Despite being hyped as the most elite mercenary army in the world, the Golden Company is eliminated in seconds, rendering their introduction largely inconsequential to the plot. 3. The Forgotten Consequences of the Bells

Game of Thrones [S8E5] " The Bells " Thesis: While " The Bells " focuses on the destruction of King’s Landing, it effectively "forgets" the multi-season character arcs and internal logic established prior to the finale. 1. The Forgotten Character Arcs

The central "forgotten" element is the choice made by Daenerys Targaryen. Despite the city surrendering (the ringing of the bells), she chooses to destroy it. Critics often argue this transition was "rushed," forgetting the nuances of her "breaker of chains" persona in favor of a "Mad Queen" ending. Key References for Further Reading