GOT Rewrite Edition from A New Fan

Published May 26, 2019 · Updated July 6, 2022

Hey Fellas,

You’re so wonderful! I hopped onto the GoT bandwagon rather late (I stubbornly resisted, even though I knew I would probably love the show)… Finally, after watching all of the seasons back to back (took me a long-ass time) I was caught up and prepared for the final season…At this point, I’d become a complete fan with high expectations, which speaks to the show’s quality, I suppose.

Below is my synopsis of what I had envisioned (and hoped) season 8 to be…I won’t be able to go into intense, illustrative, super-detailed screenplay ‘writer’ mode, but I’ll try to paint a picture…to ‘show and not tell’ the important pieces (which I think was one of the shortcomings of seasons 7 & 8)…It will be too long, but if there are nuggets you agree with or would want to mention, I would be truly honored.

Wishing I’d discovered you sooner, but happy I did anyway- looking forward to your future work!

* * * * * * * * * * *

Winter is here, already bringing bitter cold and frequent, unrelenting snowfall, making it arduous to go about daily life. Scenes show Northmen, women and children struggling…attempting to make a pilgrimage to Winterfell. Occasionally, ravens are sent to Sansa with updates about the various houses and other settlements that were hardly acknowledged by the show until now- as it becomes more crucial for the entire territory to band together.

Danarys, Jon, Tyrion, Varys, the Dothraki, Unsullied, Grey Worm, Missandei and the dragons arrive in a style reminiscent of the first episode. (Including the tense interaction between Dany and Sansa…AND the almost imperceptible, but very clear “expression” on Bran’s face- which falls ever so slightly and looks very subtly concerned when Dany comes into focus…Watch again: this happens after Jon sweetly greets Bran, who demonstrates what is as close to Bran’s version of ‘happiness’ when he first sees Jon…)

Cut to Tormund, Dolores Ed, Berric, being reunited, etc., witnessing the horror of Ned Umber, impaled on the wall of his castle, with the same eerie, gory, bloody spiral that is ignited…

Bran is sitting with Jon, Dany, Sansa, Tyrion, Varys, etc. and suddenly has an intense vision by the fire. He sees what has happened to Ned. He warns Jon that the Night King is going to torment the north and tells him to go to the Weirwood tree, alone. Dany makes an expression that is already hinting at her feeling excluded and suspicious of the other Stark children. Varys AND Tyrion are aware and worried. Jorah is concerned, but still has faith.

Jon reunites with Arya at the Weirwood tree. Their exchange makes it obvious that Arya has become an accomplished killer. Jon realizes that Bran wanted him to meet with Arya for some reason beyond their loving family reunion…They discuss the Night King and their need to defend the north from this insane, voiceless foe.

For several episodes, while Cersei’s pregnancy becomes more obvious, and she makes terrifying plans involving the Golden Company, wildfire, and using the common people as a human shield…Jon and Arya team up and take the helm (alongside Tormund, Ed, Berric, The Hound, etc.) battling small but terrifying pockets of wights, who are being deployed by the Night King to cause the Northmen to expend their energy, exhausting, injuring and distracting them as they attempt to defend the straggling Northmen who are trying and failing to reach Winterfell as winter becomes even more relentless and the people scramble to make preparations to fortify and weaponize Winterfell.

In each episode, more bodies are scattered in terrifying patterns, much like the scene with Ned Umber. At this stage, the show is a blend of horror, fantasy AND drama/political intrigue at Winterfell and the Red Keep.

Dany becomes increasingly isolated, with only Missandei as trusted company, she confides in Missandei about her hatred and mistrust of Sansa, Bran, Arya and the people of the North. She’s even doubting Tyrion and Varys, and is showing signs of increasing paranoia and entitlement to power. Missandei expresses concern to Grey Worm, as he is the only person she can confide in.

Arya develops a serious hatred for the Night King and is distraught because this enemy is unlike any other she has encountered. She and Jon have a conversation with Bran about his visions. Bran explains the origins of the Night King and is able to pull Jon into the past to witness his visions (unprecedented power to weild the Weirwood net).

The tension builds and builds as the characters are shown struggling with their individual strengths, weaknesses (all following their story arcs with some mild surprises, such as Jamie appearing at Winterfell and Tyrion becoming witty and brilliant again…and developing a genius strategy to defend Winterfell when the battle of the Long Night actually happens).

I’ve gone above the 500 word count…The rest of my rewrite certainly implies more episodes…A full season…Key plot points that I would include:

• Bran shows Jon the Night King’s origin AND evil deeds throughout the years. Jon is genuinely afraid.

• Bran wargs into a variety of animals, including the Undead Viserion, to help Jon clear a path for Arya before she stabs the Night King.

• Arya wears at least one face to deceive, surprise and kill (either Dany or preferably Cersei)

• Missandei injures Cersei badly before she is beheaded

• That ridiculous bullshit with Euron is totally minimized. The fight with Jamie never happens

• Jamie never has sex with Brienne but confesses his love, admiration, and desire to be with her before he leaves…but is still addicted to Cersei and admits to his flaws and that he believes he does not deserve happiness because he is a “hateful” person

• Dany slowly goes more and more bonkers. Scenes including her internal thoughts are included…She is delusional, paranoid, and showing clear signs of hereditary madness.

• All of these things AND SO MUCH MORE!!!! It would happen over the course of either 10 episodes or more…The tensions with the Night King and Cersei would reach a boiling point at the same time. The defeat of the Night King would be in the penultimate episode. Bran would let everyone know that the threat is not entirely gone, but stopped for now.

• Cersei would have a much larger role in this season and be in rare, mother-bear form. She would behave much like she did in season 6…vengeful, violent, conniving, and merciless. She would have a showdown with at least one main character before her demise…

• ALL other plot points can essentially remain, as long as the scenes SHOW the audience what’s going on, introduce some new and surprising elements (like the extent of Bran’s powers and how sadistic the Night King is and WHY, etc. etc.)…emphasis on very good, character-driven dialogue and choices that honor the tone of the best previous seasons.

With gratitude,
Cristin Cali

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