In Game of Thrones latest episode, The Last of the Starks, we witnessed one of the most saddest scenes where Jon leaves for the King’s Landing without petting goodbye Ghost, his Direwolf. Fans of the show were so distraught as this is unlike Jon’s character.
The scene left fans confused and outraged. In the scene, Jon Snow gave his Direwolf, Ghost to his friend, Tormund who was heading north. Jon tasks Tormund to go with Ghost to the north with him saying that Ghost doesn’t belong in the South. And to the shock of the shows fans, Jon simply walks way from his loyal companion without any goodbyes.
Winter wasn’t as cold as Jon’s goodbye to Ghost #GOT #gameofthrones pic.twitter.com/lr2qCgnEX9
— Kat (@katfromphilly) May 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/got7fanboi/status/1125223117251416064
This was harsh and heartbreaking especially since Ghost has served Jon well in previous seasons and him leaving the Direwolf with no fitting farewell was honestly heartbreaking.
https://twitter.com/melissaanelli/status/1125226414314336256
This left fans speculating that Game of Thrones showrunners might have tight on the CGI budget. Ghost is a mix of both CGI effects and footage of real wolves. This led to creation of memes.
Ghost hearing he has to go North because the CGI budget deported him#GameofThrones #DemThrones pic.twitter.com/wj1JDyBx90
— Adnān Ragnarsson 🇵🇸 (@idooleyi) May 6, 2019
This scene even had both fans and haters of the the new season agree
At least we can all agree on something
byu/fancybadger_ infreefolk
The fans speculations was kinda right. David Nutter gave an interview to the Huffington Post explaining why there was no farewell between Jon and his Direwolf in an effort to settle what exactly happened during that scene.
“Since the direwolves are kind of CG creations, we felt it best to keep it as simple as possible and I think that it played out much more powerfully that way,” said David. “Keeping Ghost off to the side, I thought that played out better,” he concludes.
This revelation about CGI issues didn’t convince fans of the show and it actually made things worse.
Such a terrible excuse. You spend 15 MILLION PLUS on each episode.
— jbrinkmeyer (@jbrinkmeyer) May 7, 2019
If this is a scene that can exist don’t tell me it would’ve been too hard to have Kit Harrington to interact with a CG direwolf….. pic.twitter.com/ssc7ci2CSR
— Brandon James (@Brand0nJCurry) May 7, 2019
WE HAD LIKE TEN MINUTES OF CGI DRAGON BULLSHIT ALREADY THIS SEASON, YOU COULD’VE CUT THAT DOWN FOR A PROPER FAREWELL FOR GHOST, THE BEST BOY https://t.co/kxiXxQdqnr
— Kay Taylor Rea (@kaytaylorrea) May 7, 2019
In fairness, the Game of Thrones director’s creative choice makes sense as CGI fur is difficult to animate. Fans still didn’t want to hear this excuse.
https://twitter.com/dialacina/status/1125867508098043904
https://twitter.com/sunsofsagan/status/1126025432950804485
Fans of the show feel betrayed by the Show.
https://twitter.com/sansastcrk/status/1125218162427998208
The books depict a stronger bond between Jon Snow and his pet as revealed by this thread.
When Jon struggles with recurring nightmares of Winterfell, the only way he can find comfort is by pressing his face into Ghost's fur. His direwolf is, of course, by his side, sensing his need. pic.twitter.com/cnZZPBztuC
— Mallory Rubin (@MalloryRubin) May 7, 2019
The showrunners failing to show this strong bond during that scene has left fans of Game of Thrones concerned.
Sam: you’re the best friend I ever had
Jon: you too, Sam
Ghost: wtf I’m right here I can hear you. #GameOfThrones— Stephen Fishbach (@stephenfishbach) May 6, 2019
This is not just from this scene but generally how the show is being rushed leaving lots of plot holes and gaffes(a coffee cup was spotted in episode 4) for the sake of convenience.
https://twitter.com/marisab_ribeiro/status/1125955822322954240
The coffe cup later got digitally erased.
https://twitter.com/EricHaywood/status/1125883787576004616
Hardcore fans feel that in this final season, the shows’ creatives are focusing on the less important aspects of the show and instead of prioritizing thoughtful characterization, they’re fixed on high-end budget spectacles.
If this week's discussion over Jon saying goodbye to Ghost being scrapped for budgetary reasons teaches us anything about storytelling, it is this:
Audiences prefer emotion to spectacle.
Fans would trade several dragon scenes to have one tender, teary goodbye between them.
— C. Robert Cargill (@Massawyrm) May 8, 2019
This leads to corners being cut and resulting to sloppiness.
I’ve been complaining about this for 3 days now, this is the hill I’m willing to die on in 2019
— Dhobie (@dhobie8) May 7, 2019
With two episodes left, fans are starting to give the show a thumbs down and it will be hard to win them back.
Ghost deserved better #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/F0RTsKB342
— Dini the wolf (@wolf_dini) May 6, 2019
We will all remember Ghost even if Jon won’t.
i can‘t believe that‘s how they end ghost‘s storyline after ignoring him for seasons! the north remembers. #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/R35UFz2wdm
— Rhaegar (@RhaegarSand) May 6, 2019
