I agree 100% with your comments about adding a couple episodes in to get the audience caught up. I think that would fix a lot of the problems with the character arches. It is always good to hear your take, and this video made me think twice about my initial reactions! Well done.
They haven't calmed down yet Dan. Now that I've finished your vid tho lemme just say. I WHOLE HEARTEDLY AGREE WITH U. The finale wasn't what I expected it to be, but it was still really good
I was also sitting on my couch quietly chanting "queen in the north" at the tv. Thanks for putting all my thoughts about the episode and season in general into words!
I cannot thank you enough for being so positive and calm(ish) about S8 of GoT. There's been so much vitriol about it that's made me want to stay away from places like Reddit and Twitter because of the large amounts of negativity. I'm glad that there are some GoT fans out there that don't want to be horrible people to those who look on the positives. You've made me feel welcome within the GoT fanbase.
I agree with everything you said. I mean I understood why some people disliked it, but what happened did make sense. It made sense for Jon to be the one to kill Dany, because it could be seen that Jon was killing her to save her from turning even more into the Mad Queen as he loved her so much. But thats just my interpretation of it. (Also Daniel J. Layton for a Targaryen 2019)
Loved to hear your take on the finale/final season and I agree with SO much that you said! I do love the irony of people claiming that it didn't end how they wanted it to and that GRR would've given them a much better ending. In what world did he ever give the people what they wanted? That's one of the key points of the series that makes it so special!
I have never watched an episode of GoT but I got so much enjoyment out of this video just because of how passionate Dan is about it and how he analysed this
There were definitely some (rather big) problems I had with the writing throughout the final season but from a production/acting standpoint? Absolutely unprecedented. The performances from the main cast across the board were stellar. I literally, audibly gasped MULTIPLE times at the cinematography in almost every episode (I think all except Battle of Winterfell...). It was visually stunning but also an absolutely brilliant (and often under-employed) method of visual storytelling. There were so many visual callbacks to previous episodes (especially season one). I'm not thriiiiiilled about some of the stuff that happened but the show itself as a vehicle for the story? Phenomenal. Also... they're gonna skip the nomination stage and just hand Peter Dinklage the Emmy, right? His performance was better than most (if not all) Oscar-nominated men's this past year. And STRONG agree on Emilia Clarke. What a powerhouse.
I agree! I loved the ending!! Having Bran on the thrown did feel like a bit of a meme when I first watched it but I get it and it would have been cruel to force Jon onto a thrown he didn’t want, when the rest of the Stark’s got the ending they wanted (apart from all of the dead ones lol) AND THE SCENE IN THE THRONE ROOM HOLY FUCK!!! I love dragons 🐉
I will say that it bothered me that the show at some point seems to have prioritized the plot over the individual characters and their motivations etc. like i like all the plot points but somehow they didn't affect me the way they could have bc i lost touch with the characters somewhere along the way I'm counting on gorg r r marv to fix that in the books tho :)
LITERALLY THANK GOD I have been saying all of these things and I fully am still processing that other people didn't love what happened because I swear to god it was perfect.
The problem people had with arya killing the knight king was that there is no build up. Every other character had plenty of screen to build up to a climax only to fail, which is cool, but then arya comes out of nowhere with no foreshadowing in the episode itself and gets the killing blow. Its less that she snuk up on the knight king and seems more like she appeared from thin air. Also the bit where she drops the dagger into the other hand to stab the knight king was absolutely sick.
From the time she was smuggled out of King's Landing in Season 2, she was training to become a hardened fighter. And literally in the episode, Melisandre reminds her that she'll shut "Blue Eyes". That's foreshadowing!
I was so furious with the ending and I only liked how dragon reacted (bad with names). I actually almost started crying during that scene. At first I was confused that you liked it even tho you said it before but now when I listened to your opinion I need to rewatch it.
I SOBBED during the scene of Sansa's coronation mixed with Arya on the ship and Jon arriving at the Wall, and my phone background is now that shot of Sansa sitting on the throne in Winterfell. Nothing but respect for MY queen xoxo
Well I’m glad someone enjoyed it lmao. I watched the Barry season 2 immediately after the GOT one at like 4 am and it had me literally shaking whereas GOT made me feel nothing oops
i honestly dont know why im watching the video since i never watched got or care enough to know about it but it is quite nice to see you happy about something you love :)
YES! I agree with nearly everything that you just said. The music was amazing. The scene that broke my heart though was Tyrion and Jamie - you were the only one who never treated me like a monster. They truly loved one another.
Even as an Aussie who pronounces route 'root' I still call a router a 'raoter' I cracked it when you said rooter Dan, it just really took me off guard ahaha
Dan, this video is PERFECT. You were able to articulate all the thoughts I've had since the season finished, how do I like this video 100 times?! Thank you for making amazing things!!!
wow...never agreed with an entire video more in my entire life, really appreciate you making this. makes my opinions on the finale feel really bloody validated xx ya know?
finally someone who loved it!!! i’ve basically become a hermit about game of thrones so i don’t get shat on for how i found it so this makes me so happy!!!
