Bittersweet Endings: Game of Thrones vs Breaking Bad

Let's talk Bittersweet Endings! Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad are two of my favourite shows of all time. In this video I talk about bittersweet endings, a type of ending that I think Breaking Bad delivered and debate the extent to which the Game of Thrones finale did as well. I won't be tearing the episode apart and talking about all it's failings because you can already find many videos doing so. I try not to make this a rant, instead just look at this episode on it's own and purely focus on what worked for me and what didn't. Hope you enjoy the video! If you did please don't forget to like and subscribe.
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[@Mayo501]

Walter White turns evil over the course of 4 seasons Dany does it in 2 episodes. Timing is everything, never rush art.

[@CALISUPERSPORT]

BuT tHeRe WaS fOrEsHaDoWinG!!

[@1997lordofdoom]

I wouldn't call him evil, a lot of other criminals including Jesse are a lot worse.

[@MrHarumakiSensei]

@@1997lordofdoom Why is Jesse worse than Walt?

[@stickyg4348]

@@1997lordofdoom jesse is just a boy that chose the wrong way in life, his parents didnt really seem to love him enough and that'ls probably why he started in the business. He also symphatize with children and people, so why is jesse worse?

[@RobertEdwinHouse9]

Walt was always evil he yust hid his inner Heisenberg

[@meris8486]

The finale summarised in one word: "Disappointing" as Kit Harrington said

[@PatrickOMulligan]

Best season Evah!

[@TheGeorgeD13]

Kit has said nothing of the sort. DO NOT make stuff up. That's just dumb.

[@mia234567]

Just look it up before getting aggressive George 😒

[@PatrickOMulligan]

@@TheGeorgeD13 cannot tell if joking or dumb.

[@antoniodee7245]

George Daugherty Do your research my guy, he has said it. An interviewer asked him to describe the finale in one word, and his initial response was disappointing

[@sulsulii810]

The "I did it for me" moment was one of the best moments in television history, change my mind

[@ShadowDAB0SS]

"I am the one who knocks!" Was better in my opinion. Both still great moments. BB is just filled with them, honestly. That's what happens when you DON'T rush your story.

[@rushpan93]

I'll do you both one better actually. The no-dialogue moment with Walt's "i'm ending this" look at the end of the the penultimate episode - right when the title theme kicks in - is perhaps the greatest and most satisfying TV moment of all time for me.

[@the_crypter]

@@rushpan93 yeah, I agree, it sent a shiver Down my spine

[@sulsulii810]

@@ShadowDAB0SS That was a great moment as well, I just love that he finally admitted it. In that moment his character arc was complete. Honestly I wasn't super crazy about the finale but that moment sold it for me.

[@sulsulii810]

@@rushpan93 Another great moment, but like I said to someone else here I just love how that line completed his arc. It was more satisfying than that moment because for like three seasons now you know his motivations have changed, and having him admit it was just so... ugh, it gave me chills. The acting in the scene you're talking about was great though. Let's be real though Bryan Cranston is almost always great.

[@SavageRicktator]

Unlike GOT subverting fan expectations Breaking Bad actually exceeded expectations. Walter Whites evolution from chemistry teacher to drug kingpin and criminal mastermind

[@captainpotatocrunch3893]

Spot on, man. Spot. On.

[@mk2000]

@Nobody Unknown m8 people were annoyed that it was u turn ,i dig dany as mad queen but no development

[@KT-qp7wx]

@Nobody Unknown It's not really about Dany turning into a Mad Queen. People had an inkling that would eventually happen. Everything was just so... rushed. Like somebody fast forwarded events and skipped the important bits that there isn't much buildup to the beloved characters of the show. It was really unfortunate.

[@JMMurray203]

GoT subverted fantasy tropes, one of GRRM's stated goals from the outset with ASOIAF. It shows how pre-programmed audiences are to expect them and how brilliant it was from the outset to never let these tropes determine the ending. The evidence for the Dany turn was always there despite the misconception that everyone keeps over using the "foreshadowing isn't character development!" A character telling people they're going to do something for years and years, yet everyone says it came out of nowhere? I love Breaking Bad, but it's ending was pretty heavy on the fan service. Walter just happens to know the ins and outs of the Nazi compound where he has never been. But he knows exactly where to park, at the perfect angle, the perfect spray radius, etc. The compound has every single member in the same building, the same room, at the same time, with no lookouts or roaming guards. The same compound that thwarted Jesse's escape with ease by having lookouts and guards? The same nazi baddies that were in awe of Walt's genius from his past feats? All they take is his wallet and keys? Why would they ever let him visit their compound and not meet at a neutral site? The list goes on and on. Everything just comes together and it gets neatly tied up with a bow and tie. Oh, and nobody questions Jesse getting past the cops scott free while fleeing from a site where machineguns have been going off? Again, there's no guards out and about that come running back when guns start firing and catch/kill Jesse escaping? The better ending theory I've seen to BB was all this transpiring then it cuts back to reality to show that Walt has this one last fantasy play out in his mind before he died. His family isn't set for life, he doesn't save Jesse who lives out the rest of his life as a drug making slave, and his friends and family all go on knowing what a monster he was.

[@Fir3fly798]

Dairy Heir Dude you’re so off the mark. Breaking Bad’s ending was very true to the show and the character of Walt. Walt ALWAYS thought his way out of situations when things got bad, it was one of the only unrealistic things about the show that Walt had almost super human levels of perceptiveness, genius intellect, and levels of understanding of the world that almost nobody could have. The ending was perfect to the feeling of the show and the character. The thing is the writers of the show did a very incredible job making those moments feel both earned and believable within the context of the show. It doesn’t need some bleak depressing sour ending to still be clever, and I’d strongly disagree with anybody that tries to argue Walt “wins” in the end. I’d hardly consider it fan service either, his son still hates him unless skylar decides to give more context to hanks death and everything Walt was involved in. His daughter will never know him and will only his famous criminal enterprise and news stories to give her any sense of what her father was like. His children/family, although set financially, will always have Walt’s legacy looming over them. And we have no idea what will happen to Jesse, the police know now he was tied up in the drug business. Yes he was saved by Walt but what’s he going to do with his life now? He has nobody, nobody to care for or go to. Not to mention we always knew Walt had to die, from episode 1 we the audience knew he had a death sentence and we were watching on borrowed time. Not to mention that the finale feels very earned because we see Walt finally fail to hold everything together and fix things, despite once again getting himself out of a seemingly hopeless situation. It all blew up in his face. And then the following episode is one of the most depressing things to watch. We see Jesse tortured and when he tries to escape he watches as someone he cares for is murdered. We watch as skylar is threatened by Walt’s former associates and then the law is attempting to prosecute her. And for those of us who still had sympathy and caring for Walt (I did) we watch as he slowly fades away succumbing to his disease, we watch as he becomes so desperately lonely he is willing to offer his caretaker (which is not a role he is even supposed to have and he cares nothing for Walt personally) an extra 10grand for 2 hours time of company. The saddest scene for me is when his wedding ring (that he still continues to wear) slips from his hand because of how much weight he lost and because he STILL loves his wife he ties a string around it and loops it around his neck. It’s a reminder of everything he lost. Afterwards when he finally manages to go into town knowing that if his caretaker finds out he will be abandoned, he tries to send money to his son only to hear his son tell him he hates him and wishes he would die. Walt finally succumbs to his situation and decided to turn himself in. All of that felt like Walt dealing with the consequences of his action twice fold, so it made the finale in my opinion feel very very earned. I guess you can claim that him threatening Gretchen and Elliot was sort of fan service, but he did it in such a “breaking bad” way and I think most of the people agree (even people who didn’t like Walt at this point) those smug bastards had it coming. The alternative ending you suggested would have had a similar problem to GOT, it would feel like this was all for nothing, nothing was accomplished and there’s no resolution. To go off your original point, Martin made his series to go against the fantasy cliches and be a realistic fantasy. His goal was to stop giving into the fantasy archetypes, and subvert the typical storytelling. The problem is that after the show ran out of Martin’s source material it became a typical generic fantasy. I don’t know how you can call the show anything but predictable. Of course Martin isnt going to have a stereotypical hero/heroine to save the day, but the mad queen “twist” was both woefully predictable from the attempted half assed set-up from the same and previous episode and trying to piggy back off her previous actions. It simply did not feel earned. It was done poorly, and that’s why people are mad. It needed a lot more development and although it was predictable it still felt out of character, which makes it double bad lol. Basically you’re way off the mark, you don’t have to like breaking bad that’s fine, but you can’t deny it’s written more cohesively and the ending is far more coherent. Anyone who thinks otherwise is just being a blind fanboy to GOT despite the incompetence displayed the last 2 seasons (or 5 onward). It’s the same people who said B.B. was predictable (BS), it was like oh Walt’s gonna die in the end? Yeah no shit moron.

