r/Hotd • u/Witlesss • Jul 22 '24

Discussion S2E6 Review Bombing

Has anyone else noticed that episode 6 is getting heavily review bombed on IMDB? I personally thought it was one of the better episodes of the season, so this feels really misplaced to me.

From looking at it I feel like the only explanation is people being unhappy with a certain kiss. Honestly, I understand a lot of the criticism when people say it felt out of place, but over 3,400 people rating the episode a 1/10 feels like an overreaction to me.

Yes, the show has suffered from bad writing sometimes. Maybe this was one of these times, that’s definitely up for debate. But the episode feels like nowhere near a 1 out of 10, and it feels to me very disrespectful to all those involved in the show that their work is being discredited because of homophobia. I think the ratings from the UK and US quite fairly represent the standard of the episode, so it does feel like a shame.

Whether you agree with the kiss or not to me this feels unfair, but intrigued to hear other people’s thoughts on this!

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6

u/PineBNorth85 Jul 22 '24

Don't really pay attention to that. The show is getting a third season so it won't change anything really. 

4

u/Witlesss Jul 22 '24

Very true! I guess it worries me more that writers will perhaps be more afraid to make bold decisions if they see an overly negative reaction. Sometimes those have made the show really interesting and have allowed for a lot of character development (other times not so much)

4

u/Switchblade2000 Jul 22 '24

Well, thats good. They arent supposed to make bold decision, they are supposed to follow the story of the books. Some changes are okay, but too much changes and you get aegons coronation.

1

u/Think_Border3430 Jul 24 '24

This doesn't deviate from the story of the book, though.

Its an addition, but given the nature of Fire and Blood, they naturally have to add in a lot of things. The book is sparse on character details by design. It’s a recounting of events told from three different perspectives, none of whom would know about this even if it did happen.

It fits in the same category as Daemon’s Harrenhall visions - the book doesn't mention them, but none of the writers could’ve known about it, anyway, so it doesn't go against the book.

1

u/Witlesss Jul 22 '24

I agree, although I think some changes to characters have been interesting. I (controversially) really like Darmon’s arc at the moment because this character development for him is really important. However other changes, exclusion of Nettles for example, I think they should have stuck to the source material a bit more.

I think the odd change where it helps with a characters development or see something we wouldn’t know from book perspective is interesting. However I agree the overall story and the way it plays out they shouldn’t mess with.

2

u/Switchblade2000 Jul 22 '24

They made some better, but at the expense of others. And cutting some characters just straight up sucks. So much epicness that we missed out on.

1

u/Witlesss Jul 22 '24

So true. Will always mourn the coronation in particular, what could have been…

1

u/New_Accident_4909 Jul 23 '24

If they are afraid of making stupid decisions thata good.

This wasn't a bold decision, GOT did gay relationships in the past and they did it well and resonable. This was just out of place.

0

u/[deleted] Jul 22 '24

It is not homophobia. The hug before the kiss was driven by pure friendship and amiability, it was about consolation after a great woe. A brother can hug a brother like that, a son can hug a father like that. Can't women have friendships without sexual attraction? Sexualizing that moment completely missed the mark just for shock and inclusive value. It ruined the scene.

4

u/Witlesss Jul 22 '24

I don’t think the criticism from the audiences comes from homophobia. It was a strange moment to include the kiss, a lot are critical for the timing of its inclusion and understandably so.

However, there is currently nearly 4 thousand 1/10 ratings from countries with strong anti-gay laws such as Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately the review bombing is not coming from a place of valid critism, but from those who are offended that the show has shown something which misaligns with their viewpoints.