In the penultimate episode of Game of Thrones, “The Bells,” Daenerys Targaryen, succumbing to a brutal combination of grief, paranoia, and perceived betrayal, unleashes the full destructive power of Drogon upon King’s Landing, obliterating the city and its innocent inhabitants despite the surrender of the Lannister forces. This catastrophic event forces Jon Snow to confront the horrifying consequences of his alliance with Daenerys and sets the stage for a final, desperate struggle for the Iron Throne.
The Unfurling of Madness: A Blow-by-Blow Account
The episode opens with Varys, still plotting against Daenerys and advocating for Jon’s claim to the throne. His continued defiance, despite knowing the consequences, highlights his unwavering belief in prioritizing the realm’s well-being above loyalty to a potentially tyrannical ruler. Daenerys, aware of Varys’ treachery, executes him for treason, further isolating herself and demonstrating her increasingly volatile temperament.
Tyrion, despite knowing the risks, pleads with Daenerys to show mercy to the people of King’s Landing. He arranges for Jaime Lannister to be released from captivity with the hope that he can convince Cersei to surrender and prevent bloodshed. This desperate gamble underscores Tyrion’s enduring belief in reason and diplomacy, even in the face of impending doom.
As the battle commences, the combined forces of Daenerys’ army and the Northern armies clash with the Lannister forces outside King’s Landing. Grey Worm, driven by vengeance for Missandei’s death, fights with ruthless efficiency. The battle initially favors the defenders, but Daenerys, riding Drogon, swiftly decimates the Iron Fleet and breaches the city walls.
With the Lannister army effectively defeated and the Golden Company annihilated, the bells of King’s Landing ring, signaling the city’s surrender. However, Daenerys, seemingly deaf to the plea for peace, ignores the surrender and unleashes a fiery inferno upon the city. The indiscriminate destruction transforms King’s Landing into a raging inferno, incinerating countless innocent civilians and solidifying Daenerys’ descent into madness.
Jaime reaches Cersei in the Red Keep, and they attempt to escape. However, their escape route is blocked, and they are crushed beneath the collapsing Red Keep in a poignant and tragic end to their complex and destructive relationship. Their demise, while fitting in a karmic sense, highlights the futility of their power games in the face of overwhelming force.
Jon Snow, witnessing the carnage, is horrified by Daenerys’ actions and struggles to reconcile his love for her with the devastating consequences of her choices. The episode ends with Jon’s inner conflict unresolved, setting the stage for the difficult choices he must make in the final episode.
Unpacking the Episode’s Key Moments and Implications
This episode is significant not just for its spectacle but for its profound narrative implications. The destruction of King’s Landing serves as a pivotal moment, irrevocably altering the power dynamics in Westeros and forcing the surviving characters to confront the consequences of their choices. Daenerys’ actions shatter the perception of her as a liberator, transforming her into a figure of fear and tyranny.
The episode also grapples with themes of power, duty, and the corrosive effects of grief and loss. Daenerys’ descent into madness is portrayed as a culmination of traumatic experiences, manipulated by advisors and fueled by a sense of entitlement to the Iron Throne.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about “The Bells”
H3 Why did Daenerys burn King’s Landing after the surrender?
Daenerys’ decision to burn King’s Landing despite the surrender is attributed to a complex mix of factors. Foremost is her grief over the loss of Missandei, Rhaegal, and Jorah, coupled with a growing paranoia fueled by Varys’ betrayal and her perception that the people of Westeros did not truly love her. She felt that breaking the wheel required not just conquering, but also completely reshaping the existing power structures, which meant eliminating the symbols of the old order – even at the cost of innocent lives. Ultimately, it’s a descent into tyranny fueled by fear and a thirst for power.
H3 Was Daenerys always destined to become the Mad Queen?
