HBO has announced a reboot of the iconic Harry Potter series, which has generated a whirlwind of emotions among fans. While some are excited about the possibility of reliving the magical story, others feel apprehensive about how the new casting will be handled, especially regarding the profile of the actors who will portray beloved characters like Harry, Ron, and Hermione. We don’t have a casting yet, but people are already talking about forced inclusion. The casting call, which emphasizes diversity and inclusion, is seeking actors regardless of their ethnicity, gender, or disability. This initiative has sparked […]
HBO has announced a reboot of the iconic Harry Potter series, which has generated a whirlwind of emotions among fans. While some are excited about the possibility of reliving the magical story, others feel apprehension about how the new casting will be handled, especially regarding the profile of the actors who will portray beloved characters like Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
We don’t have a cast yet, but people are already talking about forced inclusion
The casting call, which emphasizes diversity and inclusion, seeks actors regardless of their ethnicity, gender, or disability. This initiative has sparked an intense debate on social media. Some fans have expressed concern about possible changes to the physical characteristics of the characters, such as the Weasleys’ hair color, considered iconic. “I can’t imagine Ron without his red hair,” commented a fan in a forum.
Despite the insistence of some fans that fidelity to the original character descriptions should be a priority, others believe that the most important thing is the quality of the casting. “I don’t care who is selected, as long as they do a good job,” expressed a Reddit user. However, the fear that the reboot will stray too far from the books has caused uncertainty. “The fact that there is a reboot is already difficult to accept, and making too many changes could risk not pleasing the fans,” added another commenter.
So far, no release date has been set for the series, but it is anticipated that it could take between one and two years to reach the screen. Fans will continue to wait for more details about this new adaptation that promises to bring the saga to new generations.
Fans of The Last of Us: Part 2 have found an intriguing puzzle in the chapter Seattle Day 1: a room that seems accessible but is impossible to enter. Several players have shared their attempts to discover what is inside this mysterious room, a topic that has sparked intense debate in the Reddit community. User MindlessNote3735 described their experience near a motel where the room has an open window, but there is no way to enter. “Is there really no way to get in?” they wondered, expressing a common concern among players. Others, […]
Fans of The Last of Us: Part 2 have discovered an intriguing puzzle in the chapter Seattle Day 1: a room that seems accessible, but is impossible to enter. Several players have shared their attempts to discover what lies inside this mysterious room, a topic that has sparked intense debate in the Reddit community.
The user MindlessNote3735 described their experience near a motel where the room has an open window, but there is no way to enter. “Is there really no way to get in?” they wondered, expressing a common concern among players. Others, like AFC93, also joined the conversation, recounting how they spent long periods of time trying to maneuver objects like a dumpster to gain access, only to give up in front of an “invisible wall” that prevented them from progressing.
This phenomenon has led to speculation about the purpose of the room. Some players took a technical approach using the game’s photo mode, which revealed that the interior of the room is empty. This suggests that it might have been a deceptive design by the developers at Naughty Dog, adding a layer of intrigue to the game that would otherwise be just a simple graphical representation.
Fans, going crazy, hope to find answers in the series
The interest in the game has increased thanks to the announcement of the return of the HBO series “The Last of Us” in April, which has rekindled curiosity about its mysteries and secrets. With the combination of the new content from the series and these enigmas in the game, it is likely that the community will continue to intensely explore everything that “The Last of Us Part II” has to offer. Rumors suggest that there may be more hidden surprises in future updates or additional content, encouraging players to keep revisiting this critically acclaimed title.
After a spectacular accident on set, Holmes was paraplegic for life. Now, Radcliffe pays a heartfelt tribute to him with David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived.
Few are aware of the traumatic events that took place during the filming of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1. This movie marked a turning point for David Holmes, the actor and stunt double for Daniel Radcliffe, who portrayed Harry Potter. After a serious accident on set, Holmes became paralyzed for life. Now, Radcliffe pays him a heartfelt tribute with “David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived.”
As a teenager, David Holmes was chosen to be Radcliffe’s stunt double, a role he performed from the first Harry Potter movie. His gymnastic skills earned him a position he maintained throughout the entire saga. Not only that, he also developed a close friendship with Radcliffe.
However, his whole life changed overnight in 2009, during the filming of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1. He was rehearsing a flying scene where he had to simulate the effects of an explosion. While performing this stunt, Holmes hit with such force that his neck was broken, leaving his body paralyzed.