[@juve96]

GoT ending was neither bitter nor sweet, it was just bad.

[@SirEriol]

I agree, Oberyn. I saw it with my own two eyes.

[@TaserFacer]

SirEriol Bruh

[@Kefeeel]

I can't believe that this season made GoT a boring topic of discussion. It's just so... bland.

[@goodgirlkay]

I used to watch every video and meme....now I can't bring myself to watch anything.

[@tired8788]

So right. They said "bittersweet". Bland is a better word.

[@gavsgotinfo1278]

It is a very exciting topic of discussion. You just need to find the reason why. It's all about solving the magic tricks in the long night.

[@sldlsndns3420]

@@goodgirlkay I don't really want anymore.

[@whywondersone6438]

As bland as Bran's character.

[@1800Hernandez]

I wasn't mad, or disappointed, I just felt nothing watching the finale, the finale was empty

[@Venddeta9]

EXACTLY!!! I mean i almost smashed my TV during the end of ep. 3 but other than that i felt nothing in the proceeding episodes.

[@WW-xn8sg]

I was very pissed of because there were no physic laws or scenerio ,what a shit ending it was

[@lilyraimey3499]

Jorge Hernandez SAME! I shouldn’t have felt that way about such a previously impactful and well written show.

[@MenkoDany]

All this video did is just remind me how much I loved Breaking Bad, what a masterpiece

[@KT-qp7wx]

Menko It is indeed one of the best tv shows of all time. ❤️

[@Ozymandias1]

@@KT-qp7wx The frustating thing is that Game Of Thrones could have been that. But it didn't turn out to be. I'll be rewatching BB many times (currently I'm watching Better Call Saul which is also very good) but I won't be rewatching GOT.

[@mdmassi]

@@Ozymandias1 rewatch till season 5 george rr martin was directing till then. And forget about the rest we all need to read the final book.

[@jeninjaradat4308]

I still think breaking bad final episode was a fan service like seriously Walter manage to kill all his enemies and they didn’t ask to search his car’s trunk??! Walter white came into your place and let him park the way he wants and without searching him how come, that was a big plot hole and of course Jesse get out of there freely I don’t know it was a happy ending but not convincing. Game of thrones was the greatest and biggest production The production value of this show is just absolutely insane. It will be hard for a show to ever top Game of Thrones for me. Every single aspect of this series is extremely well done - the costume design, the set design, the locations, the cinematography, the characters, the dialogue, the acting, the action sequences, the soundtracks. Everything is done so incredibly well. But the writers decided to rush it into 6 episode instead of building it up right into 2 more seasons with the same ending. Both series are perfect but game of thrones is better for me despite the rushed ending.

[@sakikogookheng]

@@jeninjaradat4308 you're wrong

[@pavvin]

Game of Thrones is great Show But Breaking Bad is God damn Art

[@cookingsauce8274]

"This is art Mr.White"

[@KT-qp7wx]

I can almost hear Jesse saying, "it's goddamn art bitch!"

[@pavvin]

@@cookingsauce8274 Yeah Science Bitch!

[@ayushcv2439]

Breaking bad is not a art it's a basic chemistry

[@cwells45]

GoT had it all and D&D blew it.

[@Jackieb741]

Sorry, what’s d&d?

[@cwells45]

​@@Jackieb741 David and Dan, the show writers. HBO offered them an unlimited number of seasons but they wanted to rap GoT up quickly to move on to Star Wars. Hence why the past couple of seasons have been so rushed, filled with so many plot holes and lacked character development.

[@Jackieb741]

Ingrid Stark welp, they fucked up royally. Literally.

[@gavsgotinfo1278]

D&D have not, you have just remained fooled by their illusions, round one of the long night each visible scene this them playing out one of their magic tricks they have used through out the life of the show. Round 2, you solve them, round 3 you get the answers you want.

[@TheGeorgeD13]

Well, D&D own the Game of Thrones Franchise (GRRM gave the rights to D&D, not HBO), so... it's theirs to do whatever they wish.

[@SamIAmSXE]

The acting, imagery, direction, and all around production of the last season were beyond words. All that ruined because D&D wanted to get in on that Star Wars money. HBO should've replaced them the second they refused a ten season deal.

[@BR-ng1kp]

From what I heard, GRRM sold the T.V. rights to D & D, not HBO so they couldn't have removed them without their permission even if they wanted to.

[@unstoppableExodia]

Brandy R that would explain why game of thrones was dan and dave's to ruin

[@strange144]

Yeah everything was great except for the writing/plot.

[@henrique-3d]

@@BR-ng1kp that does not mean d&d could not put more work into the writing. None will stop watching if they take a 3-4 year break

[@TheresaWheeler]

Bryan Cogman was right there

[@kienmaple]

To be fair to GoT, it's "ending" was foreshadowed with the decline in writing ever since season 6.

[@HeloisGevit]

ever since season 5!

[@rvantong]

I thought the scene where Ramsay rapes Sansa and makes Theon watch was also great foreshadowing for how D&D would rape the show and make us all watch.

[@iloveeveryone8611]

Expert level foreshadowing

[@guitarHero1885]

lol

[@user-xi8yh8qi9j]

@@rvantong hahaha

[@mateszucs8975]

Game of Thrones had the potential to be the definitive best series of all time. It blew it in it's fifth season. BB had the same potential. It cemented itself as THE definitive best series of all time in it's fifth season (In my opinion of course).

[@mg6192]

What are you talking about? BB is pretty much a perfect show.

[@mateszucs8975]

@@mg6192 I am saying the same thing lol. It's the definitive best series of all time IMO.

[@michalblasko8740]

@@mg6192 BB is 100% the best, Game of Thrones is fucking garbage. I loved it but after s8, i dont care anymore

[@michalblasko8740]

@THE RAY nah, they proved the opposite of what youre saying

[@goldwin1000]

Can you explain why you didn't like season 5,6,7 of GOT?

[@KT-qp7wx]

I love GoT but man, BB was very consistent, gripping and had one hell of an ending. One of the greatest and most memorable finales to ever go down in history.

[@jeninjaradat4308]

K T the ending was fan service and stupid they didn’t even search his truck are you kidding me. He suddenly managed to kill all his enemies and of course Jesse walk freely it was a happy ending and not convincing at all.

[@KT-qp7wx]

@@jeninjaradat4308 Allow me to quote Fir3fly798's argument instead because he perfectly summed up what fans of BB thought: "Breaking Bad’s ending was very true to the show and the character of Walt. Walt ALWAYS thought his way out of situations when things got bad, it was one of the only unrealistic things about the show that Walt had almost super human levels of perceptiveness, genius intellect, and levels of understanding of the world that almost nobody could have. The ending was perfect to the feeling of the show and the character. The thing is the writers of the show did a very incredible job making those moments feel both earned and believable within the context of the show. It doesn’t need some bleak depressing sour ending to still be clever, and I’d strongly disagree with anybody that tries to argue Walt “wins” in the end. I’d hardly consider it fan service either, his son still hates him unless Skyler decides to give more context to hanks death and everything Walt was involved in. His daughter will never know him and will only his famous criminal enterprise and news stories to give her any sense of what her father was like. His children/family, although set financially, will always have Walt’s legacy looming over them. And we have no idea what will happen to Jesse, the police know now he was tied up in the drug business. Yes he was saved by Walt but what’s he going to do with his life now? He has nobody, nobody to care for or go to. Not to mention we always knew Walt had to die, from episode 1 we the audience knew he had a death sentence and we were watching on borrowed time. Not to mention that the finale feels very earned because we see Walt finally fail to hold everything together and fix things, despite once again getting himself out of a seemingly hopeless situation. It all blew up in his face. And then the following episode is one of the most depressing things to watch. We see Jesse tortured and when he tries to escape he watches as someone he cares for is murdered. We watch as skylar is threatened by Walt’s former associates and then the law is attempting to prosecute her. And for those of us who still had sympathy and caring for Walt (I did) we watch as he slowly fades away succumbing to his disease, we watch as he becomes so desperately lonely he is willing to offer his caretaker (which is not a role he is even supposed to have and he cares nothing for Walt personally) an extra 10grand for 2 hours time of company. The saddest scene for me is when his wedding ring (that he still continues to wear) slips from his hand because of how much weight he lost and because he STILL loves his wife he ties a string around it and loops it around his neck. It’s a reminder of everything he lost. Afterwards when he finally manages to go into town knowing that if his caretaker finds out he will be abandoned, he tries to send money to his son only to hear his son tell him he hates him and wishes he would die. Walt finally succumbs to his situation and decided to turn himself in. All of that felt like Walt dealing with the consequences of his action twice fold, so it made the finale in my opinion feel very very earned. I guess you can claim that him threatening Gretchen and Elliot was sort of fan service, but he did it in such a “breaking bad” way and I think most of the people agree (even people who didn’t like Walt at this point) those smug bastards had it coming. The alternative ending you suggested would have had a similar problem to GOT, it would feel like this was all for nothing, nothing was accomplished and there’s no resolution. [Referring to GoT] Martin made his series to go against the fantasy cliches and be a realistic fantasy. His goal was to stop giving into the fantasy archetypes, and subvert the typical storytelling. The problem is that after the show ran out of Martin’s source material it became a typical generic fantasy. I don’t know how you can call the show anything but predictable. Of course Martin isn't going to have a stereotypical hero/heroine to save the day, but the mad queen “twist” was both woefully predictable from the attempted half assed set-up from the same and previous episode and trying to piggy back off her previous actions. It simply did not feel earned. It was done poorly, and that’s why people are mad. It needed a lot more development and although it was predictable it still felt out of character, which makes it double bad lol. You don’t have to like breaking bad that’s fine, but you can’t deny it’s *written more cohesively and the ending is far more coherent* Anyone who thinks otherwise is just being a blind fanboy to GOT despite the incompetence displayed the last 2 seasons (or 5 onward). It’s the same people who said B.B. was predictable (BS), it was like oh Walt’s gonna die in the end? Yeah no shit moron."