I quite agree with you on this. I'm ok with most of the choices they made; arya killing the night king, the burning of kings landing, jaime with cercei, jon killing dany, even bran on the throne. But all of it just felt so rushed. It makes me kind of sad, like how they built up all these storylines to fit perfectly and them to rush the ending this much. It just makes me sad. I think season 7 was also a bit rushed but it still made me exited, season 8 didn't quite do that for me. It was so rushed I couldn't get into it that much. I just think that's a bit of a shame, especially because it's such a good show, and people have been watching it for so long, I feel like the show and we deserved a better last season.
I agree with so much of this!! Also I wish I would’ve cocooned myself like you did because I took in too many opinions of people online. But in the end, I was pretty happy with the story that they gave us.
I really wish there will be a high-budget Harry Potter series in the future, sherlock style. 3-4 episodes a season but 1.5 hours each, and given the level of consideration that GoT and LOTR was given. It really deserves it. But I doubt Warner Brothers will ever let that happen.
I really feel that's why GOT was so great- because you could never really tell who was a hero and who was a villain. You loved them as characters, not the place they were shoved in by the writers. They came alive on their own.
I agree, it was great, I would have just wanted an extra episode probably between 4 and 5 for pacing but the arcs all work and everyone ends up where it both makes sense and emotionally resonates.
I agree with every thing you just said, down to the point of being easily pleased and will still fight to defend what I enjoy. But yeah people need to chill the ending made sooo much sense and the production in that series was beyond unreal, only think I would’ve asked for is same as you a few more episodes to rush it slightly less
oh my, i agree with you on the 'other people's reactions' front. there is nothing worse than watching something you love get torn apart, especially when it's someone you admire doing the tearing. i do think that they could've let things breathe a bit more, and they did way too much off screen, namely, that scene where jon tells sansa and arya about his true parentage, a scene i'd been looking forward too since *i* found out about it seasons ago. other than that, it worked. some of the things that happened (see: bran the broken) were things i'd never have guessed in a million years, but they were also things that were actually quite effective. anyway, keep up the good work on vedj, aaaaand i think that's the longest comment i've ever written.
Honestly completely agree. Also can we talk about how Bran being king is utter mad genius? Like, he lives for centuries and can see literally anything, including signs of dissent or plots against him. And he can also just transfer his consciousness into a new person whenever he wants. I also really loved Arya going off and being the adventurer she always wanted to be :D
It's so refreshing to hear a good opinion about season 8. I was really disappointed from the start, but then a lot of my continued disappointment stemed from reading too much r/freefolk. So I'm still not happy with it, but it's nice to think about things that were actually well done and see things in a different light. Thanks for that :)
Thank you! I completely agree on the Jaime point. I wanted to ask - what did you think about Euron's arc? Personally, it didn't bother me too much but I do logically see how it's a little bit of a massive undeveloped flop. Also, what did you think about the logistic inconsistencies? E.g. Viserion getting killed by three arrows and Drogon managing to dodge like 12.
I feel like my main gripe was the writing. Costume, cinematography, hair, makeup, sound design ALL TOP NOTCH. But I still stand by my opinion that the actual story declined where the source material ended. Maybe it was the rushing or the writers not being able to match George’s skill in exploring a fantasy world. Still loved that show though, there won’t be anything like it for some time! Interesting to hear your thoughts as well!
Overall, I think its great that so many people have so many opinions on this show. It isn't very often that a show can make you give a shit. I liked all the major plot points but, like you said, we weren't fully brought along for the ride for much of them. Dany snapping was kinda sad for me because I felt like her character arc was about her being better and more just than the men in her family. Her burning Vasarus felt justified and fine but the mass genocide just didn't seem to fit. Like I was missing a piece to the puzzle.
I'm so pleased to finally find someone who has similar thoughts to me on this subject so sorry but I may go on a bit.. Yes it was a bit rushed and there were some writing problems, maybe every characters story didn't quite go as hoped but it was still pretty great TV. Needed a few more episodes; would have shown a bit more development and flesh out some stuff (but having watched the documentary of the production I fully understand why they didn't do that). However, the production value, the shots, the music, the acting.. fucking superb! I really liked the finale and how it ended and in my opinion it was one of the best episodes of the season, perhaps of the show. The Hitleresque speech of Dany and her whole "they don't get to choose", showing how far her delusions had gone. The scene of Jon and Tyrion just talking for like 7 mins, giving the actors room to breath, this is why we love GoT. Having Jon finally have to end it. All fantastic. Seeing Brienne write the book and doing Jaime good was so heart warming and also kind of sad at the same time. The small council meeting was just fun, oh and Ser Prod! Hell yes! Also really loved the parallels between this and Lotr with the Throne being like the one ring, destroyed in the fires in which it was forged, Arya going west to new lands, the book of the same title and well, you get the idea. A fitting tribute to one of the stories inspirations. As for the things I didn't like so much, mostly from earlier in the season. Battle with the Night King was kind of a bit, meh.. like the battle was cool, some great scenes and epic moments and I loved the build up and the aftermath episodes but it all seemed to be over so quick and fairly easy considering what they were up against. They should have had a harder time and lost more people tbh. Rhaegals death was kind of lazy writing I think, very underwhelming. The build up to Dany's madness was rushed although I very much get that's what should have happened. Tyrion said it best later about her killing evil men and being cheered for it, it was always going that way it just wasn't shown very well. The fight between Jaime and Euron was too coincidental and pointless tbh. I didn't fully love how Cersei went out, I was hoping for more of a resolution to the Maggy the Frog prophecy but I will give it to Lena. That acting! Made me feel sorry for her which I did not expect to so I kind of forgive how the ended their story. Could honestly talk for hours about all this but at the end of the day I still love the show and I can't add those missing episodes and small tweaks I think would have made it perfect. And doing that would probably make a bunch of other people not like how it goes, that's just how it is.
