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[Fbh]

The show was as good as the book were long.
I never understood people who said that they were doing a good job after they went off book.
The drop in quality was immediately noticeable.

The drop in quality was clear but it was still fun enough to enjoy after being invested in the characters for so long.
But season 7 and specially 8 took it to a whole other level of bad

For me personally, Elden Ring will be George R. R. Martin’s legacy, not Game of Thrones. It went from talking to random strangers in the elevator about the last episode to forgetting about the show completely. I think they butchered the last season.

Don't know how much of a GRRM legacy Elden Ring will be.
The gameplay, level design, art direction, music and even dialog and in game text was all made by FROM. GRRM essentially just worked on the overall world, characters and backstory.

 

[poppabk]

It is quite amazing, isn't it.

It also fell victim to one of my biggest annoyances with storytelling - people who know how to build up a huge narrative but have no idea how to wind it down. A massive story is like a jetliner - you want to get interest up as fast as possible but sticking the landing requires descending and putting away plot threads WAY before you might think you need to.

GoT was still growing the world and plot threads in season 7. In reality, they needed to be wrapping certain things up and clearing the board by the end of season 6. Also, they had led people to believe that the real threat was the white walkers, so it was very important that that be the last story dealt with. Instead, the white walkers felt like unfulfilled build up and the ending an anticlimax after the world-threating force was already defeated.

People who defending GoT by saying "Well, it's alright, there was never any way they could have dealt with everything in one final season" don't understand that that was their fault, and their problem. But it's much easier to keep people watching by creating new mysteries than it is by starting to solve them, which is never as satisfying as the theories in a fan's head or online.

Probably what GRRM is struggling with right now - how to start winding down about 100 different little narratives in a satisfying way. (Also, from the very first book it's clear that Dany has a strong chance of being the big bad or "final boss". Everything about her is a detached, entitled warlord who burns those she deems immoral.)

The thing is normally they haven't even planned for the ending, they just introduce a Mcguffin to keep you hooked and then resolve it like a wet fart but introduce a new Mcguffin to keep you coming back. Game of Thrones already had plots or character arcs that spanned multiple seasons and resolved themselves expertly, nothing really withered on the vine, so there was always the possibility that the whole thing would end with a flourish. Once they announced the show would be ending it was immediately clear they wouldn't have the screen time to wrap things up properly.

 

[Ionian]

I remember when the show came out. Thought it was amazing so immeediately bought all the books at once and devoured them.

When I hit book 4, ' A Feast For Crows', I thought something is off here. It's random charcaters walking around doing nothing. Theyre'll be a pay-off in book 5!

Book 5: LOL, nope.

Same as the series.

Gotta love that GRRM had notes in the back of AFFC that he had to divide the books and it would be out next year.

Took him years to release it and was just introducing more characters and boring situations. Looking back it was very telling.

 

[Blade2.0]

I really liked the white king battle episode. Last episode sucked. It was just rushed to shit.
Edit: it still ended stronger than Dexter *shudders*

 

[Vaelka]

Am I the only one who thought that the Targaryens and the dragons etc were the least interesting thing about GoT?
I honestly felt like it detracted more than anything, George even didn't want to add dragons at first if I remember correctly he was talked into it by a friend.


Even when the dragons were killed off it just felt stupid and like it came out of nowhere ( not to mention how the scorpions just seem'd to magically not hit and hit whenever needed for the plot ).
The most interesting thing to me about GoT was the conflict between the other houses, the Targaryens never felt like they fit into that imo they felt more like plot devices and for the sake of having more big action scenes with CG dragons.

It always baffled me how hype people were about the dragons especially, dragons are like the most overdone and generic fantasy creatures imaginable but everyone acted like George invented them.

 

[Coolwhhip]

Have any of the actors gotten a career after GoT?

 

[EverydayBeast]

Honestly that’s most shows final seasons are hell for everyone because it boils down to direct matchups between characters we got Jon vs the Queen of Dragons. That is how you do an ending.