Holmes posted on his Instagram profile, announcing the release of the documentary after “four years of intense work.” In his words, “being a stunt double was my vocation, and doubling for Harry was the best job in the world […] this film not only showcases my achievements in front of the camera but also the challenges I face every day, and my overall attitude towards life after suffering a neck fracture.”
The documentary, directed by Dan Hartley and produced by Daniel Radcliffe himself, will be available on HBO Max on November 15th. It will feature interviews with Radcliffe and some of the Harry Potter production team.
If you don’t know what’s opening this month on the most popular streaming services, don’t worry, we’ll bring you all the news.
If you’re here, it’s because you either have or want to subscribe to one of the most popular streaming services – the ones that everyone has and release movies and series every week.
For this reason, today we bring you this article, where we’ll talk about all the television series premiering on streaming platforms this August 2023. It’s a fantastic month for everyone.
If you’re unsure about what to watch during your vacation, we’ve got you covered. Surely, more than one of these premieres will catch your eye, making you want to sit in front of the TV with the sound of the sea in the background.
The series arriving this August 2023
True Lies
CBS series based on the legendary film of the same name. Just like in the movie, the main character Harry will be an amiable father and computer salesman who is, in reality, an international spy.
His unsatisfied wife, Helen, will be thrust into a life of dangers and adventures when recruited to work alongside him to save the world while trying to rekindle their passionless marriage. It premieres on August 2nd on Disney+.
The Lincoln Lawyer (Season 2)
Los Angeles lawyer Mickey Haller resumes his career, after a long time without practicing, by accepting a complex murder case.
Mickey is an iconoclastic idealist who runs his law practice from the back of his Lincoln Town Car… a series based on Michael Connelly’s best-selling novels. It premieres on Netflix on August 2nd.
The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart
At the age of 9, Alice Hart tragically loses her parents in a mysterious fire, after which she goes to live with her grandmother June at Thornfield, a flower farm. There, she discovers that there are more secrets surrounding her past and her family’s.
Set against the natural landscape of Australia, with wildflowers and native plants serving as a means to express the inexpressible, this family drama spans several decades. As she grows up, Alice’s journey will reach an emotional climax, as she finds herself fighting for her life against the man she loves. It premieres on August 4th on Prime Video.
Moving
Kim Bong-Seok, Jang Hee-soo, and Lee Gang-hoon all attend the same high school. They may seem like ordinary students, but they have special abilities inherited from their parents.
Kim Bong-seok has the ability to fly, while Jang Hee-soo possesses excellent athletic skills and can quickly recover from injuries, such as gunshot wounds or stabbings. Lee Gang-hoon has astonishing power and speed.
These three students try to hide their special abilities from others, while their parents struggle to prevent them from being exploited by others. It premieres on August 9th on Disney+.
Painkiller
Explore the Opioid Crisis in the US in-depth through the eyes of those responsible, the victims, and a truth-seeking researcher.
In the United States, there is a very serious problem with opioids as they were introduced through common medications into society, leading to millions of people becoming addicted. Even today, the problem persists stronger than ever. It premieres on August 10th on Netflix.
Mala Fortuna
It tells the story of two broken souls making one last attempt in search of glory. They reunite under false identities, carrying resentments and remnants of their love, while competing for control of Mexico’s wealthiest family’s bank account.
Both have endured financial hardships, surviving social exile, and struggling to make ends meet. The only way out of this mess is by changing their identities and seeking a better future. Premiering on August 18th on Prime Video.
Ahsoka
One of the most anticipated series of the year, this show is a must-perform for Disney+ if they want to succeed this summer after the disappointment of their last Marvel universe venture.
As for Star Wars, things haven’t been going perfectly, but they are holding on. With ‘Ahsoka,’ a series starring Rosario Dawson, they have a golden opportunity to prove that the saga still has potential and hasn’t run dry. It premieres on August 23rd on Disney+.
It’s likely that 2020 will be remembered as the year of the video streaming service, as the COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to spend an unprecedented amount of time hunkered down in our homes. Confinement is easier to bear when you can enjoy a good series or movie, and for that, fortunately, we have platforms like HBO.
If you’re an HBO subscriber, you have probably discovered one of the platform’s major drawbacks: the catalog is so big that you never know what to watch! You’ve probably had the experience of curling up on the sofa to enjoy a good series, only to spend so much time browsing the catalog that you fall asleep before you can even decide what to watch.
