They’ve done it again! Zap2it is reporting that “The Winds of Winter, ” the season finale of Game of Thrones has recorded the highest same-day ratings in the history of the show, beating its previous record set by the season 5 finale.
On Sunday night, Game of Thrones brought in 8.89 million viewers during the epic finale. This tops the 8.11 million viewers that GoT recorded for last year’s Season 5 finale “Mother’s Mercy.”
I can’t even claim to be that surprised by the news. All season, GoT has been ramping up the reveals, the drama and the action, and after last week’s “Battle of the Bastards,” people are more excited than ever. People turned up for “The Winds of Winter” and the episode delivered. I can only imagine what the final ratings will look like, with all the rewatching and word-of-mouth spreading.
Wow! Hoooooodoooor
JON SNOW!!!
This is amazing.
Well deserved!
That picture, that scene. Epic.
KingInDaNerf
According to IMDB
S4 9.24/10
S6 9.06/10
S1 9.00/10
S3 8.95/10
S2 8.89/10
S5 8.75/10
Mine would be like this: S6>S4=S5>S3>S1>S2
The White Wolf!!!!!
Can’t wait for the graph post; it’s crazy that six years on the show is still climbing.
Yay I’m so happy they 1oo% deserve it.This episode was the series’ best.And omg that scene I have watched it so many and still have goosebumps when it goes from baby to Jon
Jenny,
the music.
Jesus… I get chills thinking about
THE WHITE WOLF!!!!!!
THE KING IN THE NORTH!!!!!!!
Dee Stark,
Game of thrones has my favorite television, so memorable ^^
That scene, the KITN scene, Dany & Tyrion together for their close conversation all brought tears to my eyes and even my husband’s. The final scene with the ships flying dragon sails, sun sails and flower sails, the dragons soaring gave me goosebumps. This entire episode was the most amazing of any television show I’ve ever experienced. I was moved over and over.
Good. A man would not have been happy had the finale failed to break last year’s record. A man may now enter the off-season with his mind at ease.
Hopefully enough hype will be generated for next season’s ratings to keep on climbing.
I still need to watch the finale a few more times to be certain, but I’m think I’m ready to declare it the series’ best finale yet (though not the best episode overall for me).
Aside from Arya’s scene that I didn’t really care for, and a couple strange things like everyone in the North ignoring the fact that Jon deserted the Night’s Watch (or just not giving a fuck), everything was top notch.
The first 20 minutes in KL are probably in my top 5 best sequences the show has ever strung together, and the final three scenes showing Jon, Dany, and Cersei all in positions of power probably constitute the most thematically elegant way one could wrap up a season full of so many disparate storylines.
Of course it did! Best show ever!!
The King in the North!!!!
I wish that there were global ratings.
I have a feeling that the numbers have grown even more outside the US.
I decided to check out a site known for being “relatively” critical after watching the finale. It’s fascinating reading people showing off intellectual superiority by bitching about something they find inferior.
Kudos to the showrunners for making an adaptation that is enjoyed by so many and displeases so few outside that little forum.
Has GRRM said anything about how he feels about season six?
The two last episodes were the best ever. And season six was one of the best ever. (yes, yes: My opinion. I don’t speak for anyone else).
Best episode in the show’s history IMO.
You know there are very few soundtracks that I have bought outright, but I did buy GOT Season 6. The most amazing soundtrack it just gives me chills and did BEFORE I saw the finale…lol.
Can we pls get a Rhaegar Targaryen flashback next season??
S6 and S4 were the best seasons. I’m really happy with this season.
Dee Stark,
Season 5 has a bad reputation for no real justifiable reason. So many people seem to rank it as the weakest.
In terms of my personal enjoyment, and how epic and exciting the episodes were to me, my ranking is : Season 1 = Season 4 > Season 6 > Season 5 > Season 2 > Season 3.
In terms of my personal opinion on the quality of the writing, dialogue, characterization, and stylistic choices, my ranking is : Season 1 > Season 2 > Season 4 > Season 3 > Season 5 > Season 6.
But there is no bad season.
Old Nan’s Pie,
I think we will.
Markus Stark,
Thanks for sharing your rankings. I love to see others rankings 🙂
I agree about Season 5. I don’t get it.
Wonderful news! I can not wait for next season to get here already. It’s going to be a long 10 months of theorizing, waiting, meme puns, and desperation. LOL
Elizabeth,
Me too – I’ve never purchased the soundtrack before, but I did buy this one on Friday. The music is always outstanding, but Ramin Djawadi has really outdone himself here. “The Light of the Seven” is one of the most beautiful, gripping pieces I’ve ever heard, and I could almost picture what was happening before the episode even aired. Absolutely amazing work.
Elizabeth,
SAME HERE!
See I held of on listening to it, and was completely blown away during the episode
Wow! They didn’t just beat their own record, they blew right past it. Well deserved for the likely best episode in the series history.
Dee Stark,
My ranking as well. Just put S1 over S3. I just loved Sean Bean…
Deserving
“The Winds of Winter” is IMO, the finest episode in the history of game of thrones, and maybe my favorite episode of TV ever.
So glad to hear someone else say it….I have listened to it fully twice now, before and after, as I said just moves me and I love music that can lift me up and take me along. Glad I’m not the only person:)
Jon died. His watch ended. So his leaving wasn’t desertion, at least not in the punishable-by-death sense.
Something is missing… But… I can’t put my finger on what exactly…hmmmm.
mau,
Agreed. Simply fantastic. the last 2 episodes made this season jump over S4, for me.
…But to be fair English isn’t my native language,
GRRM hasn’t said anything about Season 6, as far as I know. He’s been strangely silent this year. Usually he shares his enthusiasm for the show quite a bit. I don’t think it necessarily means anything, unlike some who assume he must hate it.
I’m sure he disagrees with some of D&D’s decisions (he’s said as much in the past, and hell even in season 1 he said there were a couple things he would have liked to see being done differently, and it was by far the most faithful season), but overall he undoubtedly still loves the show.
Dee Stark,
I know and I remember the scene in season one where Jon asks ned if his mother cares about him and now you see that she did care protecting him was her last dying wish.Plus the pain between ned and lyanna.I choked up watching it
Great ratings, Great season!
Who needs the books?
