MA's Elected Leaders Offer Thoughts On Game Of Thrones Finale

BOSTON, MA — Few themes were more prevalent and constant in HBO's "Game of Thrones" than power and the quest for leadership. And while Sunday night's series finale literally poked fun at the suggestion that Westoros consider a democracy, we figured Massachusetts's democratically-elected leaders probably have some thoughts on those themes. And we also suspected — correctly — some of those same leaders were fans of the show and among the more than 19 million people expected to watch the episode live Sunday night.

So we asked them for comments on the show. We will insert a perfunctory spoiler alert here. But, by this point, you should know if you don't watch the show as it airs, you shouldn't even be online until you get caught up.

First up, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton. Anyone hoping for insight into Moulton's presidential campaign based on his thoughts on the show will be disappointed. "He doesn't watch," Matt Corridoni, a spokesman for Moulton, said.

But Moulton's counterpart in the House, Rep. Lori Trahan, is a fan. She was sad to see the show come to an end, and even more disappointed with Daenerys Targaryen's heel turn in the final season.

"Daenerys’ fall from grace was difficult for me as a fan of her character arc, but I did find some small consolation in the Starks ruling over Westeros," Trahan said. "Sansa did right by the North and will always watch out for her people and her family. All in all, it was a fun show and I enjoyed the ride."

Making his monthly appearance on WAAF's Hillman Show Monday morning, Gov. Charlie Baker — like many fans — had trouble hiding his disappointment with the finale. But, being a politician, Baker worked to put a positive spin on the episode, noting what he liked about the finale. Topping the list: the characters' walk through the wreckage of King's Landing in the opening scenes and the jail cell debate between Jon Snow and Tyrian Lanaster.

"That speech by Dany [Daenerys Targaryen]," Baker said of the character's dictator-like address of her victorious soldiers. "That was....something."

Little-known Charlie Baker fact: His favorite episode was "Battle of the Bastards," the penultimate episode of Season Six where Jon Snow and Ramsay Bolton battle for control of Winterfell.

Like Moulton, state Rep. Richard M. Haggerty (D-Woburn) didn't watch the finale, but not because he's not a fan. "He’s still playing catch up from Season 4," Haggerty's legislative aide, Anthony Langone, said. "I wanted to make sure I didn’t drop any season finale spoilers on him."

We're still waiting to hear back from several elected leaders in Massachusetts and will be updating this story throughout the day on Monday. If you're an elected official or an aide to an elected official in Massachusetts and want your thoughts included in this story, contact Dave Copeland at dave.copeland@patch.com or 617-433-7851.