Emilia Clarke Is Already Saying “Goodbye” to Game of Thrones

Emilia Clarke is steeling herself for the end of Game of Thrones. The actress, who plays Daenerys Targaryen (a.k.a Khaleesi, a.k.a. the Mother of Dragons, a.k.a. the iciest blonde this side of the Wall), has penned a candid tribute to the series on Instagram, crystalizing her final days on the HBO shows set.

“Hopped on a boat to an island to say goodbye to the land that has been my home away from home for almost a decade,” she wrote, sharing a selfie of herself lying among flowers. “Its been a trip @gameofthrones thank you for the life I never dreamed Id be able to live and the family Ill never stop missing ##lastseasonitis.”

Co-stars on the series were quick to comment, including Lena Headey, who plays the vicious Cersei Lannister. “Sweet words. Love you and HOLY balls. #itistheend,” she wrote.

John Bradley West, who plays the bookish Samwell Tarly, added, “Its been the best. Ever. And youve been incredible.”

Jason Mamoa who played the late Khal Drogo, also couldnt resist commenting, writing that he was “proud” of Clarke. And just like that, Clarkes post has become an unofficial yearbook for Thrones cast members, a space for them to reflect on the good times and jot out melancholic goodbyes. All were missing is Tyrion dropping in with an elevated version of “You rock, dont ever change,” and John Snow leaving an emotional confession, only to delete it all moments later and replace with a strained, lovesick “. . . h.a.g.s.” Though he would probably swap out the “s” for a “w,” because winter is kind of this shows thing.

Clarke also shared a photo of herself with Bradley, co-star Conleth Hill, and show co-creator D.B. Weiss. “The human embodiment of a wonderwall. Thank you #liamghallager for the reminder..” she wrote, sprinkling her post with a series of hashtags like #90stributebandlookalikes? #motherofsingalongs #heartbreakclub #almostover.

The rest of the cast has also been preparing themselves for the end of the series. Sophie Turner, who plays the enduring Sansa Stark, got a commemorative tattoo of a wolf paired with the phrase “The pack survives,” a clear tribute to House Stark and its gang of direwolves.

In an interview last year, Kit Harington revealed that he cried when he read the final script. “It wasnt anything particular that happens,” he added. “You have to remember, Ive done eight years of it. I think, no one really cares about it more than us. I get a bit weepy thinking about it. Its going to be a strange year saying goodbye to everyone and having last scenes with this person and that person. Not only youre attached to it, loads of people around the world are attached to it.”

Peter Dinklage (who plays Tyrion) has made peace with the shows end, telling Variety that although it was “bittersweet” to say goodbye, the time was right for the show to come to a close. “Sometimes shows stay on a little too long,” he said.

And in a cover story for Vanity Fair, Clarke herself shared what it was like shooting her final scenes as Khaleesi, hinting that the characters end might surprise some viewers. “It fucked me up,” she said. “Knowing that is going to be a lasting flavor in someones mouth of what Daenerys is . . .”

Considering the hell that George R. R. Martin has already put fans through, the shows shock threshold is pretty damn high. But if Clarke herself found its conclusion surprising enough to leave us with a titillating ellipsis, then theres no telling whats about to happen. It seems . . . not good! But she has spent the last few years throwing fans off track (or at least attempting to throw fans off track), so its still anybodys game. Of Thrones. Winter is here and stuff. Game of Thrones will return to television in 2019.

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