Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 5 The Bells

Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
Season 8 - 6 episodes (2019)

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Created by: David Benioff, D.B. Weiss
Starring: Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Kit Harington, Sophie Turner, Lena Headey, Maisie Williams, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau,  Gwendoline Christie 

Plot: 
HBO's fantasy drama series adapted from George R.R. Martin's book series A Song of Ice and Fire follows the civil war of kings and usurpers in Westeros who wish to sit on the throne. The ticking clock signaling the end are the undead White Walkers descending from the North. The scale and scope of the story is staggering, fully realized with a large ensemble cast.

This is the final season of the series, though HBO is planning a prequel series.

Review: Episode 5 - The Bells
Episode four was putting us in the lane to the conclusion. The Winterfell and Daenerys crew made it to King's Landing in record time.

I have to wonder if Arya will be the one to end Cersei. The fact I think that means it may be misdirection, could mean it is that easy.

Jamie had just a bit of happiness with Brienne before his compulsion for Cersei led him South. Don't think he'll outlast this one.

Daeneyrs is already a bit jealous of the loyalty Jon inspires, and Cersei's murder of Missandei is going to put Daenerys on a warpath. That's only going to widen the divide between her and Sansa. That's after one of her dragons is killed. She's down to one.

Everything is moving just a bit fast as we dive headfirst into the conclusion.

Varys is writing a letter about the one true heir, Jon. While Tyrion has chosen Daenerys and will stick with that choice, Varys states he's bound by what's best for the seven kingdoms. To whom is he writing? There aren't many allies left unless he's writing to Dorne. Then again there are other cities in the world, but they don't have much stake in Westeros.

Varys is talking to Jon about power and rulers. Jon's vehement that Daenerys is his Queen. Jon gave his word, and it's going to take something big to force him back on that word. Daenerys isn't speaking or eating after the last episode. It seems the group is at Dragon Stone.

Tyrion reveals to Daenerys what Varys is up to, though Daenerys assumes Jon is the one that betrayed her. Shows how much she knows. Jon is bound by his word, good or bad. Except, Daenerys spells it out, that she holds Jon at fault since he told Sansa despite her wishes. Daenerys is facing threats all around. She's already concerned about loyalty and with these secrets swirling, that could lead her to rash decisions.

Varys hears soldiers marching towards his door and knows exactly what's going on. What will be his fate? He's made it this long, through good and bad rulers. Will this be his downfall, doing what he thought was right? Varys only hopes that he deserves his punishment and that he is wrong about Daenerys. That's a man with conviction. He's going out like a champ. No pleading, no unnecessary violence, just resolve. It's death by dragon, but I have to wonder how Jon felt about that. Jon's quick to give Daeenrys leave to do as she pleases, but Jon can't be in favor of the punishment. I get setting an example, but does she have people to spare? Varys could have been useful with a delayed sentence.

Daenerys is shifting blame to Sansa. Is Daenerys going to kill everyone that stands against her? There won't be many people left if that's the case.
She makes a move on Jon and he pulls away. Jon has the loyalty of the people, Daenerys has fear. With Jon no longer interested in a romantic relationship with his aunt, their tryst may be done.

Daenerys will not let Cersei exploit her. Tyrion is arguing to spare King's Landing, but Daenerys is ready to go full steam ahead. She agrees to stop if the city surrenders, but you have to wonder how much vengeance will get in the way. Tyrion won't live to make another mistake. This presumably leads Tyrion to ask the smuggler Davos for a favor. We assume Tyrion wants to smuggle himself out, but that's just an assumption.

Arya arrives at King's Landing. She tells the guard she's there to kill Cersei. The Hound tells the guard to let her in. That could end the war and save a lot of blood.

Tyrion calls off another set of guards to speak with Jamie. This very well could be their last conversation. If Tyrion releases Jamie, that may be the end of Tyrion. Jamie is convinced to run away with Cersei, but there's no way he'll convince her.
Tyrion is trying to save bloodshed. He's willing to sacrifice his life for tens of thousands.

The city is readying for war. Arya is marching down main street to the castle. I'd bet even money she reaches Cersei. What happens then?

What does Cersei think? Does she think she can win? Tyrion is confidant she won't, but we haven't heard Cersei's plan. Does she think human shields she's filled the city with will suffice?

The city gates are closed. Jamie doesn't make it in, but Arya and the Hound do.

