Game of Thrones

Y'know that meme about Bran Stark not contributing anything to the group project, but still getting an A? Well, Elizabeth Warren is here to tell you why that's 100% correct.

We got the Massachusetts Senator and presidential hopeful Wednesday on Capitol Hill, where she elaborated on why she thinks Bran was totally the wrong choice for the crown ... an option no one seems happy with ... other than meme creators, of course.

Senator Warren explains it rather simply -- Bran was boring as hell in the series and didn't actually offer much of anything to the action OR the story ... unless you count a lineage discovery (that didn't go anywhere, ultimately) as mighty important.

Even if he did serve as solid representation for the disability community, Warren says that alone just doesn't cut it as far as development and arc over the whole series.

Sounds like EW's doubling down here on her shared rant with AOC from the other day -- a character more folks were invested in (like, say, Dany or Sansa) should've won the throne ... rather than just being written off as either crazy or complacent in the end.

The "Game of Thrones" actor unexpectedly getting the most love after the finale isn't Peter Dinklage, Emilia Clarke or even Kit Harington ... it's Lino Facioli, and he's blown away.

The former kid star turned grown-ass hottie who played Robin Arryn -- aka Breast Milk Boy -- on HBO's epic series joined us Tuesday on "TMZ Live" to talk about his huge glow-up from the final episode. While most fans have been bitching about the finale plot lines ... almost all of 'em LOVED the grown-up version of Robin!

Lino tells us it's insane and surreal, even more than expected ... because he actually forgot the finale was even airing! He says he awoke Monday morning to his phone blowing up after fans went nuts for his more mature and teen idol-esque appearance.

As 'Thrones' faithful know ... Lino first appeared in season one as a weird, bratty boy drinking milk straight from his mother's boob despite being a walking, talking pre-teen. He continued to be awkward and off-putting in later seasons.

In the finale, though, Robin shocked fans by showing up as the Lord of the Eyrie and pulling a Neville Longbottom from the 'Harry Potter' franchise. Translation -- he grew up and got hot.

Lino says he's already reaping the benefits in the form of thousands of added social media followers -- he went from around 5k to almost 46k on Instagram almost overnight. He says he's getting plenty of offers since the finale -- career-wise and DM-wise -- but knows one of his best options might be as a mouthpiece for the benefits of breastfeeding.

No one's gonna argue it did HIS body good!

Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are PISSED at the ending of "Game of Thrones" ... and they're lamenting the fact a woman didn't end up ruling all of Westeros.

The 2020 Presidential candidate and freshman Congresswoman are airing their grievances with HBO's writers ... ripping the men who wrote the script and bashing them for making Daenerys Targaryen go crazy in the final episodes (tiny spoiler alert).

Liz and AOC seemed to have their hearts set on Dany sitting on the Iron Throne when all was said and done -- but add they were also let down again by Sansa Stark's storyline (bigger spoiler alert).

As you know by now ... the wheelchair-bound Bran Stark ended up as king (umm, huge spoiler alert), a fact that earned some praise from the National Organization on Disability.

For pretty obvious reasons, Sen. Warren would love to have a woman earn the ultimate title. Nudge nudge, wink wink ... 2020 political foreshadowing??

No word if either signed the petition to remake the final season.

"Game of Thrones" broke down barriers for the disabled community during its 8-year run ... a fact that's earning the show high praise, even though one group says producers made a big flub in the finale.

Felicia Nurmsen -- a top dog at the National Organization on Disability -- tells TMZ ... the hit HBO show gets tons of props for working on behalf of those with disabilities, 'cause it didn't shy away from the subject and served as a pretty accurate mirror to our society, even in a fantasy setting.

Specifically, Nurmsen says she's impressed with the story lines and ultimate fates of 2 of the most prominent characters with disabilities on 'GoT' -- Tyrion Lannister and Bran Stark.

She says even though wheelchair-bound Bran and Tyrion, a little person, were often written off by other characters, they landed in powerful positions in the end by resorting to natural born (or divinely-gained) gifts.

SPOILER ALERT -- if you're not among the 19 mil who watched Sunday night.

Bran is named King of Westeros and Tyrion becomes his hand.

