The Last of the Starks
| "The Last of the Starks" | |
|---|---|
| Game of Thrones episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 8 Episode 4 |
| Directed by | David Nutter |
| Written by | David Benioff D. B. Weiss |
| Featured music | Ramin Djawadi |
| Original air date | May 5, 2019 |
| Running time | 78 minutes |
"The Last of the Starks"[1] is the fourth episode of the eighth season of HBO's fantasy television series Game of Thrones, and the 71st overall. It was written by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, and directed by David Nutter. It aired on May 5, 2019.
"The Last of the Starks" shows the aftermath of the battle against the Night King and has Daenerys, Jon, the Unsullied, and the Dothraki going towards King's Landing to confront Cersei and demand she surrender.
This episode marks the final appearances of Alfie Allen (Theon Greyjoy), Iain Glen (Jorah Mormont), Bella Ramsey (Lyanna Mormont), Richard Dormer (Beric Dondarrion), Ben Crompton (Eddison Tollett), Staz Nair (Qhono), and Nathalie Emmanuel (Missandei).
Plot
At Winterfell
Jon honors those killed fighting the dead, and they are cremated in a mass funeral pyre. The survivors hold a victory feast. Daenerys legitimises Gendry as a Baratheon and makes him Lord of Storm's End. Gendry professes his love to Arya and proposes to her, but she declines, still unwilling to become "a lady." Jaime, Brienne, Tyrion and Podrick play a drinking game based on guessing truths about one another. Brienne leaves after Tyrion guesses she is a virgin. Jaime goes to Brienne's room and they have sex. Daenerys honors Arya, but Varys notices Daenerys's discomfort at the acclaim given to Jon. Daenerys begs Jon not to tell anyone about his parentage, but he feels he must tell Arya and Sansa.
Daenerys wishes to storm Kings Landing, but Sansa disagrees. They decide that Jon and Ser Davos will take the Kingsroad, while Daenerys and her fleet will sail to Dragonstone, with Jaime remaining in Winterfell. Afterwards, Arya and Sansa tell Jon about their mistrust in Daenerys and Jon tells them of his parentage.
Bronn arrives to kill Jaime and Tyrion, but admits Daenerys has the advantage, making clear his loyalties remain negotiable. He accepts lordship of Highgarden in exchange for their lives. Arya and the Hound ride for King's Landing together, but acknowledge no loyalty. Sansa tells Tyrion she fears for Jon in King's Landing, and reveals Jon's parentage to him. Tormund gathers the Wildlings to return north of the Wall, and Jon sends Ghost with them. Jon bids farewell to Sam and a pregnant Gilly.
Later, Brienne tells Jaime about events in Dragonstone. Jaime leaves for King's Landing to be with Cersei, despite Brienne's tearful plea that he stay.
At Dragonstone
Daenerys's fleet is attacked by Euron's ships, who kill Rhaegal and capture Missandei. Varys tells Daenerys to not burn King's Landing and Tyrion convinces her to talk to Cersei first. Later, Varys, who has been told by Tyrion of Jon's parentage, admits to Tyrion that he thinks Jon would be a better leader, but Tyrion remains loyal to Daenerys.
At King's Landing
Euron reports his success to Cersei. She orders the gates of the Red Keep remain open, making the citizens hostages to deter an all out assault on the city.
Daenerys, Tyrion, Varys, Grey Worm and Drogon arrive at the walls of King's Landing. Cersei and Daenerys demand each other's surrender, with Cersei threatening to kill Missandei. Tyrion attempts to appeal to Cersei's humanity and asks her to surrender for the sake of her child, but Cersei refuses. On Cersei's order, the Mountain beheads Missandei after her defiant last words: "Dracarys."
Production
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Writing
The episode was written by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss.
Filming
The episode was directed by David Nutter. This was his final episode of the series overall.
Reception
The episode has been reviewed as the worst Game of Thrones episode[2] on IMDb with a rating of 7.5/10[3]. Season 5's "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken" is the next worst reviewed episode on the site with an 8.1/10 rating[4].
Critical reception
![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2019) |
The episode received mixed reviews; on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes it has an approval rating of 74%, based on 34 reviews and an average rating of 7.29/10.[5]
References
- ^ "S8 Ep 4: The Last of the Starks". HBO. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ "'The Last of the Starks' Is The Lowest Rated Game of Thrones Episode Ever On IMDb". Cultured Vultures.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ "The Last Of The Starks". IMDb.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken". IMDb.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ "The Last of the Starks". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. May 5, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
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External links
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