Daenerys is charging the Iron Fleet head on. That seems like a bold move that shouldn't work, but it seems to be quite effective after all. I guess last episode when a dragon died from a ballista equipped boat was just an anomaly. Really, that shouldn't be a surprise. The ballistas don't turn quickly, so surprising them from behind is effective.

The Golden Company also goes down quite easily. There really aren't many King's Landing forces left. Even the wall is destroyed. At this rate, team Daenerys will be able to charge right up the castle stairs. The dragon is a one creature wrecking tool... as it should be. The problem is it's hasn't been up until this point. Will there be anything left of King's Landing? Does Cersei have a back up plan?

Right now Cersei is hoping for one good shot, but she's unaware that the ballistas are gone, the Iron Fleet is gone, the walls are breached, and the Golden Company is down. If she has a backup plan, the show is playing coy because from what we're seeing, Cersei is done.

Her soldiers, faced with Jon and his army as well as a dragon throw down their swords. It's the smart move.

This battle is over and the show runs the clock on whether the bells will ring to signal surrender. If they don't ring will Daenerys rain fire? Eventually they do. Daenerys is victorious, but Cersei is still in the castle. Daenerys takes off, who will she attack? The answer is everyone. The innocents and the surrendered. Grey Worm leads the attack on men that surrendered, but Jon remains immobilized. He's trying to stop them, but Daenerys and Grey Worm's vengeance has made this an unfortunate attack that violates the conduct of war. Maybe there aren't any rules in war, but this is reign by fear, and when that's the case people will always want someone like Jon on the throne.

It looks like King's Landing will be nothing but dust. Winterfell won't be clamoring to kneel to Daenerys after this. Also, why doesn't Daenerys take down the castle first, just to dispose of Cersei? Is it so we get Jamie and Arya in the castle to confront Cersei? Something's going to happen there.
Also, doesn't the Hound have to meet the Mountain?

This isn't just fighting, this is blood lust. Soldiers are murdering the innocent. This might be the thing that spurs Jon to place a claim on the throne. Even he has his limits and I have to imagine this is close to it. He's forced to kill one of his own army to protect an innocent.

Jamie is on his way to save Cersi when Euron stops him. It's awfully convenient for timing and location. That's a knock down drag out kind of fight. It just keeps going. Euron was underdeveloped. From the books I thought he'd be this cool pirate type, but in the show he's just a pompous jerk. It's crazy to think this show just doesn't have enough time when we're eight seasons in, but that does seem to be the cast just a bit.

The castle is falling. Cersei refuses to believe it. I wondered if the show would pull some kind of twist out of thin air, but it doesn't seem like it and I appreciate that. It's happening as it should. The focus isn't on who wins this battle, but the repercussions of how Daenerys won.

What a rousing speech from the Hound. He talks Arya out of her quest. What he said is true. Cersei is as good as dead. That and he's been seeking vengeance his entire life.

Gregor the Mountain and Sandor the Hound face off. Not even the Queen's orders are enough to stop Gregor. It's Clegane Bowl. Will we finally see his zombie face? That's a yes. How will Sandor kill a man that's already dead? What a fight.

Jamie makes it back to Cersei. Someone needs to end her. A falling rock isn't personal enough. Their escape is blocked by rubble. I'm glad she doesn't get to escape. Cersei is begging for the life of her baby, but I don't see that happening. It's the end, the only question is what gets her. And it was falling rubble, but with her cool demeanor finally breaking, that makes it a bit personal. We got to see her defeated emotionally.

Arya is running through the city, but she lacks the resolve we usually see in her. I'm guessing mostly for effect to give us a view from the street.
Arya isn't looking to good, but I refuse to believe this is how it ends for her. Her arc has been too good. Now she's leading survivors to an escape. Well, she was. That was short lived.

Jon calls the men to fall back. This city is done. Is this going to claim the lives of more main characters that the Battle of Winterfell?
The entire city is crumbling, fire is everywhere, but we're not seeing any Daenerys shots. How does she feel about leveling an entire city and killing innocent people? Is she grinning or crying?

A nice way to end it, Arya finding a horse and riding out.

I'm guessing next episode comes down to who actually sits on the Iron Throne. No doubt there will be fall out all around from how Daenerys handled this battle. She killed innocents. Even Jon is going to balk at that regardless of how much he's attracted to his aunt.