[@KT-qp7wx]

​@@jeninjaradat4308 But yeah sure that's your opinion. I strongly disagree though but I respect what you have to say. I for one (and many others - critics included) lauded the finale. I personally agree that the ending stayed true to Walt's character and was greatly satisfying. It's more like Vince Gilligan intentionally wanted people to read more into the final episode and Walt's demise. I believe it was also done to let the audience choose their interpretation. That's the beauty of it. However, the writers clearly knew what they wanted to happen to him and how they wanted the ending to pan out. And it's honestly 10x better than GoT's disappointing rushed ending. It may have its flaws for others (of course you can't please everyone), but it ain't changing the fact that Breaking Bad is still one of the BEST TV series of all time. It has cemented its place in TV history. Even more so after sooo many fans were crushed after what GoT has become. It could have been up there with BB, The Wire, The Sopranos, Six Feet Under among others - but sadly let that chance slip through their fingers. At least when BB had to go, they chose to go out ON TOP --- instead of underwhelming majority. The highly lauded writing of the show confirmed BB's status as one of TV's greatest series and its star Bryan Cranston as one of America's best actors.

[@KT-qp7wx]

@@jeninjaradat4308 But at least the ending of BB will forever be remembered in history as one of TV's greatest moments as opposed to GoT's highly criticized finale. It wasn't exactly a good way to end a great show. You may criticize BB since you're clearly a die-hard fan of GoT, but it still doesn't change the fact that GoT's ending has already made it on the list of TV's worst finales while BB's ending made it on the best list. Dude, the ending of BB was FAR from a happy ending. It was bittersweet. Also, at least the writing of BB was coherent and showed amazing character developments despite its complexities. GoT on the other hand had many die-hard fans disappointed they spent years watching the show only to have it end the way it did.

[@HelderOliveira-bl2xg]

@@jeninjaradat4308 are you serious?!! Breaking Bad finale was incredible! For some reason it has a 9.9 score on IMDB! All scenes are epic and so cleverly executed, unlike that GOT garbage! From that incredible and clever scene at the Schwartz's house which managed to combine tension, great dialogue and humor until the poignant final scene at the lab with that perfectly select "Baby blue" song... Everything in between was brilliant as well! Walter admitting that all he did was for himself in that scene with Skyler, the scene at the coffee shop where Lidia got poisoned with ricin! Unlike GOT trash that didn't have one good scene BB didn't have a bad one!

[@Kiritzu]

Season 1: Winter is coming. Season 2: Winter is coming. Season 3: Winter is coming. Season 4: Winter is coming. Season 5: Winter is coming. Season 6: Winter is coming. Season 7: Winter is coming. Season 8: Winter has left the chat. (EDIT) Since some uncultured swines seem to have issues with the comment I made, here is the description from Old Nan SEASON 1 "Thousands of years ago, there came a night that lasted a generation. Kings froze to death in their castles, same as the shepherds in their huts; and women smothered their babies rather than see them starve, and wept, and felt the tears freeze on their cheeks... In that darkness the White Walkers came for the first time. They swept through cities and kingdoms, riding their dead horses, hunting with their packs of pale spiders big as hounds." ―Old Nan to Bran Stark read carefully: ''there came a night that lasted a generation'' ''women smothered their babies rather than see them starve'' ''felt the tears freeze on their cheeks'' There is way more depth to the long night than this little story from old nan, also if you want to discuss thing like that refrain from getting triggered or beeing toxic, there is no need for that. If you are really intrested in this sort of stuff there is a ton of videos online that go in depth about this, also there is REDDIT. You are welcome! (this EDIT is for all the uncultured swines that did not understand my original comment) PS: THANK YOU FOR SO MANY LIKES

[@user-ms1vn2bh2l]

Adversary VR NO. Winter in AWOIAF is something that last for generations. Children grow up without ever seeing the sun. The one on the show was not winter.

[@Kiritzu]

死肥宅 someone understands my comment, thank you. Appreciate the description :D

[@jasminbreakingbadwalkingde4614]

@carlos Rivas LMAO winter left episode 3 season 8 you twat

[@aishaamd3301]

carlos Rivas in season 1, Ned Stark said winter is coming and described it as years of endless night. People eat each other during the long winter, mothers kill their children to end their suffering from hunger and much more horrors, that’s why they wanna save a lot of food during the long winter. Now where the fuck is it? It doesn’t seem any different than a regular winter? It’s just sad really, also keep in mind that the writer said GoT should have at least 12-13 seasons, it was cut by half. Started well then ended horribly

[@bob513993]

carlos Rivas Punctuation, brother. Learn to use it properly.

[@Kevin-zz9du]

AWEFUL ENDING..... Breaking Bad was a show done right. A very rare thing.

[@otothegoglu]

Honestly, it is not even compareable. BB did not only stay true to their characters and its themes but also delivered a nearly perfect execution. While GoT always broke the immersion. Grey Worm suddenly in front of Jon. Multiplying Unsullied/Dothraki with no exposition. Arya coming back to KL. Jon needs to give his weaopons to the guards while visiting Tyrion in the chambers but is otherwise free to roam around the Red Keep etc. Drogon flying off (where?) and cut to black (Jon surrendered as a honorable man?). Unsullied think they can survive the siege (they have no support). Yara following her "queen". Whole council. Tyrion able to negotiate from his death as a traitor to who should be king. Jon taking the black (why?), while Sansa gets the north (??). Best thing: Jon is accompanied by the brothers in black and they go through KL. They were really fast building it up again. And also the Red Keep in the background was also build up fast. Interesting. Of course there are more plotholes but that just shows how useless it is to try anaylse the GoT finale with a masterpiece of an ending as Breaking Bad or other great TV show (finales).

[@guitarHero1885]

glad someone else noticed the weapons thing - plus jon was just allowed to go have a pep talk with the traitor??! yet more nonsense. good points otothegoglu.

[@mdmassi]

Everyone agrees to bran being the fucking king cuz of his history but arya sitting there with the best history of them all or even sansa. Screw it thyrion himself has a better story. And they all agree as if they even knew about the three eyed bitch. Some of the didnt even know anything about the long night and the army of dead it was such a bad ending....i ould cry and scream and laugh at the same time.

[@mateszucs8975]

I always loved Breaking Bad. When it ended, I was grateful towards everyone that worked on it, because it was so spectacular. I loved Game of Thrones til the end of Season 4. It was truly unique, well made, well acted, such a good fucking show. I wouldn't really compare it to BB, but I think GoT WAS more consistent in quality, because BB essentially became better with every season. BB's final season was it's best, and it complimented the whole series, it was like a crown on a king. GoT's last season butchered everything that the show stood for. It ruined storylines, and it made even the first few seasons so much worse. As a whole BB is far better. GoT is a joke now. But seriously, a story about a guy cooking meth is more interesting for me now, than a world that's realistic, but also magical, and has politics, but also dragons and shit.

[@user-wl1uz5sb9f]

indeed it is a joke. They turned once a unique, complex and fascinating narrative into a fantasy soap opera for teens

[@turtleanton6539]

Read the books

[@Hoodoor-ec3fw]

GoT seasons 1-7 is better than Braking Bad but Braking Bad goes for the win cuz of shit ending of GoT

[@mateszucs8975]

@@Hoodoor-ec3fw 1-7? Hell no. Season 7 no. S1-S6 is I think legit better.

