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

Image: HBO

All those pilot-like shots during the final scene at the Wall were intentional

The word pilot appears three times in the script for the finale, all in descriptions of shots, all during Jon’s return to the Wall as a member of the Night’s Watch again.

Here they are:

"In a shot mirroring the first image of the pilot, we see Jon and Tormund through the grate of the tunnel as the gate rises, from a POV inside the tunnel. […] In a two shot that mirrors another shot from the pilot, Jon and Tormund wait for the gate to finish opening. We see them emerge from the tunnel. Things still look very similar to the pilot shots, except Ghost is with them."

Yes, Ghost gets mentioned in this script too, because Ghost is a very good boy. The moment where he nuzzles Jon before going beyond the Wall is in there, too.

Anyway, the bookend-style shots between the start of the show and this, the end, were all intended to be that way. And indeed, the scene gives off some serious déjà vu.

The script doesn’t reveal where Jon is going, either

When Jon and the others ride into the forest, it’s not clear what exactly they’re doing. Is Jon escorting the Free Folk back north before returning to Castle Black, or is he going to join them?

If you’re hoping that the script will clear it up … prepare to be disappointed.:

"Jon and company ride away from camera. As Ghost, Jon and the rest cross the treeline, we slowly pull back, and watch them disappear into the forest. END OF SEASON 8 END OF GAME OF THRONES"

The adventure continues. If nothing else, this means that whatever your pet theory may be, the script doesn’t disprove it. Unless Benioff and Weiss come out and say what they intended, we can all basically say where we think Jon went and be right about it.

If you’ve read through the script, what did you think? Did it shed any new light on the episode?

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