Even with all the controversy over the final season of Game of Thrones, HBO’s flagship show still came away with a whopping 32 Emmy nominations, including an “Outstanding Writing” nod for that extremely polarizing finale. Of course, your mileage may vary as to whether the Emmy nom is actually deserved, but luckily, you can now decide for yourself. The official Emmy website has released the full script of GOT season 8 episode 6,”The Iron Throne.” And while it doesn’t answer any of the lingering questions we have about the world of the show going forward, it does contain quite a few surprising revelations—including one major detail about a certain character’s decision to do you-know-what to the Thingy McThingFace.
(Major spoilers for Game of Thrones ahead, so click at your own peril.)
But first, we’re gonna leave some dragon-sized spoiler fillers here for those of you with big screens.
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1. Drogon’s motivations for burning the Iron Throne
The biggest reveal is why Drogon decided to melt down the Iron Throne. Whether you thought the moment was a frisson-inducing symbolic gesture against the corrupting influence of power, or cheesy and on-the-nose, or even both, it seemed that Drogon burned the Iron Throne to the ground knowing full well what he was doing.
As it turns out, this is extremely not the case. Like an angsty teen, Drogon simply “wants to burn the world.” Here’s the directions from the script (emphasis ours):
Drogon wants to burn the world but he will not kill Jon.
He breathes fire on the back wall, blasting down what remains of the great red blocks of stone.
We look over Jon’s shoulder as the fire sweeps toward the throne— not the target of Drogon’s wrath, just a dumb bystander caught up in the conflagration.
We look through the blades of the throne as the flames engulf it, and blast the wall behind it.
2. Why everyone voted for Bran
Whether you thought Tyrion’s “Bran has the best story” speech was convincing or not, the folks on-screen certainly found it rousing enough to throw down their votes. The script, however, breaks down the Lords and Ladies’ individual reasons for saying “Aye,” and it turns out not everyone was doing so because of Tyrion’s rhetorical skills.
Edmure is still be miffed he wasn’t given serious consideration, but he expects he’ll have influence at court if his crippled nephew is ruling.
EDMURE
Aye.Gendry is happy to go along.
GENDRY
Aye.Yara has heard that her brother died defending Bran. She knows this choice would make Theon happy.
YARA
Aye.Brienne is a Stark loyalist and represents House Tarth.
BRIENNE
Aye.DAVOS
I’m not sure I get a vote. But aye.One by one, the lords of Westeros express their support for Bran. Tyrion is very pleased.
3. Jon doesn’t forgive Sansa for betraying his confidence
Jon stands in front of Sansa. He hasn’t entirely forgiven her for betraying the oath he made her swear in the godswood.
SANSA
I wish there had been another way.(beat)
I’m sorry it had to be you.
Jon nods. He knows she loves him. He knows she only wants what’s best for the North. But still…
SANSA
Can you forgive me?He hesitates.
JON
The North is free, thanks to you.She accepts the compliment.
SANSA
But they’ve lost their true king.JON
Ned Stark’s daughter will speak for them. She’s the best they could ask for.Jon and Sansa embrace.
See? What a sneaky, non-committal answer, Jon.
4. Arya is Jon’s favorite sibling
Yes, after everything the Starks have gone through together, Jon still ranks his siblings, and Arya comes in first.
ARYA
No one knows. It’s where the maps stop. That’s where I’m going.Jon was not prepared for this. This is the last time he will ever see his favorite sibling.
5. And Jon is Arya’s favorite brother
Over Sansa’s shoulder, Jon sees Arya crying. She hasn’t cried in years but she does now, for the brother she always loved most.
6. Bran’s weirdness is 100% intentional
BRAN
And Drogon? Any word?SAMWELL
He was last spotted flying east.BRONN
The father away the better.BRAN
Perhaps I can find him. Do carry on with the rest.That’s weird. But so is the new king.
You can read the full thing here.
What other surprises did you find in the script of “The Iron Throne”?
