The series finale of hit HBO drama Game Of Thrones was divisive. Many fans were left shocked by the events of season eight, which included Arya Stark killing the Night King, Daenerys Targaryen destroying King's Landing and Bran Stark winning the throne.
The ending was unexpected, and many fans had theorized completely different outcomes for the characters. Given the controversy of the series finale, here are ten Game Of Thrones fan theories that would have made a better ending.
Targaryen Restoration
This would have been the closest thing to a Disney ending that Game Of Thrones could have done. It seemed likely in season seven when Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen met and fell in love, that they would restore House Targaryen to its former glory.
Many fans speculated that Jon and Daenerys would marry and rule Westeros as King and Queen. The Targaryens were no strangers to incest, so Jon's parentage could have had a different outcome.
The Night King Wins
In sharp contrast, this theorized ending would have been the bleakest. Some fans speculated that Game Of Thrones was never destined to have a happy ending, and the Night King would kill all of the main characters and destroy Westeros.
For a time, this seemed possible. The Night King and the White Walkers were portrayed as nearly unkillable monsters and the Army of the Dead was devastating. The show could have continued to subvert expectations by having winter consume the Seven Kingdoms.
Daenerys Goes Back To Meereen
This would have been a much happier ending for the Mother of Dragons. There were theories before the final season aired that suggested Daenerys would never find the home she craved in Westeros and would eventually return to Essos.
Dany said herself in season eight that Westeros had no love for her, as opposed to the Bay of Dragons, which she liberated from slavery. Her story would have come full circle if she realized the Iron Throne was never her destiny, leaving Westeros behind and finally going home.
Jon And Daenerys Die, Their Child Inherits The Throne
This was a popular theory after season seven, with many fans on Reddit speculating that Daenerys and Jon would have a child. After their tryst on the boat in the season finale "The Dragon And The Wolf," fans dubbed their child 'boatbaby' and suspected the child would inherit the Iron Throne after their parents' deaths.
There were several references to Jon and Daenerys having children in season seven. In true Game Of Thrones style, it would have been tragic if they died fighting the Night King whilst their child - raised by Tyrion as Hand - succeeded them.
Jon Snow Becomes King
This theory seemed the most logical after the season seven reveal that Jon Snow was heir to the Iron Throne. Born Aegon Targaryen, the former King in the North was discovered to be the legitimate son of Rhaegar and Lyanna, making him the heir to House Targaryen.
Many fans speculated that either Jon and Daenerys would marry or the Mother of Dragons would perish in the final battle against the White Walkers, leaving a grieving Jon to take the throne.
Jon And Daenerys Give Up Their Claims And Leave Westeros
Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen's romance came to a grisly end in the Game Of Thrones finale, with Jon killing his lover after she destroys King's Landing. It would have been a much happier ending for the Targaryens if Jon and Daenerys gave up their claims to the throne and left Westeros together.
The last Targaryens could have traveled east to Meereen or beyond the Wall with the wildlings, having become disillusioned by the bloody cost of war.
The Iron Throne Is Destroyed, Westeros Is Ruled By A Great Council
Bran Stark emerged from the ashes of the Game Of Thrones finale as King of Westeros, much to the surprise of fans. The Iron Throne was destroyed by Drogon which some fans speculated would happen but under different circumstances.
Daenerys spoke of breaking the wheel in season five, and it would mirror her ancestor Aegon forging the throne with Balerion if she destroyed it with Drogon. Westeros has been ruled by a Great Council before briefly, and Dany or Jon could have established this as a way to truly liberate the Seven Kingdoms.
Gendry Becomes King
This theory was unlikely but certainly possible, especially after Daenerys legitimized Gendry in season eight's "The Last of the Starks." As the son of the last true king Robert Baratheon, Gendry could have become King of Westeros.
Gendry had a claim to the throne that was as viable, if not more, than Jon's or Daenerys'. It would have been ironic if House Baratheon retook the throne after nearly being destroyed by the Lannisters.
Cersei Destroys King's Landing With Wildfire
This was a wildly popular theory that became more prevalent after Cersei Lannister destroyed the Sept of Baelor with wildfire in the season six finale "The Winds of Winter." In the books, Cersei shares many parallels with the Mad King, who intended to destroy the Capitol in the same way.
Many fans believed that Cersei would be the series' mad queen instead of Daenerys, with Jaime killing her for the same reasons he killed Aerys, thus fulfilling the valonqar prophecy.
Westeros Is Divided Into Seven Separate Kingdoms Once More
Another symbolic conclusion for Daenerys and Jon would have been to undo the work of their ancestor Aegon the Conqueror by dividing Westeros into seven separate kingdoms again. The North gained independence in the season finale and it would have been a logical ending for all of the kingdoms to establish their own rule.
In this scenario, Jon and Daenerys could have ruled the Crownlands whilst Sansa ruled the North, with Tyrion Lannister wearing the crown for the Westerlands. It has been theorized that Aegon united the kingdoms to fight against the White Walkers and, with the Night King dead, there would be no need for Westeros to remain together under one monarch.