7 most disliked episodes of Game of Thrones

As a dedicated fan of Game of Thrones since its inception, I must confess that the final season left me feeling more like a disillusioned Stark than a satisfied viewer. The Long Night and The Iron Throne, in particular, were not the climactic battles and satisfying conclusions we had been promised.

Game of Thrones was a show that initially appeared invincible in terms of quality… until it faltered. In the first four seasons, not a single episode had an IMDb rating below 8.0, and even after this period, several episodes were rated as high as 9.8. This level of consistent excellence is virtually unparalleled among other television series!

Despite its immense popularity, even giants like “Game of Thrones” aren’t immune to the law of gravity – the bigger they get, the harder they can fall. The eighth season’s highest-rated episode scored a 7.9, making it the first in series history to drop below any episode from previous seasons. It’s quite unusual to come across fans who don’t have at least some reservations about certain episodes in season 8, if not the entire season itself.

Instead of labeling the last six seasons of “Game of Thrones” as the worst in the series, it might be more accurate to acknowledge that they sparked a significant amount of criticism, similar to certain episodes from earlier seasons that also faced backlash among fans. Online discussions on platforms like Reddit and X suggest that both the recent and some past episodes have caused frustration among viewers.

Here are the seven least favorite Game of Thrones episodes, with fan responses ranging from “the start of the decline” to “one of the worst TV episodes ever produced.”

Season 5, Episode 10: “Mother’s Mercy”

Many viewers consider season 5 as marking the start of the decline for “Game of Thrones,” and its finale in particular drew a lot of modern-day criticism. There were numerous enjoyable scenes, such as Arya taking Meryn Trant’s life and Cersei falling victim to the Faith Militant, who she had previously granted significant power. Nevertheless, many fans were displeased by the outcomes of characters that had previously played crucial roles in the storyline.

As a devoted fan of “Game of Thrones,” I must say that the fast-paced events in the later seasons were both thrilling and overwhelming at times. Having followed the characters since the beginning, it felt like watching my friends’ lives unravel before me. Stannis’s desperate attempt to take the North after sacrificing his daughter left me stunned; I could almost feel his desperation as he fought against seemingly insurmountable odds. Yet, despite her sacrifice, his army abandoned him, leading to his tragic demise. Similarly, the fates of Myrcella, Jon, Arya, Theon, and Sansa were heart-wrenching, with each character’s story taking a darker turn as they faced uncertainty and danger. It was a rollercoaster ride of emotions that left me breathless and yearning for more. However, some fans might have found the rapid succession of events frustrating, as it seemed to gloss over important moments or relationships. Nonetheless, I believe that the series’ fast pace added to its appeal, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats and eagerly awaiting each new episode.

Beyond this, a significant number of fans found issue with the Dornish storyline. Readers were anticipating more engaging characters to be explored, yet they were underdeveloped, diminished, and altered in the transition from book to screen. One had hoped that the climax would reconcile these shortcomings, but it seemed as though the writers had surrendered and decided to forge ahead instead.

In simpler terms, the plots weren’t inherently incorrect; they just seemed disorganized, moving rapidly from one suspenseful moment to another without much equilibrium. The episode garnered positive reviews from critics, but some viewers experienced a jarring effect due to sudden changes in character outcomes. “Mother’s Mercy” is unlikely to be despised for years to come, but it served as a hint of the quick pace that was coming.

Season 8, Episode 4: “The Last of the Starks”

Following their confrontation with the White Walkers, the principal characters grapple with the idea of coexistence under Daenerys Targaryen’s governance. The episode “The Last of the Starks” from season 8 stands out for its rich history references and compelling character dynamics as these heroes ponder their future plans.

In the initial two-thirds of this episode, the storyline was generally strong, delving back into themes of political machinations and familial dynamics. Unfortunately, the ending left much to be desired, as it presented several inconsistencies or plot gaps. Reportedly, some characters appeared to overlook significant dangers, while others demonstrated an unexpected ability to instantaneously travel across the Seven Kingdoms, which had not been previously established.

Fans exhibited intense anger when it came to the outcomes for Jaime Lannister and Missandei, despite the fact that these developments were disappointing. For Jaime, he had been on a lengthy journey towards redemption, learning to appreciate others, only to return to Cersei immediately after sleeping with Brienne.