HelloThere,
Fully agreed
Jenny,
Yay I’m so happy they 1oo% deserve it.This episode was the series’ best.And omg that scene I have watched it so many and still have goosebumps when it goes from baby to Jon.
Jenniy is so right here. I tear up every time I think about it. Also, when Davos was talking about Shrienne dying. And then the entire Jon clip from Baby to KING OF THE NORTH.
MVP: Lady Mormont. Has anyone noticed that House Mormont has elevated Jon. 1st Lord Commander by making Jon his Keeper, lol. Jon saves his life. And Lord Commander gives Jon his Family Sword. Then, Jon uses the Mormont shield to shield off Ramsey’s arrows. & Finally, it is Lady Mormont that makes him KING.
From: Bastard, to Steward, to Lord Commander, to The White Wolf, KING OF THE NORTH.
Chris,
Nobody knows about this as far as we know, and would they even believe it ?
Anyway, if you remember, last week Ramsay said he would pardon Jon for deserting the NW if he knelt.
So it’s still a thing (yes, I know Ramsay isn’t an authority on this, but still, the point is nobody would know about his death and resurrection or necessarily believe it even if they did).
Plus, it’s basically just Jon’s personal interpretation of the vows that allows him to claim his watch has ended. It’s really just a legal loophole.
Obviously the possibility of death and subsequent resurrection wasn’t considered when the vows were originally written. Death was thought to be final and irreversible.
The point was, you stay with the NW forever. If the possibility of resurrection had been considered, I’m sure they would have added a proviso stating that you must return to the NW upon your resurrection. There’s no real reason to let people leave if they come back to life. Their reason for being at the Wall doesn’t disappear, and the need for people to remain in the Watch doesn’t disappear.
As Edd says, “for all the nights to come” is also in the vows. So if you return to life, you should probably still devote your remaining nights to the Watch.
Roxie,
House Mormont is Jon’s official sponsor and Lyanna is his campaign manager lol
The last episode should have been submitted for more categories in the emmys. I haven’t been paying close attention but was that because of the date the episode aired, because voting was already happening or something? The season finale was a much better episode than Battle of the Bastards imo.
I might buy this soundtrack…have bought none before…but I keep hearing that song in my head
Nice! This is a premium cable channel and it almost hit 9 million. That’s crazy!
Can’t wait to see the Season 7 premiere numbers 🙂
…But to be fair English isn’t my native language,
We will see him at the Emmy’s. Last year he looked very friendly with D&D. He partied with them…etc.
Any ”conflict” is imaginary…
Is Martin the writer sad some of his plot lines didn’t made it into the show? Sure, every writers would be.
But Martin is someone who understands how TV works. He wrote many things in previous seasons that were different from the books.
But there is no anger or hatred as some in the more toxic part of the fandom wish or imagine there is.
I love 6 and 4 the most by far…not totally sure after that…
[in small Ally Sheedy Breakfast Club voice]: I do. I love the show a lot and thought this episode and the last one as well were fantastic. But I still love the books too.
I have Spotify and all the soundtracks are on there 🙂
Markus Stark,
In my opinion if they don’t give a shit that he is a bastard they don’t give a shit that he left the night’s watch
Almost the same. My ranking would be 6 > 4 > 5 > 3 > 2 > 1
1 and 2 are pretty interchangeable for me though and I really do love them all.
Jack Bauer 24,
judging by how good the season ended, I hope a lot of people watch season 7 🙂
Knight of the Walkers,
People who like them, or even love them. If you think those who love the books have less anticipation for “The Winds of Winter” than before, think again. Personally, seeing this season unfold has only made me more curious to see what will happen in the books, and how things will differ. It made me excited, because it was an exciting season, and clearly some things were spoiled for the books, but many things will still be very different.
The fact that the Hodor twist comes from GRRM just confirms what I’ve always suspected, that GRRM still has great things in store for us, even if the last two books were weaker than the first three.
Kargaryen,
I agree. It should have been submitted for writing.
So the average rating for this season is a 7.68 and last year was an average of a 6.88. That’s almost a million more viewers per week this year 🙂
I’m hoping that next season averages 8 million + per episode 🙂
Knight of the Walkers,
Yeah. My excitment for WOW is non-existent..
I will read numerous reviews before deciding what to do. Even then, I doubt I will read it before the show is done.
Of course this if it is released at all.. I doubt will see it before S7.
Jack Bauer 24,
I don’t think I can rank all the seasons XD
I wish I never would have watched the TV show “The Fall” recently.
The actress that played Lyanna Stark was an annoying teenager on that show, so when i saw her as Lyanna it totally took me out of the moment for a minute. Still epic though.
THE KIT IN THE NORTH!
Dee Stark,
IMDB is almost always wrong. People are fickle, hype and how recent a release is plays into it’s popularity. Season 1 while it is ranked second last here is clearly one of the best seasons of the show if not THE best in an objective context. Season 6 is the ‘hollywoodificiation’ of Game of Thrones. That’s why it’s the most popular at least, but as an objective best season, 1 outranks 6 quite easily when it comes to the script and the acting at the least. Season 6 obviously excels at action, which is what the drooling masses want. IMDB is not the only site like this though, Rotten Tomatos for one. They all have zero credibility when it comes to rating things. Hell, these websites rank the Star Wars prequels ahead of the originals, utter utter madness.
House Applebee,
That’s….like your opinion man.
So can we expect 9 mill for the S7 premiere 🙂 ? Episodes 9 and 10 made this the strongest finish to any season so far, imo.
Lyanna in ”Sandor Clegane” mode.
http://imgur.com/PTZ2Tr7
Seasons 1 and 4 > Season 2 and 3 > Season 6 > Season 5.
I really can’t understand how people can think season 5 is better than any of the first four seasons. It was soooooooooooo bad. Dorne, the butchering of the Dany and Stannis storylines. Season 6 was definitely better than 5, but come on, in every aspect except for action and special effects, seasons 1 – 4 win easily. They are the ones with the most of George’s writing, and he’s so much better than Dan and Dave.
Nice. More and more people are starting to catch on that the show is fantastic.
Old Nan’s Pie,
I hope so. I’d be curious who they cast. He’d have to be really hot- I mean a really special dude!! Haha! XD He wouldn’t have to say much! Just give us the tourney scene with the crown of blue roses and I’ll be happy.
