The Winner Of The ‘Game Of Thrones’ Left People Feeling Conflicted

[Spoilers for the series finale of Game of Thrones, obviously]

“When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground.” Those were the immortal words spoken by Cersei Lannister from the seventh episode of HBO’s Game of Thrones, all the way back in 2011. It’s a lesson she should have taken to heart: she died playing the game. As did, as we found during tonight’s series finale, Daenerys Targaryen. The Mother of Dragons, er, Dragon was stabbed and killed by her lover/relative — gonna miss this show — Jon Snow, who finally saw Dany for what she is (was): a tyrant.

While Jon’s blade is still inside Daenerys, Drogon senses a disturbance in the force and flies to the Great Hall to protect his mother. It’s too late. For a moment, it looks like Drogon’s going to kill Jon, but instead, he sets fire to the Iron Throne, melting the symbolic piece of ugly furniture. The Iron Throne is officially no more, and Westeros is without a king/queen. Cue: an inspiring speech from Tyrion to the most important powerful leaders left alive (and, uh, Davos). He’s had some time to think while being locked in prison, and he thinks he’s found the perfect candidate to lead the “six kingdoms.” Wait, Bran

All hail King Bran the Broken, ruler of the Six Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm. Long may he reign, I guess This choice left fans feeling… conflicted.

— Ella Cerón (@ellaceron) May 20, 2019

Bran Stark watching everybody die & argue for years knowing it was paving his way to the throne. #GameOfThrones #GoT #DemThrones pic.twitter.com/wXWxEfEGjA

— GameOfKweens (@GameofKweens) May 20, 2019

Best scammer award goes to Bran Stark #GOTFinale #GameOfThronesFinale pic.twitter.com/m8wIF9pKDJ

— Christine Amor (@_ChristineAmor) May 20, 2019

So after 8 seasons, 73 episodes, dozens of battles and 10,000 deaths, The Game of Thrones gets decided by a Survivor Tribal Council. And Bran has the Hidden Immunity Idol

— Jerry Thornton (@jerrythornton1) May 20, 2019

LMFAOOOOOOOO BRAN ZOOMING OFF AN EDIBLE RIGHT NOW AND THEY ELECTING THIS POTHEAD

— daytona track 2 (@no_cut_card) May 20, 2019

Me after Bran got the Iron Throne: #GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/sjcIpSbNay

— Brett S. Vergara (@BrettSVergara) May 20, 2019

Sansa Stark & Bran Stark from Game of Thrones c.1974 colorized #GameOfThronesFinale pic.twitter.com/YG9Dj2zR3a

— what the hell im doin' here (@coervuz) May 20, 2019

Bran receiving the news we’ve all been waiting for for 8 seasons:#GOTFinale #GamesOfThrones pic.twitter.com/eSlp9GCzgu

— Nicole (@sentient_churro) May 20, 2019

Bran: I choose you.

Tyrion: #GameOfThronesFinale #gameofthrones pic.twitter.com/G9yDVs9wQQ

— Sally (@sallly_m) May 20, 2019

Bran Stark getting the throne after doing literally nothing for eight seasons #GameOfThrones #GoT pic.twitter.com/Ze3HLFNJbu

— Jordan Boness (@JorBrooke10) May 20, 2019

#TheFinalEpisode#GameOfThrones

How Bran the Broken became King of The Six* Kingdoms pic.twitter.com/7P1XThjYuq

— . (@omgtheyalldied) May 20, 2019

Remember when Bran Stark wasn't even in an entire season that one time and no one missed him #GameofThrones

— Lacy Baugher (@LacyMB) May 20, 2019

Much more from the series finale to come.