The ‘Game Of Thrones’ prequel, ‘House Of The Dragon,’ announced its return to the screen with a second season in summer 2024. Meanwhile, the original series continued to hold a place in TV history as we ranked its eight seasons based on their Rotten Tomatoes/IMDb scores and fan reviews.

8. Season 8 – 55%

Notable for its high production values, especially during ‘The Battle of Winterfell,’ the final season faced criticism due to its pacing and ending for long-standing character arcs. Most fans thought Daenerys’ sudden madness and death were unjust to her story, while others said Jon Snow’s parentage and claim over the Iron Throne were not addressed enough. Still, it included some moments fans favored, like Arya Stark killing the Night King.

7. Season 1 – 90%

Season 1 formed the series’ setting in Westeros and introduced viewers to its large cast of characters. The sudden deaths of Robert Baratheon and Ned Stark at the finale also set the story up for future events. The season received critical acclaim for its episodes, especially ‘The Pointy End,’ one of the few George R. R. Martin wrote.

6. Season 7 – 93%

With fewer episodes than the other seasons, Season 7 increased the narrative pace. Big character reunions and team-ups marked the season. Some critiques centered around its fast plot developments, but the overall season received positive reviews with its visuals. It also left the audience hanging with some scenes, like Viserion’s death.

5. Season 5 – 93%

Season 5 revolved around multiple parallel subplots. While certain storylines, like Jamie and Bronn’s visit to Dorne, were criticized for their execution, causing the series to have the lowest-rated episode in the show’s history with ‘Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken,’ episodes such as ‘Hardhome’ ended up with scores like 9.8 on IMDb.

4. Season 6 – 94%

This season marked some major plot points, with episodes like ‘The Battle of the Bastards’ and ‘The Door,’ the highest-ranking episode among all eight seasons. While it did face some criticism for certain storyline choices, it remained a breaking point for the show by setting the characters up for later seasons.

3. Season 2 – 96%

Expanding on Season 1’s groundwork, Season 2 delved deeper into the political dynamics of Westeros and introduced additional characters like Stannis, Ser Davos, Melisandre, Brienne, and Margaery. Episodes that focused on war and strategy, like ‘The Battle of Blackwater,’ received positive reviews, although some fans wanted the season to be rewritten.

2. Season 3 – 96%

This season detailed character developments and Westeros’ political landscape. The ‘Red Wedding’ episode stood out, depicting the Freys’ and the Boltons’ betrayal with the death of many Stark family members. It also showed a shift in the plot with moments like Dany acquiring the Unsullied.

1. Season 4 – 97%

The ten-part season is recognized for its blend of character-centric episodes and plot twists with the start of Dany’s rule in Mereen and the death of Joffrey. Some of its episodes with key events, like ‘The Lion and the Rose’ and ‘The Children,’ received high scores on IMDb.

The post Every Game Of Thrones Season Ranked From Worst To Best appeared first on Ntertain Us!.

‘Game of Thrones’ emerged as a cultural phenomenon and not only captured the hearts of millions but also was a career-defining platform for its cast. So it would be a great opportunity for any actor to be involved in the series, as Dominic West also agrees.

According to reports, West had the chance to play a role in ‘Game of Thrones’ in 2012 as Mance Rayder. But he said no because it would have required him to be away from his family for a long time. The actor addressed rumors about him turning down a role during a 2017 appearance on ‘Good Morning Britain,’ explaining:

“That’s not true; I didn’t turn anything down. I had a prior engagement. I certainly wouldn’t have turned it down. Definitely not. I’d love them [to renew the offer actually]. I couldn’t before because I was otherwise engaged – that was the only problem. That happens quite a lot these days.”

Although ‘Game of Thrones’ didn’t pan out for the actor, he had several successful projects in later years. One of his best-known roles was Noah Solloway in Showtime’s ‘The Affair’ from 2014 to 2019, which earned him a nomination for Best Actor in a Television Series Drama at the Golden Globe Awards.

