Good points, and with half the board cleared I've been wondering about this since GRRM has tried to state for so long he was avoiding tropes / trying to avoid a predictable 'good wins' ending.
It does look like the deck is being stacked to set things up for the return of the Targaryans + some kind of joining with the Stark family to provide a "legitimate rule" where the "bad guys" aren't going to win. In one sense, people hate stories where there isn't a happier resolution; I doubt Lord of the Rings would be so popular if Sauron or Saruman had won, the story would likely have continued until somehow they were overthrown. But tropes exist for a reason, I guess. [Does anyone really want Stannis to be king?]
Yeah I agree, I honestly can't see another way other then a Jon/Daenarys joint rule. But I do believe he will avoid the heroic win ending. Daenarys arriving across the sea in the only functioning navy standing *cough* iron islanders *cough*. Proceeding to having some titanic battle with who ever is still standing, and marching to the wall; saving the day. Maybe the white walkers will break through the wall, butchering their way across Westeros. Daenarys turning up late, only in time to hold part of the island. A pyrrhic victory would mitigate the 'good wins' whilst still giving readers a satisfactory ending.
Stannis..... no not really.
Interesting that Jon wears black all the time and Daenerys wears white... we've got Yin/Yang spinning around and around there, except with a Western flair.
Yes exactly one is experience, and the other divine right.
I'd say Jon Snow acts like a 16-year-old.
You are right he is 16 in the books isn't he. Having a guy in his mid twenties plays him confused me.
I'm inclined to disagree.
I'd argue that Danerys also goes on a quest. Don't the same things happen to her? I don't see Danerys avoiding contamination at all. She burned people alive and fucks Daario!
I should probably explain what I mean by contamination. Has Daenarys ever had to make a decision that wasn't black and white? Consider the first of your examples; she burnt someone who manipulated her into terrible acts. She is clothed in righteousness, where are her shades of grey? As for Darrio when he inevitably betrays her, her retribution shall again be righteous.
Whereas Jon on the other hand in the microcosm of the wall has to prove he is different from everyone else who had or has power in Westeros. That’s why he has to make mistakes, and screw up so that one day he will be the wise king that Westeros deserves.
I say this while holding in reserve that Daenarys plot line could change significantly. Perhaps her story is one of innocence lost. The way power has changed all in GOT. In which case the rampant deus ex machina is more an act of keeping her story simplified so the contrast before the change/fall is far more poignant.
I like it!
I actually have thought the same about Danerys, and how things seem to work out for her, in the end, always. Even if there are "prices" she pays. Her scenes are painful to watch, in that regard. There's no falling. Just rise, rise, rise. I'm just not that invested. I'm hoping her two dragons turn on her, because she kept them locked up.
There's this sense that her resolve comes from an external source, 'ought to', than an internal source, 'want to'. I don't think she's really owned her role/position yet. For all her steel resolve, decision-making, and immovable moral code, there's a tension within her, like she truly doesn't buy into her own confidence yet.
Yes this is one of my reservations about Daenarys. GRRM seems to adhere to lex talonis (eye for an eye). Every character gets what he deserves (bad and good). The obvious example being Theon Greyjoy* his vice was a thirst for power and prestige, and as punishment it was cut from him. Daenarys hasn't earned the throne yet has she? But again the standard rules don't seem to apply to her.
*Though given how disproportionate his punishment was I expect really good things to happen to him. Actually I had better put the last part under a spoiler, for those who havent read the latest book.
As for the ultimate conclusion to the Game of Thrones, there's the basic and simple question. How can a game of thrones end? Well....when you stop playing the game. It might just be that the throne itself will be melted away, with each "kingdom" ruling their own, with a ruler chosen by the people. United we stand (against the whitewalkers), and all that american pie goodness.
Easy the white walkers can roll down Westeros and kill everyone, now that would be a great ending.