IamInge

This very last episode actually contains two very distinct parts without a proper bridge between them. I think it would be more satisfying if it had been split into two episodes, elaborating more on each part.

But hey, the first part is chilling, dramatic and emotional, and the last part gives us the resolutions and farewells that the show needs. It's not a perfect ending, but it's a powerful final chapter of the world's most monumental TV show.

So, OK, this episode divided the fans. Personally, I love it to death. It's so true to this show's heart and soul - and to its historical influences. The developments are certainly not what many people had hoped for, but if you watch the entire show again from the very first episode (I did), this has been coming from the start. I dare say the showrunners have done some impressing sleight-of-hand here, showing us one thing with one hand, tricking us to ignore what the other hand was doing in broad daylight. It's just brilliant.

The one thing that COULD have been done better, however, is the buildup during this season. Season 7 worked well and got us halfway there, but this season got off to a slow start, and the previous episode just had too much ground too cover in one go. Still to me, the issues with some earlier episodes don't diminish the achievements of this episode. It's shockingly, devastatingly great. Period.

The battle for survival has ended, now starts the battle for major characters' souls. It's brilliant storytelling in most regards, but I have one grievance: I would have loved the showrunners to elaborate more on these developments and conundrums, preferably by dividing it into two episodes.