[@michalblasko8740]

@@turtleanton6539 iam not even interessted to read books after how it ended in Tv

[@stellacarneiro4996]

What bothered me the most was Dany's death not having any consequence in the story. The death of important characters used to engage dozen of consequences in the show. But not only does it feel that Jon's punishment for Daenerys' murder wasn't enough, but that it seemed to have little impact in the story afterwards. I'm not even getting into the argument of Grey Worm not challenging Jon or even killing him (the same goes to Tyrion), I think this has already been discussed a lot of the lack of vengeance from Dany's forces, which were supposedly the loyalest you can be for a leader. My take is on the personal relationships of the main characters and how they were handled this whole season. Jon's character had a very sweet ending to me compared to the others. I don't think Sansa minded being alone, since she had learned to live like that. Arya as well. Jon, on the other hand, was the only one of them in a romantic relationship after his other lover died in his arms. And not only that, Daenerys had sacrificed one of her "children" for him. His character was also stabbed to death, betrayed by his brothers, and Jon used Dany's love for him to kill her. I really think they numbed down his character to give Tyrion and Sansa their "sweet" endings. Sansa broke her oath to him and Tyrion was the one who convinced him of murdering Daenerys. Even though here the issue was justified as being a moral one, I think that for Jon, he should've handled this way more personally with people involved after the deed was done. Hugging Sansa when she asked for forgiveness and sulking to Tyrion about his actions... It felt, to me at least, that Daenerys was treated by the story and the characters as if she were just put down like a rabid dog. And that is too bitter after she was the only character who sacrificed everything in a fight that wasn't hers to begin with. She's the true tragic hero to this ending and the most frustrating was that it wasn't written properly at all...

[@cwells45]

Love this comment, I agree completely.

[@adrianazashen]

Once Daeny started burning KL, I said, "Fuck it! Burn them all! 😂" because really, D&D burned their bridges hard.

[@MrClevelandfan40]

Perfect way of explaining 💯💯

[@user-wl1uz5sb9f]

Drogon should have killed John signing off the end of the Targaryen. Then, maybe Bran has a better claim.

[@Immagonko]

Fuck Sansa

[@PeterHSPeter]

Jon did meet Ygritte 2.0. Thormund.

[@remember2wander548]

PeterHSPeter excellent! Thanks for pointing this out

[@alex73217]

And its not even against the night watch rules. He shall take no woman, but Tormund is ok xD

[@Ceares]

He is a dazzling redhead

[@debrajenkins1655]

I wondered about that too LOL

[@guudnewdle6910]

That moment when you realise Sansa basically pulled a brexit on her brother xD

[@LuisaLuze]

I hope she finds economical ruin! Nihilist show wasted character arcs, political and economical development of the world, and any type of moral commentary on being anti-war. Wasted time.

[@sarahpariso2951]

You completely nailed how I was feeling but couldn’t articulate. Thanks for this amazing analysis. The only thing that still rankles for me is that I don’t see Jon’s ending to be “happy” at all. Tyrion basically convinced Jon to kill Dany playing to his sense of honor and justice, implied threat to his family, and his own claim to the throne. Then when he does, Tyrion betrays him in a sense by electing Bran to be king, giving no acknowledgement of Jon’s heroism in saving the realm, nor his claim to the throne. Tyrion delivering the news of his banishment, of him not being allowed to get married or have children, is a further betrayal considering Tyrion pushing Jon to take that action. Why are there no consequences for Tyrion whose bad advice time and again lead to Dany’s “breakdown” and her death? Why didn’t Sam or Davos speak up for Jon either? Jon’s arc ends with him being cut off from his family, his bravery and heroism punished rather than celebrated. Going North to be “free” may have been what he wanted personally, but he was stripped of all agency in that decision. So the message to his arc is that you can’t grow beyond societal dictates and heroism is punished? How is that a “happy” ending?

[@unstoppableExodia]

That's a good point but I would counter that by saying Jon's ending was truly bittersweet. He gave everything to save the people he cared about and his end was to live in exile north of the wall. Through one circumstance or another he was denied his birthright to sit on the iron throne (something he didn't really want any way). But I guess the silver lining is he gets to enjoy life beyond the wall where he is at least loved and respected by the free folk. And with the threat of the white walkers gone there can at least be peace in the far north. Although that also means that the continuation of the night's watch seems pretty pointless if there's no threat from either the white walkers or the wildlings. But hey if I wanted to look at it optimistically then I would say that the free folk could ally with the north and over time form their own noble houses and the role of the night's watch could evolve into something less oppressive.

[@misspeaches1144]

Jon’s ending was absolutely more on the bitter end of things in my opinion. The problem with what he did is that he didn’t seem to change as much throughout the series and if anything, had a negative character arc. When he was in love with Yiggrit, he was responsible enough to let her go, even though she did nothing wrong. He CHOSE to take the black again. He chose to end the war with the wildlings in and died for it. Fast forward to later in the show, Jon is somewhat pushed into being king in the north, and from there he just goes through the motions and doesn’t seem to really have any power. He takes Winterfell and gets saved by little finger, chases wights beyond the wall to get Cercei to believe him, kneels to Dani because of his personal feelings for her. He’s become so passive he knows she burned his best friend’s family, but says nothing. He literally has the only chance to overthrow her as the legal heir to the throne and he’s too stunned by his own emotions to do anything about it. Jon snow has brought his ending onto himself, as he sat idly by and watched Dany go off the rails, killing thousands of people, and still had to be pushed by Tyrion to do the right thing. Tyrion also had part in enabling Dany’s madness, but she was his only ticket home and he had no power of his own other than being her hand, so he cannot be held responsible. I felt really bad for Jon, but he kinda brought it on himself a little bit.

[@YumiSumiYT]

@@misspeaches1144 Not to mention Tyrion went to jail for nothing. Why the fuck did he toss that thing right in front of Dany? What was that supposed to do? He accomplished nothing and got sent to jail, while he could've just stayed right where he was and convinced Jon to kill Dany. Such a fucking dumb character.

[@alexgruszka108]

Sarah Pariso Also, the only people who wanted John dead were the unsullied, who sailed to Narth before John got sent to the Wall. The Dothraki would follow John as he killed their last Khaleesi, so there is no reason for John to not be on the throne. Bullshit

[@sarahpariso2951]

@@alexgruszka108 Exactly! Some people have said that they wouldn't want another Targaryen on the throne, but seeing as they never discussed it nor do we know if any of Varys' ravens messages were received, it is absolute bullshit that there wasn't even a a scene about the reaction to Jon's heritage and his claim to the throne. The writing - or lack of - is an insult to our intelligence and a disservice to the characters they asked us to care about.

[@rohitguptac]

Jon's ending was not bitter sweet, it is forced by the show writers. The only time Jon was happy in the north in the previous seasons was the time with Yugritt. Just because Jon smiles in the last episode does not mean the he way even slightly happy. i'm not able to buy it.

[@cheshireinwonderland]

How could he possibly be happy after murdering the woman he loved, the second woman to die in his arms mind you... There is no way someone is completely able to come back from that, and the fact that we are asked to believe he is off to live is best life in the north without showing how broken he is, just rings false and makes him fell like not human at all... That and the fact that we never see him properly react to who his parents are, or talk with his siblings about it is just a criminal way to completly squash the humanity and complexity off a character.

[@ekaterinaponizovskaya2690]

it was bitter dumb. they could not show the character development, and there were more like Tyrion and Varys (and Bran in a magical way) made Daenerys this way. They betrayed her before she did anything, right after she helped to defend North.

[@Nathan-jh1ho]

For Jon I would say it's sweet dumb. He's hanging out with his friends up north. But Jon, with so much potential in the story, embodiment of "ice and fire", basically does nothing, completely passive, and gets sent back to square one. Back to zero, place for ba**ards that doesn't even serve a purpose anymore. It would be one thing if he ends up in the Night's Watch by his own volition, after all he's been through.

[@minorus3549]

GoT is nothing compared to Breaking Bad

[@kfirlevy7635]

For the last 2 years I would have to agree. Until season 7 or at least season 4, I think GoT is the best show on TV.

[@1997lordofdoom]

GoT was on the same level in the first 4 seasons.

[@dreivalium8517]

GoT seasons 1-4 are better than BB but as we all know GoT went to shit after they left the books while BB got better towards the end

[@Pontidenvresige]

Thanks to Its bad ending. And breaking bads good ending

[@AirPlaine70]

@@dreivalium8517 But you can't compare both shows it's the same genre. BB doesn't have dragons and all of that shit lmao. It's not fair so the comparaison is not relevant.

