Game Of Thrones - Season 8, Episode 4 'The Last Of The Starks': Review
After taking down the Night King and the army of the dead, Cersei is next on Team Winterfell's hit list...
The Last Of The Starks begins with a mass cremation for those characters we lost in The Long Night. We're reminded of just how epic the battle was and how Team Winterfell are now likely on par with Cersei (Lena Headey) and Co. in terms of numbers.
We see a lot of Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) and her struggle to stay in the spotlight. As hard as she tries, Team Winterfell see Jon (Kit Harrington) as their king. Jon, being Jon, says he has no interest in leading The Seven Kingdoms, despite being the one true heir. Though, Jon didn't want to be King In The North, so is it possible he will accept the challenge if that's what the people still want later down the line? Power, along with decision-making have been two of Jon's biggest struggles throughout Game Of Thrones, so it's always interesting to see how he handles everything that's thrown his way.
Jon, the terrible decision-maker he is, informs his brothers and sisters of his true parentage - something he has them swear they'll keep to themselves. Sansa (Sophie Turner) tells Tyrion (Peter Dinklage), Tyrion tells Varys (Conleth Hill). Just like that, it's no longer a secret, it's information. It's here where we gain further insight into exactly what Tyrion and Varys are thinking. Tyrion is torn, believing Daenerys isn't too far gone, even though she wants to burn Kings Landing! Varys believes Jon may be exactly what the doctor ordered.
It's fantastic to see these characters sticking true to who they are. Arya (Maisie Williams) refusing to marry Gendry (Joe Dempsie) and become a Lady because it's not who she is. Varys too, choosing to protect the realm in any way he can, even if it means committing treason right under Daenerys' nose. There's very little chance we're about to get happy conclusions to these characters' stories, we're getting the endings that best suit who they are - bleak or not, in the real Game Of Thrones spirit.
The complicated friendship/almost relationship between Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and Brienne (Gwendoline Christie) is explored. Though, it seems a little forced in there to give Brienne a purpose in the last half of the season. It's a shame, as her storyline wrapped up so well in Episode 2, so maybe we'd have been better losing her in The Long Night. Jaime, now The Battle Of Winterfell is over and he's 'climbed the mountain', he decides to head back to Kings Landing. It's a relief, we were starting to believe Jaime might be a good person, it didn't suit him.
We lose another dragon, in a slightly disappointing way - especially when you compare it to the epic death/ressurection Viserion received at the hands of the Night King. Euron Greyjoy (Pilou Asbæk) takes down Rhaegal with a giant crossbow, it all looked too easy. Though, there's speculation Rhaegal isn't dead. We guess we'll find out next week!
In a final confrontation before The Last War, Missandei (Nathalie Emmanuel) is the last person to fall. Cersei has her executed in front of Daenerys. It seemed clear before the confrontation that Cersei wasn't going to roll over, she is famously known for saying "in the game of thrones, you either win, or you die". But, should she really be pushing Daenerys' buttons right now? We think things might be fiery in Kings Landing next week, in more ways than one.
Slow-burner? Yes, but the pay-off will be worth it - it's Game Of Thrones! The internal conflict with Team Winterfell surely has to come into play in either of the final two episodes and we can't wait to see what happens. With two episodes left, it's going to be difficult saying goodbye to these characters, whether they make it out alive or not - including Cersei!
Rating: 4/5
Catch Game Of Thrones on Sky Atlantic, Mondays at 9pm.