Fantasy Game of Thrones: Season 8, Episode 5 “The Bells” scorecard

I have a lot of thoughts on this episode—most of which I think I’ll share in detail on this week’s RB1 Podcast—but I will say that I personally understand Dany’s “heel turn”. The show has long built up her propensity for burning those who she felt were her enemy with reckless abandon. Now, everyone will say, “Yes but the innocent people of King’s Landing weren’t her enemy” to which I’d argue, I think she does kind of see them as the enemy.

Since arriving to Westeros, Dany has felt isolated, alone and unloved by Westeros. I think she expected to be welcomed with open arms by the people as their rightful queen, here to save them from their tyrannical rule—much like the slaves of Meereen—but that didn’t happen. I can see how that skews in her head as these people are complicit in preventing her quest to the throne. I don’t know. It’s early and I’m still fully forming how I feel. But I’m not so quick to feel as though Dany succumbing to her fate as the Mad Queen is a drastic departure from the character he was made to be.

Now to the fantasy game.

Here’s the episode scorecard so you can score how your team did. I’ve added some highlights to give you a breakdown of some of the scoring. I also shared the teams that were tweeted our way so you can see how other teams stacked up against yours.

Let’s recap.

Highlights

• Dany gets her usual +25 and +50 for riding and killing atop a dragon, as well as a new +50 for killing a known character (Varys). Also, I can’t help but give Dany the +100 for an OH SHIT moment for burning down King’s Landing, even if it was more of a depressed “oh shit” than a shouted from the rooftops one.
• Ladies and gentlemen, you got yourself a Cleganebowl and I hope it lived up to your wildest expectations (it got a 7/10 from me). The Hound had himself a big day not only killing his brother the Mountain (+50) but doing so on the brink of death (x2) all while sacrificing himself (+30). What a way to go. For the Mountain, I’m giving him points for “killing” the Hound and a much more obvious +50 for killing Qyburn with about as much effort as it takes one of us normal humans to kill a fly.
• Grey Worm doesn’t give a fuck about any of your surrenders, I’ll tell you that much (+110 in just kills)
• I know much will be made about Jaime’s stupid story arc and how his return to Cersei to die with her would’ve been so much better if it was actually because he was going to kill her but I don’t want all that crap to overshadow what was a truly magnificent performance from Lena Headey. Rewatching the scene under the Red Keep, with the ceiling falling in on her and Jaime, I honestly felt for Cersei for the first time since the show started. Headey did a masterful job of taking this character you’ve spent 10 years hating, and for a split second made you feel something other than pure loathing. She didn’t have much opportunity to flex her muscles this season, but this episode was a reminder of how amazing Headey’s performance of Cersei has been. Here’s to you Lena!
• Finally, big week for rubble which killed both Cersei (+100) and Jaime (+50) and did so while already mortally wounded (x2).

ALSO BIG NEWS! I know I said this week would be the last, but Heath has come in to save the day and said he’d be willing to grade next week’s episode. SO WE GOT ONE MORE WEEK EVERYONE!