Game of Thrones actress Lena Headey has a few complaints she would like to share with the show’s creators, David Benioff and D. B. Weiss. Throughout its overarching narrative, the famed HBO show, featuring an enormous ensemble of multi-talented individuals, followed various story arcs. With its progression, we were introduced to some of the most memorable characters in pop culture history, thanks to prolific novelist George R. R. Martin.
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What astonished people was when these revered, leading characters, who had sparked our interest in the series in the first place, began dropping like flies in the last season of Game of Thrones. Now, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Death became intrinsic to the narrative. Throughout the epic story, a large number of individuals met their demise. However, it was the nature of these deaths that enraged the masses.
And it appears that we are not alone in feeling this way. Whether it’s about an inconsistent and unsatisfactory finale or an unjust, half-baked, anticlimactic farewell to some of the show’s most significant personalities, the Game of Thrones cast has echoed similar sentiments as that of fans.
Lena Headey’s One Complaint For The Game Of Thrones Creators
We won’t delve into spoilers, but if you’re a die-hard Game of Thrones enthusiast, you’ll recall how Cersei Lannister met her end. It didn’t take long for fans to flock to Twitter and air their grievances. It’s safe to say they were displeased. But it wasn’t her death that bothered people. It was how she died that they had a problem with. And it seems like Lena Headey, the actress who portrays Cersei, feels the same.
In an interview with The Observer (via The Guardian), Headey acknowledged the gripe about her character’s conclusion and indicated her desire to discuss it with the showrunners. Over a drink, of course. Following was her comment:
“I invested as a viewer, and I have my favorite characters. And I’ve got a few of my own gripes. But I haven’t sat down drunkly with David [Benioff] and Dan [Weiss] yet.”
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What would Headey assert during this conversation? She would reiterate the fans’ beliefs and express that she wanted a “better death” for Cersei. In light of the character’s underwhelming demise, the British actress had the following to say:
“I will say I wanted a better death. Obviously, you dream of your death. You could go in any way on that show. So I was kind of gutted. But I think they couldn’t have pleased everyone. No matter what they did, I think there was going to be some big comedown from the climb.”
Headey understood Game of Thrones‘ unpredictability. Nonetheless, she hoped for a more satisfying outcome. A conclusion that wouldn’t be as anticlimactic as what transpired in the last season. Aside from Lena Headey, another well-known actress in the series who plays arguably the most popular character in GOT, expressed her distaste for the season finale.
Emilia Clarke Wasn’t Too Happy About The Game Of Thrones Ending
Daenerys Targaryen’s fate was another aspect of the show’s finale that many detested. The treatment she was dealt at the hands of Jon Snow underscored the lost potential of Games of Thrones. In an interview with The Times, Clarke resonated with the consensus surrounding the conclusion. She was annoyed. Following was her statement:
“When the show did end, it was like coming out of a bunker. Everything felt really strange. Then, obviously, for it to have the backlash it did. […] I knew how I felt when I first read it, and I tried, at every turn, not to consider too much what other people might say, but I did always consider what the fans might think — because we did it for them, and they were the ones who made us successful, so … it’s just polite, isn’t it?”
On the fate of her character, she stated:
“I really felt for her. And yeah, was I annoyed that Jon Snow didn’t have to deal with something? He got away with murder—literally.”
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On the topic of the season’s pacing, Clarke believed that the producers should have “spun it out for a little longer.” The lack of dialogue and the use of dramatic theatrics and set pieces emphasized how the show’s sensationalized nature was given more airtime. Much like Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke didn’t shy away from expressing her disappointment.
Despite such opinions, the two actresses have moved beyond the series and have made peace with the conclusion since then. For fans, however, the wounds remain fresh. Game of Thrones‘ squandered potential haunts them even now. Let’s hope the spin-offs offer them ample satisfaction.
All seasons of Game of Thrones are available for streaming on Max.
Source: The Guardian and The Times
