Game Of Thrones suffers further ridicule as disabled Jaime Lannister miraculously grows his right hand BACK in promo image from dramatic penultimate episode
- WARNING: This article contains season 8, episode 5 spoilers throughout
Its impressive cinematic range has been undermined by a series of editing gaffes over recent weeks, and Sunday evening threatened to be no different as Game of Thrones took one step closer to its dramatic conclusion.
With Kings Landing ablaze and its terrified inhabitants fleeing for their lives, a mortally wounded Jaime Lannister appeared to have miraculously regrown his severed right hand in promo images lifted from his final scene.
Die-hard fans of the long-running fantasy drama will remember Jamie, famed for his elaborate swordplay, relearning the art of combat after it was brutally cut at the wrist during the show's third season.
Hand of the King: With Kings Landing ablaze in Game Of Thrones, a mortally wounded Jaime Lannister appeared to have miraculously regrown his severed right hand just in time for his final scene
He was later fitted with a cumbersome gold plated replacement, but in promo stills taken from the scene it is nowhere in sight as he shares one final embrace with sister Cersei.
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Instead, the hand we last saw being separated from his right arm in 2013 appeared to be in frame as the walls of the Red Keep collapsed around them, sealing their fate.
Fortunately the show was spared any significant embarrassment by editing it out, but it wasn't enough to prevent disgruntled fans taking aim at its two producers, David Benioff and D.B Weiss.
Not happy: Taking to Twitter, one bemused fan placed the gaffe at the feet of show-runners David Benioff and D.B Weiss, who have previously been criticized for the appearance of an takeaway coffee cup in Winterfell's Great Hall
Here we go: Fans were quick to respond to the observation after the episode aired in the early hours of Monday morning
Taking to Twitter after spotting the image, one bemused fan placed the gaffe firmly at the feet of the show-runners, who were previously blamed for the appearance of an erroneous takeaway coffee cup in Winterfell's Great Hall.
'Oops, looks like the Starbucks mishap was only the top of the iceberg. jaime's hand magically healed in Episode 5.
'As if we needed any more proof D&D simply stopped caring about GoT a long time ago.'
Responding to the post, another fan wrote: 'How the hell do you people even notice these things while watching?!?!'
Ouch: Jaime's right hand was last seen being severed in 2013
Give it a rest: Some viewers were critical of the observation, with some claiming they couldn't see it
There it is! His artificial gold plated hand was well in evidence as he fought Euron Greyjoy to the death during the show's penultimate episode
'I couldn't see through my tears,' added a second, referring to Jaime and Cercei's emotional final scene.
'Of course some persons are more observant than others. While some are movie critics just like you have cuisine critics. Nice observation, sad error.'
However others were more critical of the apparent observation, with one commenting: 'It's easier to enjoy things if you're not looking for reasons not to.'
While another added: 'where is it ? I checked, I didn't find it!'
Which way to the beach? Kings Landing, the focal point of Game Of Thrones, resembled a remote desert outpost in a previous episode of the epic fantasy drama – prompting inevitable outrage from fans
Suitcases at the ready: With its large bays, busy harbours and sweeping coastal vistas it usually looks more like a picturesque holiday destination than a hive of prostitution, drunkenness and routine brutality
Not a drop in sight: But it looked radically different as Daenerys Targaryen and her ragged army of Unsullied approached the city gates
Stunning: Kings Landing looks rather more welcoming in old stills from the hit show
Fans previously claimed Kings Landing, the focal point of Game Of Thrones, resembled a remote desert outpost in the fourth episode of the epic fantasy drama.
Incredulous viewers watched as Daenerys and her ragged army of Unsullied approached the city gates as the episode reached its nail-biting conclusion.
With the captive Missandei mercilessly beheaded and Queen Cersei refusing a peaceful surrender, its closing scenes promised an eventful climax to the show's hugely successful nine-year run.
One shot or two? The perceived geographical blunder followed a very real editing gaffe that resulted in a takeaway coffee cup being overlooked during another pivotal scene
Is that from Starkbucks? Fans were left spitting their cocoa after spotting what appeared to be a takeaway coffee cup in Winterfell’s Great Hall
However its dramatic impetus appeared to be undermined by a dusty, barren landscape completely at odds with the fertile backdrops usually displayed beyond the towering walls of Kings Landing.
Taking to Reddit, one perplexed fan wrote: 'Everyone's talking about the coffee cup but can we talk about why the f*** King's Landing is now in a desert without mountains?'
