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Games of Thrones season 8

Everything you need to know about the final season.

Who won the Game of Thrones — and why it matters — explainedWho won the Game of Thrones — and why it matters — explained
Games of Thrones season 8

The choice is unexpected, but it fits in with the series’ larger themes about power on both page and screen.

By Emily St. James
20 lingering questions about the Game of Thrones series finale20 lingering questions about the Game of Thrones series finale
Games of Thrones season 8

So, did Jon Snow being a Targaryen really even matter?

By Alex Abad-Santos
Where the Game of Thrones series finale left every major characterWhere the Game of Thrones series finale left every major character
Games of Thrones season 8

The show is over, and many characters ended up in very different places from where they began.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Who won the Game of Thrones — and why it matters — explained
Games of Thrones season 8

The choice is unexpected, but it fits in with the series’ larger themes about power on both page and screen.

By Emily St. James
20 lingering questions about the Game of Thrones series finale
Games of Thrones season 8

So, did Jon Snow being a Targaryen really even matter?

By Alex Abad-Santos
Where the Game of Thrones series finale left every major character
Games of Thrones season 8

The show is over, and many characters ended up in very different places from where they began.

By Alex Abad-Santos

The game of thrones is over, just as Game of Thrones is over.

All six of the final episodes of HBO’s blockbuster fantasy epic Game of Thrones have aired, and we now know how it all ends. It’s safe to say this outcome is not what most people were expecting.

Vox’s Todd VanDerWerff says that “anticlimactic” might be the best way to describe the series finale: “It dutifully trudges through Game of Thrones’ remaining plot points, arriving at an ending that is just fine, until you start to think about it for a couple of minutes.”

On the one hand, the new ruler of Westeros is arguably someone whom many fans least expected. But on the other, given Game of Thrones’ often contentious politics, what happened in the final episode, “The Iron Throne,” was completely predictable, writes Vox’s Aja Romano.

Dig into our coverage of the show’s final season, from how Game of Thrones uses costume design to show power to an explainer on the next book in the Song of Ice and Fire series, The Winds of Winter.

Explainers

How Game of Thrones uses costume design to show power
Play
Dothraki spoken here
Game of Thrones tourism is wildly popular — and not just because the show is a hit
The evolution of Sansa Stark, explained by her costumes
Play
How Game of Thrones’ Arya and Sansa played the game of gender politics and won
Why do we need Game of Thrones Oreos, makeup, and Mountain Dew?
This Targaryen family tree explains Jon Snow’s parentage — and sets up House of the Dragon
Game of Thrones won’t be the last TV show everyone cares about
R+L=J: a comprehensive oral history of Game of Thrones’ ultimate fan theory
Game of Thrones’ Mad Queen theory, explained
How Game of Thrones uses costume design to show powerHow Game of Thrones uses costume design to show power
Play
Dothraki spoken hereDothraki spoken here
Game of Thrones tourism is wildly popular — and not just because the show is a hitGame of Thrones tourism is wildly popular — and not just because the show is a hit
The evolution of Sansa Stark, explained by her costumesThe evolution of Sansa Stark, explained by her costumes
Play
How Game of Thrones’ Arya and Sansa played the game of gender politics and wonHow Game of Thrones’ Arya and Sansa played the game of gender politics and won
Why do we need Game of Thrones Oreos, makeup, and Mountain Dew?Why do we need Game of Thrones Oreos, makeup, and Mountain Dew?
This Targaryen family tree explains Jon Snow’s parentage — and sets up House of the DragonThis Targaryen family tree explains Jon Snow’s parentage — and sets up House of the Dragon
Game of Thrones won’t be the last TV show everyone cares aboutGame of Thrones won’t be the last TV show everyone cares about
R+L=J: a comprehensive oral history of Game of Thrones’ ultimate fan theoryR+L=J: a comprehensive oral history of Game of Thrones’ ultimate fan theory
Game of Thrones’ Mad Queen theory, explainedGame of Thrones’ Mad Queen theory, explained

Episode 1: Winterfell

Episode 2: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Episode 3: The Long Night

Episode 4: The Last of the Starks

4 winners and 6 losers from Game of Thrones’ disappointing “The Last of the Starks”
Game of Thrones’ Missandei controversy, explained
Game of Thrones: how Euron Greyjoy evened up Cersei’s war against Daenerys
The political science of why Game of Thrones’ Daenerys may be a terrible queen
Game of Thrones is spending its last hours ruining Daenerys Targaryen
Why Game of Thrones fans are outraged over the show’s treatment of Ghost
How an errant Starbucks cup became a metaphor for Game of Thrones season 8
Game of Thrones still can’t figure out what it wants to say about trauma
Game of Thrones’ dark turn for Daenerys has been long in the making
Game of Thrones’ director tried to explain what happened with Ghost. It didn’t help.
4 winners and 6 losers from Game of Thrones’ disappointing “The Last of the Starks”4 winners and 6 losers from Game of Thrones’ disappointing “The Last of the Starks”
Game of Thrones’ Missandei controversy, explainedGame of Thrones’ Missandei controversy, explained
Game of Thrones: how Euron Greyjoy evened up Cersei’s war against DaenerysGame of Thrones: how Euron Greyjoy evened up Cersei’s war against Daenerys
The political science of why Game of Thrones’ Daenerys may be a terrible queenThe political science of why Game of Thrones’ Daenerys may be a terrible queen
Game of Thrones is spending its last hours ruining Daenerys TargaryenGame of Thrones is spending its last hours ruining Daenerys Targaryen
Why Game of Thrones fans are outraged over the show’s treatment of GhostWhy Game of Thrones fans are outraged over the show’s treatment of Ghost
How an errant Starbucks cup became a metaphor for Game of Thrones season 8How an errant Starbucks cup became a metaphor for Game of Thrones season 8
Game of Thrones still can’t figure out what it wants to say about traumaGame of Thrones still can’t figure out what it wants to say about trauma
Game of Thrones’ dark turn for Daenerys has been long in the makingGame of Thrones’ dark turn for Daenerys has been long in the making
Game of Thrones’ director tried to explain what happened with Ghost. It didn’t help.Game of Thrones’ director tried to explain what happened with Ghost. It didn’t help.

