Summary
Game of Thronesstar Kit Harington looks back on the backlash to season 8, admitting that mistakes were made. The two-time Emmy nominee is returning to HBO, playing a tech bro in the new season of the acclaimed dramaIndustry. It marks his return to the prestige cable network after thecancelled Jon Snow spinoffand a conclusion toGame of Thronesthat is arguably remembered more for the negative response it received.
In an interview withGQ, Harington candidly looked back on the backlash toGame of Thronesseason 8. The actor recalled that, towards the end of the HBO show, people involved with the production were “f–cking tired.” In the quote below, Harington goes on to say that he understands the view that the ending was rushed and agrees that mistakes were made with the story:
“I think if there was any fault with the end ofThrones, is that we were all so f–cking tired, we couldn’t have gone on longer. And so I understand some people thought it was rushed and I might agree with them. But I’m not sure there was any alternative. I look at pictures of me in that final season and I look exhausted. I look spent. I didn’t have another season in me.”
“Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I think there were mistakes made, story-wise, towards the end maybe. I think there were some interesting choices that didn’t quite work.”
Why The Game of Thrones Backlash Continues To Be A Benchmark For TV
It Was Still A Global Hit
On one hand, the backlash to theGame of Thronesfinale and the last season overall wasn’t unique. The consensus at the time was that the characters' motivations were rushed and didn’t ring true, with a common argument being that Daenerys Targaryen suffered as a result of this rushed storytelling. Other complaints were even more familiar, citing unsatisfactory answers to major questions and deaths of major players that left little impact.
What makesGame of Thronesunique, and perhaps a prime example of backlash and meeting audience expectations, is that the fantasy adaptation is one of the biggest shows of all time. It was one of the relatively few series that had an impact across the globe, building up its viewership and reaching its crescendo by the time theGame of Thronesseries finale premiered. This meant that each complaint would be amplified, generating greater discussion and more headlines. But in and of itself,the mistakes of the finale aren’t unique.
Every Upcoming Game Of Thrones Spinoff Explained
Game of Thrones ended, but audiences returned to Westeros for House of the Dragon - and HBO has even more Game of Thrones spinoffs in development.
Harington mentions this in his remarks, stating how theGame of Thronesteam was tired by the end. This echoes what happens with elatively smaller shows, a notable example beingBuffy the Vampire Slayer, with series creator Joss Whedon and lead star Sarah Michelle Gellar reaching the end before the story officially wrapped up. Although that last season isn’t held up as a favorite, it doesn’t diminish whatBufyaccomplished overall.
Now, several years removed from the controversialGames of Thronesending, it can be said that the lackluster conclusion doesn’t take away from what the HBO show was at its best. It also hasn’t had too much of a negative impact on spinoffs likeHouse of the Dragon, which is continuing to build its audience. Certain storytelling decisions should be criticized and could have been done better, but it’sjust a bad ending with a bigger spotlight.
Game Of Thrones
Cast
Based on George R. R. Martin’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