[@ThatGuyNamedMatthew]

11:45 "we aren't supposed to think beyond what we saw, and that is annoying to me" - that's a very well phrased critique IMO. I think a major difference between people who liked it and people like me who didn't is this: I don't care how it ends. There are a million happy, sad, bittersweet, etc endings out there. The reason I liked Game of Thrones was because it had a sense of realism in the way that actions had consequences, the plotting and scheming added creative and unique twists and turns. If Bran used his omniscience to manipulated the Night King and Dany and put himself on the throne then fine, I'm down with Bran being the supervillain of the series. But I need to actually see it happen. If Dany was descending into madness then fine, but give us more than one episode where a couple random characters mention it. Going from ruthlessly killing slave masters to randomly killing civilians is an enormous jump. If Arya wants to sail west then fine, but give me a reason for Arya to want an ending that might better fit Yara such as an interest with sailing. Tell me why the six kingdoms were fine with the North being independent. Instead of being forced to write in that Grey Worm let Tyrion and Jon live then just write it in a way that doesn't give Grey Worm the option. If Jon wants to stay with the Night's Watch anyways then at least tell me why the Night's Watch even continues to exist. I don't care about the ending. Give me the journey.

[@empurress77]

Very well said.

[@AlbertoFolres]

GoT was the one who could dethroned BB. Such a waste of story...

[@shinkamui]

and from just within the show, the mad queen was the one who could dethrone the red wedding. So much potential wasted

[@Snagabott]

@TheRealist 811 No love for The Americans, huh? :(

[@goodgirlkay]

@@Snagabott The Americans will stand the test of time. In a decade everyone will be wondering WTF all the hype over this silly show called Game of Thrones was all about. Time will not be kind to the nonsense that was the last 3 seasons.

[@dushas9871]

@TheRealist 811 I mean Sopranos is good and all but if you think about, it has no story what so ever. Comparing sopranos and GoT is like comparing Friends with LotR.

[@TheGeorgeD13]

I will never understand people's obsessions with endings needing to be perfect. It's not a waste of a story if you've liked most of it prior to the ending...

[@USSF_2025]

GoT: Winter is coming Breaking Bad: *Stay out of my territory* 👓

[@mzr.3620]

"Last chance to look at me, Hector."

[@julia-6195]

Bran was evil. He wanted to be king all along and set up the whole thing. He sacrificed the people of Kings Landing for his own personal gain. It's almost laughable now seeing Danaerys look at the throne like Gollum - "My Precious!"

[@shaan702]

Holy shit you’re right. He knew what was going to happen but let it happen anyways. What motivation? Could it be that he knew he would be made king? Fucking crazy. You’re right.

[@Nathan-jh1ho]

Bran being evil and planned out everything is the most logical theory to explain season 8 But I don't think D&D was thinking such. They are just terrible writers who purely wanted to suprised audience Bran does almost nothing besides telling Jon who his parents were. And everything just happened to go the way it did.

[@wilbertbennington2668]

You're giving Game of Thrones way too much credit.

[@katastrophecy]

Correction: He's giving D. B. Weiss and David Benioff too much credit.

[@ghosthusler]

@@katastrophecy No D. B. Weiss and David Benioff did an amazing job and are great writer. Just not with season 8

[@kaiser4883]

@@ghosthusler nigga hold the L

[@themis8534]

@@ghosthusler Anyone who has read the books will tell you that any good quote, any good line, was taken directly from the books.

[@ghosthusler]

@@kaiser4883 Oh you thought they did a great job with Season 8 hahah wtf. It was that shittiest season of them all

I totally agree. The dialogues beetween Jon and Daenerys are so poor during all this season! We nearly know nothing about the feelings inside two major characters of GOT. Maybe this lack of explanation is due to the fact that D&D didn't know much more about their characters... The quest for the throne and an absolute power that provokes the madness of Daenery - as D&D unsuccessfully tried to convince us to believe - illustrates the way that succes and money may affect the ability of showrunners to do a good job and write a consistent ending to this story.

[@adrianazashen]

Agreed, but they are not D&D's characters. Well, "show version" are their interpretation, anyway. 😬 but agreed with the rest

[@magnus75damkier]

To me, season 1-4 of GoT easily rivals all of BB (maybe it's even better). But the last 4 seasons, especially the last two, cements BB as far superior.

[@iliya2098]

This is exactly my thoughts (except for the fact I really loved season 6 and not sure why many don't) and is why I can't decide which show overall I like more. Up until season 8 I liked Got more than BB, but after season 8 I'm not really sure if BB should now overtake Got. Because even though s1-6 are better than BB as a whole for me, the whole of BB is better than the whole of Got if that makes sense.

[@magnus75damkier]

​@@iliya2098 It definitely does make sense. Season 6 is a great season, with its flaws here and there. The plotline with Cersei's trial and the High Sparrow was great, and Jon and Sansa cooperating, the play between their complementing strengths and weaknesses was a (or rather, the) highlight of season 6 for me. Seasons 7 and 8 are what really drags the series down. However, GoT will always be more important, both for me personally, but also for pop culture in general.

[@Anony298]

M4D RuSSiAn I think it’s just easier to say GOT 1-4 rather than GOT 1-4 and also 6

[@mrwho995]

Eh, I don't think it was ever as good as Breaking Bad, but that arguably comes down to more about what one values in a story. Breaking Bad didn't have the same epic scope of plot, grandiose scale, or intricate interweaving of characters and plotlines, but what I personally value most in a story is the strength of characters and how they evolve. Whilst the characters in GoT were undeniably great, they didn't really get close to the depth and complexity of characters like Walt, Jesse, and Skylar, at least in my opinion. Seasons 1 to 4 of Game of Thrones were really, really, really good entertainment, but Breaking Bad was about more than that to me: it's a show that activated something much deeper and more impactful for me.

[@alexisogbemudia5458]

M4D RuSSiAn season 6 I think was phenomenal cause of its build up to episode 9 and 10 but a lot of moments before those were very weak

[@stardappledgreen]

It would have been fun if they did 19 years later and just threw in completely bat shit plot twists, like the Dothraki are now in control of Dorne, the Summer Islanders, emboldened by their Unsullied guard, have invaded the Iron Islands, Sweetrobin is breeding dragons in the Vale, the Riverlands have renounced the Seven as heresy and are a theocracy governed by red priests etc

[@Dave102693]

So, a completely destabilized Westreos? I like it

[@Good-ol-Jaz]

You know, there's another layer of bitterness; the ending of GOT explains that they have dismantled the hierarchy of birthright -- that the king becomes king through strength of character, not by name. They say this, while giving the Stark family almost complete control of Westros. Sansa being Queen of the now independent North, Bran being king of the now Six Kingdoms (with no independence for the Iron Isle or Dorne in sight), and as you've said Jon more than likely becoming king of the Wildlings. Despite the imagery of Drogon burning the throne, the wheel continues to favour the strongest house. Only this time, that house is Stark.

[@Nathan-jh1ho]

The metaphor of the the wheel was as the various houses fight for power, they role over everyone. This new elected monarch system, where all the houses will compete with each other for the throne every time is just making the wheel spin faster lol

[@flyersruleJC24]

"or maybe he'll give me yours" what a bad ass line

[@SapphosGalPal]

This video is a breath of fresh air. Instead of bashing a show that had so much potential you truly took the time to analyze the core of its problems. The biggest difference between the two shows in my opinion, is that Breaking Bad had the courage to follow through with the consequences of the character's actions. In Game of Thrones there was a sense of loss of some of the protagonist's personality because instead of remaining truthful to their journey, they were shoved into story lines they would've never fallen into naturally. From Tyrion's sudden idiotic plans to Jon's infatuation with someone he hardly knew. Instead of the character's leading the story it felt like the story was leading them. I could almost see D&D's fingerprints all over the screen while watching these last two seasons.

[@summertyme5748]

Jon’s story was great when he was with Egret up until the time he was murdered. Which is where GRRM left off. After that it turns to doo-doo slowly. He becomes a TV movie star actor, and not a character. Every episode red shirts die but Jon keeps going because of fan service, using plot armor and marry sue tactics. Yes all the worst buzzwords. 😂

[@summertyme5748]

Times Jon Snow would have died in GRRM Song of ice and fire, and not D&D Game of Groans: -> North of wall when surrounded by Zombies. [instead of killing Jon, D&D kill Benjen, a Dragon [!], turn a Dragon and bring the wall down!] -> Battle of Bastards - about 5 different times, since he was led by *emotion* and fell into Ramsey’s trap but was plot armor rescued anyway. 🙄 -> Battle of Winterfell - Dragons Bring down mountain sized walls, destroy castles and wipe out whole armies, until they attack Jon, then he hides BEHIND A ROCK, and the fire does nothing. He even screams at the Dragon as if to laugh at the audience and show off his ridiculous plot armor. He might as well whip out his penu$ and wave it at us. -> Kings Landing - Bum rushes the Queen - who is unguarded! Stabs her with knife. Dothraki blood riders - would *kill every single man* in Kings landing, loot the joint and probably rape the women. They are *DOTHRAKI*! But no...it’ Jon Snowflake, so it’s all good. -> Grey Worm would also kill Jon Snow to avenge his queen, whom join killed like a coward, and without a trial, [by combat even] which makes Jon Snow a murderer and an assassin, nothing more. -> Drogon would also kill Jon Snow who killed his mother! -> Instead D&D have all 3 go away [plot armor]. The whole thing is like parody of crummy TV at it’s worst.

