The phenomenon that is HBO’s Game of Thrones is officially over. The eighth and final season gave viewers the battle of the Night King, the battle at King’s Landing and the answer to who gets to sit on the iron throne and rule over the Seven Kingdoms.
Fans have been watching for years, holding their breath to see if their favorite characters make it through to the next episode or get wiped out by swords, poison or dragon fire. They’ve cheered with the victories, cried with the losses and pored over unanswered questions. Now that the show is done, what can viewers do to keep up their love of Game of Thrones?
Catch up on Your Reading
Most fans are aware that the HBO series is based on George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire epic, which he started writing almost thirty years ago. So far, he has published five out of seven novels in the fantasy series:
- A Game of Thrones
- A Clash of Kings
- A Storm of Swords
- A Feast for Crows
- A Dance with Dragons
If you’ve never read the books before, now’s your chance. While the fantasy novels were the inspiration for the series, they don’t have all of the same storylines and characters. Even with HBO’s massive budget, the show couldn’t contend with some of the fantastical marvels that Martin wrote down.
Once you’re done A Song of Ice and Fire, you can read Martin’s Fire & Blood — this is a volume about the history of the House Targaryen, the only bloodline that can rule with dragons. If you love the character Daenerys, you’ll want to take a deep dive into her family’s history.
Listen to Podcasts
You’re still mulling over plot holes, theories and character arcs even after the credits have rolled. But what about Cersei’s prophecy? What happened to the Frog Eaters? If there are no more white walkers, why does the Night’s Watch still exist? You have so many questions.
It’s time to start listening to Game of Thrones podcasts that are dedicated to the noble cause of encouraging your obsession. Podcasts like A Storm of Spoilers and Game of Owns will be more than typical recaps, speculating on every moment of the HBO show and the books. A History of Westeros gives you in-depth history lessons about the fantasy settings, story arcs and characters. If you need a little comedy to soothe the emotional wounds that GOT has inflicted on you, then something like Boars, Gore, and Swords will put a smile on your face.
You’re sure to find some satisfying answers to your questions in one of these podcasts. Or, at least, you’ll get to listen to fans who are just as confused and frustrated as you are.
Show Your Loyalty
Every single fan has chosen a House to stand behind. You could support the Targaryens, the Starks, the Greyjoys, the Lannisters or the Baratheons. Someone out there is probably very passionate about the house of Tully. In Westeros, you pledge your allegiance to a house and go to war for them. In the real world, you can prove your love with a little less commitment.
To pledge your allegiance, get precision fit skins for your iPhone XS Max to match the banner and sigil colors of your favorite house. Get a gold skin for the Lannisters, who always pay their debts. Get red dragon scale for the Targaryens, who rule their lands with dragon-fire and blood. If you don’t like any of the houses, you can represent the Night’s Watch with a black leather skin.
The best part about these custom skins is that they are easy to replace. Whenever you get tired of your smartphone’s skin, just peel it off like Arya Stark ripping off one of her many faces and put on a new one.
You can also order HBO drinkware with sigils and sayings from different houses across the Seven Kingdoms. Get a mug to prove your devotion with your morning coffee. Get a pint glass show your loyalty at dinner. Or get a wine glass to hold every time you feel like practicing a Cersei monologue in the mirror.
Don’t despair that the epic is over. There will be books and spinoff TV shows in the future. Spend your time reading the series, listening to podcasts and expressing your fandom. You’ll be back in Westeros in no time.