 

[Polygonal_Sprite]

99% of people loved the entire thing. They don’t talk about it because it’s done and they’re talking about the next big thing.

Enthusiasts on here, Reddit etc are so deluded sometimes when it comes to the mass market.

 

[jsnake19]

There was a season 8? Im still waiting for them to release the real ending to the show....Funny story, I put off watching it forever, I avoided spoilers and nobody really talked about it (due to it being so bad). I was also going through some personal stuff so I waited until I was in a better mindframe. Watching that season, especially in binge form was like having a really long bad dream and I was honestly stunned at how bad things ended. I turned it off and havent watched a single episode since. Up to that point, it was in my personal top 5 of shows that I enjoyed, so yeah....

 

[Valonquar]

Back before the TV show aired, I saw Martin at a convention where like 45 people showed up to meet him, get autographs and hear him read from his unfinished work on Dance of Dragons. I was a big fan, patiently waited for each book to come out and all that. The fact that EIGHT SEASONS of the TV version of his work came out and he still hasn't released Winds of Winter. While I am positive the books will handle things way better than what D&D decided to do in the TV series, I can honestly say I just don't even give a shit anymore. Winds of Winter isn't even the final book, and he's still got a fuckton of other projects going on. It will never see completion.

 

[Coolwhhip]

Back before the TV show aired, I saw Martin at a convention where like 45 people showed up to meet him, get autographs and hear him read from his unfinished work on Dance of Dragons. I was a big fan, patiently waited for each book to come out and all that. The fact that EIGHT SEASONS of the TV version of his work came out and he still hasn't released Winds of Winter. While I am positive the books will handle things way better than what D&D decided to do in the TV series, I can honestly say I just don't even give a shit anymore. Winds of Winter isn't even the final book, and he's still got a fuckton of other projects going on. It will never see completion.

I'm sure he noticed no one cares any more either. He should just go do something else than finish those books.

 

[ZehDon]

The trailer for the new show got millions of views in a day and a shit load of coverage.

There's nearly daily articles speculating when the next book might come out. Those wouldn't be happening if people had stopped caring. There's still interest there.

How much of this do you think is morbid curiosity? I won't be watching the show, but I watched the trailer is see how bad it might be. To me, this is little more than HBO trying to salvage something from the ashes in their hands - they had the biggest brand in the world, and they're not ready to let it go yet.

And I'd wager, at this stage, most of the book pining isn't from from purists, but rather people wanting to know how badly the writers of the show fucked up whatever GRRM had planned. It's less about "gotta know what happens because I love it!" and more of a "I want another thing to beat the show down with!".

Game of Thrones is done.

 

[AJUMP23]

I think Star Wars is doing the same thing. If they release another string of stinkers then I can see the fan base becoming indifferent.

 

[nush]

Have any of the actors gotten a career after GoT?

 

[Yoda]

I remember when it use to get talked about by the non "nerd/core/enthusiast" types at the office. That started waning towards the end of season 5. After season 6 is was very obvious there was no well crafted character drama to bring the story to a satisfying conclusion. It was so bad in contrast to what came before it (Season 1 - 4) that Rick and Morty even took a jab at it. A spinoff should be drowning in hype, but as it stands it's just another TV show.

Worth pointing out it's been a decade since the last book was published. There was a pandemic to stop George from going to cons/events/book signings/etc.. Still no 6th book (note: there is still one more to go after 6 LOL). It's reasonable to assume he's not satisfied with his own work when attempting to finish it and simply may not be able to due to whatever standard he's imposing on himself (or maybe he really is still procrastinating? who knows).

I think GoT's best days are behind it. Franchises which are kept alive after their glory days generally are mediocre at best: Star Wars (prequels and sequels), Star Trek (Picard, Discovery, LensFlare Abrahms), LoTR (Hobbit movies). I'm sure some folks will watch House of the Dragon, but does anyone realistically expect characters, world building and/or story on par w/the earlier GoT seasons?

 

[nkarafo]

It's because the last season left a taste so bad, people prefer to forget the whole series ever existed. Even when you rewatch the earlier seasons, all you think about is how it's going to be completely ruined at the end.