From my perspective as a passionate fan, there’s much I could critique about Missandei’s character arc. Stepping back from the narrative, it’s hard not to notice that one of the few women of color on the show was written out in such a way – first by being taken captive and later used to drive the motivation for a white woman. This plot choice, unfortunately, carries a strong whiff of misogynoir.

In essence, the flow of events in this episode seemed more like a sketch for a TV show rather than a fully-fleshed out episode. It appeared that the writers aimed to position characters at specific destinations, and the actions portrayed were primarily devices to achieve these destinations, regardless of whether they aligned with their previous character traits or not.

Season 7, Episode 6: “Beyond the Wall”

In many review platforms, “Beyond the Wall” is often praised, but it’s also been a topic of debate among fans as one of the less favored episodes before season 8 of Game of Thrones. This episode is packed with action, predominantly revolving around Arya and Sansa’s conflict at Winterfell, and Jon Snow and his team embarking on a mission to capture a wight to demonstrate the danger they pose to the kingdom.

In the end, it appeared as if Jon and his companions were destined for disaster, until Daenerys stepped in to save them. However, this salvation came at a heavy price: Viserion, one of Daenerys’ dragons, was taken by the Night King. This loss was devastating, yet the journey had significant repercussions. Daenerys swore to wage war against the army of the dead, Jon pledged his allegiance to her, and they discovered a crucial detail: slaying a White Walker leader would destroy all the wights it had created, potentially eliminating the threat they posed.

In “Beyond the Wall,” there are many commendable aspects, but as the general consensus on Rotten Tomatoes indicates, the plot sometimes seemed illogical in its progression. Despite the rich character interactions, the characters traveled distances far too swiftly, and the rationale behind why the wights attacked or didn’t was unconvincing. When the characters encountered life-threatening situations, they were often saved by luck or magic rather than relying on the abilities they’ve developed over multiple seasons.

Essentially, the narrative beyond the Wall seemed more suitable as a series of episodes rather than being condensed into one, which appeared to be done for brevity during the shorter season. Numerous action sequences seemed hastily included due to their perceived ‘cool’ factor, rather than contributing significantly to the storyline. Lastly, this was an early indication of the controversial plot protection that would later become a recurring topic of fan criticism during the final season.

Season 5, Episode 6: “Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken”

As I, the gamer, delve into this captivating episode titled “Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken,” it’s all about transformations. Arya’s journey with the Faceless Men continues, Jaime’s on a mission to rescue Myrcella from Dorne, and Jorah and Tyrion are off to meet Daenerys. But there were two significant storylines unfolding. Cersei used the Faith Militant as a weapon against the Tyrells, leading to Loras and Margaery’s imprisonment. And Sansa finds herself wed to Ramsay Bolton, who cruelly rapes her in an act of mockery towards Theon.

As a woman who has grown up watching fantasy shows and reading books, I have always appreciated the complexity and depth that these stories can bring to our understanding of human nature. However, I must admit that I was deeply disappointed when I watched the controversial episode of “Game of Thrones” that aired years ago. Having spent most of my life immersed in literature and media, it was disheartening to see such blatant misuse of violence against women as a means to shock and outrage the audience.

As a long-time fan of “Game of Thrones,” I found myself somewhat disappointed with the episode titled “Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken.” Although some may argue that it stays true to the series’ historical accuracy, I believe that this particular installment falls short in terms of entertainment value.

Season 8, Episode 5: “The Bells”

“The episode ‘The Bells’ has sparked debate among viewers because while some found it effectively conveyed themes of senseless violence and the idea that no one is inherently heroic, as suggested in earlier seasons, others felt it was a significant departure from Daenerys’ established character, with a twist that seemed unexpected or unearned.”

Following Missandei’s death at Cersei’s hands, Daenerys becomes wary and seeks someone to hold accountable. She metes out punishment, executing Varys for his treachery and vows to annihilate all her adversaries. Tyrion, aiming to safeguard the citizens of King’s Landing, dispatches Jaime to persuade Cersei to yield. When her troops attack, the populace surrenders and rings the city bells… yet Daenerys proceeds to torch the city regardless, with her troops joining in the onslaught.

