Nearly 11 thousand people and counting have signed this Change.org petition to ‘Remake Game of Thrones Season 8 with competent writers’.
Started by Dylan D., the petition argues that,
“David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have proven themselves to be woefully incompetent writers when they have no source material (i.e. the books) to fall back on.
This series deserves a final season that makes sense.
Subvert my expectations and make it happen, HBO!”
Spoilers ahead for Game of Thrones season 8 up to episode 5.
If you’ve been on the internet at all, you’ll know fans have been divided over what we’ve seen of the narrative choices in the Game of Thrones final season so far. Especially over whether Daenerys’s recent snap made sense with her previous character development.
But with a show this big, with this many fans, fan theories and fan expectations, having fans lean into a sentiment of disappointment is practically inevitable. We all had our different visions for the final season, and when something happens that doesn’t align with that vision, the easy option is to brand the show and its writers as failures.
It’s easy to complain, but that doesn’t make you right.
ME: [at the beginning of act ii of macbeth] hey what the fuck!!!! why are the writers doing this!!!
— Tiger Webb (@tfswebb) May 13, 2019
While David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have created a script for the final GoT season that speeds up the drama to be significantly more fast paced than previous seasons and George R. R. Martin’s original work, the narrative and character arcs are in keeping with the tradition of the past seven seasons.
Dany surrendering to her violent emotional impulse is a climax that has been built up to for her entire journey. From beloved Mhysa to an entitled power-hungry wannabe leader who finds herself without her loved ones and the love of the people. Fans who rooted for Daenerys refuse to accept that this arc makes sense, because they feel entitled to see what they wanted to see.
if u say that its shit writing to turn Dany crazy… you haven't beem paying attention #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/MXlyrOQVkV
— Jennifer (@Jeloreous101) May 13, 2019
That is the problem with fandoms – entitlement. When the franchise doesn’t give us everything we wanted, turning on it is the easy option.
If Game of Thrones gave us the narratives we predict and therefore desire, we would not have seen key events like Ned Stark beheaded or the Red Wedding. Game of Thrones never promised to give us what we want, and slandering the writers and demanding a do-over is at its core childish and entitled.
But good luck to Dylan D. and his very impressive pitch. I’m sure HBO is convinced:
With episodes at about US$15 million a pop he better start hitting up the signees for some cash.