Game of Thronesis an amazing fantasy TV show, but George R.R. Martin’s favorite episode of television only makes the flaws withGOT’s series finale obvious. The author of the originalGame of Thronesdoesn’t shy away from giving his opinions about the contemporary shows and books that are capturing his imagination, and fans ofGOTtrust his taste, as he’s rarely highlighted a work of art that doesn’t deserve it. However, the fact that the finale ofGOTwas so underwhelmingmakes it easy to wish it were more like the finales that have stood the test of time.
The conclusion ofGame of Thronesseason 8 was aTV show finale that made viewers feel betrayedfor good reason, as it wasted a lot of the story’s potential. While things started to get rocky forGame of Thronesin the later seasons, it was the series finale that cemented the fact thatGOTwent downhill. Unlike theseries finales that saved their TV shows, “The Iron Throne” was a huge disappointment for audiences and critics alike andpales in comparison to a truly iconic finale episode.
Six Feet Under’s “Everyone’s Waiting” Is George R.R. Martin’s Favorite TV Episode
Martin Is Right To Appreciate The Quality Of This Episode
It’s interesting to think that Martin, the author who penned the source material forGame of Thrones, a series with a notoriously bad finale, is such a fan of “Everyone’s Waiting.” Of course, it’s no surprise that he appreciates the episode, as theSix Feet Underfinale is one of the best ever made.Six Feet Underwas also an acclaimed HBO drama seriesthat made its mark on the TV landscape. However, thanks to “Everyone’s Waiting,” the show has remained a significant part of the cultural conversation.
It makes sense that"Everyone’s Waiting" is George R.R. Martin’s favorite TV episode, and he’s not alone in this opinion. Throughout the episode, the audience watches as the members of the Fisher family and their close friends go through the biggest moments and deaths of the rest of their lives. Particularly focusing on the youngest Fisher sibling, Claire (Lauren Ambrose), as she prepares to leave California and start her new life. The last shot of her driving away from home is beautifully crafted, dripping with emotional and narrative weight.
“Everyone’s Waiting” Is One Of The Greatest Final Episodes Of All Time
This Series Finale Enshrined Six Feet Under As A Modern Masterpiece
There’s no question that a series finale can make or break a TV show’s impact, andfor a show likeSix Feet Under, the pressure was on to live up to the audience’s expectations.It was always a heavy show that dealt with death and the most challenging parts of the human experience through the lens of the Fisher family. Choosing to let the audience witness the rest of the characters' lives and end on such a hopeful yet bittersweet note was a bold choice, but it’s impossible to imagineSix Feet Underending in a different way.
It’s true thatSix Feet Underhad a shorter run and didn’t have to contend with as many overlapping characters and storylines asGame of Thrones.
It’s true thatSix Feet Underhad a shorter run and didn’t have to contend with as many overlapping characters and storylines asGame of Thrones. However, the show pushed itself in the finale, taking on an ambitious and tricky conception that paid off in every way. In the years since it aired, many series have copied the flash-forwards ofSix Feet Under’s finale, but few have come close to capturing the unique magic of “Everyone’s Waiting” and its ability to encapsulate the tone of the show perfectly.
“Everyone’s Waiting”
9.9/10
Game Of Thrones Deserved A Series Finale As Satisfying As Six Feet Under’s
“The Iron Throne” Doesn’t Represent The Real Legacy Of GOT
IfGame of Thronesended the waySix Feet Underdid, it would have a vastly different legacy. While the fantasy show is still remembered as one of the most important installments of the genre to premiere in the 21st century, the decline in quality in the later seasons disrupts what could’ve been a near-flawless reputation. The enormous impact and popularity ofGame of Thronesspeak to the fact thatthe series deserved to go out with a bang, shocking and thrilling audienceslike the rest of the show.
“The Iron Throne” doesn’t come close to the reception the greatest episodes of the show received. Rated only a 4/10 onIMDB, “The Iron Throne” is an installment of the series that’s better forgotten about. However, it would’ve been a lot more fun to watch an episode that gave viewers the full-circle, satisfying ending they were looking for, likeSix Feet Underdid.Game of Thronescould’ve gone down in history as a game-changing fantasy show, and while it’s still fondly remembered, the series finale will always be a blip in its legacy.
