Switching Daenerys and Cersei’s Endings Would've Made a More Logical (and Satisfying) Conclusion

There were a lot of problems in Season 8 that are often discussed on this sub, and I won’t go into those, but with all the issues in the last seasons, I think the show would’ve had a more bearable ending (still with huge problems, of course) with a simple change: switching the fates of Daenerys Targaryen and Cersei Lannister.

While people often point out that "there were signs" of Daenerys going mad, it’s clear that when a director has to justify something with "she kinda forgot," then they’ve really messed up. Maybe Martin will set it up better in the books, but in the show, I just don’t see the character development that would logically lead Daenerys to go mad (at least in a few episodes).

Personally, I believe if their endings had been swapped, it would’ve made more sense. Cersei has wildfire under the city, and after the bells ring, she has PTSD or just outright goes mad and orders it to be blown up. Meanwhile, Daenerys, possibly pregnant, could have a miscarriage or die (maybe during childbirth or in battle, I just can’t see her having a happy ending).

It would’ve been interesting—people were so fixated on Daenerys going mad that they probably missed out on the fact that the "Mad Queen" was right in front of them all along: Cersei. That would’ve been a brilliant subversion of expectations. Also, this would’ve wrapped up Jaime’s story in a much better way, as he would have to make his big choice again - Instead of the nonsensical, "I never really cared for them. Innocent or otherwise," Jaime could’ve been the one to kill Cersei after she decides to blow up King's Landing, once again saving the people from a Mad ruler and finally making his character arc feel complete.

Now, I know this wouldn’t fix the complete disaster of an ending, but at least it would have made for a more logical one (it is still painful to remember how the twins actually died). Plus, my boy Jaime wouldn’t have been thrown under the bus.

There were a lot of problems in Season 8 that are often discussed on this sub, and I won’t go into those, but with all the issues in the last seasons, I think the show would’ve had a more bearable ending (still with huge problems, of course) with a simple change: switching the fates of Daenerys Targaryen and Cersei Lannister.

While people often point out that "there were signs" of Daenerys going mad, it’s clear that when a director has to justify something with "she kinda forgot," then they’ve really messed up. Maybe Martin will set it up better in the books, but in the show, I just don’t see the character development that would logically lead Daenerys to go mad (at least in a few episodes).

Personally, I believe if their endings had been swapped, it would’ve made more sense. Cersei has wildfire under the city, and after the bells ring, she has PTSD or just outright goes mad and orders it to be blown up. Meanwhile, Daenerys, possibly pregnant, could have a miscarriage or die (maybe during childbirth or in battle, I just can’t see her having a happy ending).

It would’ve been interesting—people were so fixated on Daenerys going mad that they probably missed out on the fact that the "Mad Queen" was right in front of them all along: Cersei. That would’ve been a brilliant subversion of expectations. Also, this would’ve wrapped up Jaime’s story in a much better way, as he would have to make his big choice again - Instead of the nonsensical, "I never really cared for them. Innocent or otherwise," Jaime could’ve been the one to kill Cersei after she decides to blow up King's Landing, once again saving the people from a Mad ruler and finally making his character arc feel complete.

Now, I know this wouldn’t fix the complete disaster of an ending, but at least it would have made for a more logical one (it is still painful to remember how the twins actually died). Plus, my boy Jaime wouldn’t have been thrown under the bus.