To make it easier for you, in today’s article, we’re going to tell you about the best movies and series in the HBO catalog in 2020. That way, instead of wasting your time searching, you can spend it watching something great! We hope you find it helpful.
We can’t think of a more perfect movie to watch during the COVID-19 pandemic than a film about a pandemic. Contagion, a thriller directed by Steven Soderbergh, tells the story of the world being afflicted by a deadly virus of unknown origin. The virus spreads so quickly and rampantly that it decimates a large part of the global population in a matter of days. Compelling, distressing and downright horrific (especially in times like these), Contagion is film that you shouldn’t miss.
Steven Spielberg directed this entertaining, spectacular film about gamers. In Ready Player One, we’ll travel to the year 2045, a dystopian future in which young Wade Watts’ only escape from reality is to connect to a virtual world called OASIS. When the game’s creator dies, the company’s future and his fortune are to be decided by a treasure hunt inside OASIS. Wade and other players won’t hesitate to use all their skills to obtain this valuable reward. Full of references to the film and gaming worlds, Ready Player One is a fun, fast-paced movie that nobody should miss.
We’ve seen more than a few time machines, from the classic DeLorean to a hot tub capable of transcending time and space, but… what about a vat of pickle brine? Based on this crazy premise, An American Pickle is a wild film starring Seth Rogen in which a recent immigrant to the United States accidentally falls into a vat of pickles and is preserved for 100 years. Clever, irreverent, moving and hilarious, An American Pickle is a great film on HBO that you simply must see.
Life of Pi is one of those films that will amaze you with its visual beauty and moving story. This superb film by Ang Lee centers on the misadventures of Pi, a young Indian man who survives a shipwreck in the Pacific Ocean. However, Pi isn’t the only survivor. In his lifeboat, he finds a Bengal tiger with whom he will gradually form a beautiful friendship. Magical and full of unforgettable moments, Life of Pi is an especially good movie for animal lovers and for anyone who considers film to be an art form.
Ridley Scott’s films never leave anyone feeling indifferent, and Prometheus is no exception. Conceived as a prequel to Alien, the movie follows the adventures of a group of scientists who travel to a faraway planet to seek the origins of humanity. There, they will meet some mysterious, intelligent beings known as the Engineers, who will leave the protagonists with more questions than answers. More complex than most movies, Prometheus is one of those films that sci-fi fans and anyone who loves an intricate plot cannot miss. That said, you might be left scratching your head at the end. Don’t worry, you’re not the only one!
To many, The Hateful Eight is Quentin Tarantino’s greatest film. This fast-paced movie brings together well-known faces, such as Samuel L. Jackson and Kurt Russell, in an unforgettable western thriller. It tells the story of two bounty hunters and a newly appointed sheriff escorting a fugitive to the town of Red Rock. On the way, they seek refuge from a blizzard at Minnie’s Haberdashery, where they will meet four strangers with a mysterious past. With a heart-stopping script that leaves no room for boredom, Tarantino once again proves why he is one of the most influential directors of recent times.
It would be wrong not to start our list of must-see HBO series with Game of Thrones. Based on the books of George R.R. Martin, this epic show was and still is the crowning glory of this streaming platform. Over the course of eight seasons, you’ll follow the intrigue, mischief and betrayals of those vying to rule the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. Who will sit on the Iron Throne? Whether you’ve already watched it, or you (inexplicably) have yet to see a single episode, don’t miss your chance to rewatch a series that has made history.
The Leftovers is a shocking series full of surprises and plot twists that will keep you glued to your TV for its three excellent seasons. Created by Damon Lindelof, The Leftovers presents a hypothetical situation in which 2% of the world’s population disappears overnight for no apparent reason. Exceptionally compelling, this series will plunge you into the depths of the human psyche, and you’ll devour episode after episode until you understand what happened. Feel like watching it?
The Wire is a classic HBO series. This thriller based on a true story was the show that turned the cable network into a favorite of series fans. Considered the best TV show in history by Empire magazine, The Wire weaves an interesting plot about police officers and drug traffickers in the city of Baltimore. Don’t miss any of its five seasons. By the way, HBO has the remastered version!
Created by David Chase, The Sopranos marked a turning point for TV series. It tells the story of a wealthy New Jersey family whose patriarch, Tony Soprano, is the boss of the local mob. Full of black humor, the series shows Tony dealing with his family as well as his “business” while trying to overcome his constant anxiety attacks. After six seasons and countless awards, The Sopranos is considered by many to be the perfect TV series. Want to find out why?