That said ... Nurmsen can't help but point out the irony that even when a disabled person reaches the highest point -- the Iron Throne -- 'GoT' writers leaned into the narrative that disabled people aren't whole.

Case in point ... Tyrion and co. end up dubbing their new king, "Bran the Broken." You could see that as an attempt to embrace his disability as a good thing, but Nurmsen suggests it's problematic.

Two steps up, one step back?

First, it was a disposable coffee cup, then a regenerated hand ... and now a plastic water bottle has "Game of Thrones" fans fuddled over what the hell's going on in Westeros.

The massively popular HBO series came to an end Sunday night, but not before another blunder was called out by observant viewers -- a water bottle behind the left foot of Samwell Tarly at around the 46-minute mark of the finale.

It's hard to tell what brand of H2O Sam was sucking down, but hopefully they recycle in the Seven, err Six, Kingdoms.

Another viewer pointed out that a second bottle was visible on the ground behind Ser Davos, but it's not quite as clear.

The latest 'GoT' gaffe comes a week after a promotional image for episode 5 featured Jaime Lannister with his right hand still intact ... despite getting it chopped off in season 3.

And of course, there was the infamous modern-day coffee cup left sitting on a table next to Daenerys in episode 4 ... which was later scrubbed from the streaming versions to wipe away the mistake.

Clearly, the showrunners didn't learn their lesson.

What is dead may never die ... and that is why we remember all the characters we lost over the past 8 seasons of "Game of Thrones."

Some of the most beloved characters fell throughout the journey to rule the Iron Throne, including Margaery Tyrell and Robb Stark -- on the other hand, there were many whose deaths were undoubtedly satisfying, like the long-awaited poisoning of Joffrey Baratheon or when Ramsay Bolton was killed by his hounds. Now that the finale is finished, we will mourn these epic heroes and villains along with the end of the series.

Prepare yourselves ... the 'Game of Thrones' series finale is coming.

The time is finally here to wrap-up winter and watch the last episode ever, and these fired up fans are geeking out. Dax Shepard warged in his Bran Stark costume, Josh Gad made an impressive Jon Snow, and even Joe Jonas dressed up as Sansa Stark -- portrayed by his fiancee, Sophie Turner. Grab your swords and crowns because this gallery of stars in cosplay will be sure to get you enchanted for the end of an era.

"Game of Thrones" star Jacob Anderson is a straight shooter -- he's got sage advice for some 'Thrones' fans and a harsh reaction to that angry fans' petition, but his opinions are totally Unsullied.

The actor who plays Grey Worm on the HBO series was out in NYC Thursday afternoon snapping selfies with fans and even quoting lines from the show when we hit him up about 2 hot topics.

First, he weighs in on the baby-naming craze inspired by 'GoT' characters, which many parents might be regretting after what Daenerys did last week. Even though Jacob says he's happy with Grey Worm's final curtain call on the show, he doesn't recommend naming a little one after him.

Seems like a good call.

His next take's a little more controversial -- Jacob had just 2 words for pissed off fans who are circulating a petition to remake the show's 8th and final season because they think the writers are blowing it. We think Dany would be proud of his take.

BTW, Jacob's already turning the page from 'GoT' ... with his music career.

He performs under the name Raleigh Ritchie, and his music's been skyrocketing in popularity along with this 'Thrones' character.

At least that doesn't 'suck.'

Michael Richards is one of the few people in the world who can relate to the criticism targeting the "Game of Thrones" cast as the show ends ... and he's offering them some sage advice.

We got Michael Wednesday at Sunset Plaza and asked what message he'd send to folks over at 'GoT' ... now that fans are bitching about an underwhelming final season ... and the "Seinfeld" star says it's all about perspective.

Michael lived through the same thing back in the day -- "Seinfeld" was hammered over the series finale -- and Kramer says the secret to dealing with the haters is appreciating what came before.

It's hard to find a "Seinfeld" fan who didn't hate the show's final episode ... and Michael explains how he's dealt with the backlash for all these years, and why 'GoT' stars would be wise to follow his lead.

As Sunday's finale nears, fans are fearful 'GoT' is heading down the same path as "Seinfeld" ... but Michael isn't buying the narrative that HBO's writers are rushing through the 8th and final season. Sorry, social media mob.

Check out our clip ... Michael says its extremely hard for any show to go out on top, and one bad game doesn't tarnish a career.

