So over the past month or however long it’s been, I’ve gone through the the entire series. As I watched past seasons as people tuned into the new one, I often saw online talk of how terrible it was. I thought there’s no way it can be that bad. Like I’m enjoying it so much I can’t imagine it being so awful that people create and sign a petition to remake the final season (which by the way is hilarious and sad that people did that). Turns out yeah the hate was way overblown. However, watching the series this way does provide a nice way to view how things build and expand and pay off. And there’s no question that seasons 7-8 declined a little. The focus was narrower (which at this point I mean is kinda expected) - not a bad thing really. But the pacing was not the way the show was for 6 prior seasons. Again, sort of expected considering it’s the climax and the fact that the showrunners chose this many episodes to wrap it all up. Some things may not land as hard as they should because of the pacing, but ultimately the show is still a worthwhile watch with some nice growth for a lot of characters. I’m also reading the first book right now and there’s some stuff planted throughout the winds its way into these final episodes. It’s not unsatisfying really. And especially when you’re able to watch it all straight through, it works even better.
In the end, I watched the entire final season yesterday, finishing the finale at 1AM. Yeah, not a great decision really. I didn’t want to rush myself through the end but...well I did. It didn’t necessarily diminish my enjoyment. But it would have been nice to watch week to week. Anyway...
I am sure people are angry and disappointed. But I thought it was a fairly good wrap up, with things all tied together pretty neatly. There are things I didn’t like. The quick rise of Dany’s vengeance was slightly unearned but at the same time the vitriol people had against it was kind of ridiculous too. Also it has been hinted at throughout much of her storyline. And I found that dark turn ultimately an enjoyable (as much as it can be) watch. It was messed up. The quick killing of her in the finale was again just slightly too quick, in a way? But I didn’t dislike it. Now Bran being king I honestly did not expect at all. Because for as interested as I was in his storyline leading up to him becoming the three eyed raven, the show just gave him basically nothing to do after that. And the acting was...not great. But it’s a solid way to end his story I guess. Arya’s ending was probably my favorite because it just makes the most sense to me. Jon having to go away was...well I don’t know how to feel about it yet.
So, basically, the show definitely changed a bit once the source material went away, but especially because of the shortened seasons. There was just a feeling that was missing or something. And yet in the end it’s still a pretty satisfying journey. Could have been better, yes, but it’s not awful by any stretch. I have more thoughts but I’ll leave it there for now.
Buuut the people on Facebook saying literally “WORST EPISODE EVER” - I genuinely ask, what would you have wanted?
variety.com
