George R.R. Martin On 'Game Of Thrones' Critics: 'If You Don't Like A Show, Don't Watch It!'

Spanning 73 episodes broadcast over eight seasons, HBO's hit series "Game of Thrones" gave its all to enthralling viewers at home, bolstering the claim that it is one of the finest shows ever filmed in the 21st century.

Fans adored the show's rich characters, narrative telling, and, above all, its unpredictability, as friends might easily transform into foes and enemies into allies to achieve a shared objective. Despite the show's popularity during its tenure on television, many critics have said that the final season was underwhelming and sullied the reputation that the prior chapters had established.

While the number continues to rise, George R.R. Martin, whose literary work, "A Song of Ice and Fire," inspired the series, has expressed his displeasure with the critiques, detailing how he does not share their viewpoint.

In a chat with The Independent, the renowned author recently discussed online reactions to season eight, which has taken a turn for the worst since it aired in 2019. Martin, who served as one of the show's executive producers, was taken aback by how readily some viewers' feelings towards the show could be changed towards criticism, despite their outspoken admiration for it in the past.

"I don't understand it, you know. OK, you love a show, you love a character," Martin said. "What's the worst... it's either going to be a good show or a bad show or a mediocre show. Some episodes are good, and some are bad. Why are people getting so crazy about it, you know?"

He continued. "I don't understand how people can come to hate so much something that they once loved. If you don't like a show, don't watch it! How has everything become so toxic?"

While Martin might not have the answers to his questions, he could take solace in the fact that "Game of Thrones" swept an unprecedented number of accolades during its tv run on the streaming platform.

Overall, the series earned 59 Primetime Emmy awards, including Outstanding Drama Series in 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019. It also landed three Hugo Awards for Best Dramatic Presentation, a Peabody Award, and five nominations for the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Drama.

The show was considered a rating success for HBO throughout all eight seasons, in spite of the criticisms that trailed the final season. It set several viewership records within the United States and other locations and still has its number of viewers increasing by the day.

The show has inspired several video games, such as Game of Thrones Ascent, Behaviour Interactive's free-to-play mobile game Game of Thrones Beyond the Wall, and Reigns: Game of Thrones, a spin-off of the Reigns strategy video game series.

Additionally, HBO has licensed lots of merchandise based on the series, including replica weapons, armor, jewelry, and other costumes.

For fans who have yearned for more of the epic saga, HBO and Martins have collaborated on a prequel series that will transport them back to Westeros. The drama, dubbed "House of The Dragon," is based on events hundreds of years before the birth of characters in "Game of Thrones."

It chronicles the lives of the Targaryens, whose royal dynasty was established on their strength as dragonlords until a civil war tore the family apart. The series is hyped to involve several swashbuckling and action-packed adventures, as well as moments of treachery and shifting allegiances.

The showrunners published the newest teaser earlier this month, which dangled just enough enticement to whet viewers' appetites as they prepare to return to the fictitious Westeros. There are flashes of the titular winged beasts, expected moments of bloodcurdling brutality, and yet an aura of unpredictability like its parent show.

With the show's launch date approaching, Martin hopes fans will react with the same fervor and loyalty to "House of the Dragon" as they did to its parent series. "We'll see if they accept House of the Dragon as they did Game of Thrones," he told the news publication. "It's different characters. It's a different time. It's the same world. It's a different story. This profession is a gambler's profession."

He added: "You tell your story, and then you see whether they're standing up and applauding or whether they've brought some rotten fruit to the theatre that they're going to now pelt you with. If it is rotten fruit, you've just got to duck and run backstage and invent another story to tell the next time."

Martin also revealed that he had already seen a few rough cuts of "House of the Dragon," which he described as "magical." If his remarks are to be believed, fans are in for a thrill when the show premieres on August 21, 2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wg86eQkdudI