Ever since Walter White took his final stand at the end of the seminal Breaking Bad, television fans from across the globe have been desperately searching for something to take its place. While this may be easier said than done, however, there remains a wide range of choice for those who are willing to open their minds to new possibilities.
Take Sky1’s Games of Thrones, for example, which is set to enter its fifth season during the formative months of 2015. Although it is far from being new to our screens, it remains underrated by some and combines history with fantasy to create a visually stunning and engaging (not to mention, bloody) spectacle for viewers.
Fans of the show were dealt a blow last week, however, after it was announced that two long-term characters will not appear in the new season. Rickon Stark and his wilding companion Osha will take a break from the show, after rumours first circled about their departure a little over a month ago. While this announcement will not come as a complete surprise, it adds to the number of major cast changes the show has thrown at fans ever since a certain Stark met his maker at the end of Season 1.
The question that remains is whether or not this upheaval will have a detrimental impact on the program’s appeal. The answer would certainly appear to be ‘no’, as the show still has a huge ensemble base of returning characters. The fifth season does represent something of a crossroads for the drama, however, primarily because it is a time when the majority of programs start to reach a natural conclusion and fans begin to move on.
Just because some programs have the potential to go on indefinitely does not mean that they should, as history does not often judge these shows kindly. Vince Gilligan was praised by allowing Breaking Bad to reach a natural conclusion at the end of the fifth season, for example, while Dexter faced criticism for continuing far beyond its perceived expiry date.
Fortunately, the creative team behind Game of Thrones have revealed that they have a plan carefully mapped out for seven seasons. With a Game of Thrones casino game due for release later this year and other merchandising deals on the table, the program looks set to maintains its popularity for many years to come!