The Bells

"The Bells" is the fifth episode of the eighth season of Game of Thrones. It is the seventy-second episode of the series overall. It premiered on May 12, 2019. It was written by David Benioff & D.B. Weiss and directed by Miguel Sapochnik.

Plot
Varys betrays his queen, and Daenerys brings her forces to King's Landing.

At Dragonstone
Varys is writing letters pertaining to the truth about Jon Snow's heritage when one of his spies walks in and tells Varys that Daenerys has not eaten anything in days. Varys responds they'll try again at supper and Martha tells Varys that Dany's soldiers are constantly on alert. Varys assures her that the higher the risk, the greater the reward. She is sent back to the kitchen as Varys gets word of the arrival of Jon Snow and his men.

When Jon arrives, he updates Varys on the Northern army's progress. When Jon asks how Dany is doing, Varys responds that Dany is refusing to eat or leave her chambers. Jon replies that Dany shouldn't be alone and Varys admires that Jon is worried for her. When Jon asks Varys if he isn't worried as well, Varys says he's worried for them all and speaks of Dany's mental state, "They say that when a Targaryen is born, the gods flip a coin." Varys says that he knows not what side Daenerys's coin will land on, but that he knows which side Jon's will land on, implying that he wants Jon to take the Iron Throne over Daenerys. Jon vehemently refuses, to which Varys says that he has advised kings and rulers for many years, and knows how Daenerys will end up, given everything he has seen. Jon is still opposed to the idea, saying that Daenerys is his Queen now and forever.

Tyrion meets with Daenerys in Dragonstone's war room, where she has been holed up for days. When she surmises to her that Jon is the one who betrayed her, her Hand confirms this and Daenerys names Jon Snow. However, Tyrion says that it was actually Varys and Dany confirms Varys knows the truth about Jon. She tells Tyrion that he told Varys, "You learned from Sansa. And she learned from Jon, though I begged him not to tell her," and thus feels Jon has betrayed her. Tyrion says he needs to be aware of this information so that he and Varys can be prepared for anything Dany might face but Dany is suspicious of Sansa's motives for telling Tyrion. Tyrion admits it was a mistake to tell Varys without Dany's permission and Sansa told Tyrion because she trusts him. Dany responds, "She trusted you to spread secrets that could destroy your own queen. And you did not let her down." Tyrion asks for Daenerys's forgiveness, saying they want the better world she wants and their intentions were good, "Varys as much as anyone. But it doesn't matter now." Dany replies, "No. It doesn't matter now."

Later that night, Varys is writing more letters when he hears the approach of guards. He burns the letter he is currently writing as Grey Worm and his men come into his room, shackles in hand. Varys knows what is about to occur. Without resistance, he is taken to the shores of Dragonstone, where Daenerys, Jon, and Tyrion are waiting for him. Tyrion tells Varys that it was him who sold his treachery out to Daenerys. Varys understands, and states that he hopes that he is wrong about everything he said about Daenerys. He bids one more farewell to Tyrion before Drogon burns him at Daenerys's command. Tyrion looks unhappy while Jon looks at Daenerys in concern.

In their room later, Jon comes to see Daenerys. She asks him what she said would happen if Jon told his sister about her parentage and Jon replies he doesn't want the crown and this is what he said to Varys. Daenerys says Sansa betrayed Jon's trust, "She killed Varys as much as I did. This was a victory for her. Now she knows what happens when people hear the truth about you." Daenerys confides that the people of Westeros love Jon more than her, that all she has here is fear, not love. Jon tells Dany, "I love you," and says she will always be his Queen regardless of how others feel about her. Daenerys asks, "Is that all I am to you? Your queen?" She and Jon start to kiss. However, Jon breaks off the kiss, still unable to get over their blood ties. In response, Daenerys accepts this but solemnly says, "Alright then. Let it be fear."

