The last book still amazes me because I was so waiting for all these *choices* to be important. I honestly never doubted that we'd have to see all these examples where characters who lived on the edge chose one way or the other. And I know that these were characters I liked so one could just accuse me of wanting her to write the story to my tastes, but it honestly just seemed like the obvious dramatic set up.

But in the end all choices were avoided so very resolutely it really seemed like she was making a strong statement. Nobody came across as free to choose anything. In fact, scenes where people were given choices mostly came across like bad jokes on the person played by the manipulators in the series. Like in the final Harry/Voldemort convo where he's all "Here's your last chance! Show some remorse!" It's not a chance, it's a taunt--Voldemort can't feel remorse. It's beyond his ability. Harry's just waiting for him to do the only thing he's able to do, just as Dumbledore watched everybody on his side live within their limits. He makes little superior remarks about "hoping" they might do something else but really nothing is a surprise.

Also word on the shipping.