featuring

GEMMA WHELAN as YARA GREYJOY / DANIEL PORTMAN as PODRICK PAYNE / TOBIAS MENZIES as EDMURE TULLY

RUPERT VANSITTART as YOHN ROYCE / LINO FACIOLI as ROBIN ARRYN / RICHARD RYCROFT as MAESTER WOLKAN

TOBY OSMOND as DORNISH PRINCE / MICHAEL BENBARUK as LORD UNE / ANDREW BICKNELL as RIVERLANDS LORD

FRANK JAKEMAN as VALE LORD and NIALL BISHOP as NORTHERN LORD

king’s landing

After the destruction of King's Landing, Tyrion Lannister, Jon Snow and Ser Davos Seaworth walk through the ash-covered remains of the city, with charred bodies of civilians and soldiers everywhere. They are shocked at the devastation Daenerys Targaryen has brought upon the city after Cersei Lannister’s surrender. Tyrion leaves them and walks alone towards the fallen Red Keep. Jon then finds Grey Worm about to execute the remainder of the Lannister forces and tries to stop him. Grey Worm says it won't be over until Daenerys' enemies are defeated, but Ser Davos asks him, "How much more defeated do you need them to be? They're on their knees!" Regardless, Grey Worm takes out his knife to execute the men. When Jon tries to stop him, the Unsullied soldiers take aim at Jon. Ser Davos diffuses the confrontation, telling Jon they should speak with Daenerys. As they leave, Grey Worm starts to slit the prisoners' throats one by one. Meanwhile, Tyrion walks through the remains of the Red Keep, searching for his siblings when suddenly he spots his brother Jaime Lannister's golden hand underneath a large pile of rubble. Devastated by this sign, Tyrion clears away the rubble to find the corpse of his sister Cersei, and is visibly shaken by it. Knowing his brother is next to her under the debris, Tyrion painfully continues to clear away broken rock and begins to cry when he finds Jaime. His brother's death-wish has been fulfilled, as Jaime died in the arms of the woman he loved.

Outside the gates of the city, the Dothraki are celebrating their victory. Jon pushes his way through the crowd of Dothraki and Unsullied towards the gate, upon which a huge Targaryen banner is now victoriously hanging. Drogon appears with Daenerys and lands behind them. She walks out to address her army, amidst much cheering from them. "You tore down their stone houses, you gave me the Seven Kingdoms!" she tells the Dothraki. She also praises the Unsullied and calls her forces “liberators” for “freeing” the people of King's Landing. Daenerys enlists her army to aid her in “liberating” not only all of Westeros, but the rest of the world. After her speech, coming from behind, a devastated Tyrion approaches Daenerys, who then accuses him of treason since he freed his brother Jaime. He replies, "I freed my brother… and you slaughtered a city."  With a look of pure disgust, he throws away his Hand of the Queen brooch down the ash-covered stairs. Outraged by this show of defiance, Daenerys has Tyrion arrested and commands her men to take him away. Perturbed, Jon and Tyrion make eye contact before Jon turns to face Daenerys. They share a tense silence before she leaves. Arya Stark then silently appears beside Jon, surprising him, as he didn’t know she rode south to the capital. Arya warns him that Daenerys will always view him as a threat due to his rightful claim. Before she leaves, Arya asserts to Jon: "I know a killer when I see one."

Some short time later, Jon visits Tyrion in his cell and they speak of Daenerys' ruthless actions, both fully understanding what she is now capable of. Tyrion admits that he was wrong to betray Lord Varys, whose concerns over Daenerys turned out to prove correct all along. Jon struggles with what Daenerys has become and wants to believe the war has finished, trying to reason her actions due to the various traumas she’s recently suffered. Tyrion, however, tries to make Jon see the irreversible threat Daenerys now is. Tyrion tells him, "I know you love her. I love her too, but not as successfully as you, but I believed in her with all my heart. Love is more powerful than reason." Jon reflects, "Love is the death of duty." Tyrion corrects Jon in this instance by retorting that “sometimes duty is the death of love.” Tyrion realizes he's asking Jon to do a terrible thing, but tells him it is also the right thing to save the people, as Daenerys is now the biggest threat to the kingdoms. Tyrion warns Jon that Daenerys will always view him as a threat to her reign because he is the true heir to the throne. Jon struggles with what Tyrion is asking of him, due to his love for Daenerys. Tyrion reminds Jon of his sisters, Arya and Sansa Stark, expressing his belief that they will not bend the knee to Daenerys. A troubled Jon leaves Tyrion alone in his cell.

