Game of Thrones finale: Fans say thank you and goodbye

Fans of the hit TV series Game of Thrones have been bidding the show goodbye after the final episode was broadcast.

The show, starring Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington and Peter Dinklage, was an adaptation of George RR Martin’s novels and the HBO programme finished after eight series in the early hours of Monday morning.

Mark Frost, co-creator of cult TV show Twin Peaks, opted to throw a GoT reference into his praise of writers David Benioff and DB Weiss, tweeting: “Congratulations all, you stuck the (King’s) landing. #benioffandweiss #gameofthrones”.

Meanwhile, musician James Arthur posted crying emojis next to a message saying: “Thank you and goodbye.”

The latest season has come in for criticism, with a petition demanding a remake of series eight “with competent writers” gathering a million signatures ahead of the show’s finale.

But Robert Iger, chief executive of the Walt Disney Company, wrote: “Thank you (writers) DB Weiss and DavidBenioff, and @GRRMspeaking, @HBO and Richard Plepler for @GameOfThrones…one of the greatest television series ever created!

“Tonight’s episode was a tour de force, and a fitting way to conclude your monumental creative achievement.”

Other comments posted online included “I’m actually incredibly happy with how it ended, maybe pleasantly surprised how it ended?” while @miracleofsound wrote: “I was satisfied with how it ended for almost every character.

“But I agree with folks who feel it needed a couple of more episodes to make the best of its plot points. Everything felt bit rushed. Still a beautiful series of moments.

“What a ride. Gonna miss it.”

Ahead of the finale, Emilia Clarke penned an emotional farewell, saying the show “shaped me as a woman, as an actor and as a human being”.

The actress, 32, shot to fame playing Daenerys Targaryen in the fantasy television drama and shared a series of photos of herself and the cast.

She said on Instagram: “Finding the words to write this post has left me overwhelmed with how much I want to say but how small words feel in comparison to what this show and Dany have meant to me.

“The mother of dragons chapter has taken up the whole of my adult life.

“This woman has taken up the whole of my heart.

“I’ve sweated in the blaze of dragon fire, shed many tears at those who left our family early, and wrung my brain dry trying to do Khaleesi and the masterful words, actions (and names) I was given, justice.”

Clarke told her 23 million followers on the site: “Game of Thrones has shaped me as a woman, as an actor and as a human being.

“I just wish my darling dad was here now to see how far we’ve flown.”

She thanked fans for their support of the show, which is based on the books by George RR Martin and started in 2011.

“But to you, dear kind magical fans, I owe you so much thanks, for your steady gaze at what we’ve made and what I’ve done with a character that was already in the hearts of many before I slipped on the platinum wig of dreams,” she said.

“Without you there is no us.

“And now our watch has ended.

“@gameofthrones @hbo #love#motherofdragonsoverandout.”

Before the last episode was broadcast, Eugene Simon who played Lancel Lannister, said: “This was the adventure that was a life changer for myself and so many others, cast, crew and audience alike.

“Here’s to the legacy of the greatest family of actors and friends ever. One last time #ForTheThrone.”

John Bradley, who plays Samwell Tarly, posted a picture of his rehearsal and preparation schedule from 2010.

He wrote: “So tonight we have our very last episode. It’s the final step of a long and wonderful journey. A journey that, for me, started at 10am on Monday 19th of July 2010.

“I know this because recently I found my rehearsal and prep schedule for season 1, week 1. This was given to me when I landed in Belfast for the first time, weeks before we even started shooting.

“Listed here is the rehearsal where I first met Kit, and the first time I wore the costume that’s seen me through 8 seasons. I’m glad I kept this.

“I met so many people that week who have come to mean so much to me.

“Back then we couldn’t have known the journey we’d go on together.

“I wouldn’t swap that experience, or those people, for the world. Enjoy the episode and thanks for everything.”