House Applebee,
People have different opinions….. that is it.
You are free to disagree, but please don’t insult those who don’t agree with you.
The heights this episode reached may have been higher than the show has ever reached. The music really elevated everything to another level. I’ve rewatched the episode a few times now(I’ve watched the TOJ/KITN scene about a dozen times), and I have no problem ranking it in my top 3 episodes, and it very well could be the best. The way the season closed with the last 2 episodes elevated the season as a whole. For me, my rankings are: S1>S4>S6>S3>S5>S2.
I’m predicting an episode next season will reach 10 million live viewers, and the cumulative viewership will reach 25+ million. And that is only in the US.
House Applebee,
And purist tears are the sweetest tasting of all. Thanks 😉
House Applebee,
I agree the dialogue was better and the writing was sharper in the earlier seasons, but I feel everything else has improved. To me, season 6, particularly the last 2 episodes, was as enjoyable as the first seasons, more so, in the case of seasons 2 and 3.
I do. Never has a book replaced a movie for me. I can separate the two and appreciate the goodness that comes from both. I am not scouring the news or trolling GRRM to find out when WoW will come out, but I will be first in line (virtual line as I buy from Amazon) to snatch it up and read it.
And not really to compare it either, though that will have to happen, I just want the different point of view, what Mr. Martin saw as HIS vision for WoW. My only hope is that he does it before he kicks the bucket. I have this feeling that actually he has been writing ADoS at the same time as WoW. Why not? They show will be light years ahead of him at that point.
Still very excited to SOMEDAY get to read the books.
House Applebee
Here is something to make you feel better.Season five was great and I think it was better than the last two books combined.See the beauty of differing opinions
Davis, Melisandre, Tormund, everyone at castle black can say with complete conviction Jon Snow died was resurrected by the Lord of Light. jon can lift up his top and show them 8 knife wound scars.
Jon the Lord commander of the nights watch tells them he died. Why would the lords think they are lying? Hell Jon is probably going back after he has united the North.
To be perfectly honest! After seeing the body of a Giant, hearing all the stories about beyond the wall. I would also believe him and completely support his decision to leave the Nights Watch to be able to help them out more than before.
House Applebee,
I respectfully disagree. The story is reaching its end, of course it will feature big battles and epic moments. This season had a lot of build up and character development, especially in episodes 3 and 6-8. It definitely isn’t about ‘hollywoodication’ but about beautiful and powerful payoffs.
My season ratings go like this : 6>4>5=3>1>2
House Applebee,
D&D have done a marvellous job in adapting these chaotic books. I seriously doubt that anyone else could do it better than them. There have been some missteps, but their work has been overall admirable. I think you should try to be more respectful. This is not Linda’s site. And I like season 5 more than 1+2 🙂
I could not disagree more with your statements. Ramsey has zero say in any matter concerning Jon or the Nights Watch, so that is just out.
“Night gathers, and now my watch begins. It shall not end until my death. I shall take no wife, hold no lands, father no children. I shall wear no crowns and win no glory. I shall live and die at my post. I am the sword in the darkness. I am the watcher on the walls. I am the fire that burns against the cold, the light that brings the dawn, the horn that wakes the sleepers, the shield that guards the realms of men. I pledge my life and honor to the Night’s Watch, for this night and all the nights to come.”
So two points, bolded – they sort of contradict each other. And I am certain that the creator of the Vow (not GRRM) didn’t foresee that someone would die and be brought back.
I feel strongly that Jon is done with the Nights Watch, he leaves Edd as the new LC. Edd is NOT going to punish him in any way for going back to Winterfell. Further once it is common knowledge that Jon is a Snow/Targ, King of the North, it sort of makes things moot.
Also, it is clear that Jon has had it. He gave everything for the Nights Watch and got killed for it by his BROTHERS!!! They sure intended for him to die, no longer bound to his vows. Why should you still think him a traitor or to be punished? Time to move on from that meme, just my opinion.
I say, you go Jon, lead the North (maybe including the Nights Watch??) against the final battle!!
What an eloquent way to phrase it!
This episode soared and the music was exquisite. This is my favorite episode in the entire series. I have watched it 3x and will watch it many more times in the coming months.
And I agree with that prediction: it will reach 10 million live viewers next season.
mau,
It’s definitely up there, yeah. Not sure if it’s the best, but it is one of. So many things we’ve been waiting for have happened now, it’s crazy
House Applebee,
When it comes to seasons as good as this, there is no objectively better writing or acting I think.
Also, in what world does IMDB rank the Star Wars prequels above the originals? That’s just not true.
A New Hope – 8.9, Empire Strikes Back – 8.9, Return of the Jedi – 8.3
Phantom Menace – 6.5, Attack of the Clones – 6.7, Revenge of the Sith – 7.6
IMDB is not the best, but it is not a bad judge of quality either.
So Season 7 is around 300 days away?
Dee Stark,
S3>S4>S6>S1=S2>S5
It was sooooo great! Well deserved numbers.
The White Wolf and King in the North *cough* the song of ice and fire *cough*! The Mother of Dragons sails to Westeros with more ships, warriors and alliances than any conqueror in the history of planetos! The Mad Queen sits the throne.
All the pieces are on the board.
…except Gendry *runs away*
Cat of the Canals,
Geralt approves
Yeah, I was thinking that too. Especially since they didn’t blatantly come out and say who JS’s dad is.
I was thinking about Rhaegar vs Robert at the Trident, but the Tourney at Harrenhall might serve the story better?
They gained 1.23 million viewers between episodes 9 and 10. Is that the biggest jump in viewers in the shows history?
Jenny,
A Mormont campaign manager is worth 10 regular campaign managers! Seriously, the Mormonts are now my 2nd favorite house. Jeor, Jorah, Lyanna-that’s one great gene pool.
Oh I hope so!! We need the tourney and KotLT!! Would love to see beautiful Rhaegar at last. 🙂
I don’t get the hate for Season 5 either, my ranking goes:
1. Season 6
2. Season 4
3. Season 5
4. Season 1
5. Season 3
6. Season 2
Amazing news! Like I said in my review, season 6 surpassed season 4 in both rating average and rank average and has consequently become my favorite season. Well, those two averages are not the only criteria for ranking the seasons. Entertainment will always be the main factor.
