Redemption came for many longtime characters on Game Of Thrones during its final season.
Jorah Mormont went down fighting for – and with – his Khaleesi. Theon Greyjoy died on the side of the Starks, and Red Woman Melisandre gave Arya the ultimate pep talk before her end.
Side players got their moments, too, like Gendry flexing his blacksmithing biceps and Euron Greyjoy stirring the pot in King’s Landing.
But to be a great character, we have to be really invested in your journey. So here’s our salute to GOT‘s finest:
Daenerys Targaryen Naïve No More
Daenerys Targaryen, Naïve No More
In a game of power, Dany’s dragons alone could earn her the top spot. And yet the Mother of Dragons has proved her own merit time and time again. Since being sold off to a warlord by her own brother, to becoming the Unburnt and hatching her three mythical beasts, Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) has freed innocents and slaves, ruled the Dothraki, and charged into battle in her quest for the Iron Throne.
Arya Stark, From No-one to Someone
Arya Stark, From No-one to Someone
Born a girl but never quite a lady, Arya (Maisie Williams) struggled to find her place in the world. Perpetually misunderstood, she ran away, honed her sword skills, penned a kill list and vowed revenge on those who had wronged her. She became a faceless assassin, defeated the Waif and served traitor Walder Frey his sons in a pie before slaying his whole house. To top it off, the pint-sized badass slayed the Night King to save humanity.
Jon Snow, A Regal Warrior
Jon Snow, A Regal Warrior
Ned Stark’s bastard son Jon (Kit Harington) was sent away to The Wall early in the series. Despite that, his honour and kind heart led him to unite with the wildlings, a decision which ultimately cost him his life in a vicious mutiny. But much to our relief, he was resurrected by the Red Woman, won the Battle of the Bastards, and then captured Daenerys’ heart before learning he was Aegon Targaryen, the true heir to the Iron Throne.
Cersei Lannister, The Fierce Mum
Cersei Lannister, The Fierce Mum
The woman we love to hate, ruthless Cersei (Lena Headey) orchestrated the death of her husband Robert to place her son Joffrey on the throne. At her lowest point, she was humiliated by the High Sparrow on a walk of atonement and drank water from a cell floor, but it only fuelled her fury as she got her revenge with wildfire. Having lost her beloved children and abandoned by her lover and brother Jaime, Cersei’s sole desire now is securing the Throne.
Sansa Stark, Older and Wiser
Sansa Stark, Older and Wiser
Growing up in Winterfell, teen Sansa (Sophie Turner) practiced fine arts, not politics. But her education takes a sharp turn when she witnesses her dad being executed, is betrothed and beaten by Joffrey, gets forced to marry Tyrion, and then ends up in a worse union with Ramsay, who rapes and tortures her. She survives to become the steely Lady of Winterfell. No longer on the sidelines, she’s a woman even Arya can look up to.
Tyrion Lannister, A Mighty Survivor
Tyrion Lannister, A Mighty Survivor
Despised by dad Tywin Lannister since birth, Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) has spent his life being judged and ridiculed as an “imp.” He became Joffrey’s hand and was forced to wed Sansa before killing his own father and fleeing to Essos. Leaving his womanising ways behind him, he used his wit and intelligence to become the hand of Daenerys, defying the odds with a full cup of wine in hand.
Jaime Lannister, A Man Can Change
Jaime Lannister, A Man Can Change
The cocky Kingslayer could have rested on his laurels and bowed toward his sister/lover’s will, but Jaime’s (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) sense of morality grew throughout the series. Where he used to rely on his sword, he started relying on empathy. After all, he saves his brother from execution, saves Brienne from a mauling, and saves himself from regret. All without a hand. Will he face up to Cersei, though, in the end?
Bran Stark, Keeper of Knowledge
Bran Stark, Keeper of Knowledge
Being pushed from a tower should have been the end for 10-year-old Bran (Isaac Hempstead Wright). But somehow, he made it past The Wall, learned to warg, became The Three-Eyed Raven, and now holds all of mankind’s knowledge, and stares down mere mortals, and even The Night King, with a glance. There was no way of seeing from season one how pivotal Bran would be by season eight. But surely Bran saw it.
Brienne of Tarth, A True Hero
Brienne of Tarth, A True Hero
All she ever wanted to do was be a Ser. But Brienne (Gwendoline Christie) suffered a life of disrespect until she met Jaime Lannister. Ironically, he helped her fulfil her pledge to Catelyn Stark to return the Stark kids to safety. Along the way, she fought a bear, prejudice and the Hound. She taught Podrick, she killed Stannis, and she stood up for Jaime. And when he knighted her, we were with her all the way.
Davos Seaworth, The Beloved Battler
Davos Seaworth, The Beloved Battler
He tried to warn his buddy Stannis Baratheon that perhaps he was taking the Lord Of Light thing too far, but Davos (Liam Cunningham) remained loyal and, unlike his king, stayed alive. On his journey, the reformed smuggler became a landed knight, learned to read (thank you, Shireen!), had Melisandre resurrect Jon Snow, and helped fend off the White Walkers at the Battle of Winterfell, joining fellow wise advisor Lord Varys in victory
