Stark siblings. Jon Snow doesn’t want the Iron Throne, or so he says, and Daenerys feels like a likely candidate for death considering her growing enemies. Or could it be someone completely left-field? Will Tyrion keep the Lannister line going? Or will Gendry suddenly make a reappearance again? 

The answers are coming thick and fast in this final season, but will they prove satisfying when it comes to the lasting impression? We’re counting down the hours, and quietly dreading the outcome, already. 

Game Of Thrones continues Sundays on HBO and Sky Atlantic. You can catch-up on episodes so far on NOW TV.