My current order of seasons is 2 < 1 < 5 < 3 < 4 < 6 (Yes, I figured on my last rewatch that I like season 5 more and it definitely has better rating average)
And my rank-list of episodes:
60) The Night Lands (7/10)
59) The Prince of Winterfell (7/10)
58) Lord Snow (7/10)
57) Breaker of Chains (7/10)
56) Dark Wings, Dark Words (7/10)
55) The Bear and the Maiden Fair (7/10)
54) The Ghost of Harrenhal (7/10)
53) The Kingsroad (7/10)
52) The House of Black and White (7/10)
51) Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken (8/10)
50) Valar Dohaeris (8/10)
49) The North Remembers (8/10)
48) The Climb (8/10)
47) Cripples, Bastards and Broken Things (8/10)
46) Mhysa (8/10)
45) Oathkeeper (8/10)
44) Winter is Coming (8/10)
43) The Wars to Come (8/10)
42) First of His Name (8/10)
41) Walk of Punishment (8/10)
40) The Red Woman (8/10)
39) The Pointy End (8/10)
38) What Is Dead May Never Die (8/10)
37) You Win or You Die (8/10)
36) A Man Without Honor (8/10)
35) Sons of the Harpy (8/10)
34) Blood of my Blood (8/10)
33) The Broken Man (8/10)
32) Mockingbird (8/10
31) Kill the Boy (8/10)
30) Valar Morghulis (9/10)
29) Garden of Bones (9/10)
28) Oathbreaker (9/10)
27) Fire and Blood (9/10)
26) High Sparrow (9/10)
25) The Old Gods and the New (9/10)
24) The Wolf and the Lion (9/10)
23) No One (9/10)
22) A Golden Crown (9/10)
21) The Gift (9/10)
20) Two Swords (9/10)
19) Second Sons (9/10)
18) Kissed by Fire (10/10)
17) Home (10/10)
16) The Dance of Dragons (10/10)
15) Baelor (10/10)
14) The Lion and the Rose (10/10)
13) The Laws of Gods and Men (10/10)
12) Book of a Stranger (10/10)
11) And Now His Watch Is Ended (10/10)
10) The Mountain and the Viper (10/10)
9) The Rains of Castamere (10/10)
8) Mother’s Mercy (10/10)
7) The Children (10/10
6) Blackwater (10/10)
5) Hardhome (10/10)
4) The Door (10/10)
3) The Winds of Winter (10/10)
2) Watchers on the Wall (10/10)
1) Battle of the Bastards (10/10)
Although GoT still remains my second favorite series, I can say that this year was really incredible.
The Michael,
also eagerly awaiting for the graph post
I loved this last episode so much, I think I’ve watched it at least 6 times. Lost count, actually. It was amazing! The numbers aren’t surprising, but confirm the excitement that’s in the air. Sizzle. The whole season just killed it for me.
Aryamad,
I think I would be happy just to see Rhaegar play a harp to woo Lyanna. Or even better, him and Barristan Selmy wandering around Fleabottom…Damn, I suddenly miss Barristan Selmy, tsk…
RG,
That’s pretty much my same opinion. Season Five, despite its flaws, was so much better than AFFC/ADWD.
RATINGS?! You… you’r… you’re talking about RATINGS?!!!!!!!
HOW MANY TIMES DO I NEED TO COME IN HERE TO POINT OUT THAT FUCKIN’ RATINGS DON’T FUCKIN’ MATTER??!??!?!?!?!?!!?1aaaarrrrrggghhhhhhhhhh
The only ratings that matter are best to worst seasons: 4 > 1 > 3 > 2 > 6 > 5. Any other RATING is stupid! Any other order is dumb.
Woah! Stop! I see what you are doing! Stop writing your own season rating list! I JUST WROTE IT! Sheesh. The nerve of some of you… having opinions that differ from mine. #ivegonefullramsay
House Applebee,
Why cant we have different opinions and tastes.
Writing may have been better before, but that’s about it. Don’t get me wrong I am obsessed with every single episode that has ever aired for game of thrones.
But for me I assess in over all enjoyment, excitement, emotion, anticipation. And no I am not only about the action. I think each storyline just got more and more exciting and complex as the seasons rolled on (and they were exciting and complex in the beginning to begin with!), and that is huge for me. 4 and 5 are not action filled and theyre in my top favorite. 6 is just on another level for me because I love how the stories started to converge, the characters brought back from previous seasons to close things out, and the end of the season is unbeatable as far as I AM concerned.
I also haven’t read the books so I don’t have them to cloud my judgement. (don’t mean that in a bad way)
Rankings are obviously subjective. But here’s mine anyway.
S4 > S6 > S1 > S5 > S3 > S2
Lord Parramandas,
thanks for sharing 🙂
Will compare our rankings when I do a rewatch of season 1-6 this offseason.
JCDavis,
Besides all of this, since Jon will dedicate his life to protecting the realms of men by fighting the White Walkers, he is fulfilling the spirit of that vow more effectively by leaving. Especially since none of the realms of men have bothered to answer the call to support the Night Watch by providing enough men to even defend the wall.
Hell yeah!! Then again, was anybody (other than the D&D-ruined-the-show crowd) ever in doubt?
Marko, we need an updated graph to put on our social media feeds to annoy the remaining skeptics with GOT’s ever-increasing success 🙂
Rhaenys Stark,
PAYOFFS
This excites people. Conclusions, things moving forward… yes writing and build up is amazing to watch, but after so many years, when things start to move forward even more, and payoffs are occurring, its so damn exciting.
Lord Parramandas,
I’d need a summary of every episode to rank them properly but basically as I remember it every episode of Season 1 starting with the Lion and the Wolf through to Fire and Blood was very good. Season 2 was very entertaining television but Blackwater is by far the standout and the first few episodes of that season were some of the slowest the show has had. Season 3 picked up and got moving quicker than any of its predecessors. E3 that season where Jamie lost his hand was awesome as was E4 with “Dracaryrs”. Kissed by Fire and the Climb were both very good and the Rains of Castamere was superbly executed. In S4, there was hardly a single episode that wasn’t excellent. Maybe I just loved the Red Viper, but it kicked ass all the way to the end and the S4 finale was the best finale of the series until Sunday. S5, maybe it was the fact that it really started moving past the books, and I knew less and less what was was going to happen but Hardhome was arguably the series best episode, and Dany riding Drogon the f**k out gives me chills everytime in E9 that year, FTW and the resolution of Stannis’s arc were also very well done. S6 started stronger than any season had after episode 5 I would have told you that it blew away all previous seasons. There was a bit of a slowdown, episode 6-8, “the deep breath before the plunge” if you will, but E9 and E10 are among the best 5 or so episodes the show has had and definitely the best back to back, one-two punch in the show’s history. That opening sequence of the Winds of Winter with the piano culminating in wildfyre is one of the most compelling sequences in television (not just show) history. I have watched it about 10 times since Sunday night and I’m still not tired of it. And then Tommen’s suicide, just incredible, incredible work.
