It has been nearly two years since Game of Thrones wrapped up filming. The controversial final season of the show left viewers divided into two groups, one them loved and supported it, while others who disliked it. There was even a petition to get the final season remade. Some of the cast members like Joe Dempsie (Gendry) made fun of the idea, saying it wasn’t financially possible. Some others, like Miltos Yerolemou (Syrio Forel), found the backlash that the finale received to be illogical.
Speaking to Game of Thrones podcast The Longest Night, Yerolemou explained, “David [Benioff] and Dan [Weiss], no matter what you think of them now, are exceptionally talented people who knew exactly why they were making this TV show. They knew what the tone was going to be, they knew the story they wanted to tell and how they were going to tell it. A lot of the exciting stuff came from what they were writing, that wasn’t pulled from the books.”
“Parts of the backlash were nonsensical. I do understand that fans become very passionate about things, but I think there’s a huge difference between fans and people who behave like trolls. I understand why people get incensed about things, but it becomes about something other than Game of Thrones. It becomes about people realizing they have a voice but with no filter… Sometimes it can get rolled up into a ball of anger.”
Do you agree with Arya Stark’s teacher? Talk to us in the comments below!
Game of Thrones was a decade-defining phenomenon. It got people so involved and kept them hooked for nearly a decade. Fans had really high expectations from the series, and had their own theories about various events. That’s why when the final season was released, the massive fandom was torn apart and people began taking sides. Some wanted Jon to kill the Night King, some were happy about Arya being the one to end him. Even the actors had their own opinions. Game of Thrones alum Miltos Yerolemou, who won millions of hearts with his short performance as Arya’s teacher Syrio Forel, shared his thoughts recently in a Game of Thrones podcast The Longest Night.
He said, “I watched every single episode when it came out. I was a fan. And was fascinated to see where the story went – and I was Team Stark, so I was really invested. [Game of Thrones] shows you what happens when a studio believes in the work and is willing to put its money where its mouth is.”
“[The last two seasons] were a little thin. I have no problem with anything that happened in the story – I had theories about Bran being crowned king at the end. Everything that happened to Jon, and Daenerys wanting ultimate revenge – all of that worked. I just think it didn’t resonate as much as they wanted because it was abbreviated. I did find it unsatisfying.”
“Daenerys burning the city to the ground should have had a huge emotional impact on people, instead of leaving us questioning why she was doing it. It’s purely subjective but, comparing [the writing style] to what came before, I don’t think it married up.”
He continued, “I thought “The Long Night” was thrilling, I just wanted more people to die (laughs). I was in Texas at a fan convention, watching the episode with 2,000 people. Literally couldn’t believe my eyes. I had no idea they were going to use the “Not today” line. It was bonkers. I felt proud of Arya [killing the Night King], like a dad. 2,000 people were whooping and hollering – it was such an intense experience. But I liked that it was Arya who killed the Night King, definitely. Jon killing him instead doesn’t sound like Game of Thrones.”
Do you agree with Yerolemou? What’s your favourite moment from season 8? Tell us in the comments below!
House of The Dragon is on the way, and it has created quite a buzz amongst the fans. Everyone wants to know how soon the Game of Thrones prequel will be on the screens. Game of Thrones alum, Emilia Clarke, for one, is really looking forward to the series. She had already extended her well wishes to the showrunner Miguel Sapochnik, and now she has some useful advice for Targaryens of House of The Dragon.
Emilia talked to The Hollywood Reporter and wished good luck to the actors of the upcoming prequel. She said, “It’s very surreal. I mean, I’ve been prepped for this because Miguel [Sapochnik], who’s the co-showrunner, is a really dear friend of mine. So I’ve been chatting to him about it for a while. So I was prepped. But yeah, it’s crazy! Those pictures came out and I was like, “Whoa! Whoa!” I was on my own last time. I didn’t know I had pals. (Laughs.) I could’ve had a bunch of friends to hang out with, but yes, it’s mildly surreal to be seeing all of that again. But good luck to them is what I would say. I really mean that.”
She also gave some excellent hair care advice to those who will play Targaryen roles. Clarke absolutely prohibits the use of bleach, “No, it is not worth it. I’m speaking from the other side, and it’s not worth it. I literally cut off all my hair because I killed it with a load of bleach. (Laughs.) If you like your hair, keep it your natural colour. That goes for everyone. (Laughs.)”
Are you excited about House of The Dragon? Talk to us in the comments below!
True horrors reside within the deepest corners of the twisted human mind. Game of Thrones gave us a glimpse of what torture meant in the medieval period. Fans of the show still get flooded by the memories of Cersei’s torture whenever they hear the word ‘Shame’. And how can anyone forget the dreadful character behind that voice, Septa Unella, played by Hannah Waddingham. About a month ago, Waddingham confessed her waterboarding scene was the second-worst experience of her life. Recently, in an interview with Insider, Lena Headey (Cersei) shared her thoughts about the scene.
Lena explained, “She had a really s—t time doing that scene. I adore Hannah, she’s one of my favourite humans.”
Headey chalks up shooting that specific scene to the need of the production to be “authentic,” but admits it was a “really, really tough day. ”
“People have different limits,” she said. “People will go to different places. And some people will be like, ‘I don’t want to f—ing put myself in that position.’ I totally respect whatever your boundaries are, but Hannah was a trooper. That was a long day of prune juice in your face.”
Headey admitted to Insider that at a certain point while shooting the scene she purposely stopped aiming towards Waddingham’s mouth when she poured the wine.
“I was like, I’m just going to do a light salad dressing drizzle around her nun’s wimple,” she said.
Lena and Hannah are really good friends in real life. What do you think of the waterboarding scene? Tell us in the comments below!
