22 best moments from Game of Thrones season 8

17. Bran is named King

Who saw this coming? Bran, the boy who wanted to become a knight, who was thrown from a tower and who traveled beyond the Wall to study with the Three-Eyed Raven…named King? It was arguably the last big twist of Game of Thrones, and it was a doosey.

Throughout season 8, there are several moments where Tyrion talks to Bran, reflecting on his journey and his newfound perspective on life. Those short snippets set up this final twist.

True, making Bran the king was polarizing, but I think it’s one of the most beautiful things about the finale. For the first time in the show’s bloody history, Westeros is getting a king who has absolutely no desire to rule for himself. Bran doesn’t even have the capacity for selfishness or greed anymore. This feels like the ultimate response to established fantasy tropes. How often has the selfless, wise wizard appeared in fantasy stories? Usually, they seem like a no-brainer to be a leader (often, they are the ones who lead the heroes to the end of their quest anyway), but because of their own selflessness cannot take up the mantle.

With this twist, Game of Thrones stares that trope in the face and asks, “Wouldn’t everyone be better off with a borderline omniscient ruler who has no desire to further their own ends?” It leaves us hopeful for the future of Westeros.

Honorable Mention: Bran’s very first act as King is to name Tyrion his hand, which shows that Bran is capable of making merciful, wise decisions that will benefit the greatest good. If there is a perfect counterpart to Bran’s mystical, all-seeing leadership, it’s Tyrion’s political savvy. It truly is the start of a new age for Westeros.