Game of Thrones: Divided Critics and Fans as the Final Season Concludes
Game of Thrones has undoubtedly been one of the most popular and iconic television series of our times. With its captivating plotlines, larger-than-life characters, and breath-taking visuals, it’s been an amazing experience that follows the lives of extraordinary individuals and their quest to either gain or keep ownership of the Iron Throne.
Throughout its 8 seasons, it has raised the bar for storytelling in the fantasy genre, with its deep exploration of power, loyalty and morality. Despite being one of the most acclaimed television series of all time, the last season caused an overwhelming rift between critics and fans of the show.
What Happened during the Final Season of Game of Thrones
The final season of Game of Thrones saw some of the most controversial plotlines of the series, where fan-favorite characters alienated viewers with their vastly different character arcs. Take for example, Daenerys Targaryen who had spent 7 seasons building her army of fierce Unsullied in her quest to break the wheel and end tyranny, yet in a single episode she went from liberator to conqueror as she destroyed Kings Landing in a surprise and unexpected twist.
Other plotlines that divided fans included Jon Snow’s eventual ascension to the Iron Throne, Bran Stark’s sudden election to be King, and the Night King’s death in the penultimate episode. None of these plotlines were what the fans were expecting, having all taken extreme detours from where they were originally forecasted to go.
The Reasons Why the Final Season of Game of Thrones Divided Critics and Fans
The criticisms from critics and fans can all be summed up as dissatisfaction with the pacing, plotlines and overall storytelling of Season 8.
Pacing
The biggest criticism of Season 8 by far has been in regards to its pacing. In the 7 prior seasons, so much of the tension had been built up over multi-episode plots, taking its time to build, and then resolve. Yet in the Final Season, the plotlines were resolved in a few episodes, causing much of the tension, intrigue and complexity of the series to be lost.
The entire battle against the White Walkers felt rushed and the multiple threats that had been building up for 8 seasons were resolved almost indifferently. Not to mention the fact that that character arcs that had been carefully built up over the 7 prior seasons such as Daenerys’ ultimate fate were suddenly gone in a blink of an eye.
Plotlines and Storytelling
The dissatisfaction with the plotlines and overall story contributed to the divide between critics and fans. Plotlines such as the Night King’s demise, Daenerys’ descent into madness, and Bran being inexplicably crowned King were so drastically unexpected and convoluted, that it left fans with serious plot-hole questions.
By the end of Season 8, the plotlines were resolved and the night was ultimately saved quite predictably. There were some elements of the plotlines that were left unexplained such as Arya Stark’s misguided mission and Jaime Lannister and Cersei Lannisters’ deaths which felt rushed in comparison to their entire storyline which had been building up since the very first episode.
The Impact of the Final Season on Fans
In the years since the airing of the final episode, fans have taken it upon themselves to recreate the series within their own imaginations and create fanart, fan-fiction and alternatively endings.
The divide between critics and fans has created an even bigger phenomenon surrounding the series with its fans despite the mixed reviews for Season 8.
The 4 Reasons Why fans Continued to Support the Series
- The Characters
The characters undoubtedly have been one of the main factors that keep the series alive and relevant, as audiences have grown to love almost all the characters over the 8 seasons. From difficult characters to root for such as Cersei Lannister, to beloved heroes like Daenerys Targaryen, every character is unique and carries an amazing story arc.
- The World
The world that George R.R Martin created is extraordinary and it has captivated the imaginations of the fans of the show. From the crippling winters in the North, the battles of Westeros, to the culture and the Dragonstone, this world captivated fans with its detail and complexity that made fans feel as if they were living within it.
- The Visuals
The broadcast of Game of Thrones has given fans an incredible visual experience that is second to none. Every scene and episode was spectacularly made using massive sets, props, costumes and CGI to create the snow-covered Forts, Dragon Fire and the incredible battle scenes.
- The Challenge it Poses
Game of Thrones didn’t just provide viewers with a narrative and characters, but a challenge. It pushed the boundaries and made its audience think about morality and fate. Even though the plotlines might have been complicated at times, it’s this complexity that kept viewers, especially critics, engaged and stimulated throughout the 8 seasons of the show.
The final season of Game of Thrones divided both critics and fans, leading to the once iconic series being treated with disdain by the vast majority of its audience. However, the fundamental elements of the series have left fans continuing to support it, by means of recreating the series, creating fan-fiction, and engaging with the characters, visuals, and story-telling. Ultimately, it was a divisive experience, and one no fan will likely ever forget.