In Dragonstone's throne room, Tyrion consults with Daenerys, the latter of whom is now ordering Grey Worm and the Unsullied to sack King's Landing. Tyrion is strongly against it, saying that the citizens of the city are not Daenerys's enemy and are innocent. Daenerys counters that the slaves in Meereen turned against their masters and liberated themselves. Tyrion responds that the smallfolk are afraid of Cersei because Cersei will punish any rebellious acts. Dany says they are hostages in a tyrant's grip and Tyrion urgers her not to burn the city or thousands of children will die. Dany counters that Cersei is using mercy as a weakness against them but Cersei is wrong, mercy is their strength - her mercy for the future generations of Westeros, not those in the present.

In a last ditch effort to get through to Daenerys, Tyrion bargains one last time: he will go talk to Cersei and convince her to surrender, "Cersei's followers will abandon her if they know the war is lost. Give them that chance." When he does, he will ring the city's bells, indicating the full, unconditional surrender of Cersei and her army. He pleads with her not to attack unless he's done this deed. Reluctantly, Dany agrees. Before Tyrion leaves, she informs her Hand that Jaime was caught by her men trying to escape Winterfell. She warns him that the next time he fails her, it will be his very last.

In King's Landing
Ser Davos and his men are prepping for the siege outside King's Landing, when Tyrion arrives. He asks Davos if he can smuggle something specific for him. He gets passed the guards surrounding Jaime's tent and enters to see his brother chained to a post. He reveals that he smuggled the key to his shackles and unchains him, saying that he wants him to be the one to go to Cersei and convince her to surrender, saying it will be much easier for him than it would be for Tyrion himself. Jaime agrees, and Tyrion thanks Jaime for everything he has ever done for him before the two brothers share a tearful goodbye for the last time.

The next morning, the Unsullied, Dothraki, and Northmen united army are waiting outside the walls of King's Landing. Tyrion tells Jon that when they hear the bells, to call off his men. Meanwhile, a select few citizens of the city have been crowded in the Red Keep to protect them the coming invasion. Cersei overlooks the city and sees her plan coming to fruition: she intends to keep a vast swath of innocent civilians in the path of the Red Keep, seeing if Daenerys will truly burn the city and all the inhabitants with it.

In Blackwater Bay, the Iron Fleet waits in silence, when Daenerys, riding atop Drogon, ambushes them by emerging from out of the sun. The ironborn fire their scorpions, but were unable to land a hit, for their target is far too fast for them. With his flames the mighty dragon all but destroys the Iron Fleet, including the Silence, though Euron is able to escape by jumping into the sea.

As the armies wait at the gates for the bells to ring, Daenerys and Drogon suddenly burst through the gates in a fiery blast, scattering the Golden Company. Grey Worm and the united army charge the gate and take care of what remains of the Golden Company's men. In the mayhem, Grey Worm kills Captain Strickland.

As the united army takes to the streets of King's Landing, taking out any and all enemy soldiers in their path, Daenerys and Drogon strafe the city walls, destroying the remaining scorpions. They make their way to the gates of the inner-most part of the city, where Lannister soldiers are waiting. The two opposing armies come to an intense standstill. Daenerys perches Drogon atop one of the walls. Realizing their chances of winning are dwindling fast, the Lannister soldiers throw down their weapons and surrender. Tyrion and Jon are visibly relieved as the battle is seemingly done. The citizens of the city cry out for the bells to be rung. After a long amount of time passes, the bells are finally rung, signaling what appears to be the end of the sack of the city.

While the bells keep ringing, Daenerys looks at the Red Keep with a look of pure hatred in her eyes and becomes more and more overcome. Without uttering a single word, Daenerys takes Drogon to the skies, and in a terrifying display of rage, proceeds to burn down the entirety of King's Landing, scorching entire buildings and neighborhoods, killing both soldiers and innocent civilians alike.