His later television projects included ‘Les Misérables,’ ‘Stateless’ and ‘The Pursuit of Love,’ along with film appearances in ‘The Square,’ ‘Colette’ and ‘Tomb Raider.’ The actor currently stars in ‘Brassic,’ ‘SAS: Rogue Heroes’ and ‘The Crown.’

The post Dominic West’s Regret Over Missing The Game Of Thrones Opportunity appeared first on Ntertain Us!.

Known to his supporters as the ‘Young Wolf,‘ and heir to Winterfell, Robb Stark is often seen as a heroic figure. But was he truly the hero? Or did his actions and decisions, intentional or otherwise, cast a shadow over this perception?

Robb’s Relationship Dynamics

Despite their closeness, Robb never defends his half-brother, Jon, against the visible disapproval from their mother, Catelyn Stark. Given his position as the heir apparent and later as the King in the North, one might argue that standing up for Jon was a responsibility he evaded.

Additionally, Robb’s association with names like Roose Bolton is fraught with complications. His misplaced trust in Roose paves the way for the Boltons’ ascent to power, leading to traumatic consequences, particularly for Sansa Stark.

His Questionable Strategic Choices

In a strategic gamble, Robb threatens Casterly Rock. Yet he diverts his forces toward Harrenhal, a move that indirectly bolsters the Lannisters’ position and results in Stannis Baratheon’s defeat. Moreover, his choice to take a portion of his army to Riverrun for his grandfather’s funeral exposes key territories, leaving them vulnerable.

His Relationship with Allies and Foes

By placing Alton Lannister in the same cell as Jamie Lannister, he unknowingly sets off a cascade of events that would weaken his own alliances. Similarly, sending Theon Greyjoy to Pyke inadvertently results in Theon’s eventual betrayal and the ensuing chaos.

Another important moment in Robb’s leadership is his execution of Rickard Karstark, which was a move that not only mirrors his father’s sense of honor but also weakens his army. Lastly, his marriage to Talisa, while a romantic gesture, has dire political repercussions, leading directly to the catastrophic events of the Red Wedding.

Is Robb a Hero or a Villain?

Many view Robb Stark as a heroic figure driven by honor, love, and vengeance, but some of his choices raise questions about leadership, trust, and the consequences of decisions made in the heat of the moment. Is Robb Stark truly a villain, or is he a young leader making mistakes along the way? As with many characters in ‘Game of Thrones,’ the answer isn’t straightforward.

The post Was Robb Stark Really The Villain In Game Of Thrones appeared first on Ntertain Us!.

Game of Thrones introduced audiences to a vast array of characters, each with their unique motivations, strengths, and weaknesses. Among them was Lord Petyr Baelish, commonly known as Littlefinger, portrayed by Irish actor Aidan Gillen. Littlefinger, with his calculated moves and political machinations, has always been a character mired in shades of grey. But was he truly a villain in Westeros?

Baelish’s Complex Characteristics

Littlefinger, as presented in the series, is a master manipulator. From his early involvement in the show’s central conflicts to his later schemes in the Vale, it became clear that Littlefinger was always several steps ahead of his contemporaries. Yet, as Gillen points out, he doesn’t believe Baelish deserved to die in the series:

“As the actor playing him, I’ve always been able to justify his actions: This is survival, this is revenge. If you’re talking to me as Littlefinger, I’d probably say no. From the audience’s point of view, they want him to get his comeuppance. He’s a classic villain, in a way. That’s what they want. It’s a classic payoff.”

Indeed, Littlefinger’s past, which includes a humble origin and an unrequited love for Catelyn Stark, shaped his ambitions and choices. These complexities suggest that while his actions might have been morally questionable, it seems they weren’t borne out of pure malice.

Is Littlefinger Actually A Villain?

Gillen is known for playing characters that are often not trustworthy or can be considered villains. Considering Littlefinger’s deeds, it’s not surprising that he is a villain in the eyes of many. However, the actor doesn’t believe he portrays a villain:

“I’m often mistaken for a villain — a moody type — which I’m not really.”