While another viewer added: 'I don't understand where this even is, isn't KL surrounded by water except for the entrance?'
Breathing fire: Many viewers took to Twitter after noticing the unfortunate blunder on Sunday evening's show
Cafe King: More used to a horn of ale than a coconut cappuccino, Jon and Daenerys appeared oblivious to the offending cup
However some die-hard fans insisted the lack of seawater was caused by the show's long-awaited winter, a season that has been key to many of its key story-lines.
'The sea receeds (sic) during winter, like a super long lasting low tide. This is one of the areas where the bay has receded leaving barren area leading up to a city wall,' wrote one.
Another wrote: 'It has 7 gates. I am sure one of them is like this one.'
While many expressed confusion, its likely that fans mistakenly took Kings Landing for an island, rather than a city that is not surrounded by water on all sides.
Pointing out the city's geography, one fan wrote: 'It's the other side of King's Landing. The sea is in the south and Daenarys has come from the north. No gaffe there.'
Twitter is coming: The comments were inevitably followed by a flurry of hilarious memes
Somewhat improbably, another claimed Cersei had strategically moved the capital further south to Dorne - a city rarely featured in Game Of Thrones yet well known for its warmer climate.
'Guys stop being dumb. It's obvious that while Jon and Danny were fighting the dead Cersie took the opportunity to move Kings Landing to Dorne.
'This is an excellent strategic move on her part and I'm so annoyed people don't get it smh.'
The perceived geographical blunder followed a very real editing gaffe that resulted in a takeaway coffee cup being overlooked during another pivotal scene.
Drama: Kings Landing was incinerated during the latest episode of the hit show
Here they come: Daenerys and her last remaining dragon were quite literally on fire as they set about destroying everything in sight
Fans stayed up late to watch an eventful episode four as the long-running fantasy drama, now in its eighth season, prepares for a bloody conclusion in little more than a fortnight’s time.
But they were spitting their cocoa after spotting what appeared to be a takeaway coffee cup in Winterfell’s Great Hall as Daenerys, Jon Snow and the united army of Wildlings, Unsullied and Dothraki warriors basked in their victory over the Night King.
More familiar with a horn of ale than a coconut cappuccino, Jon and Daenerys appeared oblivious to the offending cup, placed on one of the hall's long trestle-tables, as their raucous celebrations kicked off the episode.
A breakdown of everyone who DIED in the penultimate episode The Bells
Sunday night's penultimate episode of Game of Thrones featured a number of prominent characters who met their proverbial maker, some of whom had been around since the first season.
There were seven characters in total who met with their demise in the deadly episode, who represented a mere fraction of the total number of dead in this episode.
While an official casualty count has not been revealed, due to the destructive nature of Daenerys Targaryen and her remaining dragon Drogon, thousands of people were killed.
Death toll: There were seven characters in total who met with their demise in the deadly episode, who represented a mere fraction of the total number of dead in this episode
Dragon aftermath: While an official casualty count has not been revealed, due to the destructive nature of Daenerys Targaryen and her remaining dragon Drogon, thousands of people were killed
Easily the most prominent and important characters to meet their demise were the siblings/lovers Queen Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) and Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster Waldau).
While Cersei spent much of her time during this episode tucked safely away in the Red Keep, but that didn't last long, and at one point, she was all by herself, when Jaime found her.
Jaime tried to lead her to safety through a tunnel underneath the Red Keep, but the tunnel was blocked off, as the siblings shared a final moment in embrace as the entire building came crumbling down on top of them.
Cersei and Jaime: Easily the most prominent and important characters to meet their demise were the siblings/lovers Queen Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) and Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster Waldau)
Another one of the pivotal deaths was Lord Varys (Conleth Hill), who has also been around since the first season.
Varys has been a master of information, with a network of spies throughout Westeros and Essos that have kept him informed throughout the series' run.
The episode started with Varys writing a note to an unspecified character, stating that Jon Snow (Kit Harington) had the best claim to the Iron Throne.
Varys spies: The episode started with Varys writing a note to an unspecified character, stating that Jon Snow (Kit Harington) had the best claim to the Iron Throne
Unfortunately, it was that network of spies, and his desire to put the person he best saw fit on the Iron Throne, that lead to his demise.
Daenerys found out that Varys ultimately knew about Jon Snow's (Kit Harington) true heritage, through Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) and Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage).
Daenerys ultimately decided that Varys' crime should be punishable by death, as her lone remaining dragon Drogon torched him.