Whole heartedly agree! Would watch an episode and LOVE it then see the negativity online and end up second guessing myself as to if I truly did enjoy it. Understand the pace and writing were iffy in parts but brilliant score, acting, costumes, sets and cinematography 👌🏼
dan i agree with almost everything you said so closely especially the jaime and sansa stuff (they're my two favorites). i am definitely a lot angrier than you about what jaime did but i see what you're saying. also you should read the books i'm sure everyone says that all the time but jaime's arc is SO SO good in them. he's an even more interesting character if anything.
I totally agree with you on Lost. I really do NOT understand why people hated the last season. I thought they did a fantastic job with what they had. (considering Emile de Ravin peaced out to do Remember Me and ruined Claire's character, and the horrendous 4th season because of the writer's strike).
I kinda wished we had got Yara reacting/mentioning Theon. They had that really lovely moment in Ep 1 before he goes off the fight for the starks and I feel like they just dropped the fact that he was dead and I felt like it could have been a good scene to tie up that arc. (yay/nay?)
I'm so glad someone else thinks it not that bad. While I agree, like you said, that it felt rushed, I still thoroughly enjoyed it and like most people's ending. *Also, no matter what anyone thinks about the final season, I think we can all agree that the memes were great
Not a fan of GoT, but I do like seeing fans of the show talk about it with such gleeful expressions. And also Vedj is also very entertaining. Thanks Dan!
Yes 👏🏼 Thank you 👏🏼 Regardless of how you feel about Season 8 or D&D, it's hard for the actors and the whole crew to say goodbye, they gave their absolute best and they need to be recognized for that. 👏🏼❤️
6:29 that made me laugh way harder than it should have how dare you also please release the video essay on why Spice World is the perfect film we need it thank you Mr. Definitely A Targaryen™
Jelena Jurina I think it’s perfect - in the past every king was a great conqueror; Aagon the Great conquered Westeros with three dragons and sat on the throne Robert Baratheon lead the rebellion and then he sat on the throne When Robert died people said Stanis would be a good King because he was a Great War hero John Snow is a great fighter and he lead the workings and castle black and eventually the north. Danerys gave birth to three fire breathing dragons so she should sit on the throne Etc etc etc you can see my point But with the characters in game of thrones trying to break the wheel - why should the new leader be a great conqueror, powerful fighter, war hero Just because they killed a few thousand people doesn’t mean they would be a good and just king Bran is literally the opposite of all rulers before him - he’s a cripple But yet, he’s the best option Because he’s the wisest And I think that’s the most important notion moving forward Bran wasn’t an obvious choice Not a familiar choice But the best choice He knows all, he doesn’t “want” (for himself), And he would be the smartest person to protect the realms of men The wheel has been broken and it’s a new world
I liked the ending too, especially Sansa being Queen in the North!!! I have some own opinions of what I would have personally wanted like Jaime & Brienne happily ever after and the other Starks’ being there for Sansa’s coronation but I guess that’s more from my fangirl perspective than realistic. (?)
I felt like I was the only one who liked it! I was like you in the mornings, reading stuff about how bad it was, when I liked it. The writers can't make something everyone likes.
I liked the ending for the season but for the overall show I just don't think it was a good one. It wasn't too terribly clever, but regardless I did enjoy it
Honestly delighted someone else liked it. Season 8 was rushed, and it needed more breathing room between Episode 3 and Episode 6 - as you say, about two more episodes would've done it.