Dee and others, I must say I have difficulties ranking the seasons. I find the differences between seasons overall to be much smaller than the differences between individual episodes within any given season. Generally, there’s a bit of an up-and-down in terms of high drama between strong opening and closing episodes, but as I truly enjoy good dialogue, even the “lesser” episodes have a lot of merrit to me. Some of the most renowned episodes also have had their shaky scenes, and it’s often down to personal sensitivity whether this is considered significant or not. Long story short, I’ll go for s1 = s2 = s3 = s4 = s5 = s6 😉
I’m just thrilled and amazed that viewership numbers have continued to rise every season. After just a slight jump in average per episode from season 4 to season 5 (6.84 to 6.88) it again took a larger leap this season to 7.68. The 60th episode of the series and it’s the most viewed is fun to see. It may not mean as much to pay cable stations but it certainly is a sign that the show has outstanding quality, very popular and they’re still gaining more viewers than they’re losing (which is hard to believe there are any). We’re not seeing that peak and downward arrow so many shows get when they run out of material and grow stale. It’s pretty much a guarantee they reset their total platform number as well this week huh.
Old Nan’s Pie,
I feel Bran’s visions next year will be focused on how to kill a dragon. Maybe we’ll see some of the conquest and Brandon Snow’s plan
House Applebee,
Shouldn’t you be busy jerking off to your picture of Lindaaaaaaa?
Lord Parramandas,
Great list 😀 Just curious which is your #1 favorite show?
Dee Stark,
https://media.giphy.com/media/dkGhBWE3SyzXW/giphy.gif
Rhaenys Stark,
i think its Lost
being a part of the drooling masses, i loved most of season 6 and can not wait for season 7
Rhaenys Stark,
LOL!!!!
Rhaenys Stark,
LOST
This show is amazing an epic, but there are a few episodes that have made me tear up MULTIPLE TIMES. There was always the big moment (Red Wedding) or wow moments, but just multiple character beats that make you tear up? Not really.
This one did it for me.
TOJ, when Lyanna Mormont smiles and joins in the King in the North chant, when Jon and Sansa smile at Winter is Here, DANY SAILING!!, when Marge realizes what’s about to happen.
It was flawless.
Lord Parramandas,
My god man, pace yourself!
We have 9 months to go still!
Mihnea,
Almost everything is an opinion, when we’re talking about how good a show is or how much we like it. There are very few facts involved.
All the things that you state as facts that cannot be disagreed with are also just your opinion, and it isn’t worth any more than anyone else’s opinion.
If every time you read something you disagree with you decide to reply with “That’s your opinion”, you should do the same to people you agree with. Stop pretending that your view is objectively true and those who disagree are wrong.
It’s obnoxious, pretentious, and childish.
Rhaenys Stark,
It’s a little ridiculous that people who criticize the show are constantly told to be “more respectful” if they want to be able to voice any sort of negative opinion, but people who think the show is perfect are allowed to endlessly bully and insult those who disagree.
You always seem to be very respectful, but many are not, so if we’re going to tell one group of people to be civil, the same thing should be said to the other group.
Mihnea,
He didn’t insult people who disagree.
Markus Stark,
Well…that’s just like…your opinion, man. 🙂
I think we have plenty to hypothesize about, instead of fighting over how much more superior this show is to other shows. You may think it’s more superior or less superior…but it’s superior.
We wont have as many casting calls really since we’re winding down now…so we should guess what might happen:
1. I figure at least one dragon has to die…which will it be or which is first and how/who will kill it?
Besides the main armies what will happen next with these people?
2. Jorah
3. Gendry
4. Melisandre
5. Hound (BWB)
6. Sam (Gilly – she might be in trouble by Lord Tarly)
7. Daario
8. Arya
9. Bripod
10. Bronn (not sure he’s needed in the Jamie/Cersei conflict)
11. Edmure (Remaining Tullys?)
12. Freys (They breed a lot so there’s a bunch left I think but who’s in charge)
13. add more here…
ugashep,
Glad someone got the refference.
UK viewing figures were 1.83 million for the combined 2am and 9pm showings.
Source: http://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jun/28/game-of-thrones-finale-watched-by-nearly-2m-on-sky-atlantic
JCDavis,
I saw that you said you haven’t read the books. If you had, you would know that Lords are supposed to execute NW deserters on sight.
We saw Ned do that in the very first episode of the series.
So Ramsay as Warden of the North did indeed have a say.
But that wasn’t my point anyway.
My point was that all Northern Lords have this responsibility, and they all know he was Lord Commander, so they would at the very least ask him about it. Deserting the NW is an extremely serious crime. What Ramsay said just proves that nobody knows about Jon’s death and resurrection, and obviously not everyone would agree with Jon’s interpretation of the vows anyway. As I said, death and subsequent resurrection were surely not considered when the NW originally wrote the vows, and there is no reason for it to free you from the vow anyway, as Edd points out in episode 4. Jon is just using a loophole because he wants to leave.
“I feel strongly that Jon is done with the Nights Watch, he leaves Edd as the new LC. Edd is NOT going to punish him in any way for going back to Winterfell. Further once it is common knowledge that Jon is a Snow/Targ, King of the North, it sort of makes things moot.
Yes, of course Jon is done, and of course Edd won’t kill him. That’s not the point.
It’s not up to Edd to decide what happens.
Being a Targaryen doesn’t make it moot. And you can’t hold any titles if you’re in the NW, so being King in the North shouldn’t even be possible for Jon. That’s my point. The North has completely ignored his NW vows. They don’t know about his death and resurrection. Would they even believe it if they did hear the story ? As far as they know, he deserted the NW, and that’s punishable by death.
