Season 8, Episode 5 of Game of Thrones, “The Bells,” witnessed Daenerys Targaryen, fueled by loss and perceived betrayal, make the fateful decision to unleash Drogon upon King’s Landing even after the city had surrendered, culminating in the near-total destruction of the capital and the massacre of countless innocent civilians. This act, irrevocably altering Daenerys’s image, dramatically shifted the trajectory of the series, leading to profound consequences for Westeros and its remaining power players.
The Burning of King’s Landing: A Descent into Madness?
The episode pivots entirely on Daenerys’s state of mind. Following the deaths of Missandei and Jorah, coupled with Jon’s rejection of her romantic advances and his claim to the Iron Throne, Daenerys arrives at King’s Landing a woman teetering on the edge. While the surrender bells signal victory for the allied forces of Daenerys and Jon, they also represent a critical choice: to show mercy or to succumb to the Targaryen madness.
Daenerys chooses fire. She sees not the victory she fought for, but the symbols of her perceived enemies: the Red Keep, the Iron Throne, and the Lannister forces. Drogon’s flames, initially targeting the Iron Fleet and the Golden Company, soon engulf the entire city, transforming King’s Landing into a fiery inferno.
The episode masterfully uses visuals to portray the horror. We see the destruction through the eyes of Arya Stark and Sandor Clegane, who navigate the chaos, witnessing the agonizing deaths of countless innocents. The strategic placement of their perspective underscores the moral implications of Daenerys’s actions.
The motivations behind Daenerys’s decision are complex and have been heavily debated. Some argue that the show rushed her descent into madness, failing to adequately build the necessary groundwork. Others suggest that the seeds of this destruction were sown throughout the series, pointing to her ruthlessness in Essos and her burning of the Tarlys. Regardless of the interpretation, “The Bells” marks a turning point, solidifying Daenerys’s transformation from a liberator to a destroyer.
Key Characters and Their Fates
“The Bells” not only depicted the fall of King’s Landing but also delivered closure, or at least a form of conclusion, to several significant character arcs.
Jaime and Cersei Lannister
The episode culminates in the deaths of Jaime and Cersei Lannister. Abandoning their respective allies and responsibilities, they ultimately reunite and attempt to escape the Red Keep. However, their path is blocked, and they are crushed by falling debris in the crypts beneath the castle. Their demise, while poetic in its shared end, was met with mixed reactions from fans, many of whom felt that Cersei deserved a more fitting end for her complex villainy.
Varys’s Final Act
Lord Varys, ever the pragmatist and concerned for the realm, is executed by Daenerys for treason after attempting to convince Jon Snow to usurp her claim to the Iron Throne. His death, while swift, highlights his unwavering dedication to the good of Westeros, even at the cost of his own life. He knew Daenerys had become a danger and acted accordingly.
Cleganebowl
The highly anticipated Cleganebowl finally materialized, pitting Sandor “The Hound” Clegane against his zombified brother, Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane. The brutal fight ends with Sandor sacrificing himself to kill his monstrous brother, plunging both of them from the collapsing Red Keep into the fiery depths below. This clash fulfilled a longstanding prophecy and brought closure to the Hound’s internal conflict.
Visual Spectacle vs. Narrative Coherence
While “The Bells” delivered stunning visual effects and spectacle, its narrative choices sparked significant controversy. The episode’s fast pace and character motivations felt rushed to many viewers, detracting from the emotional impact. The burning of King’s Landing, though visually impressive, was seen by some as a betrayal of Daenerys’s established character. The focus on spectacle, arguably, came at the expense of nuanced storytelling.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the events and surrounding context of Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 5:
FAQ 1: Why did Daenerys burn King’s Landing after the bells rang?
Daenerys’s decision was driven by a combination of factors. She felt isolated and betrayed, fueled by the loss of her closest advisors (Missandei, Jorah), Jon’s rejection of her, and the growing threat of his claim to the Iron Throne. Seeing the city that her family once ruled but was taken from them, combined with years of feeling like an outsider, led her to see the city and its inhabitants as enemies, despite their surrender. It was a breaking point reflecting a descent into paranoia and a belief that fear, not love, was the only way to rule.
