Game Of Thrones Finale: How Each Major Character Ending Was Setup (& Why They Work)

4. Sansa Is The Queen In The North

Sansa grew up dreaming of being Queen. She wanted to marry the Prince and live a courtly life, surrounded by fair maids and dashing knights like something out of a fairy tale. Except, of course, fairy tales typically take a very dark turn, and that can certainly be said of what happened to Sansa's story.

It wasn't long before Sansa realised that the handsome prince was actually a revolting monster, and she's had to spend much of her life suffering because of the actions of Joffrey and others around her. She has been a pawn in their game, rather than a player of her own. She had one more fleeting shot at happiness, with the potential to marry Loras Tyrell and live at Highgarden, but even that small mercy, of marrying a man who'd treat her well but still not love her, was taken away.

Her whole journey, though, has been taking her home. Sansa is a true survivor. She's learned from the likes of Littlefinger and Cersei, but used that knowledge to reclaim the North and do what's best for its people, because she is Ned Stark's daughter above all else. Since going home, her story has been about saving it from the Boltons, and then protecting it from the outsiders who have long done them harm. Even then, she had to watch as Jon was chosen as King in the North, despite her crucial role in defeating the Boltons. She no longer wants to be Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. That little girl has gone. But she still gets to be a Queen, and one who will do what's best for the people who matter most to her.