I really liked thrones and the ending, I totally agree with needing a couple more 'talk episodes' just to flesh out a few of the motivations of characters. My biggest annoyance was cersei's death. It was soo underwhelming. I felt like she was responsible for ned's death and that she never got her comeuppance
dude, you're lucky that waiting till 3 is not the usual experience. i live in spain and that's the time it starts anyway, i literally slept at 5am that night
My episode ranking for this season, best to worst: 2- The best character stuff we've got in years, pitch perfect performances, stunning music and set design. Just a perfect last hurrah for all these characters 5- I saw the reaction to this before watching and was bracing myself for the worst, and then it just became amazing. The best cinematography in Thrones, a brilliant conclusion to so many arcs and one of the biggest gut punches in terms of raw emotions I've ever fely watching a tv episode. 6- Did the best it was possible to do with this ending, the interwoven endings of the three (two and a half?) Starks made me weep and cheer. Ultimately a beautiful, touching send off to this most special of shows. 4) Some great classic Tyrion and Varys action, does well to build Dany's isolation, but a ridiculous 20 minutes and aticlimactic death for Rhaegal sour it a lot 1) Goes between brilliance and groans about a hundred times, Sam was the absolute MVP and the scene of Dany telling him about Dickon is one of my all time faves, also the fab Bran and Jaime ending. But then that awful dragon ride and plenty of other cheesy, weak moments made it a below average episode 3- i don't want to talk about it.
While I still really wasn't a fan of season 8, it was refreshing to hear someone highlight all the good bits and I agreed with you a lot. Except the Arya thing. I love when shows are clever and save the day in a way you couldn't have thought of yourself and that whole episode I was so excited to find out how they were going to pull themselves out of that mess..... Arya coming from 'nowhere' and killing the Dark Knight was very underwhelming. I think it would have been somewhat okay if it didn't feel like the entire over an hour long episode was building to some genius solution (also set up by Tyrion trying to think of a way to save everyone in the crypt which made me think something clever was coming)
The further we get from the finale, the more okay I get with the finale. However, I'm never really gonna understand Arya's ending (killing the Night King makes total sense, spending 6 seasons trying to make it back to your family to have all those who could reunite in 7 seasons, only to then abandon all of them to explore the great beyond - WHAT?!) and making Bran king is...whatever. The rest makes sense the more I get away from the initial watch. And I LOVE Sansa's ending. Love it.
What's your opinion about the anti-climax in regards to Jon's paternity and also thoughts on Bran being King? I also think people were unfairly harsh on the final season. The worst episode of Thrones is still better than 99% of tv
My friend was talking to me (who never watched Got) about the trone and the deaths etc... and i was like "ohhh that sounds cool, that is a good ending" and he was so shocked
Its very hard for me to put my thoughts into a precise, to the point comment but I think all the story elements worked but they were handled very poorly in my opinion. Everything that happened could have happened and seemed believable if they'd spent more time setting it up and its clear that D&D are bored with writing thrones and wanted to get it over and done with quickly which is frustrating as the writing up until this season was absolutely sublime. I enjoyed watching the final season but I think most of the criticisms are valid. Also the production, acting, score and everything other than the writing was fantastic as always and the people who work on the show deserve infinite credit and cookies
literally never watched GoT in my life nor do i plan to but i'll be damned if i miss a Dan vid
Oh, you totally should it's amazing.
@@DanLayton your description of Emilia Clarke's acting has low-key swayed me towards wanting to watch it, ngl!
same. never have never will.
@@kkilinahe Nah, don't say "never". It's too good for a "never"
Same
‘Fight Me with Daniel J Layton’ would be a series I would watch the HELL out of
Hannah Needham YES please
Y E S
My heart when Tyrion found Cersei and Jamie. WAS NOT READY
So pleasant that someone's positive about the final season, I really appreciate it!
I agree 100% with your comments about adding a couple episodes in to get the audience caught up. I think that would fix a lot of the problems with the character arches. It is always good to hear your take, and this video made me think twice about my initial reactions! Well done.
They haven't calmed down yet Dan.
Now that I've finished your vid tho lemme just say. I WHOLE HEARTEDLY AGREE WITH U. The finale wasn't what I expected it to be, but it was still really good
spiceworld IS a perfect movie. you are correct.
If it's not real it's not right is coming on nicely
When you’re confronted with the dilemma of big spoilers versus not watching a Daniel j video.
Just know that when I’ve finished it I will return...
I was also sitting on my couch quietly chanting "queen in the north" at the tv. Thanks for putting all my thoughts about the episode and season in general into words!
You’re passion about it and analysis is honestly the best persuasion I’ve had so far for watching Game of Thrones.
Holy shit... You did it. You've convinced me to finally watch GoT. I looove an in depth analysis king
I cannot thank you enough for being so positive and calm(ish) about S8 of GoT. There's been so much vitriol about it that's made me want to stay away from places like Reddit and Twitter because of the large amounts of negativity. I'm glad that there are some GoT fans out there that don't want to be horrible people to those who look on the positives. You've made me feel welcome within the GoT fanbase.