Episode 5: The Bells

Who died in Game of Thrones’ battle of King’s Landing, and who survived: the full list
4 winners and 10 losers from Game of Thrones’ next-to-last episode, “The Bells”
Game of Thrones says goodbye to two of its biggest characters, badly
Game of Thrones: does Arya’s “green eyes” prophecy mean she’ll kill Daenerys?
Game of Thrones’ long-awaited Cleganebowl, explained
Game of Thrones’ series finale preview teases one final fight
Game of Thrones’ King’s Landing horror fittingly reveals what the show has always been about
How Game of Thrones did Daenerys wrong
A petition to remake Game of Thrones’ 8th season offers a revealing glimpse of wider fandom backlash
Who died in Game of Thrones’ battle of King’s Landing, and who survived: the full listWho died in Game of Thrones’ battle of King’s Landing, and who survived: the full list
4 winners and 10 losers from Game of Thrones’ next-to-last episode, “The Bells”4 winners and 10 losers from Game of Thrones’ next-to-last episode, “The Bells”
Game of Thrones says goodbye to two of its biggest characters, badlyGame of Thrones says goodbye to two of its biggest characters, badly
Game of Thrones: does Arya’s “green eyes” prophecy mean she’ll kill Daenerys?Game of Thrones: does Arya’s “green eyes” prophecy mean she’ll kill Daenerys?
Game of Thrones’ long-awaited Cleganebowl, explainedGame of Thrones’ long-awaited Cleganebowl, explained
Game of Thrones’ series finale preview teases one final fightGame of Thrones’ series finale preview teases one final fight
Game of Thrones’ King’s Landing horror fittingly reveals what the show has always been aboutGame of Thrones’ King’s Landing horror fittingly reveals what the show has always been about
How Game of Thrones did Daenerys wrongHow Game of Thrones did Daenerys wrong
A petition to remake Game of Thrones’ 8th season offers a revealing glimpse of wider fandom backlashA petition to remake Game of Thrones’ 8th season offers a revealing glimpse of wider fandom backlash

Episode 6: The Iron Throne

Who won the Game of Thrones — and why it matters — explained
5 winners and 9 losers from Game of Thrones’ series finale
Where the Game of Thrones series finale left every major character
20 lingering questions about the Game of Thrones series finale
The Game of Thrones finale had a chance to break the wheel. It upheld the status quo.
Game of Thrones’ finale betrayed the show’s core themes
Game of Thrones’ finale revealed Jon and Dany’s story was a tragic one
Game of Thrones’ finale had another on-set snafu: plastic water bottles
Game of Thrones finally acknowledged Ghost as the very good dog he is
There’s hope for a better Game of Thrones ending in George R.R. Martin’s books
The Winds of Winter, explained: what we know about the next Game of Thrones book
Game of Thrones fans are giving Brienne the ending she deserved
What Sansa Stark’s coronation hairstyle says about her character development
Game of Thrones is over. Giant TV hits aren’t going anywhere.
Who won the Game of Thrones — and why it matters — explainedWho won the Game of Thrones — and why it matters — explained
5 winners and 9 losers from Game of Thrones’ series finale5 winners and 9 losers from Game of Thrones’ series finale
Where the Game of Thrones series finale left every major characterWhere the Game of Thrones series finale left every major character
20 lingering questions about the Game of Thrones series finale20 lingering questions about the Game of Thrones series finale
The Game of Thrones finale had a chance to break the wheel. It upheld the status quo.The Game of Thrones finale had a chance to break the wheel. It upheld the status quo.
Game of Thrones’ finale betrayed the show’s core themesGame of Thrones’ finale betrayed the show’s core themes
Game of Thrones’ finale revealed Jon and Dany’s story was a tragic oneGame of Thrones’ finale revealed Jon and Dany’s story was a tragic one
Game of Thrones’ finale had another on-set snafu: plastic water bottlesGame of Thrones’ finale had another on-set snafu: plastic water bottles
Game of Thrones finally acknowledged Ghost as the very good dog he isGame of Thrones finally acknowledged Ghost as the very good dog he is
There’s hope for a better Game of Thrones ending in George R.R. Martin’s booksThere’s hope for a better Game of Thrones ending in George R.R. Martin’s books
The Winds of Winter, explained: what we know about the next Game of Thrones bookThe Winds of Winter, explained: what we know about the next Game of Thrones book
Game of Thrones fans are giving Brienne the ending she deservedGame of Thrones fans are giving Brienne the ending she deserved
What Sansa Stark’s coronation hairstyle says about her character developmentWhat Sansa Stark’s coronation hairstyle says about her character development
Game of Thrones is over. Giant TV hits aren’t going anywhere.Game of Thrones is over. Giant TV hits aren’t going anywhere.