Rewriting Game of Thrones S8

We'll start with episode three.

After watching The Long Night, the Great War between the living and the Night King's army only produced lackluster writing layered with excellent cinematography. Before rewriting the eighth season of the TV adaptation of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, we'll take considerations into mind.

1. The series is being rushed. Production costs are presumably tightened, hence, there are limitations to the storytelling.

2. Martin has not yet finished the books, which explains why the writers may be fumbling on how to finish the series.

3. The framework of the story line will still be followed, as a form of respect to the efforts made by the directors and the production crew.

4. A lack of military expertise limits this revision only into changing fragments of the story and further expounding its lead up to episode 5 and 6.

The framework will still be kept intact from Episode 3 to Episode 6: from the Great War, to Arya Stark killing the Night King, the remaining forces marching south to King's Landing, Dany becoming the Mad Queen, and the Starks' epilogue. But I have one huge change to do.

Episode 3: The Long Night

Perhaps the most common criticism over the outcome of this battle was that it was short-lived. The Night King has been kept under construction since season one to make the audience anticipate his arrival along with the Winter he brings with him. Many have been anticipating an epic duel between the Night King and Jon Snow but really, what makes Arya Stark an unsatisfactory candidate? The only problem with her is her ability to become invisible, but there is a remedy for that.

So let's start from the beginning. Melisandre arrives at Winterfell with the Lord of Light materialising his powers through her. The (underused) catapults are launched first before the Dothraki horde march onward, so they can at least gain sight of the enemies. Most of them die. The direwolf Ghost and Ser Jorah Mormont stay behind instead.

Why? To justify plot armour. Ghost and Jorah should have died along with most of the Dothraki if they joined in clashing with the undead head on.

The battle progresses to the Northern soldiers joined by Ser Jamie Lannister, Ser Brianne of Tarth, Tormund, Gendry Baratheon, Eddison Tollet, Samwell Tarly, Greyworm, Beric Dondarrion, Sandor Clegane, and Podrick Payne. Sam scurries back into hiding, because Edd does not need to die to justify his thick plot armour. This fight is as quick as the death of the Dothraki squad, with the dragons' arrival becoming a lifesaver.

Melisandre lights up the trench. End of Act 1.

Here's a good change: Bran does not warg away his consciousness. He stays with Theon Greyjoy; showing respect to the people protecting him. Really, Bran was given no purpose in contributing in this battle other than watching the spectacle and transcribing the events later.

Now, up in the skies. The Night King and Viserion attempt to burn Dany. Her garments turn to ashes, and she smirks. The Night King is knocked off Viserion. Dany attempts to burn him, but the Night King smirks at her as well. Much epic, if they decide to show the Night King actually has emotions.

The Night King raises the dead. People in the Crypt die, including the little girl that reminded Ser Davos Seaworth of Shireen Baratheon. And Samwell's beloved Gilly.

Sam, as he should have been, dies during the onslaught of their revived comrades.

Now here's where it gets interesting. With Theon gone and Jon already near the gate leading to the Weirwood Tree where Bran is, how does Arya Stark sneak up on the Night King? Instead of facing Viserion, Jon instead struggles to come to his brother's aid as he combats the wights surrounding the area. That's when Arya comes in. Jon shouts "Go!" as he distracts the wights. The White Walkers do not notice her presence. Arya kills the Night King.

Episode 4: The Last of the Starks

Jon pets Ghost.

Dany confides with Missandei her insecurities over the lack of love and admiration she is receiving from the people of Westeros, and reveals that Jon has the better claim to the Irone Throne. Missandei's words become Dany's assurance and comfort. This also reinforces using Missandei as a plot device to paint Dany as the Mad Queen.

On a side note though, if Gendry so loved Arya, he would have sailed with her to whatever is west of Westeros. Just saying. But women don't need men, so we can scratch that out. And their romance is not that fully developed for him to dedicate his life to her.

Now, on with addressing the plot hole. Varys emphasises that the Iron Fleet is still in King's Landing after accompanying the Golden Company. This should be enough to justify their shock over the Iron Fleet's surprise attack at Dragonstone.

And those Scorpions aren't just installed on Euron Greyjoy's ships. They have prepared some on Dragonstone's walls as well, making it more possible to hit Dany and her dragons.

It is highly improbable for Missandei to be captured as Greyworm will prioritise her safety. Moreover, it is insufficient for her death to trigger the nature of Daenerys' Targaryen lineage. But fine, let's presume they were able to capture Dany's most trusted advisor.

Episode 5: The Bells

Painting Daenerys Targaryen as the Mad Queen lacked sufficient cause. The reasons that writers upheld are (a) her Targaryen lineage, (b) the "brutalities" she has done, (c) and her image as an invader in the eyes of King's Landing's residents.

But here's a change not aligned with the framework: what if Missandei was not captured, and they instead built on Dany's insecurity of not being admired by the people of Westeros while losing the support of her allies one by one?

Greyworm is loyal to Missandei as he is to Dany, promising to go with her to her hometown of Naath once his Queen's war is over. Picking up on Dany's actions from season 7, she tells the Lannister soldiers to surrender or die while the bells toll. Despite dropping their swords in contrast with Cersei's confidence that they wouldn't, Dany still orders the Unsullied to kill the Lannister army but Jon stops them. He implores that the city has surrendered and that there is no need for more bloodshed. With Greyworm eager to end the war, he agrees to Jon's command and does not heed Dany. This triggers her lunacy; shocked that her army has now refused to follow her and that Jon's order weighed heavily than hers. She proceeds to obliterate the Lannister army and destroys the Red Keep.

How about if we follow the original story, with Missandei captured and beheaded? The idea above wouldn't work since nothing can stop Greyworm from not heeding Daenerys' order. The only way her Madness can be triggered is if the Lannister army betrays the tolling bells. One of the soldiers throws a spear onto Greyworm, while the people sheltered inside their houses throw objects to aid the Lannister army in their assault of the foreign invader's army. Greyworm's death triggers Dany, and she proceeds to burn them all.

Do we have a remedy for Cersei's cheesy death with her brother-slash-lover? None so far, other than being burned alive or killed by Jamie himself.

Episode 6: The Iron Throne

And thus, the ending.

The only thing left to address are the Unsullied and Dothraki. If Greyworm and Missandei are dead, their journey to Naath would not exist. They may travel back to Meereen with a new commander and under the leadership of Daario Naharis.

It is difficult to find a logical explanation on the declaration of Bran Stark as King of the Six Kingdoms, so I'll leave it at that. Nothing built up for Bran to deserve that conclusion. He is useless, through and through; a plot device, the bringer of revelations. Perhaps this ending to the crippled Three-Eyed Raven is simply a way to glorify the Starks just for the fun of it.