Why We Were Conditioned to Hate the Ending of Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones (Photo Credit – HBO)

This is a spoiler-free article for the show Game of Thrones.

End of an Era

After nearly ten years, television has witnessed the passing of one of the most talked about shows in history. You’ve probably heard theories and spoilers until you were sick; worse so if you were unlucky enough to miss an episode. Yet, Game of Thrones is finished. But finishing with one of the most hated final seasons in television.

Before we continue, I think it’s important to differentiate what Game of Thrones is in comparison to shows like The Big Bang Theory. Game of Thrones is a serialized show, meaning that it has a continuing plot throughout. The Big Bang Theory is an episodic show, meaning that each episode contains its own plot. Yes, there are a few underlying plots in Big Bang, but the key difference is the ability to watch the show from any point. If you tune into Season 3, Episode 9 of Game of Thrones for your first viewing, you will be rightfully confused.

Now, this isn’t a knock on Game of Thrones. It’s still a very impressive show in many, many ways. But the ending has ignited much debate among fans; some in favor, some against, and some just glad their favorite character made it to the end.

Game of Thrones (Photo Credit – HBO)

We’ve Been Programed

Could it be that our mixed feelings have stemmed from our history of complete narratives? Our classic narrative structure of Beginning, Middle, and End has been with us since early man could tell stories. It was a way to convey a message, inspire hope, or teach lessons to children. This model has been engraved into our minds as we yearn for a completed work; for closure. Imagine Little Red Riding Hood skipping along to her grandmother’s house, encountering the wolf in the woods before getting back on the trail, and then THE END.

… What happens next? That’s it? Where’s the payoff?

This is what has some Game of Thrones fans rightfully scratching their heads at the final season. The show sets up a narrative of growing characters and mini-plots that eventually branch off into larger plots. Naturally, we want to see all of this progression come to a well-thought conclusion. We do see some loose ends tied up, but not until many seasons later; giving us a large sigh of relief or boisterous cheering. Yet, many conflicts never find their resolution.

But back to the classic narrative structure. If you think back to the Greek amphitheaters or Shakespeare’s Globe, the audience would come, sit, eat, and enjoy the performance on the stage. The show gets too boring? Throw an insult; tomato if you’ve got it. These plays were structured with classic narrative to give the audience a collectively satisfying ending. A penny well spent. The plays were designed to have a cathartic ending to appease those that spent the time (hours, if it were a Shakespeare play) and money to attend these events. Can you imagine a disappointing ending to a three hour play, where the audience had to stand the whole time? Or a play that was “To Be Continued?” There would be riots!

The Way We Watch

Yet, we don’t do this anymore. We put nearly zero effort into our entertainment experience. Where eighty years ago you would wear your best to go to the cinema, now you can watch your favorite show in your underwear from your couch. Many scholars believe this is a problem of “overconsumption.” Where before the choices were limited, now the choices are limitless.

This is why films are the same to this day. MOST films have the classic narrative structure to make us feel like our travel, time, and money was well spent. If we don’t get a feeling of catharsis, we’re not likely to return to see a sequel or related work.

Game of Thrones (Photo Credit – HBO)

Doomed to Fail?

But Game of Thrones is no film. It’s a serial television series. So, was it cursed to fail from the beginning?

No. Serial shows like Breaking Bad and Battlestar Galactica have critically positive series finales, proving that it can be done. Though, if you look at the ten most watched finales of all time (M*A*S*H, Cheers, The Fugitive, Seinfeld, Friends, Magnum, P.I., The Cosby Show, All in the Family, Family Ties, and Home Improvement [via Mentalfloss.com]), you’ll notice that the majority are NOT serials, they’re episodic shows.

For instance, do you ever notice how some people have seen The Office all the way through dozens of times, but have only seen through serials like Game of Thrones or Breaking Bad once? Shows like The Office can bottle catharsis into one episode, leaving you satisfied every time the familiar credits role. When an episode of Game of Thrones ends with your jaw bouncing off the floor, you’re not releasing the emotions you put into the show. There’s little to no payoff. Only a promise of a later ending that will bring complete closure and satisfaction.

Though Game of Thrones has AN ending, was it THE ending we wanted? If we base our viewing experience on the classic narrative model, then not so much. We’ve cheapened the entertainment experience through overconsumption and ease-of-access, yet we expect a satisfying conclusion to make all of our time worthwhile.

So, was the ending of Game of Thrones a problem with the writing, or simply a problem with how we now view media? While everyone has different tastes and different preferred endings, chew on this article when the next big serial comes to an end.

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