Act and United Future proved they are now bad jokes. They are there only at the whim of Key. And they'll do what they are told and slide into oblivion at some future date.
The Maori Party appears to be in a strong position in any discussions with National but if they go with National they are finished next election. And they won't be able to help themselves and they'll sign up. Both of their co-leaders are retiring before the next vote and they won't survive it.
Hone Harawira won his seat and given Mana has won or come second in three of the Maori seats, his job will be to use his three years to build a movement to displace the Maori Party.
But the two real winners were the Greens and NZ First.
The great Houdini himself returns. All political careers ultimately end in failure but few get the chance for redemption. Only the gods could have dreamt up such a fitting punishment for John Key's cynical tea party with the assassins of Rodney Hide.
The Greens have come of age. Their success has come at Labour's expense and that party will want their vote back next election. The Greens will have to learn to sup with long handled spoons with their Labour mates on the opposition benches.
But let's call last night what it was. A rout.
The good news is MMP. With this sort of drama who'd want to give it up.