Ekasjot_Singh
Game of Thrones, the fantasy TV series based on George R.R. Martin’s novels, was one of the most beloved shows of all time. It had dragons, battles, shocking deaths, and powerful characters. For eight seasons, fans followed the story closely, waiting to see who would end up on the Iron Throne. But when Season 8 aired in 2019, it left many fans angry, confused, and disappointed.
So disappointed, in fact, that a fan named Dylan D started a petition on Change.org, demanding HBO to remake Season 8 “with competent writers.” This petition quickly went viral. Over time, it collected nearly 2 million signatures from fans across the globe. Why did fans hate the final season so much? What exactly do they want in a remake? Let’s dive deep into this movement, explore fan reactions, and understand the controversy behind one of TV’s most divisive endings.
Chapter 1: The Legacy of Game of Thrones
The Rise of a Global Phenomenon
Game of Thrones aired its first episode in April 2011. Created by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, the show was based on the book series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin. The story was full of political drama, war, betrayal, and magic. Over eight seasons, it developed a huge fan base worldwide.
- The show won 59 Emmy Awards
- It was HBO’s most-watched series
- It had one of the most expensive production budgets ever
Game of Thrones became more than a TV show. It was a cultural phenomenon. People wore costumes, debated theories, and even named their kids after characters like Arya, Khaleesi, and Jon Snow.
What Made It So Popular?
- Complex Characters: Characters like Tyrion Lannister, Arya Stark, and Daenerys Targaryen had depth. They evolved, made hard choices, and kept fans hooked.
- Shocking Twists: From Ned Stark’s death to the Red Wedding, the show wasn’t afraid to kill off main characters.
- Beautiful World-Building: The lands of Westeros and Essos were vast and detailed.
- Real Political Intrigue: The show explored power, corruption, betrayal, and revenge.
- Quality Production: Amazing costumes, CGI, battle scenes, and music made it feel like a movie every week.
Fans had high expectations as the series approached its final season.
Chapter 2: Season 8 – The Final Disappointment
Rushed Plot and Confusing Arcs
Game of Thrones Season 8 had only 6 episodes, compared to the usual 10. Many fans felt the storyline was rushed. Years of character development seemed to vanish overnight.
Some major fan complaints:
- Daenerys Targaryen’s sudden madness: After seasons of being a liberator, she suddenly burned King’s Landing to the ground.
- Jon Snow’s lack of agency: A major character in earlier seasons, Jon became sidelined in the finale.
- Bran becoming king: A surprising and unexplained ending that didn’t sit well with many.
- Poor treatment of the Night King: The long-teased villain was killed quickly with no backstory.
- Disappointing end for Jaime and Cersei: Their death under falling bricks lacked the dramatic payoff fans expected.
The Coffee Cup Incident
One small mistake that became a symbol of the show’s decline was a Starbucks coffee cup left in a scene. Though HBO edited it out later, fans used this mistake to highlight the lack of care and attention in the final season.
Chapter 3: The Petition Goes Viral
Start of the Petition
In May 2019, a fan named Dylan D created a petition titled:
“Remake Game of Thrones Season 8 with competent writers.”
The description read:
“David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have proven themselves to be woefully incompetent writers… This series deserves a final season that makes sense.”
Within a week, the petition crossed 500,000 signatures. Media outlets started covering the story. The number kept rising. As of 2025, the petition has gathered close to 2 million signatures—making it one of the most signed TV-related petitions ever.
Why Did It Strike a Chord?
- Emotional Investment: Fans spent nearly a decade watching the show.
- Desire for Justice: Viewers felt the ending didn’t respect the story or characters.
- A Way to Be Heard: The petition gave people a platform to express their anger.
- A Push for Better Writing: Fans wanted studios to focus on quality storytelling.
Chapter 4: Fan Reactions and Memes
The Outrage
The internet exploded with reactions after each episode of Season 8. Twitter, Reddit, and YouTube were filled with:
- Angry breakdowns
- Long theory videos
- Detailed analysis showing how the show fell apart
- Hashtags like #NotMyDaenerys, #JusticeForJonSnow, and #RemakeSeason8
Popular Memes and Jokes
Memes became a way to cope with the disappointment. Some funny ones included:
- Bran “the guy who does nothing” being crowned king
- Jon Snow saying “She’s my queen” a hundred times
- Arya turning into a ninja assassin with teleportation powers
- The Night King dying without saying a word
These jokes helped fans bond over their shared disappointment.
Chapter 5: What Went Wrong?
Rushing the Ending
The creators, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, were reportedly offered more seasons by HBO. But they chose to finish in 6 episodes. Many believe they rushed the story to move on to other projects (like a Star Wars movie that was later canceled).
No Source Material
The show had passed the books by Season 6. Without George R.R. Martin’s detailed writing, the story lacked depth and surprise. While Martin had shared a rough outline, fans could tell the writing quality had changed.
Character Arcs Ignored
- Daenerys: Her fall into madness felt unearned.
- Tyrion: Once the smartest man in the room, he made dumb decisions.
- Varys: Known as a master planner, he suddenly made obvious mistakes and was executed.
Chapter 6: What Fans Want in a Remake
A Longer Final Season
Fans believe at least 10–12 episodes were needed to properly finish the story. More time would allow:
- Better build-up to Daenerys’ downfall
- A detailed battle with the Night King
- Logical character choices
- Emotional payoffs
George R.R. Martin’s Involvement
Many want the remake to follow Martin’s original book endings, which are still being written. His input could help the show stay true to the source.
New Writers
The petition’s main demand is “competent writers.” Fans want creators who:
- Respect the characters
- Build believable plots
- Care about consistency and details
Chapter 7: HBO’s Response
No Remake—Yet
HBO has officially not agreed to remake Season 8. Executives said they were proud of the series and had no plans to redo it. They acknowledged the backlash but emphasized that the finale was a creative decision.
Spin-Offs Instead
Instead of a remake, HBO has focused on spin-offs, like:
- House of the Dragon – A prequel series about the Targaryens, which received positive reviews.
- Other upcoming shows exploring the world of Westeros.
Still, the demand for a remake hasn’t died down.
Chapter 8: What Does George R.R. Martin Say?
George R.R. Martin, the author of the books, had limited control over the show’s final seasons. He has said:
- The books will end differently.
- He is still working on The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring.
- He understands fans’ frustrations but asks for patience.
Fans hope the book endings will fix the damage done by the show’s final season.
Chapter 9: Lessons for the Entertainment Industry
What This Petition Tells Us
- Fan Power Matters: Audiences today have platforms like Change.org and social media to express opinions.
- Don’t Rush Great Stories: Even a successful show can lose its fan base if it fails to stick the landing.
- Respect the Source: Writers must understand and honor the world they’re working with.
Impact on Future Shows
Studios have become more cautious after the backlash. Viewers now expect better writing, logical storytelling, and satisfying endings. The age of passive audiences is over.
Conclusion: Will It Ever Happen?
As of now, a remake of Game of Thrones Season 8 remains a fan dream. But the nearly 2 million signatures on the petition show the depth of disappointment. Whether HBO listens or not, fans have made their voice heard.
Game of Thrones changed television forever. But its final season taught everyone a valuable lesson—no matter how big your dragons are, the story must fly on the wings of good writing.
Until then, fans can only hope that someday, someone will “bend the knee” to their demands and give Westeros the ending it truly deserves.