Grey Worm takes his spear and throws it at the Lannister Captain, impaling him through the chest and killing him. With that, it becomes the call to arms as the Unsullied and Dothraki charge into the inner-most parts of the city, killing anyone, soldier or civilian, and raping women they come across. Jon and Tyrion are horrified by what they are bearing witness to. Jon orders his own men back and tries to get them and the Unsullied and Dothraki to stop fighting. Unfortunately, the Northmen, fueled by bloodlust and desire for revenge against the Lannisters for their actions during the War of the Five Kings, disregard Jon's command and join their allies in unleashing carnage on the defenders. As the chaos overwhelms the streets and Jon is deflecting attacks, he finds one of the soldiers grabbing an innocent woman. Jon intervenes to stop the soldier from raping the woman but the soldier attacks him and Jon is forced to kill him.

Jaime sneaks around the cliffs on which the Red Keep is situated and encounters Euron, who survived his brush with death. Jaime urges Euron to help him save Cersei, but Euron points out the city, and Cersei are lost. He and Jaime fight, saying that he will personally deliver Jaime's head to Cersei so she can kiss it one last time. Although Euron stabs Jaime multiple times, Jaime overpowers Euron and impales him through the gut with his sword. He walks away as Euron utters his final words: "You killed another king, but I'm the man who killed Jaime Lannister."

Meanwhile, Arya Stark and Sandor Clegane have snuck into the Red Keep. Arya plans to kill Cersei, but Sandor argues that Cersei is as good as dead and urges Arya to choose life over vengeance, saying that he himself has been seeking revenge his entire life. He tells Arya to be better than someone like him, a living embodiment of the vengeance she is seeking. As Sandor goes to deal with his brother, Arya calls him by his name for the first time, and thanks him before they both go their separate ways.

Having convinced Cersei that all is lost, Qyburn evacuates Cersei from the Red Keep, but they come across Sandor. The Hound effortlessly dispatches the Queensguard before he stands face to face with his brother. Cersei orders Gregor to protect her. When Gregor ignores her, Qyburn repeats the order, but the Mountain smashes his head against a wall, killing him. Cersei flees as the Clegane brothers duel. At the same time, Arya is trying to escape through the city, nearly getting trampled in the process by civilians trying to escape Daenerys' wrath.

Gregor and Sandor fight, but the latter's attacks seem to have no effect, with Gregor even pulling a sword clean from his stomach with no signs of slowing down. Gregor beats down Sandor and lifts him up against the wall, preparing to gouge out his eyes. Just as Gregor does this, Sandor grabs a knife from his side and stabs Gregor clean through his eye. Even this does nothing to stop Gregor, who begins pulling the knife from his eye. Knowing that none of his attacks will truly kill Gregor, Sandor knows what he must do. Mustering up enough courage to face his fears, Sandor runs and tackles Gregor through the opposite wall, sending them both hurtling hundreds of feet into the fiery remains of the city.

Davos and Jon are reeling at the carnage and fire surrounding them as caches of wildfire explode and Daenerys and Drogon burn up the city. Davos and Jon share a look and Jon orders his forces to fall back. He and Davos rush people out of the city as fire rains down upon them from above.

Cersei is all alone in her castle when she sees Jaime, bloodied and badly wounded following his fight with Euron. The two of them go deep into the Red Keep, where Tyrion had told Jaime to go where there would be a boat waiting for them on the beach to take them away from the city. However, they find their path has been blocked by rubble. A frightened Cersei begins to cry, saying that she does not want to die. Jaime simply tells her to look at him. Hearing the Red Keep above them crumbling away, the Lannister twins embrace for the last time as the ceilings cave in on them, killing them both.

Meanwhile, Arya regains consciousness after she was left incapacitated by a concussive blast. She manages to get into a building full of women and children and convinces them to keep moving, lest they perish where they stand. They begin to escape, but most of them, save a mother and her young daughter, are killed by the roving Dothraki. The mother collapses and tells Arya to take her daughter to safety. She grabs the child and begins to run, but the girl refuses to leave her mother and goes to her side just as Daenerys and Drogon swoop down one last time and unleash another torrent of fire upon the innocent civilians.

