The Dragon and the Wolf (707)

[Skydiver]

The other obvious fate would have been for him to survive to next season adn get walkerified. Which is a bit terrifying. Maybe the actor didn't want to be around for next season, especially if he only had a couple of episodes.

But, like you said they need to send the symbolic message of blood being thicker than water and families standing together. The way to win the game is not to play.

Tossing him out the moon door would be nice but likely added thousands to the cost along with a dangerous trip to the Aerie on winter roads. and it also affirmed Arya's skill and allowed Sansa to acknowledge her sister.

[Gen. Chris]

Killing off Jon only to kill him again would be ridiculous. I doubt that is Martin's overall intention.

[SoulReaver]

To me it was a bit sudden, but I wouldn't call it underwhelming. Littlefinger has played his game by setting houses, allies and families against each other. This was put to a close by the Starks who despite everything that has happened have proven to be unbreakable.
Thematically it makes sense too. Littlefinger epitomises the conflict around Westeros. He started the War between the Starks and Lannisters which led to the War of the Five Kings. But that all has to come to an end now if everyone is to survive.

underwhelming in the sense it was cheap

basically the message is that LF is so skilled at keeping secrets that only magic can beat him
conveniently Sansa & Arya have a Bran Ex Machina (if not for him the truth would've never come out & Sansa would've had Arya imprisoned or banished)

[Skydiver]

When all sansa had to do was ask arya where she got the message and, presuming LF hadn't killed him, used that other person to confirm that yeah, LF asked for the letter, not Arya

[SoulReaver]

what about the real big one (betraying Ned Stark) and the other one (accomplice to Jon Aryn's assassination) not to mention who the original owner of the dagger (meant to kill Bran) those were the things that would've really pissed off Sansa & there was no way anyone could've found out about these things by conventional means

if Sansa had known only about the letter thing & nothing else then she'd still have been mad but not that much she'd probably have had LF banished

[kingslayer]

I am waiting for season 8 so bad. The wait is excruciating.

[SoulReaver]

a man must be patient