The "Game of Thrones" gods odds have spoken, and they got your boy, Bran Stark, sitting on the Iron Throne for the series finale ... but betting on him won't make you a bunch of cash.

WARNING ... MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

The good folks over at SportsBetting.ag have set their new online betting odds for this coming Sunday's final episode ever, and the virtual bookies have Bran as the top pick for Ruler of Westeros. His ratio ain't all that good though for anybody -- just 1/1.

That means for every dollar you bet on Bran winning, you'll get exactly that amount back if it comes true ... not a huge payout. The house loses dough, so he's not ideal for anyone ... betting-wise, that is. We're sure he'd make a fine king on TV.

Now that we know neither Arya, Jamie or even Daenerys got around to killing Cersei themselves -- turns out, it was a bunch of rubble that got it done -- there are new bets on how the final episode will play out. Here's who gamblers have dying and surviving.

Jon Snow is the odds-on favorite to survive the whole thing at 2/5. Arya's survival rate is pegged at 1/1 ... and folks are betting on Dany to die by sword/dagger at 1/2.

Seeing how she just torched all of King's Landing -- killing thousands upon thousands of innocents -- A LOT of people are predicting her death ... so yeah, we don't see her living.

Some other fun bets being taken right now:

-- Will Ghost make one last appearance after that tragic no-pet goodbye? A 1/3 chance of yes, and a 2/1 chance at no. Ya gotta hope he does, that send-off was trash.

-- Will Tyrion perish after betraying Dany (again) and letting Jaime go free to be with Cersei? This one could go either way, but they seem to think he'll survive ... 1/1 odds for yes, and 2/3 odds for no.

It seems like whoever's making the final edits on "Game of Thrones" these days needs another Starbucks ... because they done messed up again.

Once again, eagle-eyed 'GoT' fans (or haters) noticed a big gaffe related to the hit HBO series' penultimate episode ... Jaime Lannister's right hand miraculously grew back in a promo shot.

(WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD)

As 'Thrones' fans are well aware of ... Jaime got his right hand chopped off in season 3 and has worn a fake gold hand ever since. But, in this still of his death scene with Cersei Sunday night, his real hand's back and clearly visible on Cersei's lower back as the 2 embrace for the end.

Oops.

There's also this -- some fans are pointing to a shoe worn by a soldier during a battle scene in the episode that appears to be a modern-day boot ... but it's hard to tell.

This comes on the heels of last week's major blunder, in which a modern-day disposable coffee cup was left visible on a table in a scene with Daenerys.

The cup was scrubbed out by HBO the next day for any streaming versions of the episode, but the damage was already done.

Not like the damage Dany did to King's Landing ... but still.

Aaron Rodgers was DEFINITELY in Sunday night's episode of "Game of Thrones" ... but the question -- did he die or what?!

The Green Bay Packers QB not only posted a photo showing himself in full #GoT costume, but he also participated in a promotional package for the episode.

Here's the problem ... Aaron's cameo (or cameos?) was so brief, there's a debate over whether he survived Daenerys Targaryen's dragon-led assault on King's Landing.

Rodgers was first spotted as an archer in the Lannister army -- but that doesn't match the costume from his IG photo.

There's also video of him helping (?) a woman during the assault on the city. And then, more footage shows a person who looks like Aaron getting consumed by a wall of flames while trying to escape.

So, was he an archer AND a King's Landing-er? Did he survive the fire attack?

Of course, Aaron ain't the only celebrity to make a cameo on the show -- Rob McElhenney from "It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia" got an arrow through the face earlier this season.

Ditto for Martin Starr.

"Game of Thrones" fans had their fun, but now it's over ... HBO has digitally removed that disposable coffee cup seen sitting on a table next to Daenerys Targaryen from Sunday's episode.

As we reported ... the cup became the unexpected star of episode 4 of the hit show's final season when eagle-eyed viewers spotted it onscreen -- hardly for a second -- during a scene in "The Last of the Starks" while Tormund praises Jon Snow.

People originally believed the cup was from Starbucks, but 'GoT' Art Director Hauke Richter told us it's from a local coffee shop in Banbridge, Northern Ireland ... where they filmed.