[@TheGeorgeD13]

@@summertyme5748 Guarantee you that it'll turn out more or less the same in GRRM's books. You'll hate his last two books with a burning passion, bet the farm on it.

[@summertyme5748]

He has never written *shix* like the last two seasons. 😂

[@jackmayor3574]

Nothing about the ending of Game of Thrones was all that bittersweet. Every single surviving character got what they wanted at the end: A Disney Ending Sansa gets to be Queen like she always wanted. Bran rules 6 kingdoms, making the Starks the "winners" of the Game of Thrones. Arya gets to sail west like she "apparently" always wanted Tyrion gets to be hand of the King, AGAIN, and apparently it will work out this time. Jon get to abandon his responsibilities as a King, "I don't want it" and live North of the Wall which he apparently feels most at home. Samwell gets to abandon his Night's Watch vows, and become Grand Maester, with little to no experience as a maester. AND he gets to keep his wife in children, which is a direct violation of being a maester. Bronn not only gets a castle, but he gets to be lord of the Reach, and Master of Coin. (despite not knowing what a loan was in season 2). Davos gets a spot on the high council. Brienne abandons Sansa and attains a spot on the high council, as commander of the Kingsguard Gendry may not have Arya, but he's Lord of Storm's end. Definitely got to move up in the world. Tormund lives happily ever after, and so does Ghost. Grey Worm survives and screws off East with little fanfare. The Dothraki apparently assimilate with Westerosi culture, as we see in some final King's Landing scenes. The only bitter was Daenery's ending. And since so many fans hated her character by the end, her death wasn't even bitter. It was a cheerable moment for many. So no, this was not bittersweet. It's a Disney Ending. And it was terrible.

[@applecoreeater]

Dany's death was tragic, but only because it was unearned. If her decline had started and been consistent over the last two seasons, her death would have been bittersweet. But as it stood, the only thing bittersweet was the fact that her character died so the writers could stop fucking up her development. It was good they couldn't write anymore, it was sad because of what they did to her.

[@thesuntitan]

I think you were waaaay too lenient with the show in this video, but you raised some great points regardless.

[@TropeAnatomy]

Thank you. Yeah I just figured there's so many videos ripping the episode to shreds already that I don't see what use it would be doing the same. This season has messed up big time but I really tried to look at this episode in a vacuum, as a finale and not bring in all the baggage I have from episodes 1-5. Even though of course they matter to the conversation and how this show will be remembered.

[@mateoairaudo5535]

Breaking Bad is hands down the best series ever. Superb directing, extraordinaire writing and flawless performances. Besides, so far I´ve seen, it´s the only show that never betrayed itself or the audience. All the themes it dealt with, every subplot introduced had a definite, coherent conclusion. That´s why every season is better than the other. B. Bad is a tv miracle. It will be forever praised.

[@mateoairaudo5535]

By the way, great video, man.

[@mateoairaudo5535]

@@onetwo57627In my case, I loved every season of B.Bad with season 4 and 5 being its peak. Seldom did I feel bored watching it. It is just so tense that just inmerse you in Walter´s situation.

[@mateoairaudo5535]

And, to me, in regards to best seasons ever, I think that maybe the first season of any show ever is season 1 of Lost. Just a perfect start, but everybody knows it all went downhill at some point.

[@KT-qp7wx]

@@onetwo57627 In my case too, the first 3 seasons were slow paced for a reason. It was tastefully done though. It was intentional in order to show the evolution of characters --- most especially Walter White. It showed the buildup from a chemistry teacher who only did it to desperately provide for his family in case cancer got the best of him turned into Heisenberg, a drug kingpin/ruthless criminal mastermind and murderer. Gotta agree with Mateo, I never felt bored once too. The story lines were just gripping.

[@Niptonian9551]

Ever seen The Wire? It's the only show that can compare to Breaking Bad as an entire series.

[@RevanSurik]

Adding Arya saying "Seven Hells!" at the end of this video was a perfect! xD

[@neriumsuitedher]

It's sad to see how awesome a character she used to be :(

[@rohitguptac]

The longest winter lasted for only a fortnight, where as it is supposed to be for years as mentioned by the masters.

[@Brandonhayhew]

They probably retconn that in season 8?

[@sophiawilson8696]

I always thought why couldn't they D+D show how Dany spiral into villain (Liberator to Dictator) like in the show Breaking Bad that successful shows (Walter) change Mr.Chips to Scarface. That was real and believable, but only after 2 episodes she turns into this.

[@andrerichardsousa]

Sansa is the new Cersei, prove me wrong.

[@annaive3531]

She is Littlefinger + Cersei

[@julius-stark]

I never get why people like Sansa. In the earlier seasons she's a victim with no clear character evolution except being a bargaining chip while not really learning anything, then she's abused by Ramsey and all of a sudden everyone's telling us how smart she is without actually showing it, then she gets to be queen of the north even though she immediately betrayed her brother which could have gotten him killed but did indirectly lead to the massacre of King's Landing.

[@SapphosGalPal]

I like the potential in Sansa. She has gained some of Littlefinger's cunningness which she showed when she told Tyrion the truth so he could elect her cousin/brother as king (an ally) instead of someone she didn't trust. But she's also still gentle at heart which she showed when she cared for her people, like when she told Royce to keep the doors open for the small folk so they could find refuge from the white walkers, or when she worried about enough food, or when she suggested to line the armor with leather to make it warmer for the soldiers... But there's also something darker in Sansa, like when she fed her rapist to his own dogs, something Machiavelli would've approved of. They didn't show us too much of Sansa's POV in the show. She's always been someone kept in the dark and for most of her journey she didn't have any agency at all. It's what she did when she finally got her freedom that showed me her true colors.

[@anonmouse6337]

I think people liked the idea of Sansa, i.e. a girl turned pawn to player, and just ignored what was actually presented, which was a stupid girl who was suddenly "the smartest person" (but only because everyone around her dropped 50 iq points for some reason). She was another botched character, but nobody noticed because she got an appropriate (but unearned bc of the bad writing) happy ending.

[@julius-stark]

@@anonmouse6337 I like the idea, it's the execution that doesn't work. Just like I like the idea of Dany going mad queen, it's the execution I have a problem with. I don't mind Arya killing the Night King, the way they had her do it was just stupid.

[@VilleHalonen]

You're the first one I hear to say that it's not a happy ending, and it kind of clarified my own confused thoughts on the topic. On the one hand, the episode's style is highly optimistic - even cheesy. The jokes, the calm pacing, all the smiles - the mood is definitely hopeful and relieved. Even the dothraki taking it chill on a city street (that was probably the fastest integration of a nomadic culture into a sedentary city life). But given how many storylines were left open, and how we know the realities of Westeros, most things are left unsettled and will inevitably breed more tragedy. It doesn't feel like an intentional conflict from the part of the show. It's just badly done; I get the feeling that the showrunners want us to think that it's a happy ending, but don't realize the terrible situation they've put people in. It's like the Neville Chamberlain ending - the British PM who negotiated with Hitler in 1938 and said there will finally be peace for their time. We've been shown a game with cruel rules, a society and history whose workings drive people to behave in the worst possible manner. Breaking that wheel requires more than one character stabbing his aunt to death. What I'd like to have seen: serious questions on what it would really take to break not the throne, but the game around it. Even if you destroy the throne, new ones will arise and a heavy-handed metaphor doesn't change that. The more I think about this episode, the worse it gets, but all the analyses also teach quite a lot about what people want from stories - and ultimately, how we can write better. So it's not all bad.

[@TheGeorgeD13]

Eh, D&D have said it's not a happy ending, so I'm pretty sure that style and tone was to represent how the characters feel and to lull you into a false sense of security before you think of the real implications. Remember, GOT is an inherently misanthropic and nihilistic story.

[@VilleHalonen]

@@TheGeorgeD13 I wasn't aware of their intentions, thanks for letting me know! A lot of the fan reception seems to treat it as a happy ending. I haven't read up on Martin's or D&D's creative intention or worldview and thus I've never seen it as misanthropic or nihilistic. And I had so many issues with the writing of the show that I couldn't exactly trust in the showrunners' ability to convey their vision.

[@sarahpariso2951]

George Daugherty GRRM explicitly said his intent was NOT nihlism. so I don’t know where you are getting that from

[@VilleHalonen]

@@sarahpariso2951 I'm very happy if it is so. With all the hurt and suffering in the stories, the only reason I kept watching is because I was expecting to see some payoff, some way out of the violence or something like that. Thus, my favorite scene in the seventh season was when Gendry came back and refused to lie about his identity. That's the sort of stuff I'd like to have seen more: how to start building trust in a game that punishing trusting others.