“Also, it is clear that Jon has had it. He gave everything for the Nights Watch and got killed for it by his BROTHERS!!! They sure intended for him to die, no longer bound to his vows. Why should you still think him a traitor or to be punished? Time to move on from that meme, just my opinion”.
No, I don’t personally think he should be punished, I’m telling you what the law is in Westeros, and I’m telling you that it’s weird that everyone ignored this issue.
And yes, I know Jon has had it, and yes I know his brothers killed him. I saw Season 5, I read “A Dance with Dragons”.
Once again, that is completely beside the point.
Anyway, there’s no point arguing about it any further. It’s unquestionably odd that nobody cared at all about this issue.
I’m not saying it’s a big problem in the story, I was just saying it’s strange.
^^^
BTW the Monday night airing clashed with an England football game televised on free to view so that may have reduced the number watching GoT live.
I’m sure people enjoyed the choice of watching England crash out of the Euros (hmm, seems like an apt metaphor for this time 😉 ) rather than watching Got 😀
Can’t say there’s been any season or episode I didn’t enjoy. All very good. For cinematography and CGI, probably ep09 and 10 in this season, but also epic episodes like Hardhome, Dance of Dragons, Watchers on the Wall and the Battle of Blackwater come close or equal to S6’s last two episodes.
A pity we’ll only get ~13 more episodes before GoT finishes, but perhaps some will be extended which would be great. We’ll just have to wait and see…
Night gathers, and now our re-watch begins.
It shall not end until next season.
We shall take no breaks, hold no other interests, father no spoilers.
We shall wear only comfy clothes and win no game shows.
We shall live and die at our TV sets.
We are the seekers of missed clues.
We are the watchers on the couch.
We are the nerds that describe the plots, the listeners of the sound tracks, the horn that calls others to the show, the shield that guards the show and book canon.
We pledge our lives and honor to Game of Thrones, for this night and all nights to come.
Phalange,
Shouldn’t you be keeping such inane comments to yourself ? Yeah, that’s what I thought.
It has been fun to read your season rankings. Thanks for posting!
Here is my ranking:
1. S6
2. S1
3. S4
4. S5
5. S2
6. S3
Does it bother anyone that Cerci didnt send a raven to tell Jamie that trial by combat was outlawed so he’d come back? And doesn’t it bother anyone that her response to her son leaping out a window, the very son she went out of her way to keep from getting killed that day, is to say burn him? WTF?! Did George Martin write that?
Dee Stark,
I downloaded Ramin Djawadi’s “Light of the Seven” ….DOWNLOAD IT…ITS ON SPOTIFY ITUNES AND DOWNLOADERS ON ANDROID…piano was incredible…never heard piano before on GoT…hes my favorite composer by far…check out the music to the chase scene w Theon n Sansa running from Boltons in beginning of this season…great composing there too
1. I agree on a dragon dying. If Daeny does die eventually then I think Drogon will die before her, or else one of the other 2 will die.
I feel a dragon death will follow Wun Wun’s pattern – succumb to wounds after a heroic feat.
2. Jorah will find a cure and try to pull an Edmure at Bear Island for Daeny – during the Jon-Daeny conflict. Maybe Jon & Longclaw will convince him not to.
3. He lives on as a meme…
4. Meet BwB with a mutual respect & meet Arya. BwB with Mel & Arya will probably be instrumental in neutralising the Lannister threat in order to let King Snow deal with NK.
5. Along with BwB he’ll kill Lannisters….until he meets his big bro…and hopefully burns him alive in one of the most epic revenge/justice scenes ever!!
6. Sam will study & experiment on Valyrian steel; discover Jon’s parentage (dunno how); and go to WF & likely die somehow tragically in the great war.
Gilly will survive throughout – probably befriend Sansa…
7. May join Euron
8. (See no. 4) Also meet Jon & Sansa once more – though theyl be dissappointed after discovering her bloodthirst.
Ive inly read if LS online but think her stories might be fulfilled by Killer Arya.
9. Probably be victim to Arya/BwB blood lust – maybe what might estrange Sansa from Arya.
10. Will die as collateral damage to Cersei’s soldiers – something tragic like just after Jaime gives him his lady & castle…
11. Probably join Jon’s cause seeing as Jaime betrayed him. Will be useless though, but his allegiance to North crucial in Jon-Lannister conflict.
12. No idea. Hope Arya makes pies outta the rest, serves em to Cersei.
13.I do think….following pattern of a lot of previous conflicts…Lannisters will dominate vs Daeny’s armies for a while. I’d hate it…but D&D love the last min rescue – maybe Dothraki get massacred (the Iron suits will slaughter em) – eventually I hope ots Drogon who sets fire to KL this time, not the Mad Queen
Sarah,
I think Cersei not reacting to Tommen’s death is an indication that she is “too far gone” now.
I freakin LOVE The White Wolf!!?
Jon Snow, King in the North!!?
Kit, you were amazing this whole season!
I’m bummed that we got to wait so long again for the next season. I’ll be re-watching from the beginning again!
It just gets better and better!
Emmy sweep coming!!
Lord Parramandas,
This.
She is completely ”empty” now. Everything that made her human is gone.
Onion Knight don’t cry,
Yes, “Light of the Seven” is special, something we never heard before. This soundtrack felt like a “goodbye” song for me and I knew something bad would happen to the characters.
BTW. I’m learning to play The Rains of Castamere on piano and I can say that it’s a real pain in the ass, especially for an amateur player like myself.
Sarah,
What would be the point to inform Jaime…. What could he do..?
If anything Jaime would have gotten in her way. There is no way he would have agreed to her plan.
You can clearly see it on his face when he sees Cersei being crowned.
Referring to those who liked season 6 a great deal as “drooling masses” because all they want is action is a bit insulting, imo. It’s also woefully inaccurate, as I am one who really doesn’t go in for “action.” To echo what some others have said, what I loved so much about this season was the converging of storylines, the feeling of forward progress, the return of characters we haven’t seen for a while, and all the quieter, character driven moments.
