Guess I'll just wait for the book to get an ending

It’s not only narratively convenient but it’s the only ending that really works asides if they redid the whole season and Danny didn’t go bonkers and everyone lives happily ever after with her as Queen- which even that wouldn’t quite work because John and much of Westeros seemed to have some issues with her being related to her boyfriend. Likewise even if she didn’t go crazy- war with the other powers seemed likely. A foreign queen who’s so far traveled the world unseating those she sees as archaic or abusive powers? The iron bank still has money and would be more likely to back an alliance against her, and the other countries would likely and rightfully so given her speech- be concerned about the woman in charge of most of the known world.

No one else besides those two had legitimate claim to the throne. Gendry has the next strongest claim- but to the people and most nobles is an unknown, also doesn’t want it, and has never ruled anything before so is noble of spirit but lacking all other qualifications. Sansa could do it- but putting asides the realms just suffered under 2 iron fisted lady rulers and might be a little stand offish- she also is a strong northerner and outside the north that could cause problems as it would be perceived and she likely would favor the north- which still would want to be free, and without her- who would the north follow?

Asides the fact that northmen are even more sticklers for history and bloodlines than the iron throne, only Bran or John could possibly fit the task. It would make no sense to take Northern strong Sansa and place her on the southern throne and put someone else on the northern throne even if we ignore the fact John doesn’t want it and his complications. And we’d still have to ignore the fact that he bent the knee to a foreign queen and lost support from several northern houses, that he’d likely divide the north, and that he threw in his lot with the Targaryans, IS one, sat through the sacking of the capital, is a liability that the unsullied and or Dothraki would come for vengeance... etc. his presence in the north would make it a target and likely lead to war either civil in the north or between the north and south- many of whom might be outraged he was the ruler of the north after what they perceive he was a part of,

and the fact that a man who stood with Danny to take their homes was given a newly formed Westerosi kingdom of his own.

All in all- Bran, even without experience ruling, does have magic powers. He can draw on the combined experiences of all the rulers before him. He’s crafty and willing to do what he feels needs to be done. His allegiance isn’t to a place or even to his family it seems at this point- but simply to the living. He saw how the ancients lived in relative peace and harmony up until the whole war with elves or whatever and the night king. So he has a road map for peace and won’t make the same mistakes that have ruined things in the past. He’s from a great house, has a worthy origin story, and shouldn’t cause much issue being appointed.

As for peace with the wildlings- they respect John. He is the peace with them. It’s winter and if they were in dire need there’s no reason they wouldn’t go back to raiding the north. The last time there were no white walkers the Nights watch basically forgot their purpose and became prejudiced wildling hunters because they needed SOME kind of enemy. John being here this time should prevent that and allow the watch and wildlings to hopefully form a relationship that will last after John and this generation has passed. All in all I think the end was fitting to the story and saw everyone get to a good place more or less. After all they’ve seen and been through the characters couldn’t simply go back to being as they were- except John Snow who through it all has tried his hardest to stay where and how he started. But even he has been changed and is full of regrets.

So it’s not happily ever after- but most major characters have seen most of their families and loved ones die. Have been tortured and traumatized. So it’s probably as happy as real life could ever get. We are left with most of the nobles having learned valuable lessons and changed. Tyrion is far wiser and far more compassionate than the cold and calculating man with a hint of empathy he once was. Sansa is stronger, Arya is not only stronger- but also she learned valuable lessons about the price of vengeance and violence and has been tempered some. Westeros is likely finally tired of death and war and the last episode shows a world with hope that things will be different- better. But just hope. No “happily ever after” or “1,000 years of peace...” fitting indeed.