Based on Margaret Atwood’s bestseller, The Handmaid’s Tale is a series you can’t miss. It tells the story of a dystopian future in which the United States becomes the Republic of Gilead. In this new society, the birth rate has plummeted and freedom of the press and women’s rights are suppressed. As a result, one of the new roles is “handmaid,” a woman whose sole purpose is to have children in accordance with the teachings of Gilead. The series narrates the life of Offred, a young woman who is taken as a slave and forced to serve as a “handmaid” to a mysterious man.
Succession, the big winner at this year’s Emmy Awards, is the latest HBO breakout series. It follows the life of Logan Roy, head of the world’s largest communications and entertainment firm, and his four children, Kendall, Roman, Siobhan and Connor. Masterfully blending comedy with drama and intrigue, Succession will keep you hooked from the get-go with its plot full of corruption and power struggles.
We hope our list of the best content on HBO has helped you choose something to watch on this streaming platform. Is there a series that we have forgotten or that you want to recommend? Tell us about it in the comments section!
Get ready to shell out for another streaming video service.
Add one more player to the streaming wars. Next spring, WarnerMedia is jumping into the fray with HBO Max.
When the service launches, it will have 10,000 hours of content.
All 236 episodes of “Friends”
All episodes of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”
All episodes of “Pretty Little Liars”
HBO Max will also be the exclusive streaming service for any Warner Bros.-produced shows that air on The CW. That includes the upcoming “Batwoman” series.
You’ll also find originals from Warner Bros., New Line, DC Entertainment, CNN, TNT, TBS, truTV, The CW, Turner Classic Movies, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Crunchyroll, Rooster Teeth, and Looney Tunes.
The platform will also include four new young adult films from producer Greg Berlanti. Reese Witherspoon will produce at least two films for HBO Max.
HBO Max is entering an increasingly savage streaming ecosystem that includes current heavy hitters like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, but upcoming competition from Disney+, Quibi, and NBC’s still-unnamed platform.
With nearly 1.5 million signatures, it has gotten quite a bit of attention. However, these signatures will more than likely prove fruitless as HBO has shown zero-interest in reshooting the final season. Even the actors and actresses have spoken about how ridiculous they found the petition.
Recently, fans of the MCU have created a petition to change the fate of Tony Stark from “Avengers: Endgame.”With only about 40,000 signatures, and the vast majority of fans enjoying the film, fans can’t expect this petition to make a difference either.
Since even petitions that get loads of signatures don’t go anywhere, why do fans think they’ll make a difference? Well, it turns out that sometimes they work.
How Hey Arnold! got a new movie
Arnold, you’re a bold kid
Around 2009, fans of the Nickelodeon series “Hey Arnold!” started to petition to end the series how the creators intended.
Initially, “Hey Arnold!” was supposed to end with a movie about Arnold and his friends journeying to the jungle to uncover the truth about Arnold’s lost parents. Though production started, the project was scrapped, never to be heard from again.
However, fans created a petition that generated about 15,000 signatures for the writers to make “Hey Arnold: The Jungle Movie.” In response to the desire to bring back the show, Nickelodeon brought back the creator, Craig Bartlett, and made the movie.
So why did Arnold get a second chance while Daenerys is still cold and dead in the ashes of the city she incinerated? The answer to that might lie in the cost.
For the eighth season, each episode of “Game of Thrones” cost about $15 million. “Hey Arnold: The Jungle Movie” was not released in theaters. Also, since it was animated, it cost a lot less to make.
Another thing to point out is that “Hey Arnold!” was always meant to end with this movie. The only reason it didn’t happen was because it was canceled. The ending fans got from “Game of Thrones” was the ending the writers wanted to give. Clearly, there’s a big difference.
However, there might be more to the story.
Star Trek was saved by a letter-writing campaign
“I’ll never let go, Jack”
After an abysmal second season on NBC, it looked like “Star Trek” would not be returning. However, fans of the series started a letter-writing campaign to get a third season. After literally thousands of letters for fans were sent to NBC, the network realized the Nielsen ratings they were abiding by were not as reliable as they had hoped. As a result, NBC brought back “Trek” for a third season.
After more bad ratings in the third season, the series was canceled. However, since there were now enough episodes, the series entered syndication, where it became a pop culture phenomenon.
