The new HBO hit House of the Dragon is already breaking records, and it has some very big shoes to fill. After all, Game of Thrones was more than a TV show; it was a true cultural phenomenon. As such, the series tended to ignite quite a few debates among even its most devoted fans. Like many other cultural texts that become phenomena in their own right, the series gave fans a great deal to chew over, both in their own minds and with one another.
Thus, it's worth taking a look at some of the arguments that every fan of the series has been in.
Though it's sometimes hard to rate the seasons of a TV series like Game of Thrones, there's no question that the fandom is sharply divided about season 8 as a whole. Some believe it isn't that bad and that there is in fact much to enjoy about it, particularly since it does wrap up many of the storylines established in earlier scenes.
Others, however, are much more vociferous in their dislike, and it is this argument that not only casts a shadow on the series' legacy but also may threaten the viability of House of the Dragon.
Daenerys might have been one of the best characters in the series, but she is arguably one of those who suffered the most from the rushed writing at the end. Nevertheless, the question of whether her descent into the Mad Queen was justified by the story or not is one that has motivated fans on both sides of the equation.
However, the very fact that a series like this was able to generate so much commentary is a sign of just how much of a touchstone it had become and how devoted its fans were to its stories and its characters.
There are many characters in the books that don't make an appearance in the series, and one of these is Lady Stoneheart. In the novels, she is the reanimated Catelyn Stark, transformed into an undead horror who seeks vengeance on those who destroyed her family.
Of course, the series makes no mention of this-despite some hints from Lena Headey that they would-and fans continue to dispute whether the omission was justified (given just how many storylines were already going on) or whether it was a betrayal of one of the core characters and concepts explored in Martin's books.
To some, Jon Snow is one of the bravest of the Starks and one of the most notable characters in the entire series. To others, however, he is a character who shows all of his adopted father Ned's worst traits, without the charisma that Sean Bean was able to bring to his character.
The extent to which Jon Snow should be seen as either one of the great epic heroes of the screen or as simply a remarkably uncomplicated (and downright boring) individual is one that will no doubt continue to excite fans, particularly since he is getting his own spinoff.
In a lot of ways, Jaime Lannister is the ultimate antihero, the type of charismatic individual the viewer cheers for, even though he is capable of doing some very bad things. Most notably, as the series races toward its conclusion, he decides to leave Brienne-with whom he has finally consummated his relationship-and flee back to his sister/lover Cersei.
Fans have, as always, split into two sides, and some argue that this is in keeping with his already-existent loyalty, while others say that it was a betrayal of his newfound romance with Brienne. As is so often the case, it's character romance that proves most divisive in the fandom.
In the books, there is yet another Targaryen who is supposedly aiming to take the Iron Throne for themselves, and that is Aegon, the supposed long-lost son of Rhaegar (and thus superior to both Daenerys and Jon Snow in terms of his blood claim).
Some fans argue this excision was necessary, as it would have distracted from some of the other stories. Others, however, think this is a gross oversimplification of Martin's sprawling and very complex story, a further indication of how far afield the series went from its source material.
One of the most vigorous arguments among fans is just when to locate the series' decline. Did it start with season 7, with people seemingly able to teleport from one end of the continent of Westeros (or Essos) to the other?
Or was it mostly contained in season 8, which was given a reduced season order (at the show runners' request), thus necessitating some very bizarre storytelling choices? There are good pieces of evidence on both sides of the equation, and it shows just how enduring some of the bitterness over the series remains.
There are many notable duels and battles in Game of Thrones, but few were waited with as much anticipation as the final confrontation between Sandor Clegane (the Hound) and his zombified brother, Gregor (the Mountain). However, even though many were looking forward to "Cleganebowl," some argued that this was a duel that was blown out of all proportion to what it actually should have been given.
Indeed, it's hard to see how a duel between two relatively minor characters who have bit parts to play in the grand drama for the Iron Throne should be given so much attention by a large segment of the fandom.
Of all of the notable deaths in Game of Thrones, one which has excited the most debate-and the most arguments between and among fans-is that of Jaime and Cersei, who perish as the Red Keep falls down upon them.
To some, it is a sign of Cersei's ambitions literally falling in and crushing her, while to others it is an anticlimactic ending for one of the series' best and most interesting villains. Either way, it is a potent sign of just how important Cersei is to the entire series and its argument about power.
One of the things that makes Game of Thrones one of the best series on HBO is its ability to sketch out great villains. However, some of these, like Ramsay Bolton, managed to ignite a lot of arguments with various fans.
In particular, fans are split as to whether he was just too evil (even for a series like Game of Thrones) or if his sadistic glee in torturing everyone who came into his orbit was part of what made him such a compelling edition. Regardless of which side one comes down on, there's no doubt he is a chilling and fascinating individual.
NEXT: The 10 Best House Of The Dragon Memes, So Far