Writer Damon Lindelof (PROMETHEUS, Lost) has been the target for plenty of criticism in the past, and unlike most folks in the business who either brush it off or ignore it, Lindelof has a knack for taking these issues head-on in social media. While the man has already deleted his Twitter account, he still manages to drop a few (hundred) words on passionate topics and this time around, it's one that he's not even involved with.
While Entertainment Weekly was discussing season 2 of his HBO drama The Leftovers, Lindelof brought the subject over to the most recent season of Game of Thrones. You can check out the entire rant here, but I've pulled the tail end in which he talks about those who seemingly knock the show while tuning in each week to watch it. NOTE THAT THERE ARE SPOILERS REGARDING SEASON 5!
Damon Lindelof on those who turn coat on Game of Thrones:
… And I see people pushing against Thrones where it’s like, literally from week to week, someone will say, "This is the most excellent show, this season is firing on all cylinders, it’s never been better." And then because of one story move—Stannis burns his daughter—suddenly [the reaction is] like, “I cannot watch this show anymore. I’m quitting you, Game of Thrones.” And I’m thinking: “No, you’re not. Don’t be an ass.” That’s like my 8-year-old saying, “We’re not best friends anymore.” When I see a blogger—thank God I’m not on Twitter anymore, because I get into all sorts of trouble—or a critic, or a recapper say, “I’m done with your show,” if I were running that show I would call them up and say, “You are not allowed to watch my show anymore. I’m going to f*cking alert everybody in your life to watch you. I’m going to hire a private eye to tap your media consumption, and you better not ever watch it again. Are you sure you want to do this?“
It’s like you get in a fight with someone you love, you storm out of the room, and you say this is over. And then an hour later, you’re apologizing for being an asshole … Thus concludes my soapbox.
So what do you think? Does he have a good point regarding the crap people tend to talk each week while Thrones is airing, or does he need to lighten up when people voice their knee-jerk reactions? Personally, I found this latest season to be the weakest effort so far, but it had little to do with who lived or died. Still, it's hard to fault a show that generates so much passion from its viewers. Is it time for season 6 yet???