Game of Thrones (Season Seven) | KnockBack: The Retro and Nostalgia Podcast Episode 228

We won't lie: The going gets a little rough from this juncture on. HBO's Game of Thrones series, by this point in its run, had far-outstripped its source material. As such, they're flying on fumes through the seven episodes of the seventh season. Released in 2017, this penultimate offering is controversial to say the least, but if anything, our problems with it amount to a backhanded compliment. The reality is: The plot, the characters, the world... they all deserved a lot more room to breathe, to reach the quality that had been met so consistently up to this point, and HBO failed in letting that happen. The result is something contentious, but not without merit. It's just a shame to think of what could have been had they really bought-in on finishing the journey as epically and strongly as they began it. And sadly, it only gets worse from here.

[@sebastiansanhueza9601]

I loved how the whole episode was a bit about Colin trying to persuade Dagan that season 7 sucks but Dagan politely sticked to his guns about enjoying the show for what it was.

[@Sokka2Me]

21:41 for Game of Thrones talk

[@battlep0t]

What felt most off to me in Season 7 is how characters seemed to magically unlock fast travel (probably D&D wanted to wrap things up quicker). It completely threw the pacing off. It would've previously taken a half season for characters to travel across the map (sometimes it would even be an entire seasonal arc like Jamie/Brienne in S3 trying to get back to King's Landing). Then all of a sudden you had Arya travelling from Braavos to the Twins and then to Winterfell in about 3 episodes. The worst example of this is the episode where they go to capture the wight. Jon sends Gendry to fetch Daenerys and he somehow manages to run all the way back to the Wall in what seems to be one evening.

[@tazmanceltic]

One of the saddest things I have rediscovered by watching this show over again is how bad they did all these characters and their arcs by the end. Truly sad that this fact will forever marr repeat viewings of what is overall an amazing show and a cultural juggernaut that was Game of thrones.

[@thisisntthewholesomefuture649]

I was just thinking of the channel and it actually showed up in my notification feed.

[@coreyvought6268]

I remember thinking at the time, that as long as season 8 was great it would make up for season 7. We all know how that turned out. It's a shame these last 2 seasons are such low quality.

[@bobbob-cd9yl]

Despite my harsh critique of S7-8 GOT is still my fav show mainly just due to how much I loved the characters and the cast in general

[@bdre5555]

Dagan undoubtedly is the unbirthed, the Amakin Skywalker of reality.

[@DubstepFestivalOrgy]

Peter Dinklage acting alongside Emilia Clarke. That is what you are seeing on his face this season. No more Lena Heady or Charles Dance in Tyrion scenes

[@bobbob-cd9yl]

Something else that is most annoying is in the script it is revealed that Arya and Sansa find out about Littlefinger plotting them against one another thanks to Bran's visions and that Bran did everything... YET we never are given this information on screen. imo Season 7-8 failed due to ending game of thrones too soon with too few episodes but also just ignoring things that are nececary such as explaining plot points or character building. I mean WHAT THE FUCK has anyone else realized that NO ONE seems to care that the WHOLE of House Frey was killed?

[@barryburton8477]

I've still only seen 2 episodes of the show myself. It's been really enjoyable just listening along with you guys!

[@KZ3fps]

Wasn't mentioned in this episode, but Peter Baelish's end was really satisfying to watch.

[@ChichiNaka]

Dink doesn't care about most projects he does he's a grumpy grumpy man

[@john-wj4ks]

THAC0 is the best. 4 rules 1. Have Fun 2. bring dice 3. bring pencils and character sheet 4. bring snacks/beer/something 5. leave your cell in your pocket when there

[@ChunkCohen553]

Colin, it’s not “sir-say” it’s “sur-see.” You pronounce Cersei incorrectly.

[@bobbob-cd9yl]

Season 7 episode 6-7 imo had probs the worst writing out of the whole show (including season 8) Just cringed SO HARD at the scene where they met with Cersei felt like I was reading BAD fanfiction. Episode 1-4 were pretty good but again felt rushed due to the 7 episode season

[@bdre5555]

back to back days of sacred symbols, and knock back. embarrassment of riches!

[@iCb0x]

The craziest offense from book 1 to season 1 is that drogo rapes dany the first time they meet. In the books it’s a beautiful sex scene. Why the directors wanted to go the rapy route is straight up weird.

[@johnbaptist6231]

In the books she is 13 I think bud pump the brakes.

[@Paskyboo]

I’ve read the books so I won’t deny the lines sometimes get blurred for me what is in the show and what isn’t. Sam’s father is one of the best generals in Westeros and supported Dany’s father during Robert’s Rebellion. Stannis tells Sam that the only battle Robert lost was to Randyll so he is not some random character. They kind of come out of nowhere in the show but he is mentioned earlier in the show so Idunno.

[@dooshbag612]

no!!! do the books, I'll give you $1 each

[@grashoprsmith]

"Dorf"

[@bdre5555]

seasons 1 through 7 are outstanding, I will always firmly stand by this opinion. But season 8 is such an abysmal fanfiction level shitshow. I really can't wait to hear what you guys have to say about season 8.