Oh, i FULLY feel that. I've hated seeing all the negativity. If you don't like it, fine! Just don't be a dick about it! More positivity please :)
I agree with everything you said. I mean I understood why some people disliked it, but what happened did make sense. It made sense for Jon to be the one to kill Dany, because it could be seen that Jon was killing her to save her from turning even more into the Mad Queen as he loved her so much. But thats just my interpretation of it. (Also Daniel J. Layton for a Targaryen 2019)
Loved to hear your take on the finale/final season and I agree with SO much that you said! I do love the irony of people claiming that it didn't end how they wanted it to and that GRR would've given them a much better ending. In what world did he ever give the people what they wanted? That's one of the key points of the series that makes it so special!
I’ve never actually seen GoT, but the story telling and the enthusiasm with which you delivered this video made it a delight nonetheless
I have never watched an episode of GoT but I got so much enjoyment out of this video just because of how passionate Dan is about it and how he analysed this
There were definitely some (rather big) problems I had with the writing throughout the final season but from a production/acting standpoint? Absolutely unprecedented. The performances from the main cast across the board were stellar. I literally, audibly gasped MULTIPLE times at the cinematography in almost every episode (I think all except Battle of Winterfell...). It was visually stunning but also an absolutely brilliant (and often under-employed) method of visual storytelling. There were so many visual callbacks to previous episodes (especially season one). I'm not thriiiiiilled about some of the stuff that happened but the show itself as a vehicle for the story? Phenomenal.
Also... they're gonna skip the nomination stage and just hand Peter Dinklage the Emmy, right? His performance was better than most (if not all) Oscar-nominated men's this past year. And STRONG agree on Emilia Clarke. What a powerhouse.
I agree! I loved the ending!! Having Bran on the thrown did feel like a bit of a meme when I first watched it but I get it and it would have been cruel to force Jon onto a thrown he didn’t want, when the rest of the Stark’s got the ending they wanted (apart from all of the dead ones lol)
AND THE SCENE IN THE THRONE ROOM HOLY FUCK!!! I love dragons 🐉
I will say that it bothered me that the show at some point seems to have prioritized the plot over the individual characters and their motivations etc. like i like all the plot points but somehow they didn't affect me the way they could have bc i lost touch with the characters somewhere along the way
I'm counting on gorg r r marv to fix that in the books tho :)
Agreed! We'll see how that goes though because the books are getting even more delayed apparently lol
LITERALLY THANK GOD I have been saying all of these things and I fully am still processing that other people didn't love what happened because I swear to god it was perfect.
you’ve made me want to go and rewatch the whole season now! it was full of golden nuggets i want to appreciate again
The problem people had with arya killing the knight king was that there is no build up. Every other character had plenty of screen to build up to a climax only to fail, which is cool, but then arya comes out of nowhere with no foreshadowing in the episode itself and gets the killing blow. Its less that she snuk up on the knight king and seems more like she appeared from thin air. Also the bit where she drops the dagger into the other hand to stab the knight king was absolutely sick.
From the time she was smuggled out of King's Landing in Season 2, she was training to become a hardened fighter. And literally in the episode, Melisandre reminds her that she'll shut "Blue Eyes". That's foreshadowing!
I was so furious with the ending and I only liked how dragon reacted (bad with names). I actually almost started crying during that scene.
At first I was confused that you liked it even tho you said it before but now when I listened to your opinion I need to rewatch it.
I still just love this video you explain everything wonderfully and have me sat on my sofa like YES. CORRECT. AGREE. Love it
I SOBBED during the scene of Sansa's coronation mixed with Arya on the ship and Jon arriving at the Wall, and my phone background is now that shot of Sansa sitting on the throne in Winterfell. Nothing but respect for MY queen xoxo
QUEEN IN THE NOOOOOOORTH
Ive watched the last 3 VEDJ days. I'll have to come back to this one after getting through seasons 5-8
I'm kinda glad you made this video. I did actually like a lot of it, but I sometimes forget my own opinions when I hear other people's opinions!
Well I’m glad someone enjoyed it lmao. I watched the Barry season 2 immediately after the GOT one at like 4 am and it had me literally shaking whereas GOT made me feel nothing oops
i honestly dont know why im watching the video since i never watched got or care enough to know about it but it is quite nice to see you happy about something you love :)
YES! I agree with nearly everything that you just said. The music was amazing. The scene that broke my heart though was Tyrion and Jamie - you were the only one who never treated me like a monster. They truly loved one another.
I've only seen the ice king battle but that piece of music has been on repeat for me since last week
Even as an Aussie who pronounces route 'root' I still call a router a 'raoter'
I cracked it when you said rooter Dan, it just really took me off guard ahaha
I had the exact same reaction lol
Me: has never watched a episode of game of thrones
Also me: agrees with everything Dan says in this video
literally have never seen GOT yet i was still entertained by this video. thanks dan
Can you do another Baking with Layton and drunk Hazel 🙏🙏🙏
Dan, this video is PERFECT. You were able to articulate all the thoughts I've had since the season finished, how do I like this video 100 times?! Thank you for making amazing things!!!
wow...never agreed with an entire video more in my entire life, really appreciate you making this. makes my opinions on the finale feel really bloody validated xx ya know?
finally someone who loved it!!! i’ve basically become a hermit about game of thrones so i don’t get shat on for how i found it so this makes me so happy!!!