[@namechange.136]

Yet another great video from you. I'm going to enjoy watching your sub count grow :)

[@martarapacka7291]

Oh man, this is great. And this is the first video I've watched that talks about the imminent chaos in Westeros. I'm from Poland and in history we've had an elective monarchy, which was good for a while, but after some time the leaders have become corrupt, and they were selecting certain kings because they were bribed to do so. This led to the three partitions of Poland and its eventual disappearance from the map of Europe. And in GOT they presented it as if it was the best possible system, as if the great houses selecting the king was the greatest solution. And again, what makes Bran a good king? They mentioned in the council meeting that they have enormous debt to pay, so I guess they'll make a funding policy, but otherwise they have no army, they lost a kingdom, and exactly as you've said, why wouldn't others want independence, they're vulnerable for attack if any other unknown powers was to come from Essos for example... just because he's "objective" doesn't mean he'll make a good king. Really fantastic analysis, pointing to all the right things and the biggest issues. You've just gained a subscriber.

[@remember2wander548]

Marta Rapacka excellent article in VOX talks about elective monarchy in Poland alongside GØT finale

[@rohitguptac]

What bother me is "Why Her" question Cercei to Tyrion - She will Make the world a better place Jamie to Tyrion - She is different (tells it in a good way) Sansa to Tyrion - No answer (him being suddenly afraid makes no sense when sansa points it out, Note: No sides of her madness was show till this time to tyrion)

[@goodgirlkay]

Six Feet Under is a MASTERPIECE too few people talk about.

[@ChocolateFudgeBrowny]

THANK YOU!!! That's what i've been saying

[@francessimmonds5784]

The first series of 6ft was great but, like GOT, it went down hill as the series progressed

[@Anony298]

Damn this channel is so underrated, really good analysis!

[@bradleysnyder9967]

All of your videos are SO good! I can't wait to see what content you continue to put out.

[@GamEleON1]

Ive been saying for years now that real GoT ended shortly after season 4. The first 4 seasons are truly masterpieces and i was so happy when you said it too "first 4 seasons were perfect"

[@ankirii9448]

Thank you for such a great video!

[@Robert399]

I think something they missed royally is that, unless you're evoking mythology (like lord of the rings), the climax of a character's story can't feel like the climax of the entire world; that's just not how believable worlds work. My biggest issue with seasons 7 & 8 - beyond contrived conflict and plot holes and inconsistent characters - is the attempt to "wrap up the world", not the characters' stories; in fact I think this causes the other issues. In most Hollywood productions, this doesn't matter because there is no world beyond the immediate perceptions of the main characters (who gives a shit what happens to New York after _Spiderman_ ?). But that attitude and its techniques are antithetical to _Game of Thrones_

[@vesuviusmount9120]

great point

[@Omgacow1000]

I can't believe you only have 5 videos. Can't wait to see more from you!

[@summertyme5748]

When Bran dies what happens to the 3 eyed raven? If the memory of the 3 eyed raven is what is valued and what makes him king... then that must be transferred to the next host. It stands to reason then that the 3 eyed raven would still be king as the host body is irrelevant. This is worse than hereditary monarchy. It's an immortal dictatorship of a demonic entity that possesses human bodies as host, as we saw with Hoder. It's not bitter sweet it's just messed up.

[@summertyme5748]

“1 in 1000 men can skin change” What you just said translates to - only 1 in 1000 are a suitable host. How does that establish that the relationship is not parasitic? Other than you don’t want to interpret it as such?

[@summertyme5748]

“the 3 eyed raven waited a long time” So? The Night King waited for 10,000 years. [though it was laughably all for nothing] How does the amount of time the Night King or the 3 Eyed Raven waited, demonstrate their benevolent nature?

[@summertyme5748]

“So Bran in turn will live hundreds of years” Like an immortal demon king, as opposed to Brandon Stark you mean? And when Brandon is dead - he will be replaced by another host for the 3 eyed Raven, to rule over men in all eternity. Yes....that’s what I said. What is it you imagine you disagreed with? 😂

[@summertyme5748]

“Most likely the council will elect someone else” ^ After hundreds of years??? Because...... [this makes you feel better] And the demon king will move on to a new host....but for whatever reason *resign* and abdicate the crown, and then do what? Really?? My whole point is that GRRM is a complex writer, but D&D are simpleton writers. Their show running encourages fairy tale interpretations like the one you just offered, and is the exact opposite of what GRRM might have intended. I disagree with the video author on one point - This *iS* the worst ending for a successful show of all time, and everything you just said is my proof of why.

[@summertyme5748]

@The Realist: Exactly.

[@michaelhegwood9977]

I know this point is not very important but shouldn't the Dothraki follow Jon Snow as he killed their leader?

[@lautour]

No, she declared all of them her bloodriders after she killed all of the khals. That means they're supposed to avenge her and then kill themselves. All of them.

[@andrerichardsousa]

Bloodriders Dothraki (all of them at that point), should have destroy everything and everyone in KL and kill themselves after.

[@summertyme5748]

Jon can't even speak their language! They would kill him. Grey worm would also kill him. Drogon would kill him. He is perhaps the worst Mary Sue I've ever seen.... He was literally revived from the dead. Plot armor does not get any thicker than that.

[@fr5334]

The fact Jon survived showed how shit this show has become

[@1997lordofdoom]

@@summertyme5748 I wouldn't call Jon a Mary Sue, he just has very strong plot armour. He was pretty useless in fighting and all he did in season 8 was say muh queen.

[@marcota9461]

They are shooting a sequel movie of BB. Just saying.

[@Ozymandias1]

I hope it will be good. I enjoy the prequel series Better Call Saul very much. I would like to see what happened to Jesse after he drove away.

[@victoriat5103]

I love your videos, please keep making them!

[@Brandonhayhew]

Game of Thrones was perfectly executed in season 1 to 6, season 7 and 8 it was all not true to the characters and the themes. Breaking Bad always been faithful to the characters and themes, giving us what a true bittersweet ending.

[@bialynia]

Nah, seasons 5 and 6 were already dropping in quality. But they were still pretty damn great nonetheless.

[@jamesaustin6889]

'Themes are for eighth-grade book reports' - David Benioff

[@sweeteuthiedoll]

This was my problem with the finale! I’m so sorry but I don’t see the Iron Islands and Dorne not declaring independence! That felt so unbelievable to me.

[@JoshuaFagan]

The final shot should have been our new leaders having the same petty arguments as the old ones. The ending would have been something like The Wire's, where it's tragically clear that the systems of power have not been changed. Would that have fixed the whole episode? No. Would it have fixed the season? Absolutely not. But it still would have felt earned.

[@km1dash6]

And let's not forget that they decided to call the one disabled person left "Bran the Broken," because disabled people need to be reminded they are broken people. All that said, the actors were amazing. Emilia Clarke did an amazing performance as Dany even at the end.

[@megan1785]

great video n comparison!

[@nguyenthanhhai6725]

Bran did nothing in the battle against Knight king so why they protect him like he some kind of important shit?

[@brainquake4413]

Conclusion: Braking Bad took the throne & Game of Throne got break and turned in bad!

[@hahababy6581]

Watched all of your videos today and can't wait to see more from you!

[@autumncarpenter282]

This is probably my favorite video ever. You are so well spoken and, to me at least, you pinpoint exactly how I feel when I don't know how to put it into words.

[@w4tch0ut10]

To me that GoT ending was really just bitter :d I feel like with the death of Dany everything those characters did was kind off in vain. Tyrion ended up being nothing more than a very useless and unsuccessful advisor who achieved absolutley nothing, Jon just did stuff and left and the next big war in the realm is already on the horizon (Bran cant have children so the most powerful and selfish lords of Westeros elect a new king in happy unity.. sure xD).

[@TheGeorgeD13]

That's the point. Remember, this is an inherently misanthropic and nihilistic story, both books and show.

[@El_Descarriado]

@@TheGeorgeD13 The books are not Nihilistic. They are profoundly political: anti-war, feminist, anti-tyranny, anti-religion. To say that just because they have a few unhappy plot threads, they exemplify the futility of existence, is a gross simplification and exactly where D+D failed.

[@thebacons5943]

Finished these shows on the same day. Total coincidence. Thanks for this.

[@GameJunky0826]

Loving your recent videos man, excited for more to come :)

[@anonmouse6337]

I disagree that any of the Stark kids endings were anything but "sweet". - Sansa hasn't expressed any desire for family all season. Her goal has primarily been Brexit, with her in charge and she got that. - Arya gets to do whatever she wants, and there's no hint that she's even a little upset that Gendry or her family isn't with her. - Jon "I don wannut" Snow gets to live a life free of responsibility. - Bran hasn't been a character for ages so who cares. Unlike the characters of BB, none of them suffered any consequences. And they all seemed pretty content in their final scenes. Their rewards were completely unearned.

