Game of Thrones plot hole: Why didn’t the other kingdoms become independent?

Game of Thrones season eight has finally ended with fans finding out who took the Iron Throne. The final episode saw Sansa Stark (played by Sophie Turner) announce that the North will remain an independent kingdom. But why didn’t the other kingdoms also try to become independent? 

Why didn’t the other kingdoms become independent? 

WARNING: This article contains spoilers for Season 8, Episode 6 of Game of Thrones 

Game of Thrones season eight, episode six saw Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright) declared as the leader of the Seven Kingdoms. 

Representatives from all the remaining houses made the decision after Tyrion Lannister’s (Peter Dinklage) rousing speech that Bran would make a great ruler. 

However, Sansa Stark had one condition to support her brother in a dramatic moment. 

She declared that the North would remain an independent kingdom under Bran’s new rule. 

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Sansa announced: “Tens of thousands of North men fell during the great war defending all of Westeros and those who survived have seen too much and fought too hard to ever bend the knee again. 

“The North will remain an independent kingdom as it was for thousands of years.” 

While a powerful moment for Sansa and the North, many fans were left wondering why the other kingdoms did not become independent. 

This is especially true of Yara Greyjoy (Gemma Whelan) and the Iron Islands as viewers previously saw her negotiating with Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) for their independence. 

Equally the Dornish also have also enjoyed independence, just as the North previously had.

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According to the books, the Seven Kingdoms were initially united under the rule of Aegon Targaryen. 

Before this each of the kingdoms enjoyed independence for many years. 

As such, it could be argued that any of the rulers seated at the discussions could also have claimed independence. 

While they were not in the same bargaining position as Sansa, being the Bran’s sister, it is strange that no one else spoke up. 

On chat room Stack Exchange, one user user568458 posted that this was probably simply because Sansa was the last to speak. 

They posted: “It meant that if anyone else had wanted to copy her, they would have to publicly contradict themselves and publicly go against their own word.” 

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What’s more, they added, the remaining characters did not have the political prowess as some of the other characters we have seen across the eight seasons like Tywin Lannister or Cersei Lannister. 

“Edmure Tully, Gendry, Royce, Yara, Sam, Davos… these are not characters with the same political instincts and wits, or ambitions,” he posted. 

Whether this was the case of it was simply that it was not considered in the writing of the show, we won’t find out. 

This question is one of a number of so-called plot holes that viewers have pointed out. 

Others were left confused by what the point of the white horse was during episode 5 and why the Night’s Watch is still needed. 

Game of Thrones season 8 is available to watch online on NOW TV.

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source: express.co.uk