The series finale of the HBO hit Game of Thrones was not well received by many fans at all. In an interview, the creators of the series, David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, commented on the negative viewer reactions.
In the podcast Happy Sad Confused with Josh Horowitz, David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, together with Alexander Woo, spoke about their new series 3 Body Problem.
They also discussed Game of Thrones, and the interviewer addressed the numerous negative reactions to the series finale.
Many viewers at the time heavily criticized certain character developments, such as those of Daenerys, and also the way the story was continued – there was even a petition demanding a reshoot. You can read more about it here with our colleagues at Moviepilot.
“We definitely didn’t want there to be so much hate”
Josh Horowitz asked in the interview whether the two creators had anticipated the viewer reactions and discussions surrounding the series finale.
Benioff explained that while they were aware that it would divide opinions, they had expected more balanced, positive reactions:
“I think we knew it would be controversial. I think we had hoped it would be a little more 50:50 divided. I think you hope for a better ratio of … we definitely didn’t want there to be so much hate […]”
You can watch the interview with David Benioff, D. B. Weiss, and Alexander Woo in this YouTube video. To get to the part about the Game of Thrones finale, jump to 36:28:
Weiss added that they had underestimated the effect of social media, where negative opinions were spread and amplified:
“I guess I didn’t really consider the network effects. You know. The network effects that can help a show when they work in its favor are a positive feedback loop. […]”
But instead of positive feedback, in his view, the negative reactions were amplified. Even if one liked the finale of Game of Thrones, the backlash on social media would have made it impossible to celebrate it properly:
“[…] It’s hypocritical to love it [the finale of Game of Thrones] when the wind is blowing in your favor and to decide that it’s the end of the world when it’s blowing the other way […] I think that might have been the part we didn’t really consider because we knew some people would like it and others wouldn’t.”
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