10 Shocking TV Finales That Changed Everything

You knew we couldn’t leave this one out. The cultural juggernaut that is Game of Thrones was always going to divide fans with its long-awaited ending, but few could have predicted the extent to which the conclusion would stoke worldwide debate.

It’s actually less the last episode and more the penultimate one, in which Daenerys decides to torch King’s Landing, that caused the bulk of controversy.

Although the show has trafficked in moral complexity throughout its run, some viewers felt too attached to Daenerys to see her turn villainous, prompting heated discourse over her character development. Many noted the turn had been foreshadowed across several seasons whilst others felt short-changed seeing their favourite character scorch scores of defenceless men, women, and children.

While it can be argued that the shift was rushed given the limited budget and screen time of the final season, it’s inarguable that Daenerys’ corruption and cruelty should have come as no surprise to anyone familiar with George RR Martin’s brutally realistic and uncompromising depictions of power and its effect on its holders.

Ultimately the final episodes were broadly praised for unparalleled direction and staging, while the debate surrounding their content rages on to this day.