Sci-Fi’s Answer To Game Of Thrones Had A Much Better Ending

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Despite seven seasons of incredible success, the final season of Game of Thrones was widely considered a letdown. Key storylines felt pointless, the plot became illogical, and beloved characters acted in ways that didn’t make sense. Ultimately, the ending disappointed many viewers and has become known as a prime example of a frustrating TV finale.

The disappointing ending of Game of Thrones created higher expectations for other hit TV shows to deliver satisfying conclusions. This was especially true for shows that had been frequently compared to Game of Thrones from the start. One such show, a science fiction series that debuted in 2016, ran concurrently with Game of Thrones. When it ended in 2022, many worried it would suffer a similar, controversial fate.

The Expanse Avoided Making Game Of Thrones’ Ending Mistake

Even before it was adapted for television, The Expanse was often likened to Game of Thrones due to its intricate world, power struggles between different groups, and a significant underlying danger. This comparison was boosted by the fact that Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin publicly praised The Expanse, and the show’s marketing often highlighted his support. Additionally, one of The Expanse’s writers, Ty Franck, had previously worked with Martin.

By the time the final season of The Expanse arrived on Prime Video, it had largely moved past comparisons to Game of Thrones in space, a label often used in its earlier seasons. However, many viewers still worried it might have a similar ending. Similar to HBO’s series, The Expanse was finishing production before the books were fully written. While it wasn’t waiting for a new book to be published, the show, like Game of Thrones, didn’t have enough episodes to adapt all the details from its source material.

As a viewer, I really appreciated how The Expanse handled its final season, especially compared to Game of Thrones. Both shows got six episodes to wrap things up, but where Game of Thrones felt rushed, trying to fit everything in, The Expanse smartly slowed down. They didn’t try to speed through the entire story. Instead, they focused on bringing the immediate conflicts – the Free Navy and the fight for Belter rights – to a satisfying close. While bigger mysteries, like the Laconian Empire and the Dark Gods, are still out there, it felt like a deliberate choice to prioritize a strong resolution for the present storyline, and I respected that.

Imagine if the final season of Game of Thrones had made Euron Greyjoy and his army the central threat, and spent a lot of time exploring Jon Snow’s family history, but barely dealt with the Night King or the fight for the Iron Throne. That’s similar to what happened here.

Why The Expanse’s Ending Is Great & Game Of Thrones’ Isn’t

Some might feel that The Expanse doesn’t quite wrap things up with a satisfying conclusion. The final episode hints that the story could continue, leaving some questions unanswered. Even with its problems, the final episode of Game of Thrones at least brought the story to a clear, if imperfect, end.

Most importantly, the final episode of The Expanse provides a truly satisfying conclusion. While not every question is answered, the story wraps up the characters’ journeys in a way that feels natural and makes sense. The surprising plot twists feel well-deserved and fit the overall tone of the show, and the ending doesn’t feel hurried. This is something that can’t be said for the finale of Game of Thrones.

It’s rare for big entertainment franchises to truly finish these days, with so many sequels and reboots. Besides House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, there was even discussion of continuing the story of Jon Snow. The Expanse lives on as a comic book, and might even return to television in the future. Maybe the negative reaction to the Game of Thrones finale wouldn’t have been so strong if the show had left the door open for a continuation, instead of trying to conclude such a huge story in just six episodes.

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2025-12-14 23:58