“The Bells,” Season 8, Episode 5 of Game of Thrones, witnessed a cataclysmic transformation of King’s Landing into a smoldering graveyard, claiming countless lives. Key figures who met their fiery end included Varys, Euron Greyjoy, Jaime Lannister, Cersei Lannister, and the Hound (Sandor Clegane) alongside his brother, the Mountain (Gregor Clegane), but the truly staggering loss was the uncounted civilians who fell victim to Daenerys Targaryen’s brutal assault.
The Fallen: Key Characters and Their Demise
Season 8 Episode 5, “The Bells,” is arguably the most controversial episode of the entire Game of Thrones series, and much of that controversy stems from the shocking deaths and the manner in which they occurred. Let’s dissect the fates of the major players:
Varys: The Master of Whispers Silenced
Lord Varys, the Master of Whispers, had been subtly plotting to place Jon Snow on the Iron Throne, viewing him as a more benevolent and just ruler than Daenerys. His conspiracy was discovered by Tyrion, who was forced to reveal Varys’ treason to Daenerys. Varys paid the ultimate price for his perceived betrayal: Daenerys executed him by dragonfire, marking a swift and decisive end to his influence. This moment highlighted the growing paranoia and ruthlessness of the Dragon Queen.
Euron Greyjoy: A Pirate’s Last Stand
Euron Greyjoy, the self-proclaimed King of the Iron Islands, presented a formidable challenge to Daenerys’ forces at sea. However, during Daenerys’ fiery assault on King’s Landing, Euron’s fleet was decimated. He confronted Jaime Lannister on the shores below the Red Keep, engaging in a brutal, albeit brief, duel. Euron, despite being mortally wounded, inflicted injuries upon Jaime before succumbing to his wounds, declaring himself the “man who killed Jaime Lannister” in his final moments.
Jaime and Cersei Lannister: A Brother’s Embrace in Destruction
The most poignant deaths of the episode were undoubtedly those of Jaime and Cersei Lannister. Jaime, having abandoned Brienne and returned to King’s Landing, sought to rescue his sister and lover from the impending destruction. He found her in the Red Keep’s dungeons, attempting to escape. As the Red Keep collapsed under Daenerys’ dragonfire, Jaime and Cersei were crushed to death together in the bowels of the castle, fulfilling a part of Maggy the Frog’s prophecy. Their demise, while controversial in its perceived anticlimactic nature, brought a tragic end to their complex and ultimately destructive relationship.
The Cleganebowl: Brother Against Brother
The long-anticipated “Cleganebowl” finally arrived. Sandor “The Hound” Clegane confronted his zombified brother, Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane, in a brutal and visceral fight. The Hound ultimately triumphed by pushing both himself and his brother through a collapsing wall into the fiery depths below. Both Clegane brothers perished in the inferno, ending their lifelong rivalry in a suitably brutal and fiery conclusion. This fight offered a cathartic release for fans who had followed the Cleganes’ destructive relationship for seasons.
The Innocent: The Unsung Victims of War
Beyond the named characters, the most devastating loss was the immeasurable number of innocent civilians who perished in King’s Landing. Daenerys’ decision to incinerate the city, even after the bells of surrender had rung, resulted in the deaths of countless men, women, and children. This act cemented her descent into madness and cemented her role as a tyrannical force, devastating the lives of those she claimed to protect.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 12 frequently asked questions about the deaths in Game of Thrones Season 8, Episode 5:
FAQ 1: Why did Daenerys decide to burn King’s Landing after the city surrendered?
Daenerys’ decision is attributed to a combination of factors: the death of Missandei, the betrayal of Varys, and her long-held belief that she was destined to rule. These events fueled her paranoia and anger, leading to a catastrophic display of power intended to instill fear and secure her claim to the Iron Throne. The episode implies that she was fighting against the influence of the Lannisters that she felt she could not get rid of any other way.
FAQ 2: Could Jaime and Cersei have survived the collapse of the Red Keep?
The likelihood of their survival was incredibly slim. The Red Keep was undergoing a total collapse under immense weight and fire. The depiction makes it clear that they were trapped beneath a significant amount of rubble, making escape virtually impossible.
FAQ 3: Was Euron Greyjoy actually able to mortally wound Jaime Lannister?
Yes, Euron did indeed inflict wounds that contributed to Jaime’s death. While the collapsing Red Keep was the ultimate cause of death for Jaime and Cersei, Euron’s wounds weakened Jaime, making his escape even more difficult. The wounds were severe enough to be a contributing factor.
FAQ 4: Why did the Hound insist on facing his brother, the Mountain?
The Hound’s desire to confront the Mountain was driven by a lifelong hatred and need for revenge. Gregor had brutally scarred Sandor as a child, and Sandor’s life was dictated by a burning desire to settle the score with his brother. This was a deeply personal vendetta that overshadowed all other concerns.
FAQ 5: What significance did the ringing of the bells have in the episode?
The ringing of the bells was meant to signify the surrender of King’s Landing. According to the agreed-upon strategy, if the bells rang, Daenerys was to cease her attack. However, she chose to ignore the signal and continued her assault, leading to the city’s destruction.
FAQ 6: Could Varys have escaped execution?
Given Daenerys’ increasing paranoia and the gravity of his alleged treason, Varys had virtually no chance of escaping execution. Daenerys was determined to eliminate any perceived threats to her claim, and Varys’ open support for Jon Snow sealed his fate.
FAQ 7: Were there any other notable deaths in “The Bells” besides the main characters mentioned?
Yes, while not explicitly shown, Qyburn, Cersei’s hand, likely died during the Cleganebowl. He attempted to command the Mountain but was quickly dismissed and potentially killed off-screen. In addition, countless members of the Golden Company and Lannister army forces died during the battle.
FAQ 8: Why was Daenerys’ decision to burn King’s Landing so controversial?
The controversy stemmed from the fact that Daenerys attacked a city that had already surrendered, killing countless innocent civilians. This action contradicted her previous claims of being a liberator and revealed a ruthless side that many viewers found shocking and out of character based on her earlier actions.
FAQ 9: Did the deaths in “The Bells” feel rushed or earned?
This is a subjective matter, but many viewers felt that some deaths, particularly Jaime and Cersei’s, felt rushed and unsatisfying. Some argued that their complex character arcs deserved a more impactful and meaningful conclusion. Other viewers felt that Euron’s death was fitting due to him being a villain with no redeeming qualities.
FAQ 10: How did the deaths in “The Bells” affect the remaining characters?
The deaths had a profound impact on the remaining characters. Jon Snow was left questioning his allegiance to Daenerys, Tyrion Lannister was devastated by his family’s demise and Daenerys’ actions, and Arya Stark was left disillusioned by the horrors of war.
FAQ 11: What purpose did the “Cleganebowl” serve in the overall narrative?
The “Cleganebowl” served as a cathartic conclusion to the long-standing rivalry between the Clegane brothers. It offered a visceral and brutal payoff for a storyline that had been brewing since the first season, providing a sense of closure for fans who had followed their destructive relationship.
FAQ 12: Ultimately, was Daenerys responsible for the deaths of Jaime and Cersei?
While Jaime and Cersei were physically killed by the collapsing Red Keep, Daenerys bears significant responsibility for their deaths. Her decision to burn King’s Landing directly led to the castle’s destruction and their demise. Without her attack, they likely would have survived.