Varys' final moments: Unfortunately, it was that network of spies, and his desire to put the person he best saw fit on the Iron Throne, that lead to his demise
Goodbye: Daenerys found out that Varys ultimately knew about Jon Snow's (Kit Harington) true heritage, through Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) and Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage)
Death by dragon: Daenerys ultimately decided that Varys' crime should be punishable by death, as her lone remaining dragon Drogon torched him
Before Jaime Lannister was crushed to death with his sister, he also dispatched another formidable character, Euron Greyjoy (Pilou Asbaek).
Jaime was tasked with ringing the bells and opening the gates by Tyrion, who promised there would be a small boat waiting for him.
True to his word, the boat was waiting, but so was Euron, who demanded Jaime fight him, which ended in Jaime being wounded before Jaime ultimately killed Euron.
Euron's goodbye: Before Jaime Lannister was crushed to death with his sister, he also dispatched another formidable character, Euron Greyjoy (Pilou Asbaek)
Bloody Euron: True to his word, the boat was waiting, but so was Euron, who demanded Jaime fight him, which ended in Jaime being wounded before Jaime ultimately killed Euron
Another notable death happened in the blink of an eye, when The Mountain (Hafthor Julius Bjornsson) quickly killed Qyburn (Anton Lesser).
The irony, of course, is that Qyburn is the one who brought The Mountain back to life, after he was poisoned by Oberyn Martell (Pedro Pascal) at the end of Season 4, before The Moutnain killed him.
Cersei Lannister ordered Qyburn to do whatever it takes to bring Ser Gregor Clegane (a.k.a. The Mountain) back from the dead, which he succeeded to do.
Still, despite being a seemingly mindless zombie since then, he killed Qyburn after he told The Mountain to obey Queen Cersei.
Last moments: Another notable death happened in the blink of an eye, when The Mountain (Hafthor Julius Bjornsson) quickly killed Qyburn (Anton Lesser)
Qyburn: Cersei Lannister ordered Qyburn to do whatever it takes to bring Ser Gregor Clegane (a.k.a. The Mountain) back from the dead, which he succeeded to do
Mindless Clegane: Still, despite being a seemingly mindless zombie since then, he killed Qyburn after he told The Mountain to obey Queen Cersei
Shortly after The Mountain killed Qyburn, this undead character ultimately met his demise as well, at the hands of his brother, Sandor 'The Hound' Clegane (Rory McCann).
In a moment fans have been waiting for years to see, which has been dubbed the 'Cleganebowl,' the Clegane brothers squared off in an epic battle, the one reason The Hound had traveled from Winterfell to King's Landing.
While The Mountain had the upper hand for most of the battle, The Hound kept trying to kill his brother, and he ultimately succeeded by sacrificing himself, tackling his brother off of a balcony, hundreds of feet below to their death.
Brothers: Shortly after The Mountain killed Qyburn, this undead character ultimately met his demise as well, at the hands of his brother, Sandor 'The Hound' Clegane (Rory McCann)
Mountain: While The Mountain had the upper hand for most of the battle, The Hound kept trying to kill his brother, and he ultimately succeeded by sacrificing himself, tackling his brother off of a balcony, hundreds of feet below to their death
While not a exactly a main character, another notable death was Harry Strickland (Marc Rissmann), the leader of the Golden Company, who was struck down by Grey Worm's spear.
Next Sunday brings the final episode of Game of Thrones, which may very well likely result in even more main characters dying.
Following the May 19 finale, fans will get to go behind-the-scenes with a two-hour documentary Game of Thrones: The Last Watch, airing Sunday, May 26 at 9 PM ET on HBO.
Bye Harry: While not a exactly a main character, another notable death was Harry Strickland (Marc Rissmann), the leader of the Golden Company, who was struck down by Grey Worm's spe
But the error was not lost on eagle-eyed viewers, who promptly expressed their disbelief on social media.
Taking to Twitter, one wrote: 'So this is where we're at now! A Starbucks cup!'
While another joked: 'If that’s Dany’s Starbucks coffee I feel bad for the barista who has to write her name on the cup.... hand must be cramping.'
'I missed the story arc where dany discovers pumpkin spice lattes,' wrote a third.
Another fan dismissed claims that the cup had been Photoshopped onto the scene for comical effect, writing: 'It isn’t I just rewatched the scene on hbo now is that a candle or something wtf.' (sic)
Game Of Thrones concludes on May 19.