FAQ 2: Was Daenerys’s turn predictable, or was it rushed?
This is a hotly debated topic. Some argue that Daenerys’s ruthlessness was evident throughout the series, pointing to her actions in Essos and the burning of the Tarlys as precursors to her ultimate decision. Others believe that the show rushed her descent into madness, failing to adequately build the necessary psychological groundwork. The compressed timeline of Season 8 certainly contributed to the feeling of a sudden shift for some viewers.
FAQ 3: What was the significance of the bells ringing?
The ringing of the bells signified the surrender of King’s Landing to Daenerys’s forces. It was meant to prevent further bloodshed and destruction. However, Daenerys ignored the surrender and chose to unleash Drogon’s fire upon the city regardless. This act of defiance directly contradicted the established rules of warfare and further highlighted her descent into madness.
FAQ 4: Why did Jaime go back to Cersei?
Jaime’s decision to return to Cersei, despite her evil nature and his own growth as a character, was a complex and controversial one. He claimed to Jon Snow that he was not a good man and that he always hated what Cersei had become and wanted to change her, but ultimately, he was drawn back to her by an undeniable, toxic bond. This choice was seen by many as a regression of his character arc and a disservice to his development.
FAQ 5: Was the Cleganebowl satisfying?
Whether the Cleganebowl was satisfying is subjective. It delivered on years of hype and anticipation, providing a brutal and visceral fight between the two brothers. However, some viewers felt that the fight was anticlimactic, focusing more on spectacle than emotional resonance. The circumstances of their deaths – both falling into the flames – were also viewed as somewhat underwhelming by some.
FAQ 6: What happened to Euron Greyjoy in this episode?
Euron Greyjoy encountered Jaime Lannister on the shore outside of the Red Keep. They engaged in a brief but violent fight, during which Euron fatally wounded Jaime. However, Jaime ultimately prevailed, killing Euron before collapsing from his own injuries. Euron’s death was largely overshadowed by the larger events of the episode.
FAQ 7: How did Arya survive the destruction of King’s Landing?
Arya survived the destruction of King’s Landing by navigating the chaos and destruction with Sandor Clegane. While witnessing horrific scenes of death and destruction, they made their way through the city. After The Hound’s death, Arya saw a white horse standing among the carnage, took it, and rode away from the city.
FAQ 8: What was the white horse Arya found?
The white horse is generally interpreted as a symbol of hope or salvation amidst the devastation. Its presence offers a glimmer of light in the darkness and suggests that even after such immense destruction, there is still a possibility for renewal and a new beginning. Some believe it represents the Lord of Light or a form of divine intervention.
FAQ 9: Why didn’t Jon try to stop Daenerys?
Jon was clearly shocked and horrified by Daenerys’s actions. He hesitated to directly confront her, likely because he was still loyal to her and grappling with the implications of her descent into madness. He also likely knew that any attempt to stop her in the midst of her rage would be futile and potentially suicidal.
FAQ 10: What consequences did Daenerys face for her actions?
Daenerys’s actions in King’s Landing led to widespread condemnation and ultimately resulted in her assassination by Jon Snow in the series finale. Her descent into tyranny made her unfit to rule, and her actions necessitated a drastic intervention to prevent further bloodshed and oppression.
FAQ 11: How did Varys know Daenerys was a danger to the realm?
Varys had observed Daenerys’s behavior closely throughout her time in Westeros. He saw her increasing ruthlessness, her willingness to use fear as a weapon, and her growing paranoia. He also recognized the influence of her advisors and the potential for her to become a tyrannical ruler. His primary concern was always the well-being of the realm, and he concluded that Daenerys posed a significant threat to its stability.
FAQ 12: What was the intended message of “The Bells”?
While interpretations vary widely, the intended message of “The Bells” appears to be a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power, the corrosive effects of trauma and grief, and the importance of moral choices. It explores the complexities of leadership and the devastating consequences of prioritizing personal ambition over the well-being of the people. The episode also highlights the importance of accountability and the need to confront even the most powerful individuals when they abuse their authority.