Game Of Thrones: Euron’s Mute Crew Plot Hole Explained

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Game of Thrones season 8 created a plot hole involving Euron Greyjoy's supposedly mute crew. The character, played by Pilou Asbæk, first joined the HBO series in season 6. Euron sailed back to the Iron Islands to kill his brother, Balon Greyjoy, in the hope of claiming the Salt Throne. As the new King of the Iron Islands, Euron aligned with Cersei Lannister and targeted his own niece and nephew, Yara and Theon Greyjoy, for their support of Daenerys Targaryen.

As with the character's arc in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire book series, Euron was the captain of the ironborn ship Silence. The sadistic sailer's vessel served as the flagship for the Iron Fleet, which heavily came into play in Game of Thrones' final two seasons. His crew was full of mute men who had their tongues cut out on Euron's orders. The reason for this inhumane action was so Euron could have some silence, hence the name of his beloved ship. It also stopped the men from speaking up or forming a mutiny.

The TV series confirmed Euron's cruel treatment of his crew in season 7. On his way to meet with Cersei in King's Landing, Euron used his fleet to attack Yara's ship, Black Wind. A battle ensued, but Euron claimed victory by cutting out the tongues of the survivors to replace his fallen crew members. After taking Yara hostage aboard Silence, Euron visited her below the deck, explaining that she had nobody else to talk to due to his mute crew. While the series made multiple points to confirm Euron's sickening behavior, Game of Thrones season 8 seemed to throw that plot point out of the window by giving his crew the ability to speak.

Game Of Thrones Season 8 Lacked An Attention To Detail

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At the start of Game of Thrones season 8, Euron successfully enlisted Harry Strickland and the Golden Company to assist in Cersei's efforts against Daenerys. Theon managed to rescue his sister, killing a few mute crew members along the way, but most of the fleet was kept intact. In the episode, "The Last of the Starks," Daenerys brought the fight directly to Euron's fleet with the help of her dragon, Rhaegal. As she flew above the ships equipped with her dragon's fire-breathing capabilities, someone on the mute crew called "watch out." In addition, Euron and a few of his crewmates yelled "turn around" during Daenerys' aerial assault. The sequence created a major plot hole when it came to Euron's previously established tongue-less crew.

Oversights like the mute crew were unfortunately rampant throughout Game of Thrones season 8. Aside from questionable character development and the act of abandoning certain storylines, the series made a slew of continuity errors. Among the worst was the infamous Starbucks coffee cup mishap, which also took place in "The Last of the Starks." Filming mistakes and various plot holes only added to the criticism of the show's conclusion. Time will tell if the mistakes end up tarnishing the show's legacy.