These 15 Game of Thrones Moments Aged Worse Than a Rotten Dragon Egg

Game of Thrones was once the epitome of high fantasy television, dominating pop culture with its complex storylines, engaging characters, and stunning visuals. However, the series’ controversial ending and certain aspects of its earlier seasons have caused fans and critics to reassess some elements of the show. Even as early as Season 1, some choices now feel outdated or problematic. Here are 15 aspects of Game of Thrones that don’t hold up as well today.

15. Dorne Became One of the Most Useless Kingdoms

In the books, Dorne is a powerful and culturally progressive kingdom. However, the show’s treatment of Dorne, especially in the later seasons, was a major letdown. The Sand Snakes and House Martell, which were supposed to be major players, became largely irrelevant and were even wiped out in Season 8 without much of a lasting impact. Dorne went from being a symbol of political strength and diversity to a punchline, ultimately losing the potential it had in George R. R. Martin’s world.

14. Lack of Diverse Casting in Game of Thrones

Despite the show’s massive popularity, Game of Thrones has been criticized for its lack of diversity, particularly among its elite characters. Non-white actors were often relegated to playing stereotypical roles, such as the Dothraki and the Unsullied, while many of the power-brokers in the world of Westeros were white. While House of the Dragon has made strides by casting black actors for House Velaryon, Game of Thrones‘ diversity issues remain glaring.

13. Fans Still Complain About the Inexplicable Travel Times

Westeros is a vast land, yet characters seem to travel between its corners in a matter of hours or days—something that becomes glaringly obvious upon a re-watch. The show often ignored the realistic travel times, making absurd jumps in time and space, especially in the later seasons. The infamous scene where Gendry sends a raven from Eastwatch to Daenerys at Dragonstone, followed by her swift arrival the next morning, is a perfect example of how the show sacrificed realism for plot convenience.

12. Magic in Westeros Should Have Played a Bigger Role

While A Song of Ice and Fire is rich with magic, the Game of Thrones showrunners largely sidelined it, focusing more on political intrigue and war. The magic systems—such as Melisandre’s abilities, Daenerys’ dragons, and the wights—were pivotal in the books but often felt underdeveloped in the show. Magic should have been more integral to the storyline, and the show missed opportunities to explore its depth and significance.

11. The Night King’s Exciting Build-Up Came Crashing Down

The Night King, initially portrayed as an ominous and powerful villain, was built up as the ultimate threat to humanity. His defeat, however, was rushed, and his destruction at the hands of Arya Stark felt anticlimactic after seasons of build-up. The White Walkers, including the Night King, were not given the proper narrative weight they deserved, which left fans feeling disappointed by how easily they were dispatched.

10. Spectacle Was More Important Than Authenticity

Game of Thrones was known for its stunning visuals, especially during its later seasons, but sometimes these spectacles came at the cost of authenticity. Major battle sequences, like the Battle of Winterfell, often sacrificed tactical sense for cinematic grandeur. The show’s final season often prioritized visual spectacle over the intricate, character-driven plots that made the earlier seasons so beloved.

9. The Long Night Barely Lasted One Night

The most significant threat to Westeros, the White Walkers, was supposed to bring about the Long Night, an apocalyptic event that would change the world. However, when the Long Night finally arrived in the Battle of Winterfell, it barely lasted a single night, leaving fans feeling that the build-up was wasted. The Night King’s death, which was a culmination of years of anticipation, felt rushed and underwhelming.

8. The House Lannister Favoritism Was Painfully Obvious

House Lannister, despite being one of the most morally corrupt families in Westeros, often received the show’s favor. The show frequently justified their actions, even as they committed atrocities. Characters like Cersei, despite her tyrannical rise to power, were treated with an oddly sympathetic light, which detracted from the show’s supposed moral complexity. The Lannisters were often depicted as victims of circumstance, with their worst deeds glossed over or explained away.

7. Bran Stark Becoming King Is Questionable at Best

The coronation of Bran Stark as King of Westeros was one of the most contentious moments in the final season. Tyrion’s reasoning—”because he’s a good story”—was widely criticized. Bran’s lack of political ambition and absence from key conflicts made his ascension feel undeserved, leaving many fans questioning the logic behind his unexpected rise to power.

6. Daenerys Targaryen’s Villainous Turn Was a Cheap Twist

One of the most controversial decisions in the final season was Daenerys’ sudden turn from a beloved hero to a genocidal villain. This transformation felt rushed and out of place, as it wasn’t properly set up in earlier seasons. Daenerys’ shift from “Breaker of Chains” to “Mad Queen” lacked the nuance that such a dramatic change required, and it felt like a cheap twist rather than an earned character arc.

5. The Finale’s Sequel Hooks Were Premature & Self-Congratulatory

The final episode of Game of Thrones ended with an optimistic montage teasing potential spin-offs, like Arya’s adventure beyond Westeros and Sansa’s reign. However, many fans felt these were premature and self-serving, as the show had not even finished wrapping up its own plotlines. Instead of providing a satisfying conclusion, the finale seemed more like an advertisement for spin-offs, many of which were never fully realized.

4. Diverging from the Books After GoT Season 5 Was a Bad Idea

After Season 5, Game of Thrones veered away from George R. R. Martin’s source material, leading to a simpler, less intricate narrative. While Martin had provided an outline, the showrunners took more creative liberties, resulting in a rushed storyline that often contradicted earlier developments. The lack of Martin’s detailed world-building and character development became painfully clear in the later seasons.

3. The Rampant Sexual Violence Was Exploitative & Unnecessary

Game of Thrones was notorious for its frequent use of sexual violence, particularly against women. What was initially defended as essential for character development soon became exploitative and gratuitous. The depiction of Sansa’s rape by Ramsay Bolton, in particular, drew heavy criticism for its handling of sexual trauma as a plot device, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and diminishing the impact of the narrative.

2. Game of Thrones Ended Up Validating the Wheel of Power

Despite initially presenting itself as a critique of feudal society and power structures, Game of Thrones ultimately ended by reinforcing the same power dynamics it set out to challenge. In the finale, the noble houses of Westeros returned to the status quo, with the elites once again taking control. The show’s message about breaking the wheel of power felt hollow when the solution was simply to replace one tyrant with another.

1. Jon Snow’s Prophecy Went Absolutely Nowhere

From the beginning, Jon Snow was hinted to be a pivotal character, destined for greatness. His true parentage as the son of Rhaegar Targaryen was revealed in later seasons, but ultimately, this prophecy went nowhere. Jon’s arc, which had been built up for years, was deflated by his eventual resignation and lack of agency in the final episodes. His potential, once tied to the fate of the kingdom, ended with a whimper, leaving fans disappointed by the lack of payoff.

While Game of Thrones remains a beloved show for many, its later seasons—particularly the finale—left many fans with a sense of unfulfilled potential. The issues outlined above reveal how certain aspects of the series, while once groundbreaking, have not aged well and may even taint its legacy. As the world of Westeros expands through House of the Dragon and upcoming spin-offs, it remains to be seen how future adaptations will learn from these mistakes.