Episode still from HBO
**SPOILER ALERT** This article contains major character death spoilers for the “Game of Thrones” season 4 finale. Stay away if you’re not caught up.
It’s been a long journey. Sometimes stressful, sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes frustrating, but we got through it. “Game of Thrones” season 4 is over.
The last episode, “The Children,” gave us action, stress and catharsis in equal measure. It ended in a satisfying place, with no annoying loose ends but just enough mystery to bring us back for season 5. All a season finale should do.
But it wasn’t flawless. Killing Jojen was a severe departure from the books. There are plenty of narrative reasons for this change – emotional impact, character development for Meera or angst for Bran – but in the end it’s simpler than that. The writers appear to be thinning out the supporting cast. We saw that already with their disposal of Jon’s friends last episode.
It’s understandable because this story keeps expanding and, without trimming, might threaten to burst apart at the seams. Getting rid of some nonessential characters tightens the focus. Trouble is, they’re removing characters before their narrative roles are over.
The fight between Brienne and the Hound was also a show-exclusive addition; in the books the two never meet. The protectiveness of the adults gave it an emotional undertone, and the kicking, punching and head-butting made it one of the most brutal brawls we’ve seen.
At one point Sandor grabs Brienne’s blade with his bare hands, nearly turning the tides on her. This was a weird parallel to Catelyn Stark doing the same in season 1, in defense of Bran’s life. I’m not sure they meant to frame Sandor’s “protection” of his Stark kid in a similar light to Catelyn’s, but it certainly brought out a parental flavor on this Father’s Day.
The sequence was stressful to watch. Since it wasn’t in the books, I didn’t know exactly what to expect, and since the writers already took a severe liberty with Jojen’s death, I was afraid Brienne might be next. But our lady knight won a truly impressive victory.
The subsequent conversation between Sandor and Arya was brilliantly acted. Rory McCann truly bared the Hound’s tormented soul in his rock-bottom despair. Maisie Williams’ empty stare was chillingly effective. The two may have developed a rapport, but Arya no longer has forgiveness in her.
For everything the show adds, they omit a lot. A big omission happened when Jaime freed Tyrion. In the books, before he sends Tyrion off, Jaime confesses something. I’ll keep book spoilers to a minimum, but suffice it to say Jaime and Tywin lied to Tyrion about the most traumatic experience of his life, and the truth made it all worse. The brothers part on terrible terms.
None of that in the show. It’s all emotional hugs and moving farewells, keeping one of the few healthy sibling relationships in the show intact.
I’m conflicted about this change. Jaime and Tyrion are my favorites, and I loved their close relationship. But Jaime’s confession in the books drove Tyrion past his emotional breaking point and left him with nothing but the desire to hurt others as badly as they’ve hurt him. It provided the fury and baggage to fuel the killing blows.
The show didn’t have that. But to Peter Dinklage’s credit, his Tyrion didn’t need the extra push. Honestly, hasn’t that man gone through enough to justify his actions? Losing Jaime would be a cruel insult-to-injury blow. Dinklage makes the sequence work spectacularly with his tranquil, controlled fury.
And now Tywin Lannister, the linchpin that’s held the realm together for decades, is dead at his son’s hands. Happy Father’s Day. He was awful, but he could rule. War is raging and winter is coming, and who’s going to hold things together now?
The season ended with Arya on a ship bound for Braavos. The shot of her looking back, then forward, captured the symbolism of what she’s leaving behind in her homeland: her lost family, her horrific past and everything she’s done. It was a hopeful ending. Like with Bran’s story, we get the sense that Arya’s days of wandering are over. Now it’s time for her tale to truly blossom.
And now a year is between us and the next season. It will be a painful wait, as always, but I’m sure it will be worth it. “Game of Thrones” always pays its debts.