So why did “Star Trek” get another season, but “Game of Thrones” didn’t? In this particular instance, “Star Trek” had not been officially canceled, according to an article from StarTrek.com. “Game of Thrones” is officially over. Secondly, Trekkies were able to prove that the Nielsen Ratings were wrong. In fact, according to the same article, the ratings were faulty and doctored by employees at NBC to get the show canceled.
Sure there are loads of fans of “Game of Thrones” who have been bugging the creators of the show to redo the final season, saying that the writers were “incompetent.” However, they can’t prove that anything egregious went into the making of the final season. If they could, they MIGHT have a case.
Firefly: You might not get what you want, but you might get something
In 2002, Fox released “Firefly,” a sci-fi series that was canned after a single season in which a handful of episodes aired out of order. After it was canceled, fans of the series went ballistic. The show left a lasting impact, and fans still want to see it return.
To urge the production of more adventures, so-called Browncoats bought the series on DVD and shared the episodes with friends. The continued DVD sales and word-of-mouth campaign were better marketing than Fox ever managed. Remember, this was before Netflix pioneered the video streaming we take for granted today.
Thanks to the ongoing fanbase engagement, Fox continued the adventures with the 2005 feature film, “Serenity.”
Although we still don’t have a second season of “Firefly,” the love of the fans was what led to us getting the movie. Although fans might not get to bring Tony Stark back to life, or give Daenerys and Jon Snow the ending they deserve, a little persistence might result in something.
If a fanbase is really motivated, there’s also the Kickstarter route. In 2013, fans of “Veronica Mars” shattered records by contributing $2 million in 11 hours to bankroll a feature film. The movie ended up losing money, so maybe the network had the right idea in the first place.
Throwing the Hail Mary
In some cases, fans resorted to more creative methods of getting their favorite shows back. In some cases, fans mailed items related to the show to the studios. When “Jericho” was canceled, fans mailed peanuts. When “Roswell” was facing cancelation, fans mailed Tabasco sauce. After “Friday Night Lights” played its final game, the studio was sent lightbulbs and eye drops.
In each of these cases, the show was kept on the air. Whether or not the weirdest mail call ever was the reason why these shows stayed on the air, we don’t know. However, the studios very well might have kept the shows on just to keep the rest of their mail from getting saucy.
Just like “Game of Thrones,” fans didn’t get their reshoot. Also just like “Game of Thrones,” “How I Met Your Mother” ended on its own volition. The hit show received the ending that writers had wanted for better or worse.
So what can we learn from “How I Met Your Mother?”
As the Rolling Stones have said, you can’t always get what you want.
However, as they later clarified, if you try sometimes, you just might find you get what you need.
“How I Met Your Mother” did not give us the ending we wanted, but it did give us the ending the writers wanted.
The same goes for “Game of Thrones.” To be completely fair, although there might be endings that more people would like, there is no ending that EVERYONE would like.
Although many fans still dislike the finale of “How I Met Your Mother,” fans have grown to despise it less over the years.
Sure, a bad finale can sting. However, as the years go by, you might appreciate the finale for what it was.
Wrapping up
A petition and persistence can sometimes make all the difference. However, sometimes they’re a fool’s errand, and sometimes you need to think outside the box.
Maybe writing a petition is too bland. Maybe, if you really want HBO to remake the final season of “Game of Thrones,” you should mail them plastic dragons and bottles of wine.
“Game of Thrones” is finally over. The revolutionary fantasy TV show has left audiences with 8 seasons worth of deep characters, huge plot twists, and memorable moments. Some of the most iconic moments on Game of Thrones were the character deaths. In a world where one wrong move could have serious consequences, even the most beloved characters weren’t safe from the Grim Reaper. Here’s a look back at the show’s 15 most memorable deaths.
Note: The deaths below are presented in chronological order.
Ned Stark was one of the first major deaths on Game of Thrones, and it was a twist that many audience members didn’t see coming. After discovering that Joffrey Baratheon was the secret child of Jaime and Cersei Lannister, Ned and his personal forces storm the Throne Room in an attempt to keep the Lannisters from seizing power for themselves. Unfortunately for Ned, he’s betrayed by Littlefinger, his forces are slaughtered, and he gets condemned to death. After being set up to be one of the show’s main characters for most of the season, Ned is publicly beheaded for treason on the orders of King Joffrey. It’s easily one of the show’s most shocking moments, and the audience holds out the hope that Ned will somehow survive right up until the blade passes through his neck.