I quite agree with you on this. I'm ok with most of the choices they made; arya killing the night king, the burning of kings landing, jaime with cercei, jon killing dany, even bran on the throne. But all of it just felt so rushed. It makes me kind of sad, like how they built up all these storylines to fit perfectly and them to rush the ending this much. It just makes me sad. I think season 7 was also a bit rushed but it still made me exited, season 8 didn't quite do that for me. It was so rushed I couldn't get into it that much. I just think that's a bit of a shame, especially because it's such a good show, and people have been watching it for so long, I feel like the show and we deserved a better last season.
I only watched season 1 and then bounced so... I'm just glad you had a good time.
I agree with so much of this!! Also I wish I would’ve cocooned myself like you did because I took in too many opinions of people online. But in the end, I was pretty happy with the story that they gave us.
I really wish there will be a high-budget Harry Potter series in the future, sherlock style. 3-4 episodes a season but 1.5 hours each, and given the level of consideration that GoT and LOTR was given. It really deserves it. But I doubt Warner Brothers will ever let that happen.
I really feel that's why GOT was so great- because you could never really tell who was a hero and who was a villain. You loved them as characters, not the place they were shoved in by the writers. They came alive on their own.
THIS IS LITERALLY ALL MY THOUGHTS!! Glad to hear all this
I agree, it was great, I would have just wanted an extra episode probably between 4 and 5 for pacing but the arcs all work and everyone ends up where it both makes sense and emotionally resonates.
I agree with every thing you just said, down to the point of being easily pleased and will still fight to defend what I enjoy. But yeah people need to chill the ending made sooo much sense and the production in that series was beyond unreal, only think I would’ve asked for is same as you a few more episodes to rush it slightly less
Great analysis Daniel! Nice one!
oh my, i agree with you on the 'other people's reactions' front. there is nothing worse than watching something you love get torn apart, especially when it's someone you admire doing the tearing. i do think that they could've let things breathe a bit more, and they did way too much off screen, namely, that scene where jon tells sansa and arya about his true parentage, a scene i'd been looking forward too since *i* found out about it seasons ago. other than that, it worked. some of the things that happened (see: bran the broken) were things i'd never have guessed in a million years, but they were also things that were actually quite effective. anyway, keep up the good work on vedj, aaaaand i think that's the longest comment i've ever written.
Honestly completely agree. Also can we talk about how Bran being king is utter mad genius? Like, he lives for centuries and can see literally anything, including signs of dissent or plots against him. And he can also just transfer his consciousness into a new person whenever he wants. I also really loved Arya going off and being the adventurer she always wanted to be :D
did anyone else get a GoT ad before watching this video???
It's so refreshing to hear a good opinion about season 8. I was really disappointed from the start, but then a lot of my continued disappointment stemed from reading too much r/freefolk. So I'm still not happy with it, but it's nice to think about things that were actually well done and see things in a different light. Thanks for that :)
Thank you! I completely agree on the Jaime point. I wanted to ask - what did you think about Euron's arc? Personally, it didn't bother me too much but I do logically see how it's a little bit of a massive undeveloped flop. Also, what did you think about the logistic inconsistencies? E.g. Viserion getting killed by three arrows and Drogon managing to dodge like 12.
100% agree with you! You literally just perfectly summed up all my thoughts on the finale
Spot on, I went in accepting that whatever my 'perfect ending' is was never gonna happen, and I was overall really pleased with how it finished
I feel like my main gripe was the writing. Costume, cinematography, hair, makeup, sound design ALL TOP NOTCH. But I still stand by my opinion that the actual story declined where the source material ended. Maybe it was the rushing or the writers not being able to match George’s skill in exploring a fantasy world. Still loved that show though, there won’t be anything like it for some time! Interesting to hear your thoughts as well!
Overall, I think its great that so many people have so many opinions on this show. It isn't very often that a show can make you give a shit.
I liked all the major plot points but, like you said, we weren't fully brought along for the ride for much of them.
Dany snapping was kinda sad for me because I felt like her character arc was about her being better and more just than the men in her family. Her burning Vasarus felt justified and fine but the mass genocide just didn't seem to fit. Like I was missing a piece to the puzzle.
