Was the Battle of Winterfell Disappointment in the Eyes of Fans?

My experience with the Battle of Winterfell was quite dark. I had to turn my TV's brightness all the way up just to see anything. While the Dothraki riders were used for the visual impact more than their battle effectiveness, I couldn't help but feel frustrated with the lack of strategic elements such as lances, specifically obsidian-tipped lances, which would have brought more detail and depth to the battle.

Despite this, it is important to remember that not all Dothraki were killed and several of them retreated with Jorah and his direwolf, Ghost. Nonetheless, the fact remains that the Dothraki were a horrific nation, known for their mass murders, slavery, and hostility towards civilization.

Why Was the Battle Disappointing?

There are several reasons why the Battle of Winterfell was disappointing for many fans:

Low Light Levels

The most obvious reason is the poor lighting. Many fans had trouble seeing the battle and the aftermath clearly, leading to a lack of understanding of the events that transpired.

Hype and Overpromise

The creators of the series inevitably generated too much hype about the Battle of Winterfell. They made statements such as the red wedding looking like a rehearsal for the big event. This resulted in many fans' high expectations, particularly for the death of major characters. However, it also led to a sense of letdown when these expectations were not met.

Arya's Unforeseen Victory

The killing of the Night King by Arya was a major surprise. Many theories had been circulating during the hiatus about the fate of various characters, and the sudden and swift resolution with Arya's Valyrian dagger made it clear that the creators had to fix the story within a limited time and budget.

The Show's Success

With the show's immense success and the ever-growing fanbase, it becomes increasingly difficult to satisfy every fan's expectations. The creators had to make difficult decisions about who to kill and who to spare, leading to mixed reactions and disappointment.

Predictable Deaths

After eight seasons, fans had become accustomed to figuring out patterns and clues to predict which characters would meet their end. For example, Theon’s character arc, which started as a background character, turned into a villain, and finally redeemed himself, leading to a bittersweet goodbye for the audience.

Conclusion

The Battle of Winterfell, while undoubtedly impactful, was a target for disappointment due to a combination of factors. However, it is essential to acknowledge the creativity, sacrifice, and effort put in by the creators to keep the story engaging and coherent within the constraints of the series' timeline and budget.

Ultimately, the battle showcased the complexity of storytelling in a monumental series like Game of Thrones. While it was a pivotal moment in the series, it also highlighted the challenges faced by creators in satisfying the varied and passionate fanbase.