 

[AJUMP23]

I should go back and watch some early seasons but man did they botch the final season.

winter is coming wasn’t even the biggest threat it was just one long battle.

 

[haxan7]

HBO focus grouped it to death.

 

[nkarafo]

I remember how i got into GOT pretty late because i thought it was another Lord of the Rings clone, filled with Hollywood/fantasy cliches and D&D fan service.

Then i saw some scenes and spoilers that looked interesting so i started watching it and i was pleasantly surprised how it's not another Lord of the Rings clone, filled with Hollywood/fantasy cliches and D&D fan service.

Then i saw season 8 and that was another Lord of the Rings clone, filled with Hollywood/fantasy cliches and D&D fan service

 

[Excess]

Because people mistook it for a romance or fantasy series. GoT is a political drama, and it could not have ended any other way.

Now, was the execution flawed? Yes, but the underlying message was solid. #dealwithit

 

[PrimetimeKnight]

It was already on a decline since season 5.

for me it's like dexter, only the first 4 seasons exist (although got was a less severe decline)

I agree, seasons 1-4 are awesome but 5 definitely started the decline. A big problem was that killing both Joffrey and Tywin (although nothing groundbreaking for GoT) didn't have any suitable replacements to fill their shoes. Add in Tyrion leaving Westeros to Essos and it just went downhill after that I felt. Tommen becoming king felt just as lame as Bran because this is a character who we really know nothing about and he's a damn kid in the highest position of power who has nothing to do. Season 5 had some moments but they were too few and far between for me to consider it a good season. Hardhome episode in 5 was great but felt like it took forever to get that payoff in an otherwise boring season.

 

[ntropy]

went downhill after season 4

 

[Dr.Morris79]

I just finished watching LOST, so I completely disagree with this post. It’s bad, but not LOST bad.

Jesus, now there is a show that shit the bed.

 

[Star-Lord]

Jesus, now there is a show that shit the bed.

Everything was great up until the fourth season, which is when the writers guild strike took place, I believe. After that, it’s almost like the writers had given up.

 

[Tschumi]

Happened with LOST. No way you can end it like everyone wants because you think they'll complain that it wasn't deep enough, so you reach and fail

 

[Bernd Lauert]

HBO lost literal billions because of it. The cultural impact of GoT was about to be as big as say Harry Potter, which still makes shitloads of money off new book editions, merch etc.

Instead they totally fucked up and now GoT is basically dead. What a waste.

 

[Razvedka]

Am I the only one who thought that the Targaryens and the dragons etc were the least interesting thing about GoT?
I honestly felt like it detracted more than anything, George even didn't want to add dragons at first if I remember correctly he was talked into it by a friend.


Even when the dragons were killed off it just felt stupid and like it came out of nowhere ( not to mention how the scorpions just seem'd to magically not hit and hit whenever needed for the plot ).
The most interesting thing to me about GoT was the conflict between the other houses, the Targaryens never felt like they fit into that imo they felt more like plot devices and for the sake of having more big action scenes with CG dragons.

It always baffled me how hype people were about the dragons especially, dragons are like the most overdone and generic fantasy creatures imaginable but everyone acted like George invented them.

You weren't the only one. I found Dani and her story only marginally interesting. I wanted more of the Night King and White Walkers.

Instead, they cancelled the Long Night prequel and funded this. I'm extremely disappointed.

 

[Romulus]

Maybe the writers for the show were sapped of motivation years before the ending. No matter how good something is or seems, theres almost always overworked grunts and toxic leaders behind the scenes. The idea that the show could maintain it's high quality for years, nailing the beginning, middle, and end seems impossible to begin with. Wouldn't be surprised if key players were just sick of it after 8+ years.

 

[Camaway2]

What made GoT early seasons great was the politics, the intrigue, the fact that the characters had belieavable motives and reactions. They felt fully fleshed and real.

Seasons 7 and 8 were like the dead, empty shell of a bug. At first look it seemed the same show as before, but there was nothing left inside.