As for looking forward to TWOW, while, yes, I’ll still buy the book and read it, I am looking forward to it less than I was. Much of this is due to having read the sample chapters, especially the last two, and while I so very much wanted to enjoy them, I didn’t. Sure, Arianne is one of my least favorite characters, but I went into that last chapter telling myself to give that character another chance. I really wanted to find something I liked in her. I couldn’t. The Aeron chapter really let me down. He was, by far, my favorite Iron Islands character in the books, the only one I really liked, in fact, but that chapter disappointed me even more than the Arianne chapter.
To end the post on a more upbeat note, I’m so happy to see all the hard work from everyone involved with the show, the writers, the actors, and the unsung heros known as the crew, be “rewarded” by these huge numbers. It just goes to show, however loudly some scream, and some certainly do (I still can’t believe some people were following Cogman’s tweets and disrupting his conversations, even ones that had nothing to do with GoT, to attack him), this show is loved, and their work is appreciated.
Lord Parramandas,
Thats awesome! Rains of Castemere is horrifyingly beautiful…
Nymeria Warrior Queen,
This. Thank you.
Agree.
This x 10
The drool on my keyboard may short it out before I finish this…
In my opinion (Do I need to say that every time? Hopefully not.) season 5 had the weakest source material to work with. They made some good decisions to cut out entire storylines, and speed up others, but also made a few errors trying to mix and match the bad with the good. It was basically crippled out of the gate.
However, they learned some valuable lessons, and kept it from infecting Season 6 by yadda-yadda-yadda’ing the rest of the Dorne and Ironborn plotlines. Season 5 was a child with chicken pox, and Season 6 was all the healthier for it.
Sarah,
I had no issue whatsoever with Cersei’s choice to burn Tommen. Before she gave that instruction, she said he should be with his grandfather (on another thread, I mistakenly said father, thinking she was maintaining the appearance of her children being Robert’s legitimate issue), and his siblings. They were buried at the Sept. The Sept. was burned. By virtue of having Tommen burned and his ashes spread at the Sept., she was “burying” Tommen with the rest of his family.
Markus Stark,
I think what sort of bothers me about this is not that there necessarily isn’t a “way out” for Jon leaving the NW, but that they don’t show/explain it in some way. Not that they don’t have opportunities (while galavanting around the North for support, before/after the battle, sometime during the gathering where Jon is “crowned,” etc). Seems like a lot of the discussion is how WE feel about it (often with our 21st century perspective), instead of how THEY would have perceived/felt about it (Markus’s later comments give a little of that). I just wish they would have dealt with it somehow. Is the LC of the NW able to release someone from their vows? Could Jon do that to himself? Could Edd do that post-assassination for Jon? It’s not necessarily a big thing to me in the context of the story, but it is a loose end that I don’t feel is wrapped up very well.
Side note – how do you fire a brother of the NW? LC walks up to brother, “Steward Johnson, come into my office, we need to talk. I’m afraid this isn’t working out and the stewards are needing to move in another direction. Your position, has been eliminated. I’m afraid I’ll have to have your head.”
I do. This season was awesome and the finale was beyond incredible, but I need that book. I really do.
Yes, not only is England’s football team useless, but their supporters (and others) who voted to leave the EU also… In the near future, a disaster IMHO, but that’s just my take on it – Enough said!
Do you live in the UK? It would be interesting to know what countries us posters on WotW live in? Perhaps Sue (or one of the website managers) could set up a questionnaire where we could tick a box or similar as to our geographic locations?
Although originally from the UK, I’ve lived in Spain for the last 30 years (in the Canary Islands). Its just luck I can receive Sky Atlantic at all being so far south. Sky also keep changing the channels around between the satellites and recently I lost a load due to this. I fear one day that could happen to Sky Atlantic which would piss me off BIG TIME!
If you are in the UK, I guess you also watch the GoT after-show ‘Thronecast’ ? Its quite entertaining, but sad to see they invited that ‘moron’ Jonathan Ross on again for their review of the finale. He’s a prize dickhead and I don’t find that guy at all amusing with his wise cracks. He’s overrated, over paid, arrogant and full of his own piss and importance !!!
Quite why the UK TV networks still employ him as a presenter beats me 🙁
Sarah,
I think she wanted Jaime gone, and didn’t “raven” him, because she had the wildfire plan set up all along. She knows how Jaime reacts when people try to burn the city down–Jaime vs Aerys.
As for burning Tommen: Show made clear that Cersei doesn’t feel comfortable with burial; remember her response to Myrcella’s burial. Burning is cleaner, quicker, psychologically easier for Cersei to accept.
Roxie,
+Roxie, good point about House Mormont. I had not really thought of that.
Black Raven,
Yes I am in the UK and I can see Thronecast but after watching a couple in Season 4 I decided not to bother…
I have been to La Palma and Gran Canaria in the past, hiking off the beaten track away from the tourist centres. I do envy you a bit for living in the islands!
Old Nan’s Pie,
Yes, a harp scene would definitely be acceptable!
Sarah,
It more bothered me that he didn’t fight harder to stay in the city so he could be there for the trial by combat. Yes, he was banished…but he was also given an army. Then what made it worse was how he didn’t head back to King’s Landing after retaking Riverrun. He traveled his whole army North to The Twins to transport Edmure which he could not give two shits about. He could’ve had 20 soldiers do this. But they needed to get Jaime out of King’s Landing so he wouldn’t interfere with Cersei’s plan, so yeah. Kind of symbolizes a lot of what went wrong this season for me.
I know! Seasons 3-6 are tied for first with Seasons 1 and 2 coming in a very close second.
Me, too! I want much more backstory and the brilliant dialogue that will come with the books. As wonderful as this season has been, I wish I’d read it first.
maria,
I do notice that she always waits to do the worst things when he isn’t around. 🙂
1. Husband and I were just talking about a dragon dying. (hope no one gets upset-but come on-4 direwolves are dead and one is MIA. And it does make sense that she’d have to lose something) He thinks it will be Viserion because he was named after her horrible brother-but I just think a dragon will either die…or be taken from Dany somehow.
2. Also think Jorah will find a cure. His story definitely doesn’t feel over.
3. Gendry is coming back-we need the Smith-we just do. He is important. And the last Baratheon-And part of Arya’s pack.
4. She’ll either run with BWB or be caught by Euron for shadow babies or confronted by another priestess for using magic in front of muggles or something. I’m not sure-but definitely expect her to run into Arya. 🙂
5. I don’t know what I’m rooting for more-Hound to reach Winterfell or Clegane bowl. Someone does need to kill Frankenmountain…but I really want Sandor to go North. He sort of belongs with the Stark girls at this point.
