Game Of Thrones Episode 5's Key Scenes Explained By Writers, Creators (Season 8)

Season 8, Episode 5, the penultimate episode of HBO's Game of Thrones, aired last night--and it was dramatic and arguably shocking. As it does for each episode, HBO has now released a cool behind-the-scenes, "Inside the Episode" mini-feature in which showrunners D.B. Weiss and David Benioff break down all the key scenes and moments from Episode 5, which is titled "The Bells." Spoilers follow below.

A lot happened in Episode 5, and it's very interesting to hear directly from Weiss and Benioff about the pivotal moments from the episode and how they might impact next week's series finale (for which we've already gotten Episode 6 preview trailer). You'll want to have seen Episode 5 before watching this breakdown. Here you go:

Among other things, the two discuss Dany's fateful Mad Queen decision, as well as Jon's morals and the reality of what unfolds in King's Landing, as his and Dany's army ravage the city's occupants. They also talk about finally delivering the long-awaited Cleganebowl, the culmination of Cersei and Jaime's storylines, and more.

Varys meeting his end isn't highlighted in this breakdown, which could be because there was so much else to discuss, or because this isn't the end for him. While he's certainly dead, Varys might have been plotting to kill Dany right in front of us--and his plan hasn't necessarily ended just because he got up close and personal with Drogon. Whether that does indeed come into play next week remains to be seen, but it could make for an exciting twist.

Next week's Episode 6 is the 73rd and final episode of Game of Thrones. It is 80 minutes long, and given it is the final episode, we may finally learn who wins the throne. For more on Episode 5, check out GameSpot's review of Game of Thrones: "The Bells."

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