10 Biggest Wasted Opportunities In Game Of Thrones

The Long Night comes in for some general criticism later, but this is a more specific one which seems not only like an open goal, but totally in keeping with the fan service vibe the last season was aiming for.

They were fighting an army with the power to raise the dead, yet we never saw any of the named cast come back as a wight to fight a former friend. It’s shocking, potentially heartbreaking and totally fits the logic, yet it was ignored.

There would have been something classic Martin if Jaime, who insisted he fight by Brienne’s side, was unable to defeat the dead and needed Brienne’s help. She dies in the process, coming back as a wight to kill either Pod or Tormund, before Jaime eventually takes her out.

This would have allowed Jaime to return to Cersei without the pointless one night stand with Brienne, while Brienne, Pod and/or Tormund would die fighting, which feels a good end for their arcs. Following the battle, only Jaime influences the plot in any way.

Even the crypt scene, where the Starks began to rise from their graves, was cut short, removing Sansa & Tyrion’s action sequence.