14. Viserys Targaryen
Image courtesy HBO
Viserys Targaryen is the cruel and spiteful older brother of Daenerys Targaryen. He regularly abuses his younger sister while harboring ambitions of returning to Westeros to seize the Iron Throne for himself. As part of his plan to do so, he arranges Daenerys’ marriage to Khal Drogo. Unfortunately for Viserys, the Khal ends up liking his sister a little too much. In a drunken fit of frustration and rage, Viserys storms into one of the Khalasar’s most sacred spaces and threatens Daenerys at swordpoint. He’s swiftly subdued by Khal Drogo’s men, and Daenerys sentences her older brother to death. As she watches on, Khal Drogo dumps a pot of molten gold onto a screaming Viserys, giving him the crown that he always wanted.
13. Robb & Catelyn Stark
Image courtesy HBO
The Red Wedding has doubtless left an indelible mark in the memories of every Game of Thrones fan. After the death of his father, the young Robb Stark takes up arms and launches a rebellion against the Lannisters. Together with his force of northern lords, Robb wins essentially every battle he fights. Everything’s looking up, and it seems like nothing can take Robb down… until he makes one fatal mistake. He renounces his arranged marriage to the daughter of Walder Frey to marry Talisa, the daughter of a foreign noble.
The spiteful Lord Walder conspires with Robb’s ally Roose Bolton and the Lannisters to betray and slaughter Robb’s forces in a surprise attack during a feast at The Twins. The pregnant Talisa is stabbed to death, Robb is shot with several arrows and stabbed by Roose Bolton, and Catelyn Stark’s throat is viciously slit in the ensuing bloodbath. Bolton’s chilling whisper of, “The Lannisters send their regards,” echoes in the heads of many “Thrones” fans to this day.
12. Joffrey Baratheon
Image courtesy HBO
Cruel, petulant, and just all around hated, Joffrey Baratheon’s comeuppance was a long time in the making. After abusing Sansa Stark and keeping her in the court as a hostage in everything but name, Joffrey sets her aside in favor of an arranged marriage to the ambitious Margaery Tyrell. What Joffrey doesn’t know is that she has no intention of being his wife. At their wedding feast, Margaery’s grandmother Lady Olenna slips a vial of poison into Joffrey’s wine. Joffrey chokes to death, his face turning purple as blood pours from his nose and eyes. It’s an immensely satisfying moment… despite the fact that Tyrion gets blamed for the murder.
Lysa Arryn was the jealous and temperamental sister of Catelyn Stark. Together with her secret lover, Petyr Baelish, Lysa conspired to murder her husband Jon Arryn. This betrayal kicked off the events of the series and eventually led to The War of the Five Kings. After Littlefinger and Sansa flee King’s Landing, they take refuge with Lysa at her mountaintop castle, The Eyrie. Sansa’s presence causes her to become increasingly unstable, as she harbors suspicions that Sansa and Baelish are lovers. Eventually, she attempts to murder her niece in a fit of rage. Littlefinger then betrays Lysa, pushing her through the castle’s Moon Door. Sansa and Littlefinger watch on as Lysa plummets to her death on the rocks below.
10. Oberyn Martell
Image courtesy HBO
After Tyrion is imprisoned on suspicion of the murder of King Joffrey, he invokes his right to trial by combat. He enlists Prince Oberyn Martell as his champion, going up against the fearsome Ser Gregor Clegane. Martell and Clegane have a personal history: The Mountain brutally murdered his sister, Princess Elia, and her children after Baratheon forces invaded King’s Landing during Robert’s Rebellion. A skilled warrior, Oberyn dances circles around the much larger Mountain during their fight. Landing several brutal blows against Clegane, Oberyn’s victory seems assured.
Oberyn takes an opportunity to gloat, demanding Gregor confess to the murder of his sister. The wounded Clegane seizes the moment and takes Oberyn by surprise, landing a hit that knocks most of his teeth out and sends him tumbling to the ground. Clegane then drives his thumbs through Oberyn’s eye sockets before crushing his skull with his massive hands.
