The story arc was there. It was definitely rushed. The question is if people would have tolerated another full season it deserved to get there. That goes for a good chunk of rushed story arcs people have complained about. It would take many many more seasons to close this thing cleanly. And I suspect a reason GRRM struggles to close this thing out. I suspect a lot of people bitching about the rush job on this would be bitching 5 seasons from now that the series seems to be way too slow to get to the ending.

It’s pacing and wanting to rush to the end.

On that last point, I’ll say this played out pretty faithfully to what can happen in War when a city falls. Nothing matters anymore. Everything goes to hell

ROFL

ROFL

I'm disappointed ...

That this season didn't have another shot of Cersei standing on a balcony ...

FAX

Dany’s descent into madness makes sense. It’s the rushing that sucks. GRRM is gonna be called a misogynist for this ending.

At least we got memes LMAO

https://i.imgur.com/x1WCsTA.jpg

I thought for sure when Dany looked at the Keep she was going to scorch her off of it. Instead let's kill kids!

No, that did not happen and any competent commander would not want it to happen. Sack? Sure even then it would be based on how long a city held out. Long enough to satisfy honor? Not much if at all would happen.

See when you destroy a city that surrendered you make sure that no other city will ever surrender to you because it will not save their lives. They will fight to the death because you have proven they have no other option?

Agreed. She didn't go from 0 to 100. She was at about 60 when the episode started. It was super rushed but not illogical.

Well, I have felt this season was rushed. I agree with that criticism. I think it could have been done in two seasons not five though. I think 10 episodes for this season would help—especially after waiting two years and since it has been a slow moving show. I don't see why a two year wait was ever needed either.

I knew Kings Landing was going to be torched once Messendrei said Dacary! before her head getting lopped off and Cersei sealed her fate then. Cersei being reduced to tears in the red keep wanting to keep her baby alive and was the proper way to send her out. Terrific acting too.

This episode was much better than the previous one.

Why did Jon have to kill a northman when he was about to rape a girl? Crazy had won the moment for some non-apparent reason.

Now, it provides a motive for the Starks going after her and taking her out—just like Ned and Robert did years ago to her father. I wouldn't be surprised to see it go full circle ending up where it started but without corrupt Lannisters.