Afterwards, Jon walks through the ruins of the Red Keep. From under the snow, Drogon appears from his slumber and comes face to face with Jon. Going back to sleep, Drogon allows Jon to continue. Walking through the charred remains of the throne room, Daenerys recounts her vision in the House of the Undying years ago, as the Iron Throne remains the only structure in the castle that remains intact. She ascends the stairs of the throne, reaching her hand out to touch one of the blades. Before she can sit down, Jon enters and she recounts to him the conquest of Aegon and how he had the Iron Throne built. An angered Jon ignores this and confronts her about the many atrocities she committed during the battle. However, she justifies her actions and, despite Jon's pleas for her do so, she refuses to forgive Tyrion and the people of King's Landing. He begs Daenerys to make the people see that they made a mistake, and to make them understand that she isn’t this person. Unswayed by Jon's reasoning, Daenerys asserts that they can't hide behind small mercies and the world they need cannot be built by those loyal to the old one. Jon desperately argues that their world must be one of mercy. Daenerys assures him that she is building a good world, asserting that: “It’s not easy to see something that’s never been before.” Distressed, Jon asks her how she knows it's good and Daenerys confidently asserts that she does know what is good, trying to convince Jon that he does too. An upset Jon is not convinced, asking about everybody else who thinks they know what is good, to which Daenerys responds: "They don't get to choose." Daenerys embraces Jon and makes clear her desire for Jon to help her build the new world she envisages and urges him that this is how they break the wheel. Jon tells Daenerys that she is his queen, "Now and always." As the two of them share a final kiss, Jon reluctantly thrusts a dagger into her heart. He catches Daenerys as she falls, blood escaping her nose and mouth, with a look of confused heartbreak drawn upon her face. She dies in Jon's arms as he weeps over her body. Drogon suddenly arrives and when the dragon approaches, Jon carefully lays Daenerys down. Drogon tries to wake his mother by softly nudging her lifeless body with his nose. After a few attempts, to no avail, Drogon faces Jon and Jon prepares himself for Drogon's flames. He stands and awaits his impending death as Drogon roars in grief. However, Drogon does not kill Jon. Instead, he channels his rage towards the Iron Throne and melts it down to nothing, symbolizing perhaps his understanding that it was the journey to the throne itself that killed Daenerys. Drogon proceeds to gently pick up his mother's body and flies away into the gloomy sky, still bellowing in grief. Jon is left standing alone in the demolished throne room, stunned by his own actions.

Some weeks later, the leaders of the Great Houses of Westeros meet in the Dragonpit to discuss Jon and Tyrion’s punishment for their treason against the assassinated Daenerys. Among them is Sansa, Arya and Bran Stark, as well as Ser Davos, Brienne of Tarth, Samwell Tarly, Gendry Baratheon, Yara Greyjoy, Edmure Tully and Robin Arryn. Jon is not in attendance, though Tyrion has been escorted to the trial. When Sansa asks where Jon is, Grey Worm asserts that he decides what to do with their prisoners as the capital now belongs to the Targaryen forces. Sansa is not appeased, explaining there are thousands of Northmen outside the city gates and as result, harming Jon wouldn't be in Grey Worm's best interest. However, Grey Worm informs that there are also thousands of Unsullied soldiers as well. Yara then sides with Grey Worm as the Ironborn agreed to follow Daenerys, and wants Jon executed. However, Arya warns her not to say another word about killing Jon or she'll cut her throat. Grey Worm insists his army needs justice for Daenerys' assassination and insists Jon cannot go free. Tyrion reminds him that he does not get to decide that, the power rests with their new king or queen. When it's pointed out there currently isn't one, Tyrion insists that as the most powerful lords and ladies gathered, they can elect one of themselves.  Grey Worm eventually relents and tells the assembly to decide their new ruler. After some discussion, Tyrion is told that perhaps he wants the crown himself, though Tyrion disagrees as he is hated by half the people for serving Daenerys and the other half for betraying her. When asked his opinion, Tyrion responds that “stories” is what unites people. Proposing an elective monarchy, he concludes, “There's nothing in the world more powerful than a good story… And who has a better story than Bran the Broken? A crippled boy who crossed the Wall and became the Three-Eyed Raven. He's all our memory. Who better to lead us to the future?" Sansa, however, expresses concern by mentioning the fact that Bran cannot father any children. Tyrion then asserts that this is good since sons of kings are often cruel, as she well knows, referring to the sadistic Joffrey Baratheon. Tyrion asks Bran whether he will accept the crown, as Bran replies: "Why do you think I came all this way?" Tyrion waits for the reactions of the other leaders, as they all slowly start saying "aye" one by one. Representing the North, however, Sansa is still hesitant. She states her belief in Bran as a good king, but asserts that the North will once again be an independent kingdom. Her brother gives his assent to her demand as he understands the importance of the region’s independence that Jon and their late brother Robb Stark had fought for over the years. The newly-elected King Bran then appoints Tyrion as his new Hand and states that, as atonement for his past mistakes, Tyrion will spend the rest of his life fixing them.