9. Lord Tywin Lannister
Image courtesy HBO
After losing his trial by combat, Tyrion is sentenced to die by his own father, Lord Tywin Lannister. Fortunately for Tyrion, he’s freed by his brother Jaime. Before fleeing King’s Landing, Tyrion takes a detour to exact revenge on his father. He heads to Tywin’s chambers to find his former lover, Shae, in his father’s bed. The enraged Tyrion strangles her before continuing on to find his father sitting on the toilet. As Lord Tywin tries to talk him down, Tyrion takes revenge for a lifetime’s worth of cruelty and abuse, shooting his father twice through the chest with a crossbow. It’s an ironic end for the proud, noble Lord Tywin.
8. Ser Barristan Selmy
Image courtesy HBO
It’s hard to call Ser Barristan’s death anything but heart-wrenching. The aging knight was once a hero, a celebrated member of the venerated Kingsguard. In spite of his heroism, he’s publicly embarrassed and excommunicated in front of the court by Joffrey and Cersei. Ser Barristan then sets off across the world in search of Daenerys Targaryen. Finding her, he offers a heartfelt apology for having failed to protect her father and family, and offers her his sword in the hope of making things right. He becomes one of Dany’s most loyal protectors, and dies doing just that. He meets his end facing down the Sons of the Harpy in Meereen. The old knight fights honorably until the bitter end, taking down several of the fighters before finally succumbing to his own wounds.
Robert Baratheon’s older brother Stannis is known for his pride, iron will, grammatical prowess, and a strict-but-fair interpretation of justice. After Robert’s death, he goes to war with the other factions making claim to the crown. By the time Stannis meets his end, he’s a broken man. Having murdered his younger brother Renly, burned his daughter alive, and witnessed his wife’s suicide in his pursuit of the Iron Throne, Stannis recklessly marches his forces into battle against the Bolton troops occupying Winterfell. His army is wiped out in the ensuing fight, and Stannis is also severely wounded. In the aftermath, he’s found by Brienne of Tarth. Formerly Kingsguard for his brother Renly, Brienne accuses Stannis of Renly’s murder. Stannis admits to the deed, and willingly allows Brienne to execute him.
6. Hodor
Image courtesy HBO
Hodor’s name is the only word he’s capable of saying. The gentle giant makes it through six seasons as the companion and protector of Bran Stark before fulfilling his destiny. After gaining his powers as the Three-Eyed Raven, Bran goes back in time to impart a message to Hodor: “Hold the door.” As Bran, Hodor, and company are pursued through the northern tundras by hordes of undead wights and White Walkers, Hodor does exactly that. He uses his tremendous strength to hold a door shut and buy Bran the time he needs to escape, saying “Hodor” over and over again as the wights tear him apart. It’s easily one of the saddest deaths of the series.
5. Ramsay Bolton
Image courtesy HBO
Like Joffrey Baratheon, Ramsay Bolton’s death is a cathartic moment. Responsible for sadistic acts of cruelty and torture against both Theon Greyjoy and Sansa Stark, Ramsay is a verifiable psychopath. Among his other sadistic hobbies, one of Ramsay’s favorite pastimes is hunting humans in the forests around Winterfell with his pack of hounds. After going into battle against forces led by Jon Snow, Ramsay is defeated and imprisoned in Winterfell’s kennel. While Sansa watches, his own starving hunting dogs rip him to shreds.
For most of Season 6, Cersei Lannister finds herself scrambling as her enemies threaten her from all sides. Chief among them is the Tyrell family, with Margaery Tyrell at the helm. Margaery displays Machiavellian levels of cunning that give Cersei a run for her money, and the Tyrells are poised to become the true power behind the Iron Throne. Unfortunately, both Cersei and Margaery underestimate the power of the High Sparrow and his sect of religious zealots. Due to stand trial at the Sept of Baelor, Margaery and the Tyrell family arrive to see Cersei receive her punishment and finally seize power. Cersei, however, doesn’t show.
Cersei watches from The Red Keep as her agents ignite the vast stores of wildfire stored beneath the Sept. The building explodes in a massive green fireball, eliminating The High Sparrow, Margaery, Loras, and Lord Mace Tyrell in one fell swoop.
3. Lady Olenna Tyrell
Image courtesy HBO
Matriarch Olenna Tyrell outlives her family, but not for very long. Cersei sends Lannister forces commanded by her brother Jaime to confront The Queen of Thorns at Highgarden. Jaime faces Olenna alone, giving her the option of a peaceful death by poison. Not one to beat around the bush, Lady Olenna nonchalantly downs the poison in a single gulp. She also seizes the opportunity for one last dig at the Lannisters, and Olenna uses her final moments to confess to Joffrey’s murder. She specifically requests that Jaime tell Cersei that she was the one who did it. Olenna was an iron-willed woman who died as she lived: her own way.