Fans were shocked that 'Thrones' would make such a boneheaded mistake, but the show owned up to it ... with a double shot of humor.

HBO says the cup has now been edited out in the current episode available on HBO Go and will not be seen in any encore presentations or streaming/DVD versions going forward.

Arya Stark's riding high on "Game of Thrones" as the hero of the Battle of Winterfell, but she's not done killing big villains ... at least according to the oddsmakers.

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

For the first time in the final season, the folks at online betting site SportsBetting.ag have listed Arya as the favorite to off Cersei Lannister ... at 7/5 odds. Cersei's brother/lover, Jaime, had been the only favorite to kill her up to this point -- he's now second at 7/4.

Those who watched Sunday's episode 4, "The Last of the Starks," know that Daenerys Targaryen wants to go scorched earth on Cersei and anyone who gets in her way ... but the odds are only 15/2 for her to do the deed. Same goes for Tyrion's odds.

As for the fate of Jon Snow and Dany ... oddsmakers favor Jon to be alive at the end of season 8 at 1/3 odds, but if you want to bet on him to die you get 2/1.

Dany is even money to live or die, and bookies don't expect she and Jon will tie the knot or conceive a child. It's a 5/2 payout for marriage and 2/1 for a baby.

Don't go dropping your rent money on 'GoT' accidentally leaving another disposable coffee cup in a scene either. The site pays out 15/1 if it happens, though.

Here are some other fun ways to make a buck watching the final 2 episodes. Good luck!

Who will perish first?
The Mountain 1/3
The Hound 2/1

Will Sansa and Tyrion marry?
Yes 5/1
No 1/10

How many dragons will be alive at end of season 8?
Over .5 (5/8)
Under .5 (6/5)

10:19 AM PT -- Hauke Richter, 'GoT' Art Director for the past 5 seasons, tells TMZ ... the notorious cup is NOT from Starbucks, but rather a local coffee shop in Banbridge, Northern Ireland near where they filmed.

Richter says despite the hoopla and theories about the cup, he's certain it was just an accident. He says similar mistakes -- like Vikings or Indians wearing wristwatches -- happen on TV and in movies all the time ... they're just not as high-profile as 'Thrones.'

He adds ... "We are usually so diligent that this does not happen. The shoot was very hard and demanding and it is likely that after a very tiring ep 3 shoot, this was simply overlooked by an exhausted crew."

"Game of Thrones" is down to its final 2 episodes, and while the impending battle between Daenerys and Cersei heats up ... somebody might get killed for a Starbucks cup.

Somehow, the hit HBO series -- that has spent millions upon millions of dollars and gone to great lengths to shoot some of the most epic and intricate scenes in TV history -- made a boneheaded mistake by leaving the branded coffee cup in the middle of a scene.

The Starbucks can be spotted at the 17:38 mark of the episode -- the fourth of the final season titled "The Last of the Starks" -- on a table near Dany as she observes Jon Snow being praised for his valor by his pal, Tormund ... and she's not too happy about it.

Also unhappy -- most likely the showrunners, writers, director and script supervisor of the episode.

Unless of course we're all fools, and we missed a Starbucks being built in Winterfell among all the other twisting plotlines ... or maybe George R.R. Martin included it in the books.

More than likely, though, this is just an unexpected gaffe ... one that even Bran didn't see coming.

Blake Griffin sure hopes Drake didn't seal Arya Stark's fate on "Game of Thrones" by shouting her out at the Billboard Music Awards ... him and everyone else, tbh.

We got the Pistons star outside of the Maxfield clothing store in WeHo Friday afternoon and asked him about Drizzy showing love to Maisie Williams' 'GOT' character Wednesday night when he mentioned her during his acceptance speech for the Top Billboard 200 Album.

ICYMI ... Drake made sure to plug Arya for "putting in that work last week" during Sunday's episode when she killed the Night King with some fancy dagger moves -- basically saving every living person in Westeros from eternal death in the process.

BTW, this is a spoiler -- and you should've seen it by now. If you haven't, well, here it is ... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Anyway ... Blake really, REALLY hopes the Drake curse doesn't kick in here for everyone's sake. Like he says, "I think we all need a little bit of Arya." Considering Champagne Papi's track record with supporting losing teams ... here's praying Blake's right.