In fact, Gillen tried to make audiences feel sympathy for his character Littlefinger. As he puts it, he used certain techniques to make this possible:

“I always tried to make people feel for that guy, regardless of what he was doing. I was actively trying to get the audience to root for me and to think I was a good person. If it’s the conversations with the kids, I wanted people to think I really care about these people.”

Over the course of the series, Littlefinger’s influence became evident in multiple story arcs. Whether it was his mentor-like relationship with Sansa Stark or his pivotal role in the battle for the North, Gillen’s character left a mark on the storyline. Addressing this, Gillen said the following about Machiavellian characters like Littlefinger:

“They have charm and they have seductive powers, that’s why they’re able to get to where they get to and have influence over people.”

Game of Thrones succeeded in creating characters that defied easy categorization, and Littlefinger was no exception. Was he a true villain? As with many characters in the series, it seems the answer isn’t black and white. As for Gillen, he believes his role in the 2011 film, ‘Treacle Jr.,’ is more in line with his real personality.

The post Aidan Gillen On If Petyr ‘Littlefinger’ Baelish Was Really The Villain In Game Of Thrones appeared first on Ntertain Us!.

‘Game of Thrones,’ HBO’s hit television series adapted from George R. R. Martin’s world of Westeros, has had its fair share of intriguing characters, shocking plot twists, and… character recasts? Yes, you heard right. A keen-eyed fan of the series will notice a few instances where familiar faces were suddenly not so familiar. One of the most notable instances was when Tom Hopper replaced Freddie Stroma as the character Dickon Tarly.

What Was The Real Reason Behind The Recasting?

Dickon Tarly, the younger brother of fan-favorite Samwell Tarly, first made his appearance in ‘Game of Thrones’ sixth season, portrayed by Freddie Stroma. But when season 7 rolled around, the character of Dickon was now played by none other than Tom Hopper.

But why did this recasting occur?

The answer, it turns out, is not due to any controversy or behind-the-scenes drama but rather due to a more mundane reason: scheduling conflicts.

Freddie Stroma had committed to the lead role in the science fiction television series ‘Time After Time.‘ The filming schedules clashed, and Stroma was unable to return to the mythical land of Westeros for the seventh season of ‘Game of Thrones.’

Tom Hopper, known for his roles in ‘Black Sails’ and ‘Merlin,’ stepped in to fill the shoes of Dickon Tarly in season 7. His character arc was notably more dramatic, including participation in a major battle against Daenerys Targaryen’s forces and eventually meeting a fiery end alongside his father, Randyll Tarly, after refusing to bow to Daenerys.

Despite his departure from the show, Stroma held his ‘Game of Thrones’ experience in high regard. In an interview with IGN, he expressed his fondness for the series, and despite the character recast, he remained a dedicated viewer:

“I was shooting this, so my character, I wouldn’t be able to go back now. It was still fun. I got to be in that world. I’ve watched all of it. It’s just an incredible TV show.”

Recasting is not new to ‘Game of Thrones,’ with characters like Daario Naharis, the Night King, the Three-Eyed Raven, and many others having multiple actors over the series’ eight seasons. These recasts were due to a variety of reasons, from actors seeking new roles to needing more mature performers for developing character storylines.

Freddie Stroma’s Career After Game Of Thrones

Meanwhile, Stroma’s career has continued to thrive since his brief stint in Westeros. He has starred in a range of roles, from the television series ‘UnREAL,‘ to the rom-com ‘Second Act‘ with Jennifer Lopez, and even joined the ranks of the Netflix hit show, ‘Bridgerton.’ Stroma’s most recent projects include 2021’s ‘The Crew,‘ where he appeared as Jake Martin, and 2022’s ‘Peacemaker,‘ where he had the main role as Adrian Chase.

The post The Real Reason Freddie Stroma Was Replaced By Tom Hopper In Game Of Thrones appeared first on Ntertain Us!.