2. Jorah Mormont
Image courtesy HBO
Jorah Mormont first met Daenerys Targaryen when she was a young girl, at her forced wedding to Khal Drogo. The exiled Westerosi lord soon fell in love with the young princess. Though Daenerys never reciprocated Jorah’s feelings, she soon came to look to him as one of her most trusted advisors, protectors, and friends. The two stayed together through betrayals, separations, and conquests. Jorah never wavered in his love and faith for his Queen, and watched as she grew from the meek young girl who married Drogo into a capable and powerful woman.
He sailed back to Westeros alongside Dany’s forces to lay claim to the Iron Throne, but they soon found themselves faced with a potentially greater threat. The Night King and his armies were marching south from The Wall, threatening to wipe out all life in the realm. Jorah fought with Dany and her troops at Winterfell in a last ditch effort to stop The Night King’s forces. In the battle, Dany was separated from her dragon and found herself facing down hordes of the undead alone. Just as her death seemed certain, Jorah appeared, using his Valyrian steel sword to protect Daenerys even as he sustained mortal wounds. As the battle came to a close, Jorah died in Dany’s arms as she sobbed, mourning the man who had been at her side her entire life.
1. Daenerys Targaryen
Image courtesy HBO
As a young girl, Daenerys grew up hearing stories about the kingdom her family had lost. Her life was not an easy one, as she endured hardships and abuse of all kinds in pursuit of her goals. She grew from a meek girl to a Khaleesi, the mother of three powerful dragons, and the conqueror of several cities. She also became known for her compassion, freeing slaves from their oppressive masters wherever she went and striving to make life better for the common people. Though her path took many turns, her ultimate goal never wavered: returning to Westeros to claim her birthright as ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. Daenerys’ most heartfelt desire is to be loved by her subjects, but she soon realizes that won’t be possible after her arrival in Westeros.
She soon finds out that her lover Jon Snow is really Aegon Targaryen, the legitimate heir to the Iron Throne. This, combined with years of trauma and hardship, causes Dany to finally snap, and she incinerates King’s Landing and the Red Keep on dragonback. Appalled by the death and destruction, Jon Snow confronts her in the throne room, but Daenerys doesn’t waver. She truly believes that her way was the only way, and begs Jon one last time to rule by her side. The two share a final kiss, and Jon stabs Daenerys in the chest. The Mother of Dragons dies at the foot of the Iron Throne, the goal she spent her whole life pursuing.
So, did we miss anyone? Let us know in the comments, and check back with Softonic for more Game of Thrones content.
Unless you’re a fan of another HBO show like “Barry” or “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” there might not be much of a reason to continue paying for your subscription.
If we’re being honest, that new Watchmen series doesn’t look all that great either. Basically, if you’re looking for a reason to keep your subscription, you might be hard-pressed to find one.
If you’re already paying for subscriptions like Netflix or Hulu, HBO might be a bill you don’t want to pay anymore. If you don’t know how to cancel your subscription, we’ve got you covered.
How to cancel your HBO subscription
For both methods of cancellation, there are no cancellation fees. HBO recommends that you cancel your subscription at least 24 hours before it renews so it has time to process.
Canceling on phone or tablet
1. Open the HBO NOW app on your phone or tablet and sign in
2. In the upper-right corner, choose Settings > Billing Information.
3. Switch the auto-renew toggle to Auto-Renew Off.
4. Confirm the change. This will cancel your subscription.
5. Take note of the date that your subscription expires. You can continue streaming until your subscription expires.
Should I cancel HBO?
If you have Amazon Prime Video, you can get a free one-week trial of HBO. If you’re unfamiliar with the service, you can use that time to determine whether or not you think HBO is the streaming service for you. You can also use that time to watch “Game of Thrones” if you haven’t already.
If you are familiar with HBO, you probably know whether or not you want to keep it. Along with the new Watchmen series, “Curb Your Enthusiasm” will be returning for its tenth season. If you haven’t seen that show, it’s prettay good.
The departure of “Game of Thrones” has left many of us with a sour taste in our mouths. If you don’t want that taste to linger that much longer, it might be time to stare down HBO and say “Dracarys.”