6. Sam will be very important and he’ll read all those books 🙂 I’m not sure what’s coming for him-except learning Valyrian steel properties and a few other super important details we’ll need to know.
7. Daario will either join Euron or Cersei. I can see him being her boy toy now-“How do you like that Dany? I’m totally over you. Neener neener.” I think leaving the mercenary Second Sons in charge of a city is not her best plan ever. Though breaking up with him was a good idea.
8. I’m hoping for an awkward but still wonderful family reunion, but I’m not counting on it. I’m still a little worried about Arya’s future-not if she’ll survive but if she can be truly Arya again–but I think they’ll need her.
9. Brienne has more to come. She’s got that whole Jaime-Tormund love triangle happening-she’s related to Dunk who did some truly heroic things. I could actually see her and the Hound getting along, because they nearly killed each other and they can respect each other’s abilities. Maybe. She will be a force in the wars to come. You know who needs her? Bran. And if she could bring a horse that would be great.
Also I hope Pod survives and surprises us all with his skills…not those skills, but every skill is important. 🙂
10. Fook this, I’m leaving…is what I want him to say. He joins Tyrion and the sexy queens brigade. Jaime is too handsome to hang out with, especially with all the crazy sister drama.
11. Edmure? I just hope someone lets him out of his cell. I have no idea what he’s going to do or if he’s even going to appear again.
12. All the Freys need to go. I think she actually got a lot of them. She might finish the job with BWB help.
13. I wondered if at any point we’d see Cersei relocate to Casterly Rock. It is the only place Visenya Targaryen said she was glad they didn’t have to conquer-because the dragons would have a hard time blasting it (it’s literally a giant rock tall as the Wall with a castle carved inside and mines etc) / On the other hand she might not want to give up that damn throne.
Also wondering if she’ll form an alliance with Euron. Cersei will have to make some questionable calls if she wants to win against Dany’s force.
Eventually-I think Cersei would rather burn every inch of KL rather than give it up at this point.
On Dany’s side-I am worried about the Dothraki against armed knights. And cold weather. Also long ship travel. The horde is scary on the plains of Essos, but they have no idea how to fight in Westeros.
Ser Not Appearing in this Series,
Fine on not bothering to watch Thronecast. The format changed after S4 and no Elio or Linda appearances (good news!) since then. Its Ok, barring some of the guest fans (J. Ross I can’t stand), but they always have one of the GoT cast on the show which is good. This week it was Kerry Ingram (Shereen) and Ian Beattie (Meryn Trant).
So you have visited La Palma I see? That’s where I live. Its a great place with not so much tourism as the larger islands.
Can you give me the title of any fantasy book published in the middle of the last decade that was better than AFFC? I’ve read most of the contenders. None are even close. I’ll even let you dip into sci-fi to expand your chances…but I’ve read most of the contenders there, too.
Who knew the depths of the foreshadowing of this scene as it was happening:
https://goo.gl/images/HsmI0Z
Blackwater season 2
Cersei on Iron Throne about to mercy poison Tommen
Whoa!
Jon deserting the NW and no one seems to notice/care – You have to give it to Ramsay. He’s the only one who mentioned it (during their parlay). This is also a gripe of mine early on but after a while, I just let go of it. Who cares? Jon is The King in The North! The King in the North! The King in the North! (I have a feeling though that he won’t be the KitN for long. LF will do his very best to deliver the QitN.)
The last 3 sequences – Beautifully done. We saw the North rally behind Jon and cheered loudly. Then it transitioned to the somber mood in KL where people looked sad/a little frightened. Their “Long may she reign” was so lacking of any passion, in stark contrast to “The King in the North!”. Then it transitioned to Dany and co. sailing for Westeros. Just looking at her fleet makes one think these just-declared king and queen have no idea what’s coming for them, as Daario so aptly put it.
Dee Stark,
Take a bow Ramin Djawadi
Best Background score in the opening KL scene and the closing Dany scene!!!!
Markus Stark,
I don’t think the Northern Lords would call everyone at Castle Black, Davos, Melisandre and Jon himself a liar, Jon has the proof of his wounds on his actual body. Jon is also not in anyway a coward.. The Northern Lords most likely know by now he plans to unite the North and return to the wall to help.. hardly a deserter of the Nights Watch. Also which one of those Northern Lords are going to try and behead him.. they’ll be shouted down by all the others who agree with Jon.
Jeor Mormont sent ravens all over the kingdom warning of the WW threat, and for those who still don’t believe.. the body of a supposed mythical Giant might just persuade them otherwise. In a world where their ancestors bowed to Aegon and his Dragons….. Resurrection and White Walkers aren’t too far of a stretch.
His character, leadership qualities, courage against a vastly superior force, the character of the men following him and his reasons behind it all….. This is what proves to the Northern Lords that he is no Nights Watch deserter. If I was a Northern Lord and had a few doubts about it.. I would soon be persuaded otherwise. They are living in the most uncertain time in thousands of years, all there homes and subjects are under threat, their armies are depleted. So they have decided to turn to Ned Stark’s surviving son, the former Lord-Commander of the Nights Watch for guidance.. it is completely feasible I think.
The times… they are a changing!
Lord Parramandas,
The Red wedding?
Mihnea,
How did House Applebee insult anyone? Or is it considered an insult simply to disagree, and give one’s opinion on IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes?
Personally, I agree with HA. I am not a regular TV watcher because so much of it is dross IMO. GOT is different, or was for the first four seasons. I thought that Jamie should have told Tyrion that he lied about Tysha (as he does in the books) as it makes it so much more understandable that he would kill Tywin. I still watch the show, but am in eager anticipation for TWoW to be released.
Fact is, the show would never have existed without Martin’s work. It is his brainchild, and he is the True God of Westeros. Anything he doesn’t specifically put in himself, is just fan fiction IMO.
As for those commenting on GRRM’s view of the show, I thought this was rather interesting:
http://uproxx.com/tv/george-rr-martin-showrunner-war/
Hear, hear. Or if this site is exclusively for those who only praise the show, maybe that should be made clear by site administrators.