15 times Game of Thrones changed TV forever

Scene from Game of Thrones season 8 | Image via HBO Entertainment
Scene from Game of Thrones season 8 | Image via HBO Entertainment

In 2011, with the launch of the fantasy series Game Of Thrones, a new benchmark was set as to what a TV show can achieve by pushing various boundaries. It revolutionized television with its storytelling techniques and grand production values that captivated audiences all over the world. From unpredictable plot twists to its majestic world-building, Game Of Thrones has paved the way for television in many ways and left a legacy of its own on the TV landscape. Here are 15 times Game Of Thrones pushed forth and changed TV forever. Please note that this entire article is based on the writer's opinion. Reader's discretion is advised.

15) High Production Values

Scene from Game of Thrones | Image via HBO Entertainment
Scene from Game of Thrones | Image via HBO Entertainment

With its extraordinary production values, Game of Thrones has raised the bar for television series. The cinematic visual elements of the show, with the awe-inspiring scenery, elaborate set design, and modern special effects, attracted the audience worldwide. Using different filming locations, from Northern Ireland to Spain and Croatia, the series lent a level of authenticity and magnitude never before available on the small screen. Such attention to detail, coupled with cutting-edge special effects, state-of-the-art artists, and designers, created an immersive world that forced the audience to reset their expectations.

14) Cultural Phenomenon

Scene from Game Of Thrones | Image via HBO Entertainment
Scene from Game Of Thrones | Image via HBO Entertainment

Game of Thrones became a cultural phenomenon, transcending the boundaries of traditional television viewership. The show's impact on pop culture was huge. It permeated beyond television screens, influencing fashion trends, language as people started digging more into the Dothraki language and learning it, and even tourism, as fans flocked to filming locations. GOT's popularity and influence on society also led to the inception of themed merchandise, events, and even academic studies.

13) Spoiler Warnings

Isaac Hempstead Wright in Game Of Thrones | Image via HBO Entertainment
Isaac Hempstead Wright in Game Of Thrones | Image via HBO Entertainment

Spoiler Warnings played an important role in the Game Of Thrones viewing experience. With countless shocking and unpredictable twists and turns, the series became a culture that thrived on anticipation and secrecy. Fans were completely into avoiding spoilers, and so this became the hallmark of any conversation involving substantial plot points: "Spoilers Ahead." The very idea pointed to how significant the first-hand experience of the story was for its enjoyment.

12) Use of Nudity

Emilia Clarke in Game of Thrones | Image via HBO Entertainment
Emilia Clarke in Game of Thrones | Image via HBO Entertainment

Using nudity liberally became one of the defining aspects of Game Of Thrones and also one of the ways by which it changed and pushed the boundaries of Television. This approach was part of the show's commitment to portraying a gritty, realistic world where power dynamics and human desires were laid bare. The use of nudity was often tied to character development and plot progression, adding layers and making the narrative more complex.

11) TV adaptations

Maisie Williams in Game Of Thrones season 8 | Image via HBO Entertainment
Maisie Williams in Game Of Thrones season 8 | Image via HBO Entertainment

Game Of Thrones success made way for more TV adaptations to be seen in the small screen. Setting a new standard for the adaptation of literary works to the small screen, the series was able to do justice to George R.R. Martin's multilayered atmospheric novel, A Song of Ice and Fire series, into a visual glory of sight and sound. The HBO series proved that when the right amount of resources and creative vision synced perfectly, TV adaptations could attain unparalleled success and critical acclaim.

10) Complex Characters

Scene from Game Of Thrones | Image via HBO Entertainment
Scene from Game Of Thrones | Image via HBO Entertainment

Among the main highlights of the series were the compelling characters who helped put the show on the map and influenced its success. Characters like Tyrion Lannister, with his sharp wit and resilience; Jaime Lannister, whose journey from arrogance to redemption captivated viewers; Daenerys Targaryen, whose transformation from a meek princess to a powerful leader showcased her inner struggle; and Cersei Lannister, whose ambition was tempered by her love for her children are all perfect examples of the show's complex narratives.

9) Social Media Impact

Lena Headey in Game Of Thrones season 8 | Image via HBO Entertainment
Lena Headey in Game Of Thrones season 8 | Image via HBO Entertainment

Game of Thrones had a giant impact on social media, changing the way TV shows engage with their audiences. Fans of the show took over social media sites like Twitter, Reddit, and Facebook to comment about plot twists, theorize, and share memes in real-time. This created a thriving community and pushed the show's visibility way beyond what linearly measured viewership offered. Social media also helped in increasing the cultural presence of the show.

