Jon Snow actor Kit Harrington has finally spoken about the backlash received by HBO’s Game of Thrones Season 8. His take on Jon Snow instantly made him a fan-favourite among the GOT fanbase, ultimately helping him get nominated for Golden Globe (once) and Emmys (twice). However, his performance and overall character portrayal in the final season were among the things that received the most amount of backlash from the GOT fans.
In a recent interview with GQ, Harrington finally opened up about the backlash received by GOT Season 8, admitting that he looked “exhausted” and “f–king tired” in the final season. This is what he said:
“I think if there was any fault with the end of Thrones, 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”
Harrington even went on to admit that “mistakes were made” while filming the final season. “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.”
Game of Thrones was undoubtedly one of the most popular television shows of all time. It reached a level of cultural phenomenon rarely seen, mesmerising audiences worldwide with its complex characters, intricate plot, and shocking twists. Which is why the show’s fanbase had such a mammoth-sized hype for the final season. There was no chance that Season 8 could have escaped the fans’ wrath.
There are many theories as to why GOT Season 8 did not sit well with fans. The general consensus at the time was that the characters’ motivations looked forced rather than true. Instances of rushed storytelling, particularly with character arcs of Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen, were also observed. Even the demises of major players left little to no impact on the viewers. Plenty of major questions were left unanswered in the final season. The season introduced plot points and inconsistencies that contradicted previous seasons, leaving a lot of fans feeling dissatisfied.
But we cannot and should not ignore the overall impact left by Game of Thrones in pop culture and the world of television, despite its controversial and unsatisfactory culmination. The show quickly became a cultural phenomenon and a global sensation right after the successful premiere of Season 1. The show’s production values, including cinematography, set design, and special effects, were often groundbreaking. The entire cast looked perfect, and some of the actors delivered their career-best performances in the show, such as Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, Aidan Gillen, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Maisie Williams, and more. It never shied from pushing the boundaries of television storytelling, boldly explored complex characters and mature themes, and expertly used plot twists. Stay tuned for more updates.