The show provides hints throughout its run that Daenerys possessed a Targaryen capacity for ruthlessness. Her actions, such as crucifying the masters in Meereen and burning the Tarlys, demonstrated a willingness to resort to extreme measures. However, the speed and severity of her descent in Season 8 are arguably accelerated, leading to debates about the writing’s consistency. While the seeds were present, the execution of her madness felt rushed to some viewers.
H3 What was the significance of the bells ringing?
The bells ringing were meant to signify the surrender of King’s Landing. This signal was agreed upon as a prearranged condition of battle, signifying that the city was conceding defeat and Daenerys should cease her attack. However, Daenerys ignored the signal, viewing it as a sign of weakness and an opportunity to completely crush her enemies. The bells’ ringing became a symbol of Daenerys’ refusal to show mercy.
H3 Why didn’t Jaime and Cersei escape the Red Keep?
Jaime and Cersei’s escape was thwarted by the collapsing structure of the Red Keep itself, a consequence of Daenerys’ fiery assault. They found their exit blocked by rubble, leaving them trapped in the bowels of the castle. Their fate emphasizes the indiscriminate nature of war and the inevitability of destruction.
H3 What was the purpose of Varys trying to poison Daenerys?
Varys, believing that Jon Snow was a better ruler than Daenerys, attempted to poison her to prevent her from taking the Iron Throne. He saw Daenerys’ increasingly erratic behavior as a threat to the stability of the realm and considered Jon, with his proven leadership and honorable character, a more suitable candidate. Varys acted out of a misguided sense of duty to the people of Westeros.
H3 Why did Tyrion release Jaime from captivity?
Tyrion released Jaime in a desperate attempt to convince Cersei to surrender and prevent further bloodshed. He believed that Jaime, driven by his love for Cersei, might be able to persuade her to choose peace over war. Tyrion still held onto the hope that diplomacy could prevail, even in the face of overwhelming odds. He clung to the hope of saving lives, even if it meant betraying Daenerys.
H3 How did the Golden Company get defeated so easily?
The Golden Company, hyped up throughout the season, was swiftly defeated due to Daenerys’ Drogon’s fiery assault. The dragon’s fire easily decimated their ranks, nullifying their numerical advantage and siege weapons. Their defeat demonstrated the overwhelming power of a dragon in warfare.
H3 What role did Jon Snow play in the episode?
Jon Snow fought valiantly during the initial stages of the battle, leading his forces against the Lannister army. However, he was ultimately powerless to stop Daenerys’ rampage. Witnessing the slaughter of innocent civilians deeply disturbed him, forcing him to confront the horrifying consequences of his alliance with Daenerys. He served as a moral compass witnessing the horror unfold.
H3 How did Grey Worm’s character change in this episode?
Grey Worm’s character underwent a significant transformation in “The Bells.” Driven by grief and anger over Missandei’s death, he became ruthless and vengeful, showing no mercy to the Lannister soldiers even after the surrender. His actions demonstrated the corrupting influence of war and the devastating impact of personal loss. He became a symbol of the dehumanizing effects of conflict.
H3 What were the strategic implications of destroying King’s Landing?
The destruction of King’s Landing had profound strategic implications. It eliminated a major center of power and population, destabilizing the entire realm. It also solidified Daenerys’ control through fear, eliminating any potential resistance and paving the way for her to claim the Iron Throne unopposed (at least initially). It was a scorched-earth strategy designed to ensure absolute dominion.
H3 Did Daenerys win after burning King’s Landing?
In a twisted sense, Daenerys “won” the battle of King’s Landing. She achieved her objective of seizing control of the city and eliminating her enemies. However, her victory came at an immense cost, both in terms of human life and her own moral standing. She won the battle but lost the war for her soul.
H3 What does this episode set up for the final episode?
“The Bells” sets the stage for a final, desperate struggle for the future of Westeros. Jon Snow must confront the reality of Daenerys’ tyranny and decide whether he can stand by her side, knowing the horrors she is capable of. The remaining characters must grapple with the destruction and decide how to rebuild a shattered realm. It paves the way for a final confrontation over the throne and the future of Westeros.