8) Event TV

Charles Danes in Game Of Thrones | Image via HBO Entertainment
Charles Danes in Game Of Thrones | Image via HBO Entertainment

Game of Thrones enhanced the definition of Event TV, where seeing an episode became a major event in a viewer's life. Fans began to change their entire schedules around the new episodes, which usually ended up culminating in massive viewing parties and social watch-alongs. Witnessing the dramatic and epic events of the episode in real-time, so that they could avoid spoilers created shared excitement and anticipation among fans.

7) Unpredictability

Sean Bean in Game Of Thrones season 1 | Image via HBO Entertainment
Sean Bean in Game Of Thrones season 1 | Image via HBO Entertainment

Game of Thrones became quite well-known for unpredictability, which became one of the show's defining features. Killing major characters was something the series did almost without hesitation, oftentimes when audiences would least expect it. This willingness to go against the rules of conventional storytelling kept the audience riveted and maintained a constant sense of tension and thrill. Unforgettable events like Cersei's Destruction of the Great Sept of Baelor, the execution of Ned Stark, and the death of many major characters, and the notorious twists on major characters showed how serious the series was about unpredictability.

6) Fan Theories

Scene from Game Of Thrones | Image via HBO Entertainment
Scene from Game Of Thrones | Image via HBO Entertainment

Complexity and unpredictability throughout the series enhanced the culture of fan theory discussions. The show's rich lore encouraged the fans to eagerly dissect every detail, creating intricate theories about character fates, plot twists, and hidden connections. These discussions drifted to online forums, social sites, and fan-based websites where viewers of the show argued and speculated and, in some exceptional instances, uncovered surprising insights. The ambiguity and complexity embedded in the show provided interest in the story plot and created a community atmosphere making the viewing experience fun.

5) Fantasy Genre Respectability

Scene from Game Of Thrones | image via HBO Entertainment
Scene from Game Of Thrones | image via HBO Entertainment

Game of Thrones became the flagship series that brought respect to fantasy, a genre usually treated as a subculture on television. The phenomenal viewership and favorable criticisms showed that fantasy, too, can engage with the masses and gain prestige among TV show critics. The complex plot, widespread multi-faceted characters, and the money pumped into the series showed the viewers this genre's potential for storytelling depth and visual grandeur. Its success paved the way for other high-quality fantasy genre TV shows like Shadow And Bone and The Mandalorian, proving that fantasy could be both commercially viable and artistically respected

4) Talent Launchpad

Sophie Turner in Game Of Thrones season 8 | Image via HBO Entertainment
Sophie Turner in Game Of Thrones season 8 | Image via HBO Entertainment

Game Of Thrones introduced viewers to numerous talented actors. For example, Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen), Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark), and Maisie Williams (Arya Stark) who became household names and went on to play lead roles in movies and other TV series. By providing a platform for both established and emerging talent, the show helped shape the careers of many individuals, cementing its place as a cornerstone in the entertainment industry.

3) Spin-offs and Prequels

Scene from Game of Thrones season 8 | Image via HBO Entertainment
Scene from Game of Thrones season 8 | Image via HBO Entertainment

Game of Thrones inspired a wave of spin-offs and prequels, underscoring its enduring popularity and impact. The success of the original series led HBO to develop several related projects, including House of the Dragon, which explores the history of House Targaryen. This trend of creating spin-offs and prequels highlights the show's lasting legacy and the continued appetite for content set in the GOT universe, influencing how TV franchises approach expanding their narratives.

2) Massive Budget

Scene from Game Of Thrones | Image via HBO Entertainment
Scene from Game Of Thrones | Image via HBO Entertainment

Game of Thrones revolutionized the television industry with its massive budget, which significantly contributed to its success and impact. The older seasons had a budget of about $6 million per episode, subject to rising to around $15 million per episode for later seasons. The extravagant budgets allowed for massive amounts of set design, costume design, special effects, and filming in various locations. The net effect of financing the show helped deliver a theatrical experience to the viewer's living room and set a new paradigm for television production, encouraging other series to follow suit and invest heavily towards quality.

1) Epic Storytelling

Emelia Clarke in Game Of Thrones | Image via HBO Entertainment
Emelia Clarke in Game Of Thrones | Image via HBO Entertainment

Epic storytelling was the mainstay of Game of Thrones's success. The show had a big, complex story with many different plotlines happening all at once. It created deep connections with characters while also focusing on huge conflicts and events. The show explored themes like power, loyalty, and right versus wrong in a detailed way. Big moments like the Battle of Blackwater and the Red Wedding were unforgettable and full of drama. This epic way of telling a story set a high standard for TV shows, showing that TV could be as deep and complex as a great book.

Edited by Sugnik Mondal
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