Arya awakes later and sees the devastation around her. She looks and sees that the mother and her daughter were burned alive. She stumbles around the city and sees the dead bodies of many innocent men, women, and children, all at the hands of her brother's lover. She suddenly sees a white horse among the throes of the dead. She goes up to it and is able to calm it before mounting the horse, riding out of the city to an uncertain future, leaving the devastation of King's Landing behind her, in what has become an unrequited order fulfilled: the last words of the Mad King, "Burn them all," coming to life at his daughter's hand as King's Landing burns.

Appearances

 * Main: The Bells/Appearances

First

 * Nora

Deaths

 * Varys
 * Harry Strickland
 * Euron Greyjoy
 * Boros Blount
 * Preston Greenfield
 * Arys Oakheart
 * Balon Swann
 * Osmund Kettleblack
 * Qyburn
 * Sandor Clegane
 * Gregor Clegane
 * Nora
 * Jaime Lannister
 * Cersei Lannister
 * Ellaria Sand (not seen)
 * Unella (not seen)
 * High Septon (not seen)

Cast
Starring
 * Peter Dinklage as Lord Tyrion Lannister
 * Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Ser Jaime Lannister
 * Lena Headey as Queen Cersei Lannister
 * Emilia Clarke as Queen Daenerys Targaryen
 * Kit Harington as Jon Snow/Aegon Targaryen
 * Maisie Williams as Arya Stark
 * Liam Cunningham as Ser Davos Seaworth
 * Conleth Hill as Lord Varys
 * Rory McCann as Sandor Clegane
 * Jacob Anderson as Commander Grey Worm

Guest Starring
 * Pilou Asbæk as King Euron Greyjoy
 * Anton Lesser as Qyburn
 * Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson as Ser Gregor Clegane
 * Laura Elphinstone as Nora
 * Marc Rissmann as Captain Harry Strickland
 * Alexis Raben
 * Matthew Wolf
 * Bronte Carmichael as Martha
 * Tipper Seifert-Cleveland
 * Frank Blake as Northern sentry
 * Ryan McKen
 * Owen Whitelaw
 * Mairi Hawthorn
 * Oliver Devoti
 * Jim Tighe
 * Derek Dubery
 * Luke McQuillan
 * Nicky Harley
 * Hayley McQuillan
 * Adam Devereux
 * Thomas Martin
 * Brian Patrick Kennedy
 * Luna Kalo
 * Caitlin Pharro
 * Louis McCartney
 * Rosie McClelland
 * Isaac Heslip
 * Jack Morgan
 * Aaron Rodgers

Cast notes

 * 10 of 18 starring cast members appear in this episode.
 * This episode is the final appearance of starring cast members Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister), Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister), Conleth Hill (Varys) and Rory McCann (Sandor Clegane) due to the death of their characters.
 * Annabel Brook, Andrew Burford, Yusuf Chaudhri, Nick Chopping, Adam Collins, Josh Dyer, Andrew Eadie, Rachael Evelyn, Pete Ford, Luke Gomes, Dan Griffiths, Rob Hayns, Michael Homick, Rowley Irlam, Kye Mckee, Jason Oettle, Juliet Reeve, Shane Roberts, Anna Stephenson, Ryan Stuart, Laura Swift, Andy Wareham, and Ben Wright were stunt performers in this episode.

