HBO’s Making Game of Thrones blog posts concept art and storyboards after every new episode of the show, and it’s finally released both for the series finale, “The Iron Throne.” And whatever your opinion of the ending, it’s hard not to admire the visuals. The last episode is full of stunning imagery, imagery that begins with the concept art.
First up is a gorgeous piece of concept art, showcasing Drogon flying over the burnt remains of King’s Landing:
Having the sun shining through all the smoke is an interesting detail that got dropped for the final episode, where the sky was clogged with ash.
We also have a concept image of Tyrion wandering through what’s left of the Red Keep:
This is right before the heartbreaking moment where he discovers his siblings’ bodies amongst the rubble. It’s also a nice touch that the huge dragon skull has been crushed and broken. Could this be foreshadowing for what will happen to the Targaryen line in general?
And if the concept art didn’t stir up enough emotion, we also have the storyboard for when Tyrion uncovers Jaime and Cersei’s bodies beneath the wreckage:
There are two different pieces of concept art for Dany’s speech in front of the Red Keep, but this one captures the moment best:
This piece depicts what most of Dany’s reign probably would have looked like. Her loyal Unsullied stand in formation, and Drogon’s prepared to take down anyone who defies his mother. Also, the Targaryen banners hanging off the ruins of King’s Landing make quite the statement, don’t they?
HBO has concept art of Dany’s last moments, too. We’ve got an aerial view of the throne room right before Jon approaches his queen:
The pulled-back angle shows us just how much damage Dany did to the Red Keep. It also alludes powerfully to the vision she has at the House of the Undying back in season 2. The throne and throne room are covered in ash and snow, just like she envisioned.
And with Dany’s demise came the end of the Iron Throne itself. This concept art shows the throne after Drogon is done decimating it. It’s both stunning and symbolic of the slightly more democratic direction Westeros is headed in:
But the art for “The Iron Throne” isn’t all dark and depressing — just most of it. There’s also a storyboard of Jon’s reunion with Ghost, which is a moment that left most fans cheering:
Look at that good boy. If anyone deserves to go down in storyboard history, it’s him. And Jon too, I guess.
To see more concept art and storyboards, head to the Making Game of Thrones blog!
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