When did Game of Thrones start going downhill?

Cian Fox
Cian Fox
Aug 22, 2017 · 6 min read

It is a thing debated by Simpsons fans a lot, when did the show first start losing its way. Indeed, a lack of original ideas, repeated far-fetched trips, and general writer fatigue is blamed for The Simpsons demise. And personally, the episode where Principal Skinner is outed as a fraud— The Principal and the Pauper — is where the show began its decline for me, as it showed the first signs of a show running out of clever ideas, and falling back on outlandish storytelling — as it turns out that a major character is actually a fraudulent impostor — and we find this out in season 9 — I mean c’mon.

Anyway, it seems that for some Game of Thrones fans the same is happening for them and their fantasy epic. This is particularly interesting given the HBO show has prided itself on not playing by typical TV show rules, in terms of storytelling and its aversion to the classic tropes of good vs evil. The latest episode — aired officially on Monday evening (we all know you watched it before then) — has sparked controversy and a range of emotional responses, from anger and disappointment to awe and acclaim.

Firstly, I think I need to say this disclaimer — the episode was great. It was entertaining and remains a spectacle unrivalled by anything else on TV. It kept up the classic penultimate episode syndrome that Game of Thrones has become known for — basically where all the shit that the season has been building up to goes down — see here and here for examples.

In terms of plot points, we learned more about the white walkers and their connection with the army of the undead, with Jon’s killing of the white walker (another one to add to the list) meaning the wights disintegrated also. We heard more about Tormund’s crush on Brienne of Tarth. And we have also pretty much confirmed that Jon and Dany are going to get it on at some point in the very near future — as we all know what the lingering hand holding they engaged in means.

(HBO)

Okay, all the positive stuff out of the way. I think you knew there was a big but coming, and here it is. The episode was dumb as hell and none of it really made any sense. Firstly, Tyrion’s original plan to capture a wight (we’ll ignore the problems with trying to capture one single wight) to convince Cersei was the latest instalment of Tyrion Is Really Bad At Strategy — convince Cersei — I think that needs repeating, you would struggle to convince Cersei the sky is blue, let alone try and get her to side with her enemies. Next we have the length of time it takes Gendry to Usain Bolt it back to Eastwatch and get a raven to tell Daenerys to help, and then Daenerys to hop on Drogon and come to rescue the Magnificent Seven — who have been stranded for who knows how long, surrounded by an army of undead zombies.

Time has been a critical problem with this season, it is hard to give the writers a pass when Jon has travelled the length and breadth of the continent like 4 times in the same time it has taken the white walkers to get from Hardhome to Eastwatch. Time is a struggle for any writers of fantasy — and George RR Martin’s meticulousness is probably what has slowed down his book output on this front.

Back to the episode. So all seems to be getting too much for the Magnificent Seven, with Jon shouting ‘Fall back’ as the army of the undead overpowers them. However, at the perfect moment, Dany flies in atop Drogon, with the other two close behind (Viserion and Rhaegal — I had to look them up) and they roast some wights in a visually spectacular scene.

Everything looks like it is going to end well — until Jon goes full idiot and tries to kill more undead zombies for literally no real reason, instead of getting the fuck out of there — leaving the Night King the time to take aim and fire a ice spear at one of the dragons. Viserion is hit and collapses — falling into the icy darkness of the frozen lake. It is gut wrenching and shocking — you could see it coming but that doesn’t take away from the horror of it unfolding before your eyes- and furthered by Dany’s own shock and realisation.

Okay, this is all good and I have to bite my tongue a little bit — it was great. But — I mean — if I am being super nitpicky, why doesn’t the Night King just launch his ice spear at Drogon (the much easier target with all the people on it, including the clearly significant queen who controls it). Plot wise that clearly wouldn’t have worked — so I’ll let them have a pass.

Next up Jon dies.

Or that is what should have happened if Game of Thrones was still the same Game of Thrones. It needed a big death like that — okay Thoros of Myr (and Viserion) died but still, that is hardly on a par with Ned Stark and Robb Stark at the end of Season 1 and 3.

But Game of Thrones has now made Jon untouchable — he cannot die and that takes away from much of the suspense surrounding him.

So he goes down fighting into the water — parallels with Jamie in episode 4 aplenty — and emerges just in time for his uncle Benjen to ride into battle and save him. Because Benjen was apparently just watching everything that just unfolded like we were. And he gets Jon on his horse and rides back to Eastwatch and safety. This seems at best improbable — and unless theories surrounding Bran and his ability to warg into Longclaw (an inanimate object — not sure how that one works) prove true, it just feels very convenient and un-Game of Thrones-y.

The episode then concludes with the army of the undead dragging Viserion out from the depths of the water, and the Night King turning the dragon from dead to undead, signified by its eye turning blue. A great ending and one that sets up the future of the show perfectly. Will we see blue ice flames next season? I certainly hope so.

(Business Insider UK)

The episode was fun — it may have lacked the dialogue and intrigue that many Game of Thrones fans love — but even with all the various problems I have outlined, I would be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy the episode. It had everything one could have hoped for — finally we got to see Dragons against the White Walkers, and as one critical article said, despite the problems and inconsistencies of the plot, ‘In terms of spectacle, the episode was up there with any the show has ever done’.

So, when did Game of Thrones start going downhill? I think it would be harsh to suggest it has, and many fans would disagree with this kind of sentiment. Maybe, the show’s dialogue has gotten worse since it overtook the books and source material. And yes, there have been issues with time and pacing in this latest season. But these are minuscule complaints in the grand scheme of things, Game of Thrones remains the same fascinating TV spectacle it always has been — and in many ways is even more so now than season 1.

Game of Thrones is a victim of its own success, and with such an involved and well informed community — fan theories are bound to be correct some of the time. Also ‘Fan service’ is never a bad thing, people complaining about this are suggesting they would rather see more of the stuff we do not care about — I for one am glad we have seen the back of Dorne and Meereen.

And if anyone is wondering why I did not mention Winterfell and Arya and Sansa — it is because no one cares about that storyline at the moment, I was waiting for it to end and return to north of the wall — I think most people were the same.

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