General

 * Three long-standing fan theories are referenced in this episode: "Cleganebowl," a final showdown between Sandor and Gregor Clegane, "Mad Queen Daenerys", with Daenerys appearently succumbing to Targaryen madness, and Daenerys as the "younger, more beautiful queen" who would cast Cersei down and take all she held dear.
 * Winterfell and Last Hearth both appear in the Title sequence despite not appearing in the episode while Dragonstone once again does not appear despite being a major setting for the episode.
 * With the deaths of Sandor and Gregor Clegane, all known members of House Clegane are dead, rendering the house extinct.
 * With Jaime and Cersei's deaths, Tyrion seemingly becomes Lord of Casterly Rock and head of House Lannister as the sole remaining offspring of Tywin Lannister. This is ironic given Tywin's resentment toward Tyrion and refusal to make Tyrion his heir.
 * With the death of Euron, Yara Greyjoy's rule of the Iron Islands is now uncontested.
 * The pale white horse found by Arya at the end of the episode is the same horse ridden by Harry Strickland before his death.
 * Arya riding a white horse may be a reference to the book of Revelation from the Christian Bible. Revelation 6: 8 refers to a rider of the white or ashen horse being death, and where ever the white horse goes, death follows with it. Arya was affiliated with the Many Faced God of Death and the horse is leaving behind a burning city with thousands dead.
 * The text goes as thus: "And I looked, and behold, a ashen horse! And its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed him."
 * The City Watch of King's Landing doesn't appear in the episode. It's possible that the members of the City Watch were there, but were wearing Lannister armor instead of their usual apparel.
 * Ironically, the episode in which Cersei Lannister dies aired on Mother's Day of 2019.
 * The destruction of the Red Keep in this episode leaves the fate of prisoners in the Black Cells like Septa Unella and Ellaria Sand uncertain. One can assume they were crushed/suffocated in their cells, as the damage was enough for the basements of the Keep to be crumbling, suggesting the entire structure was compromised.
 * Two songs can be heard playing simultaneously during the end credits: "The Light of the Seven" and "The Rains of Castamere." Both were originally odes to Lannister triumphs: "The Light of the Seven" first being played alongside the destruction of Cersei's enemies in "The Winds of Winter" and the latter being the unofficial anthem of House Lannister, commemorating their destruction of their renegade bannermen.  So it's ironic that they play in an episode that sees two Lannisters killed and House Lannister seemingly on the brink of extinction.
 * "The Rains of Castamere" has been used in this way before to mark moments of strife for House Lannister, including Joffrey's death ("The Lion and the Rose"), Tyrion's trial ("The Laws of Gods and Men"), and Tywin's death ("The Children").

Callbacks

 * Varys paraphrases his belief that "power resides where men believe it resides," something he first talked about in "What Is Dead May Never Die."
 * Varys's last words to Tyrion are "Goodbye, old friend", which echoes how he greeted him when they were reunited in Meereen in "Mother's Mercy", saying "Hello, old friend".
 * Drogon's shadow is seen flying over King's Landing. Bran saw this image in a vision way back in Season 4's "The Lion and the Rose" and again Season 6's "Blood of My Blood."
 * Tyrion once again shows his Valyrian leaves much to be desired, mixing up words like he did in Season 5's "Mother's Mercy" and Season 6's "The Red Woman" and "Book of the Stranger."
 * It had previously been said that the Mad King ordered caches of wildfire placed all over King's Landing ("Kissed by Fire"). These caches are ignited by Drogon's dragonfire.
 * Jaime's final words to Cersei are "Nothing else matters," echoing what he had said to her in "The Red Woman."
 * Jaime dies in Cersei's arms, the woman he loves, which is how he said he wanted to go out in "Sons of the Harpy."
 * Gregor attempts to gouge out Sandor's eyeballs in the same way he did to Oberyn Martell in "The Mountain and the Viper."

In the books
[This section will be updated with comparisons when the sixth and seventh novels are released.]

Memorable quotes

 * Daenerys: "Far more people in Westeros love you than love me; I don't have love here. I only have fear."
 * Jon Snow: "I love you. And you will always be my Queen."
 * Daenerys: "Is that all I am to you? Your Queen? Alright then: let it be fear.


 * Sandor: "Go home girl. Fire will get her. Or one of the Dothraki. Maybe that dragon will eat her. Doesn't matter: she's dead. And you'll be dead too if you don't get out of here.
 * Arya: "I'm going to kill her."
 * Sandor: "You think you've wanted revenge a long time? I've been after it all my life; it's all I care about. And look at me - LOOK AT ME! You want to be like me? You come with me, you die here."
 * Arya: "Sandor... thank you."


 * Sandor: "Hello big brother."