Agree totally, I don’t have a problem with where it all ended up, it’s just the pacing that made it seem confusing and rushed
the caps lock of the caption shows just how passionate you are about this show
daniel j as a targaryen is everything i need
I'm so pleased to finally find someone who has similar thoughts to me on this subject so sorry but I may go on a bit.. Yes it was a bit rushed and there were some writing problems, maybe every characters story didn't quite go as hoped but it was still pretty great TV. Needed a few more episodes; would have shown a bit more development and flesh out some stuff (but having watched the documentary of the production I fully understand why they didn't do that). However, the production value, the shots, the music, the acting.. fucking superb! I really liked the finale and how it ended and in my opinion it was one of the best episodes of the season, perhaps of the show. The Hitleresque speech of Dany and her whole "they don't get to choose", showing how far her delusions had gone. The scene of Jon and Tyrion just talking for like 7 mins, giving the actors room to breath, this is why we love GoT. Having Jon finally have to end it. All fantastic. Seeing Brienne write the book and doing Jaime good was so heart warming and also kind of sad at the same time. The small council meeting was just fun, oh and Ser Prod! Hell yes! Also really loved the parallels between this and Lotr with the Throne being like the one ring, destroyed in the fires in which it was forged, Arya going west to new lands, the book of the same title and well, you get the idea. A fitting tribute to one of the stories inspirations.
As for the things I didn't like so much, mostly from earlier in the season. Battle with the Night King was kind of a bit, meh.. like the battle was cool, some great scenes and epic moments and I loved the build up and the aftermath episodes but it all seemed to be over so quick and fairly easy considering what they were up against. They should have had a harder time and lost more people tbh. Rhaegals death was kind of lazy writing I think, very underwhelming. The build up to Dany's madness was rushed although I very much get that's what should have happened. Tyrion said it best later about her killing evil men and being cheered for it, it was always going that way it just wasn't shown very well. The fight between Jaime and Euron was too coincidental and pointless tbh. I didn't fully love how Cersei went out, I was hoping for more of a resolution to the Maggy the Frog prophecy but I will give it to Lena. That acting! Made me feel sorry for her which I did not expect to so I kind of forgive how the ended their story.
Could honestly talk for hours about all this but at the end of the day I still love the show and I can't add those missing episodes and small tweaks I think would have made it perfect. And doing that would probably make a bunch of other people not like how it goes, that's just how it is.
Whole heartedly agree! Would watch an episode and LOVE it then see the negativity online and end up second guessing myself as to if I truly did enjoy it. Understand the pace and writing were iffy in parts but brilliant score, acting, costumes, sets and cinematography 👌🏼
Thank the gods.. Finally someone who doesn't hate bash on every little detail.
dan i agree with almost everything you said so closely especially the jaime and sansa stuff (they're my two favorites). i am definitely a lot angrier than you about what jaime did but i see what you're saying. also you should read the books i'm sure everyone says that all the time but jaime's arc is SO SO good in them. he's an even more interesting character if anything.
I totally agree with you on Lost. I really do NOT understand why people hated the last season. I thought they did a fantastic job with what they had. (considering Emile de Ravin peaced out to do Remember Me and ruined Claire's character, and the horrendous 4th season because of the writer's strike).
Thank you thank you thank you. While it had flaws I loved this season and felt so isolated hearing everyone talk about how they thought it was shit.
I kinda wished we had got Yara reacting/mentioning Theon. They had that really lovely moment in Ep 1 before he goes off the fight for the starks and I feel like they just dropped the fact that he was dead and I felt like it could have been a good scene to tie up that arc. (yay/nay?)
The only game of thrones review I’ve watched and I loved it.
I'm so glad someone else thinks it not that bad. While I agree, like you said, that it felt rushed, I still thoroughly enjoyed it and like most people's ending. *Also, no matter what anyone thinks about the final season, I think we can all agree that the memes were great
Haven’t watched game of thrones but it’s nice to see someone not complaining about the finale
Not a fan of GoT, but I do like seeing fans of the show talk about it with such gleeful expressions. And also Vedj is also very entertaining. Thanks Dan!
Yes 👏🏼 Thank you 👏🏼
Regardless of how you feel about Season 8 or D&D, it's hard for the actors and the whole crew to say goodbye, they gave their absolute best and they need to be recognized for that. 👏🏼❤️
6:29 that made me laugh way harder than it should have how dare you also please release the video essay on why Spice World is the perfect film we need it thank you Mr. Definitely A Targaryen™
I could see you playing Jaehaerys the Conciliator or Daemon Blackfyre.
Strongly disagree with your GoT opinions but pleeease do those videos on Spice World and PotC cause I absolutely agree with you there!!
Back to watch this video after finally binging GoT in lockdown 2020
I'M NOT ALONE!!!
all i wanted was for sansa to be happy (or as happy as she could be) and i think we got that
#OnlyGoodThingsForSansa
I'm loving the slogans coming out of the world of Daniel J
#ownit.
be the change you want to be
if it's not REAL it's not RIGHT
How do you feel about Bran becoming king?
Jelena Jurina I think it’s perfect - in the past every king was a great conqueror;
Aagon the Great conquered Westeros with three dragons and sat on the throne
Robert Baratheon lead the rebellion and then he sat on the throne
When Robert died people said Stanis would be a good King because he was a Great War hero
John Snow is a great fighter and he lead the workings and castle black and eventually the north.
