Twelve takeaways from the script for the Game of Thrones series finale

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Daenerys Targaryen dies

Well, of course we have to talk about Daenerys’ death. It’s one of those important parts of the series. Here’s how Benioff and Weiss describe the moment:

"Standing before the Iron Throne, Dany steps forward and kisses the man she loves. A perfect kiss, an expression of pure love and passion. We push in on them until we’re tight on their faces — their eyes closed, his hand behind her head, her hand on his cheek. Dany’s eyes open suddenly as she draws a sharp breath. Jon’s eyes open as well, already filling with tears. For a moment, neither moves, as if moving will make this real. In a wider angle, we see Jon with his hand still on the hilt of the dagger he just lodged in Dany’s heart."

Yikes.

Also, even though they’re afraid that “moving will make this real,” moving might also pull the dagger out, and then there’d be blood gushing everywhere, which doesn’t seem like it fits the high drama of this scene. This is, I recognize, a very minor concern, all told.

As for the kiss being “an expression of pure love and passion,” well, some of us read it more as a goodbye kiss rather than just love and passion on Dany’s part, but that’s also quibbling.

The aftermath

This is just a little further down in the script: “Winter has come to the Throne Room. Dany lies dead in his arms, Pieta-style, as the snow drifts down.”

Shall we start with “Pieta?” You probably know it best as a statue by Michelangelo. It’s probably a reference for how they wanted it to be shot. If you want to read really into it, the Pieta depicts the Virgin Mary mourning her son, Jesus Christ, after his crucifixion. If the semi-religious overtones are meant to be read in this script and the episode, this last shout-out would make oodles of sense.

Author:

Stanislav Traykov

. License:

Creative Commons

Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

license.

Also, “winter has come.” Get it, because it’s snowing, but also because Jon Snow has Stark blood? Get it? Symbolism.