Season 8 is like that wake up moment in the original Matrix: we all collectively woke up and thought "I'm a grown ass man, why have I been so passioned about a show with dragons?".

We all shrugged it off and never thought about it again, almost embarassed to have spent years talking about it with friends and colleagues.

 

[Bitmap Frogs]

Remember the prince that was promised and all that crapola? The bad guy dies to a sneak attack lol.

 

[Cyberpunkd]

The problem with the last series was not that people were sick of the setting, but that it didn't scratch the itch. They treated it like a victory lap where they could just satisfy people with some fan service, some major plot developments dropped in at random, and their own weirdo social elite philosophy which nobody could relate to.

This. It ended on a terribly predictable note that was rushed in the last 2-3 episodes. Should have ended with Denerys ruling and that’s it.

 

[Coolwhhip]

What made GoT early seasons great was the politics, the intrigue, the fact that the characters had belieavable motives and reactions. They felt fully fleshed and real.

Seasons 7 and 8 were like the dead, empty shell of a bug. At first look it seemed the same show as before, but there was nothing left inside.

Season 8 is like that wake up moment in the original Matrix: we all collectively woke up and thought "I'm a grown ass man, why have I been so passioned about a show with dragons?".

We all shrugged it off and never thought about it again, almost embarassed to have spent years talking about it with friends and colleagues.

Yep, the early seasons were very different and a lot darker. Main characters dying left and right and you didn't know where the story was going. For me the turning point was Battle of the Bastards. Jon Snow dodging arrows like some super hero and somehow surviving thousands of people charging him was dumb. And that's when hollywood blockbuster Game of Thrones began. With spectactle, predictability and invincible main characters.

 

[Teslerum]

I couldn’t stand the final season. It took everything good about the series, and shit all over it. The same thing happened with LOST, which I’ve recently watched for the first time. It’s amazing how bad long-running shows get as time goes on.

House of the Dragon looks like it could be a somewhat decent spin-off. I’ll give it a go purely because of Matt Smith.

I mean, stuff like this was predictable. Even in earlier seasons, the worst things about the writing was largely the stuff that wasn't adapted or based on the books. Then you go into the final seasons with one part of the showrunners (who now have full control) having wrote this:


.
.

What did you expect?

 

[Shubh_C63]

When Season 6 rolled where I felt the drop in quality, I kinda knew GRRM will only release the book after entire show is done and Dreams of Spring on his deathbed, probably.

I bet GRRM regrets it now because we all have kinda got closure with all the characters. I wil read the books out of compulsion and force of habit, rather than hype.

 

[Wildebeest]

This. It ended on a terribly predictable note that was rushed in the last 2-3 episodes. Should have ended with Denerys ruling and that’s it.

Bu-bu-bu Denerys was a bad person! She did lots of naughty things.

This was Game of Thrones not the Care Bears. The Starks also did lots of horrible things.

 

[Cyberpunkd]

Bu-bu-bu Denerys was a bad person! She did lots of naughty things.

This was Game of Thrones not the Care Bears. The Starks also did lots of horrible things.

Yup, and that was the strength of the source material - everybody is flawed, things are fucked up by definition. Instead we got a LotR fantasy tropes. I love LotR, but it’s a product of 1950s one-dimensional fantasy thinking - heroes can do no bad things, evil is evil. It’s good to have it, but don’t try to make GoT into LotR.

 

[Coolwhhip]

This. It ended on a terribly predictable note that was rushed in the last 2-3 episodes. Should have ended with Denerys ruling and that’s it.

To me the most epic ending would have been the white walkers winning and the Night King sitting on the throne, like the Lich King. All the politics, wars, love stories and thousands years of Westeros history would have been for nothing. There would be only darkness and silence.

 

[ShadowNate]

I did like a lot of the final season, but only taking into account that they were already rushing plotlines and character development in the previous one and there was a steady decline in quality and interest ever since the second season.

There were of course some trolling or plain stupid decisions in there, especially in the last couple of episodes, but overall I had a good time and was glad when it all came to an end.

