The season 7 finale of “Game of Thrones” broke the record with 12.1 million live viewers. “The Dragon and the Wolf” also broke the show’s record as the longest episode with a run time of 79 minutes and 43 seconds. The episode was fully packed with action in every scene.
For the first time, since the very first episode of the show, the biggest characters have gathered in one location. In addition to that are the mini-reunions of characters who have not seen each other in a long time, like Tyrion, Podrick, Bronn, and the Clegane brothers. One of the most beloved scenes in the finale was the flashback to Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark’s wedding – the dragon and the wolf.
The episode was also filled with great story twists. Here are some of them.
Cersei’s decision
The episode opened with the characters gathering at the Dragonpit. Jon proved the existence of the White Walkers and the wights. He explained that the only way to defeat the Army of the Undead is to work together, and Cersei agreed to send her army to the North to fight alongside them.
Later in the episode, she told Jaime that she has no intention of fighting alongside the Targaryens and the Starks. She revealed that while the Stark and Targaryen army fights the Undead in the North, she will seize control of Westeros.
This led to a disagreement with her twin brother (and baby daddy) Jaime, as he intends to honor the word they gave to Jon and Daenerys.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau explained in an interview with HuffPost that Jaime saw the threat of the Undead and understood that they all needed to work together to defeat them.
Meanwhile, Cersei saw the threat and reached the opposite conclusion. She saw it as an opportunity to take back the power and control over Westeros that she lost.
Jaime tried to talk some sense to her, but Cersei was firm with her decision. Olenna Tyrell has already warned Jaime that Cersei will be the end of him. Jaime has finally seen the crazy monster that Cersei is and left her.
When Jaime finally leaves Cersei #GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/HKEL8wv0Sa
— Evan Oberhausen (@Obie_Trice13) August 28, 2017
Aegon Targaryen
Sam and Bran have finally pieced together the puzzle of Jon’s true identity.
Bran already knew that Jon is the son of Prince Rhaegar and his aunt Lyanna. Sam added the important detail that the Rhaegar’s first marriage was annulled and that he was secretly married to Lyanna, which made Jon a legitimate son. Bran revealed that Jon’s real name is Aegon Targaryen.
The two realize that Jon was never a bastard, but heir to the Iron Throne. Being the son of the last heir, he has a better claim to the Throne than Daenerys - she believes that the Throne is rightfully hers as she is the last Targaryen and the only living child of Aerys the Mad King.
I know I should be grossed out by Jon and Dany but....#GameOfThronesFinale pic.twitter.com/8QIqq2FzTy
— Meredith Corbett (@mcorbett77) August 28, 2017
Jon's identity is already making everything complicated.
Jon and Daenerys are on a ship en route to White Harbor. While there, the two have consummated their love – unbeknownst to both that they are related. Showrunner David Benioff said in the “Inside the Episode” commentary that the reveal complicates everything on a political and personal level.
Ice Viserion
In the penultimate episode “Beyond the Wall”, Viserion was killed by the Night King was turned into a wight-dragon. In “The Dragon and the Wolf”, wight-Viserion and his power were finally shown. The Night King himself rode Viserion and the dragon destroyed the Wall using his blue fire. With the Wall destroyed, the Army of Undead is now (officially) in Westeros.
Finding Tormund next season like: #GoTS7Finale pic.twitter.com/q7YQrB1V3g
— La Zanzy ☕️ (@neveradamnjoy) August 28, 2017
The destruction of the Wall, and Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, left fans wondering if Tormund Giantsbane and Beric Dondarrion are still alive.
The two were on top of the Wall and saw the Army and the wight-dragon coming. They were last seen running to safety from the attack, but still at the top of the Wall. Tormund actor, Kristofer Hivju, said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, that even he is not sure if his character will survive and that the chances don’t look good.
Fans may have to wait for late 2018 or early 2019 for the eighth and final season of "Game of Thrones."