Danerys gave birth to three fire breathing dragons so she should sit on the throne
Etc etc etc you can see my point
But with the characters in game of thrones trying to break the wheel - why should the new leader be a great conqueror, powerful fighter, war hero
Just because they killed a few thousand people doesn’t mean they would be a good and just king
Bran is literally the opposite of all rulers before him - he’s a cripple
But yet, he’s the best option
Because he’s the wisest
And I think that’s the most important notion moving forward
Bran wasn’t an obvious choice
Not a familiar choice
But the best choice
He knows all, he doesn’t “want” (for himself), And he would be the smartest person to protect the realms of men
The wheel has been broken and it’s a new world
I liked this a lot. Thank you for this 💕
I liked the ending too, especially Sansa being Queen in the North!!! I have some own opinions of what I would have personally wanted like Jaime & Brienne happily ever after and the other Starks’ being there for Sansa’s coronation but I guess that’s more from my fangirl perspective than realistic. (?)
I've never seen a got episode in my life but i ABSOLUTELY agree with you about the lost finale oh my god
I felt like I was the only one who liked it! I was like you in the mornings, reading stuff about how bad it was, when I liked it. The writers can't make something everyone likes.
I liked the ending for the season but for the overall show I just don't think it was a good one. It wasn't too terribly clever, but regardless I did enjoy it
I genuinely agree with this wholeheartedly!
THE TIME HAS COME
i am ready
Honestly delighted someone else liked it. Season 8 was rushed, and it needed more breathing room between Episode 3 and Episode 6 - as you say, about two more episodes would've done it.
I really liked thrones and the ending, I totally agree with needing a couple more 'talk episodes' just to flesh out a few of the motivations of characters. My biggest annoyance was cersei's death. It was soo underwhelming. I felt like she was responsible for ned's death and that she never got her comeuppance
dude, you're lucky that waiting till 3 is not the usual experience. i live in spain and that's the time it starts anyway, i literally slept at 5am that night
My episode ranking for this season, best to worst:
2- The best character stuff we've got in years, pitch perfect performances, stunning music and set design. Just a perfect last hurrah for all these characters
5- I saw the reaction to this before watching and was bracing myself for the worst, and then it just became amazing. The best cinematography in Thrones, a brilliant conclusion to so many arcs and one of the biggest gut punches in terms of raw emotions I've ever fely watching a tv episode.
6- Did the best it was possible to do with this ending, the interwoven endings of the three (two and a half?) Starks made me weep and cheer. Ultimately a beautiful, touching send off to this most special of shows.
4) Some great classic Tyrion and Varys action, does well to build Dany's isolation, but a ridiculous 20 minutes and aticlimactic death for Rhaegal sour it a lot
1) Goes between brilliance and groans about a hundred times, Sam was the absolute MVP and the scene of Dany telling him about Dickon is one of my all time faves, also the fab Bran and Jaime ending. But then that awful dragon ride and plenty of other cheesy, weak moments made it a below average episode
3- i don't want to talk about it.
While I still really wasn't a fan of season 8, it was refreshing to hear someone highlight all the good bits and I agreed with you a lot. Except the Arya thing. I love when shows are clever and save the day in a way you couldn't have thought of yourself and that whole episode I was so excited to find out how they were going to pull themselves out of that mess..... Arya coming from 'nowhere' and killing the Dark Knight was very underwhelming. I think it would have been somewhat okay if it didn't feel like the entire over an hour long episode was building to some genius solution (also set up by Tyrion trying to think of a way to save everyone in the crypt which made me think something clever was coming)
Everyone ended up where they were meant to be but we as an audience weren't taken for the ride! I have been saying this for the last few weeks!!!
The further we get from the finale, the more okay I get with the finale. However, I'm never really gonna understand Arya's ending (killing the Night King makes total sense, spending 6 seasons trying to make it back to your family to have all those who could reunite in 7 seasons, only to then abandon all of them to explore the great beyond - WHAT?!) and making Bran king is...whatever. The rest makes sense the more I get away from the initial watch. And I LOVE Sansa's ending. Love it.
I wish a cared for Game of Thrones as much as Dan does. Seems like so much fun.
Okay I’ve never ever seen a SINGLE episode of GoT but I watched all of this anywayssss xx
Love you dan boo
What's your opinion about the anti-climax in regards to Jon's paternity and also thoughts on Bran being King?
I also think people were unfairly harsh on the final season. The worst episode of Thrones is still better than 99% of tv
sleep deprived dan made notes! yes, just yes
My friend was talking to me (who never watched Got) about the trone and the deaths etc... and i was like "ohhh that sounds cool, that is a good ending" and he was so shocked
Its very hard for me to put my thoughts into a precise, to the point comment but I think all the story elements worked but they were handled very poorly in my opinion. Everything that happened could have happened and seemed believable if they'd spent more time setting it up and its clear that D&D are bored with writing thrones and wanted to get it over and done with quickly which is frustrating as the writing up until this season was absolutely sublime. I enjoyed watching the final season but I think most of the criticisms are valid. Also the production, acting, score and everything other than the writing was fantastic as always and the people who work on the show deserve infinite credit and cookies