I didn't hate it is I guess what I'm saying.

Not really interested as of yet for the spin offs, though.

What happened to the continuation in the books?

 

[Elysion]

First time I’m seeing this.

The Velaryons look stupid. Black people with silver wigs + light eyes look like a bunch of dark elves or something. They should’ve given PoCs the role of the Rogares, who are an important family from Essos that was canonically involved in the Dance of Dragons. Being from Essos, they could’ve casted them as black or asian or whatever, without anyone batting an eye. That way they also wouldn’t have to explain how a Westerosi noble family like the Velaryons are all black, despite having intermarried with other Westerosi families (including the Targaryens) for centuries. Though I have a feeling the casting of this show will be the least of its problems.

 

[Cyberpunkd]

What happened to the continuation in the books?

It will never be out, people thought that Covid will force the author to finally finish it since all his precious cons got cancelled but nope.

 

[Spaceman292]

Like that wasn’t telegraphed all show. Her normal reaction was to burn people. Or kill them. I like how she struggled to fight the madness the. In the end it consumed her.

The one thing that was stupid was varis how he was calm/secretive all show and kept his motivations close to his chest and then last minute got his ass fried. Openly told people his plans.

No, she burned slavers and child murderers. There's a big difference between that and randomly blasting a city full of innocent people for no reason.

 

[Star-Lord]

No, she burned slavers and child murderers. There's a big difference between that and randomly blasting a city full of innocent people for no reason.

Wasn’t it Missandei’s death that ultimately pushed her over the edge? It made no sense as Missandei was nothing more than a commoner, really, and added little worth to Dany’s conquest. Dany was more enraged about Missandei than losing one of her dragons.

 

[Coolwhhip]

I think Dany going crazy was great. A plot twist like that makes sense. What doesn't make sense is millions of white walkers storming a castle and none of the main characters dying...

 

[Putonahappyface]

Nah, I’ve rewatched Breaking Bad like 3 times because it stayed good the entire time. GoT got so bad at the end I’ve essentially lost all desire to watch again and kinda don’t care about the books which will never be finished anymore

Agreed. I've watched Band of Brothers, Breaking Bad and The Sopranos in to the double figures over the years. A well written series will always have a strong following and replay ability!

 

[Thirty7ven]

Those two know it all hacks ruined it for everyone.

 

[jufonuk]

Arya

I think Dany going crazy was great. A plot twist like that makes sense. What doesn't make sense is millions of white walkers storming a castle and none of the main characters dying...

that's more true

but I think the real issue here is they ran out of source material, so they winged it.

also, one of the guys did Lost, didn't he? that ended badly didn't it?

 

[Coolwhhip]

Arya

that's more true

but I think the real issue here is they ran out of source material, so they winged it.

also, one of the guys did Lost, didn't he? that ended badly didn't it?

I don't see one of those 2 tools in the Lost credits.

 

[Putonahappyface]

I really liked the white king battle episode. Last episode sucked. It was just rushed to shit.
Edit: it still ended stronger than Dexter *shudders*

New series of Dexter soon.

 

[V1LÆM]

honestly i enjoyed the show start to finish. i only wish the later seasons didn't feel so rushed but i put that down to them not having a book as source material to work off of. i know George told them stuff but they didn't have a copy of Winds of Winter or Dream of Spring to look at...

naturally when a show ends then most of the viewership are gonna fuck off but yeah it felt like after GoT nobody at all cared about it anymore even the more hardcore fans.

i reckon if i didn't listen to all the negativity on the internet with each episode and watched the show on my own without anyone else's opinions i'd have enjoyed more but again i still quite enjoyed it and want to rewatch it all.

 

[MadAnon]

I think Dany going crazy was great. A plot twist like that makes sense. What doesn't make sense is millions of white walkers storming a castle and none of the main characters dying...

It should've not been a plot twist but rather a well executed slow descent into madness. Afterall, it was constantly reminded by others throughout the beginning of the show that Targaryens eventually all go mad.