Geek Discussion: Why You’re Out Of Your Freakin’ Mind To Stop Watching HBO’s ‘Game Of Thrones’ Now

First of all, let it be known that this discussion will include major spoilers. If you’re not caught up with Game of Thrones yet, do yourselves a favor and finish watching the entire first season before reading on!

OK””so this was supposed to be a little chat about last night’s season finale of Game of Thrones and what everyone thought. Instead, it’s come to my attention (many of you have most certainly noticed this as well) that there’s really not a whole lot to discuss. It seems like 99 percent of all people who have watched love every second of what they’re seeing. That, paired with the fact that many of you have read the books and know exactly where the story is going (spoilers about the show are fine here; book spoilers are a big no–no considering so many want to see it before reading), makes this feel like a finale that doesn’t need to be chatted about so much as it needs to be admired collectively.

Continue reading to see just what caught my attention, what we should be discussing, and why””as so eloquently stated in the headline above””you would be downright out of your freakin’ mind to stop watching Game of Thrones now.

Is everyone here who’s all caught up? Good! Has everyone who needs to finish watching before seeing things they don’t want to see departed quietly to other fantastic Geeks of Doom content? Let’s hope!

Alrighty. I shan’t take up much of your time. What has caught my attention recently is the absolutely ABSURD number of people who have decided that they will NOT watch Game of Thrones anymore after the untimely death of a one Lord Eddard Stark. At first I simply shook my head in confusion, but it’s gotten to the point where I find myself severely questioning the intellect of certain chunks-O’-audience out there.

Look, I love Sean Bean just as much as you do. We all do. He was and is meant to play roles like this for as long as he can stomach it. But to stop watching because his character is gone? Absolute silliness, I tell you.

You do realize that this character existed by the hand of author George R.R. Martin FAR before Bean was cast in the role for the HBO series, correct? That pushing young Bran Stark out of a window lit the match, but ending the life of Ned evolved it into an unstoppable firestorm between the Starks and Lannisters, creating a vicious feud that only this chain of events could have caused?

That move was, quite simply, critical in creating the path the series needs to travel on, and giving birth to the explosive emotions you feel as a viewer for these characters and this world. Think about it: some of you are ready to stop watching a fictional TV series all together because a character you loved is now gone. Now don’t you think that means they did a pretty damn good job in getting you to feel the anger they wanted you to feel; to connect with what the Stark family was feeling? That’s not a poor decision; it’s a brilliant move by Martin and an even bolder move by the show’s creators to stay true to it, even with such a beloved and respected actor playing the part.

That’s what I think, anyway. Game of Thrones has a chance to be one of the greatest TV series we ever see, and to think of folks missing out on that because of a little stubbornness toward one of the major plot twists, well…that would just be a shame, now wouldn’t it?

Here’s where you come in. If you agree, let it be known. If you disagree, by all means, throw your thoughts into the arena and see how they stand up. You’re all also more than welcome just to share your thoughts on the first season and what you’re looking forward to in season 2 next spring!

And again, no book spoilers please!