Game Of Thrones Season 8: 9 Ups And 2 Downs From 'The Long Night'

7. Some Epic Last Stands

Along with those deaths come some genuinely epic last stand moments, with all of the heroes going out in a way befitting of their character.

Edd, the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, dies after saving his brother Sam. Lyanna Mormont, the smallest person on the battlefield, goes out killing a damn giant. Beric dies to save Arya and the Hound, two characters he has a long history with. Theon, who took the Starks' home from them, dies protecting Bran. Jorah dies saving the Queen he's sworn to serve and cannot help but love. Melisandre takes off her necklace and reveals her true self, her service to the Lord of Light, like with Beric, complete.

All of these moments are brilliantly done. They payoff setup from last week's stunning episode - most of them were hinted at then - but also the journeys these characters have long been on.

Particular praise must go to Theon in this regard: the character, so wonderfully (and oft-unappreciated) played by Alfie Allen, has had one of the strongest arcs in the entire series. From the brash, arrogant hostage/friend of the Starks, to the misbegotten conqueror of the homestead, the tortured, pitiful Reek to reclaiming his identity and saving those he cares about, it's been one hell of a ride. To end it here, in the Godswood, saving Bran Stark and being killed by one of the show's biggest bads, after being told he is "a good man", is a beautiful payoff.