[@rohitguptac]

Jon is not king beyond the wall, The title is made up by the Nights watch to the leader of the wildlings. A king has a castle, Guards, gold, and he can do whatever he wants and people just have to listen. A king beyond the wall cannot do this, he'll get killed.

[@Eisaku2]

Who's stupid enough to be angry at you for comparing Daenerys / the scenery to something Hitleresque? Emilia Clarke literally said she listened to Hitler speeches to channel her energy for it.

[@some_dood2891]

Great video and insight as always. Love your content.

[@Cyber_Sandwich]

Appreciate what you're doing, thank you for interesting videos!

[@TheEtherny]

I 100% agree that Dany should've had a moment of self reflection, not just "oh, why so sad Jon? didn't you see i liberated everyone, everything a-o-kay! When do we leave to liberate winterfel?"

[@Robert399]

Game of Thrones reminds me so much of Mass Effect. Season 8 is Mass Effect 3 and the last 2 episodes are Mass Effect 3's ending.

[@aevenstar100]

I think GoT is actually a little worse, because at least Mass Effect didn't eject 80% of its character arcs for random 'shocking' dramatic twists (like as much as the plot of the ending was bad, the progression of character arcs like Garuss, Liara, and Tali through all 3 games held up really well), but yeah that's a really good analogy!

[@Robert399]

​@@aevenstar100 Thanks. IDK which one I hate more but we're trawling the sewers at this point. I do think people view the rest of ME3 too charitable simply for not being the ending, forgetting that they jettisoned boatloads of interesting or ambiguous material throughout the game (the Quarians/Geth, Krogan and Cerberus stand out + I hate what they did with Udina). Beyond that, it's just a badly structured and contrived narrative. The returning characters are absolutely the highlight of the game but (apart from the Citadel DLC) I view those moments more like Tyrion and Varys' appearances in seasons 7 & 8.

[@jackiemortes]

@@aevenstar100 And ME3 was somewhat fixed by Extended Cut and especially Citadel DLC

[@Robert399]

@@jackiemortes Well the ending was but that's sort of my point. They can try to make the ending less shit (although with the god-child abomination unchanged it's only a bandaid solution) but no one even talks about the better story Cerberus or the Quarians deserved. Citadel DLC's fantastic but it's a completely unrelated gem tacked onto a dog turd.

[@JaydevRaol]

Great Video man. I had discovered your channel a while back through your "Magic Pixie Girl" Video. But as there were only two videos uploaded on your channel back then, I didn't subscribed to your channel. But after seeing this video. I've Subscribed! and I'm definitely looking forward more great videos like this. Thanks!

[@haljordan1682]

Man, the way you put thoughts into words is amazing, great analysis. I completely agree with that last bit of the video. If we would have had just one "I did it for me" moment her ending would have had more wait.

[@unstoppableExodia]

The thing that saddened me the most about how game of thrones ended was how illogical Danaerys' attack on civilians was. Sure it was a war crime and a terrible act but worse still it was completely illogical. Her target was cersei in the red keep. The logical thing to do would be to fly straight to the red keep and go immediately for cersei. Zigzagging there and roasting non combatants achieves nothing strategically while giving her enemy time to escape. Let cersei escape and she could possibly return with an army to retake the throne. Cersei' plan may have been to use civilians as human shields but Danaerys could have easily bypassed them by going directly for the red keep where the usurpers reside, the ones who captured and killed her bff. Maybe if dan and dave weren't in such a massive rush to get on that Disney Star Wars money they'd have been willing to pace the story out a little better so that the character turns are a little more believable, with better build up.

[@empurress77]

Completely agree. There's a video where they rewrite the ending a bit where your idea happens. Cerci refuses to accept surrender.( I would add by ordering the bells to be silenced.) Then Danny attacks the red keep directly. Cerci manages to escape the tower and Daenerys sees her fleeing through the town and in the attempt on Cerci is when Daenerys destroys the town. Much more logical and would actually only take a minor re-edit to achieve.

[@unstoppableExodia]

Empurress yeah totally if the civilians were o casualties because they got in between an escaping cersei and Danaerys then it would be more believable. You're right it wouldn't have required huge changes to the pacing and editing. It's as if dan and dave completely forgot about Danaerys' motivations. She had never expressed a desire to murder civilians before so it made zero sense for her to deliberately target them like she did in the show.

[@chickenlegsTV]

The scale of GOT how great and big it was, makes its conclusion way more worse.

[@LindsayCatherine]

Okay I appreciate your videos above all others!

[@Weeros]

This was such a good analysis. Thank you for pinpointing exactly what was bothering me too with the finale/end of the story. Hopefully more people will see this.

[@alexandrebeaudry8377]

The supremacy of the Stark at West, East (Bran warging the dragon), in the 6 realms, the north and above the North. If you ask me this is worst than ever. It's the family who were raise believing that execution was legit and honorable. And every Stark alive embrase the idea to some extreme. They are all free to choose or rules like they wanted but they are blind.

[@guitardev9399]

Didn't really feel the "bittersweet" ending for GoT; it just felt like a bad breakup.

[@punishedfurry2611]

Your channel is going to be big. Keep it up.

[@nataliaperez6203]

i can neverget tired of your videos

[@TropeAnatomy]

thank you 😭

[@bmaster461603]

Games of thrones tried to shock you because they tried so hard to subvert expectations before marking sense.

[@Heizmanlol]

Well said

[@Philosoparts]

You are the first youtuber that i have seen who managed to give (in my opinion of course) a mind-opening analysis with a genius comparison to Breaking Bad of this amazing series.

[@anthony4616]

Seven hells, great video again!

[@TropeAnatomy]

thank you!

[@ladysnowblood]

The shield remains the only shos that started and ended the same way, Brilliantly.

[@justinshalu8034]

During Season 4 of Game of Thrones I actually thought it could be better than Breaking Bad

[@bialynia]

I agree with your general points about bittersweet endings and good job pointing that out! Many people seem to confuse a sad or tragic ending with a bad ending, as in badly-written and it's really not the same thing. I also have similar thoughts about Bran and the future of the Land in general. Still, I'm not entirely sure if there's a point to analyse GoT's ending in those categories. Its problem isn't that the balance between bitter and sweet isn't right, its problem is that it wasn't told in an interesting and plausible way. It doesn't feel satisfying because it was sloppy, many things should be elaborated on but weren't, plenty of loose ends were tied together at random with many still hanging loose. It's obvious that D&D didn't know what to do with many issues and many characters and that's the result. I'm pretty sure that when (if) Martin ever completes the saga, the main points will be all the same but it will be told in such a way that all of us who curse at the show will be amazed how great it is and how much sense it makes. Regarding Breaking Bad - Walter was never "screwed over" by his partners. We were tricked into thinking that for quite a while but later it was revealed that he actually bailed on them himself. It's one of the main reasons why I love this show so much - it lets you fall into a trap of sympathizing with the main protagonist just because he is the main protagonist only to give you subtle hints later that you assumed some things on your own but you weren't necessarily right.

[@peppa_jack]

You're starting to release videos a lot faster. I like it :)

[@stargazer5780]

It's week later and I already forgetting about GOT, don't really want to discuss or even complain. I felt relief when it's ended because I got tired of bad writing what screwed great characters.

[@amysteriousviewer3772]

Don't you dare compare Breaking Bad to this steaming pile of garbage. Good video though.

[@TropeAnatomy]

thank you!

[@gavsgotinfo1278]

It's more funny seeing a video comparing two different source materials with two totally different stories.

[@Javo_Non]

Breaking bad is overrated

[@jasminbreakingbadwalkingde4614]

@@Javo_Non how?! game of thrones is hella overrated and weak at that! Bran?! fucking bran?!

[@cookingsauce8274]

@@Javo_Non it's ok u dont know art my child.

[@Sanguine-Tenshi]

I think that the biggest problem of this season is that the whole thing feels rushed and yet the episodes themselves seem to drag on and on. What they have done with Dany could have been good, but in the show it feels unearned. Viserion goes down she shows barely any emotion, Bran tells her he's now an ice zombie scene change, Rhaegal gets shot down right next to her and she does a surprised pikachu face. These were her children the most important thing in the world for her yet she shows barely any emotion when they die. If they had shown at least a few seconds of her just screaming in anger when Rhaegal goes down her going mad wouldn't have felt so...empty. As for the ending itself, imo it would have made sense if they just disbanded the 7 kingdoms into separate kingdoms, with maybe some sort of council in Kings landing to deal with relations between kingdoms. They could have shown the tension between them, yet for now there is peace.

[@lauraannevely]

Wow, nice job Keep up the good work man :)

[@TropeAnatomy]

thank you :)