Afterwards, Tyrion visits a dejected Jon and informs him that he will be banished to the Night's Watch for the rest of his days, insisting that the world still needs a refuge for bastards and broken men. Jon asks if killing Daenerys was right, declaring that it doesn’t feel like it was. Tyrion requests Jon to ask him again in ten years. Jon informs Tyrion that he doesn't think they'll ever meet again, but Tyrion states that he might want to piss off the top of the Wall again after serving as Hand, referencing their time together years ago. Later, Jon is brought to the port so he can set sail for Castle Black, as the city itself is bustling with people again, quickly being rebuilt. Jon then passes Grey Worm's ship and their eyes meet, as Grey Worm himself gives Jon a fierce look, still unsatisfied with his punishment. Grey Worm then orders the Unsullied to set sail towards his beloved Missandei’s home of Naath. On the docks, Sansa, Arya, and King Bran meet Jon to bid him farewell. Sansa asks for Jon's forgiveness with regards to his exile. Jon hesitates before responding: "The North is free, thanks to you. Ned Stark's daughter will speak for them. She's the best they could ask for." The siblings share an emotional hug. Jon then tells Arya she can come and see him at Castle Black, but Arya gives him a sad smile when she states that she's not coming back north. When Sansa asks her where she's going, Arya informs that she’s going west of Westeros to explore lands that have yet to be discovered. Jon asks, "You have your Needle?" Arya tells him she has it right here and starts to cry. Jon wipes away Arya's tear and they share a long hug. Jon then turns to Bran and kneels, "Your Grace, I'm sorry I wasn't there where you needed me." However, Bran responds, "You were exactly where you needed to be.” After a lingering look towards his siblings, Jon walks towards his boat, unknowing if he will ever see them again.

Sitting alone in the White Sword Tower, the quarters of the Kingsguard, the new Lord Commander Brienne skims through the Book of Brothers, the recorded deeds of the knights over the last three-hundred years. When she comes across Ser Jaime’s entry, Brienne woefully decides to complete it, as it hadn’t been updated in several years. Whilst tearing up, she records all of his deeds since the beginning of the War of Five Kings and right up to his death. Brienne writes that Jaime “pledged himself to the forces of men and rode north to join them, alone. Faced the army of the dead, and defended the castle against impossible odds until the death of the Night King. Escaped imprisonment and rode south in an attempt to save the capital from destruction”. Brienne praises his actions and completes his entry informing that Jaime had "died protecting his queen." As she starts to cry, Brienne puts the quill down and closes the book.

Afterwards, Tyrion awaits the rest of the newly-formed small council to arrive for their first meeting under King Bran’s reign. Brienne and the rest of the council arrive, which includes Ser Davos as the new Master of Ships and Samwell Tarly as the new Grand Maester. Also joining the council is the new Master of Coin, Ser Bronn, who was finally granted Highgarden by Tyrion. Samwell gifts Tyrion with a book he partly wrote about the War of the Five Kings named “A Song of Ice and Fire”. Tyrion assumes that this historical reference doesn’t paint him in the best light, as Samwell awkwardly informs that he is not mentioned at all. King Bran is then brought into the council room by Ser Podrick Payne, who has also joined the Kingsguard following his knighthood that was bestowed on him by Brienne. Tyrion and the rest formally greet Bran upon his arrival and once everyone is seated, the king enlists his advisors to find Masters of  Whisperers, War and Law, while he himself will look for Daenerys’ last remaining dragon, Drogon, through his powers of greensight, who was last spotted flying east. Upon King Bran’s exit, Tyrion recites “we serve at your pleasure, Bran the Broken. Ruler of the Six Kingdoms and protector of the realm. Long may he reign.” The small council then continue their discussions on the reformation of the Six Kingdoms in the dawn of a new era.

the north

Some time later, when Jon reaches Castle Black, he is greeted by Tormund Giantsbane. After dressing in the black garb of the Night's Watch and grabbing his sword Longclaw off the table, Jon leaves his quarters to join the wildlings outside in the courtyard where he reunites with his direwolf Ghost. Meanwhile, Sansa returns to Winterfell and is crowned the Queen in the North by a gathering of Northern lords, leaving the Stark legacy in her hands with an independent kingdom that she’s rightfully demanded for her people. Out on the Sunset Sea, with her remaining family safe, Arya stands on the bow of her new ship, which proudly flies the House Stark banner. A glint in her eye indicates the excitement that lies ahead as she sails west towards the unknown lands beyond Westeros. Back at Castle Black, Jon and Tormund together lead the wildlings outside the gates of the Wall, with Ghost walking ahead of the group. As they make their way beyond the Wall and into the Haunted Forest, Jon silently watches the gate closing behind them. Jon takes a moment to look at the wildling men, women and children as they walk into the forest and has a brief look of peace. Jon then rides among the group as they progress towards the true North, as the wildling people are finally free from the threat of the White Walkers. As they continue deeper into the forest, a piece of grass can be seen emerging from the thawing snow as the first signs of spring begin to slowly appear in Westeros.

*Episode descriptions from GOT Wiki