Game of Thrones provided one of the most disappointing conclusions to a series in recent history; below we share some of the alternative endings shared by fans.
Game of Thrones is the fantasy drama series that first premiered on HBO Max in 2011.
By its third season, the series was not only the most watched series on the platform, but it was the most watched series globally, becoming a popular cultural phenomenon of the late 2010s.
Game of Thrones is lauded for its creation of a story that is rich with compelling characters and arcs, a growing and more expansive world with every season, and surprising plot twists and deaths of beloved and initially main characters.
For seven seasons, the series rode on this acclaim, but it all withered with the eighth season, that resulted in a disappointing conclusion that had so many fans suggesting alternative endings.
What was Game of Thrones?
Game of Thrones first premiered on HBO Max in 2011. The fantasy drama series was based on the series of unfinished books, A Song of Ice and Fire, by acclaimed author, George R.R Martin.
The series was created by David Benioff and D.B Weiss, the premise being, “Nine noble families fight for control over the lands of Westeros, while an ancient enemy returns after being dormant for millennia,” according to IMDb.
The series is considered the most decorated series in the history of television, as it holds the record for the most Primetime Emmys won in the history of the prestigious awards. The series won 59 Emmy awards during its eight-season run.
How Game of Thrones should have ended
The writing was on the wall that Game of Thrones was possibly not giving the series finale that fans desired at the beginning of season seven, which was the first season to have seven episodes and not the standard 10.
As such, season eight has six episodes, and since George R.R Martin did not complete the series of the books which inspired the series, it left the creators of the series to forge their own conclusion.
The result was an ending that was universally considered a disappointment, in light of the six-season build-up to who would control the lands of Westeros.
However, the end of the series saw Daenerys, the Mother of Dragons, turn into the Mad Queen, Bran Stark surprisingly becoming the ruler of Westeros, and Cersei Lannister’s anti-climactic death.
With these being the biggest disappointments from the series finale, we share alternative endings to the series as shared by fans of the show.
Daenerys Targaryen did not turn into the Mad Queen
The biggest contention of the entire series finale is how Daenerys Targaryen turned from being the beloved Mother of Dragons to the Mad Queen in an unjustified split-second.
While it is understood that she could have never ruled Westeros, as that would have been too predictable and uncharacteristic to the surprise twist and turns of the series, one of the most popular of the alternatives, is if just before setting Drogon on the town after hearing the bells of surrender, she did not.
Instead, she would have come to her senses and as she was about to fly away, she would have been shot down with Drogon.
In this ending, she would have served her purpose as the Breaker of Chains, got her happy ending, and the series would have eventually surprised fans with who the true ruler of Westeros was.
Sansa Stark or The Night King rule the iron throne
One of the most popular fan alternative endings is if Game of Thrones would have surprised everyone by letting The Night King and the White Walkers win the battle and rule the seven kingdoms.
As one fan wrote, “I think it might have been epic for the Night King to have been victorious, let the villain triumph for once, and end the season with him on an icy Iron Throne, surrounded with our faves trapped forever as White Walkers!”
Another popular alternative to who earned the Iron Throne, is Sansa Stark. Yes, she did become the Queen of the North, but fans felt she was more suited for the title than Bran, who was not even a major storyline in season five.
By the end of the series, Sansa had undergone one of the most compelling character arcs, which arguably made her the best suited of the Starks to sit on the Iron Throne.
Arya Stark kills Cersei
One of the biggest let-downs from the series was seeing its biggest antagonist, Cersei Lannister, die from a rockfall in the arms of her brother and lover, Jaime Lannister.
Fans wanted to see Cersei die at the hands of Arya Stark, as she completed all the names on her list of people that she wanted to kill.
Maisie Williams, who played Arya, also believed the same, as she suggested that even during the final moments, she would have preferred if Jaime would have removed his mask to reveal that it was Arya instead with Cersei.
Of course, this would have meant that she died too, but it would have at least provided the drama and plot twist that fans had come to love about Game of Thrones.
Final thoughts
Game of Thrones will arguably go down in recent history as the biggest finale let-down for fans. The finale failed in every element that makes a series conclusion memorable for good reasons.
The series failed in terms of having an ending that concluded the character arcs of the main characters succinctly and motivating the ending in a believable manner, but still providing the shock element that the series is known for.
As such, fans developed their own versions of alternative and arguably more satisfying endings.