In the episode, certain scenes stand out: Jon struggling to keep his troops in check as they’re driven by their savage instincts, Sandor Clegane persuading Arya to abandon her vengeful list, the much-anticipated Clegane battle, and the tragic demise of Jaime and Cersei, buried under the debris of their castle.

Although many viewers have strong disapproval towards the “Mad Queen” storyline overall, it’s often this specific episode, titled “The Bells,” that receives the most criticism. The main issue lies in the details, such as the Iron Fleet being effortlessly destroyed when they had the capability to slay dragons only an episode prior. Furthermore, numerous foreshadowings, weaponry, and prophecies were either neglected or given scant attention. Ultimately, “The Bells” fell short in terms of pacing, hurrying through significant moments at the expense of elements that made the show appealing to fans.

Season 8, Episode 3: “The Long Night”

In the highly anticipated episode titled “The Long Night,” the battle against the White Walkers unfolded, however, it faced a significant amount of criticism due to its questionable plot decisions and subpar production values. To summarize some key moments, the White Walkers swiftly overpower the Dothraki, Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen find it challenging to resist using their dragons, and Arya Stark ultimately slays the Night King.

Initially, this episode, deemed as the climax of the series by some viewers, sparked criticism due to its perceived disregard for the character development it had previously established. Fans felt that key characters like Jon and Bran failed to engage with the Night King, Arya didn’t utilize her Faceless Men skills, and Tyrion made an unexpectedly foolish decision by sheltering non-combatants in crypts while facing undead enemies who can resurrect the dead.

Beyond these particular issues, it fell short in numerous structural aspects. It was disheartening that such a substantial conflict was confined within a single episode. Moreover, the visuals were often too dim, a recurring concern throughout the final season.

Ultimately, viewers found it hard to accept the abundant plot protection and its inconsistent application. Although there were some significant character deaths, the principal characters consistently escaped harm, contradicting the initial premise that any character could meet their end without warning. Furthermore, their survival was not tied to their experiences; a character might be on the brink of death in one scene only to be miraculously safe in the next. This seemed to indicate that the writers lacked the motivation to create compelling character development moments, a significant oversight in one of the final episodes of such a cherished series.

Season 8, Episode 6: “The Iron Throne”

Fans of the popular series Game of Thrones have expressed strong disapproval towards the final episode, “The Iron Throne.” While managing to wrap up a sprawling storyline as extensive as this one is no easy task, numerous viewers felt that the narrative fell short, not due to lack of resolution, but because certain plot points seemed unjustified or unexpected given the series’ established history.

In the game of thrones I find myself immersed in, the Night King has fallen, but it’s Daenerys who now looms as a true peril for Westeros. The narrative unfolds post her assault on King’s Landing, with Grey Worm and the Unsullied persistently sowing destruction among her foes. Her ambition to ‘free’ the entire realm has me concerned, and Tyrion is frantically urging Jon to halt her rampage.

Jon ends up killing Danaerys, convinced that he can’t keep her from hurting more people. Drogon responds by melting the Iron Throne and flying away, leaving Jon to the survivors’ judgement. While it briefly seems like Jon’s allies might go to war with the Danaerys loyalists, they eventually make peace and the Starks go their separate ways. Bran becomes King, Sansa becomes Queen in the North, Jon is sent to the Wall, and Arya decides to sail west.

As a gamer, I’ve got to admit, some parts in this season were promising, but they felt hastily done, leaving me wanting more. Characters like Bran and Arya, who had intriguing storylines earlier, ended up with conclusions that seemed almost out of the blue. Tyrion wasn’t far off when he said “No one’s very happy,” and I have to agree – while a bittersweet ending can be compelling, this final chapter didn’t hit the mark for me.

Approximately 50% of IMDb users gave this episode a score of 1. This episode is the lowest-rated in the series, holding a 4.0 on IMDb and a 47% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite some positive aspects in “The Iron Throne”, many fans dislike the ending, expressing hope that George R.R. Martin will eventually complete the books and provide an ending more satisfying to them.

2024-08-18 17:42