Game Of Thrones' penultimate episode delivers show's biggest ratings EVER... even as it receives a lowly 49% rating on Rotten Tomatoes
- WARNING: This article contains major spoilers for season eight episode five
The penultimate episode of Game Of Thrones was not universally beloved, based on its 'certified rotten' rating on review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes.
But that didn't stop The Bells from becoming the highest rating episode in the show's history, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The season 8 episode 'gathered its biggest audience ever for a first airing of an episode Sunday, drawing an all-in figure of 18.4 million viewers,' said the industry site on Tuesday.
Ill fated: The death of Missandei (played by Nathalie Emmanuel) was the catalyst for a plot twist many viewers (and reviewers) found unpalatable
The figures are approximate 600k more than the next most-watched episode - that being episode 3 of the final season, titled The Long Night.
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According to HBO, the episodes from this final installment of the premium cable channel's hit fantasy series average 43million viewers each.
That's more than 10million viewers more viewers each episode than season 7, reported THR.
Silver lining: The episode titled The Bells 'gathered its biggest audience ever for a first airing of an episode Sunday, drawing an all-in figure of 18.4 million viewers,' said the industry site on Tuesday
Fans were left divided following the release of the penultimate episode on Sunday night.
And the latest outing of the fantasy juggernaut has left viewers so frustrated that it has become the worst rated episode of the show's history.
On Rotten Tomatoes the episode, titled The Bells, has a 49 per cent rating as of Tuesday afternoon, followed shortly by season five's Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken, which received a 54 per cent score.
Poor score: Game Of Thrones' penultimate episode received the WORST EVER rating on Rotten Tomatoes in the show's history at 49 per cent on Tuesday, as fans were left angry at the outing
This is the second time an episode of the show's final season received a poor score from fans, as fourth episode The Last Of The Starks is rated at 57 per cent.
The poor rating for the show's latest outing has brought down the season's overall rating to an average of 74 per cent.
Season one is the next lowest-rated, though it is still Certified Fresh at 91 per cent, while the fifth and seventh outing both have a 93 per cent score, and the fourth stands at the top with a 97 per cent rating.
Unhappy fans: This is the second time an episode of the final season received a poor score, as the fourth episode is rated at 57 per cent, giving the season at an average of 74 per cent
Following the release of the latest episode on Sunday night, viewers took to Twitter to vent out their frustrations after things took a dark turn when Daenerys Targaryen wreaked havoc on King's Landing despite the city's surrender.
The character has been a staunch fan favourite throughout the years, and viewers were shocked to see her become the Mad Queen during the show's fifth episode as she burned the city to the ground, innocents and all.
Some claimed the writers were throwing Daenerys' character development out of the window in favour of her following in the footsteps of her father Aerys.
Twist: Things took a dark turn when Daenerys Targaryen wreaked havoc on King's Landing despite the city's surrender
While others did admit that it wasn't why she became an unexpected villain that bothered them, but how the show built up to that moment.
And that wasn't all, as fans also criticised the backtracking of Jamie Lannister's character development, as well as the way his twin sister, and main villain, Cersei met her end.
As such, some fans took to Twitter to share a variety of memes to explain how they felt about the latest episode.
Discussing Daenerys' storyline, one user wrote: 'For like the 87th time, it's not where the plot went, it's HOW THEY GOT THERE. Dany can go crazy! Arya can give up revenge! But my got let these plotlines BREATHE. I mean but also tossing Jamie's entire redemption arc out the window was not great. OK, OK, I'm done now!'
While another added: 'I just wanna understand what was the point of Dany's arc? You want a mad Targaryen you had Viserys right there. Why would they let her grow from an abused girl, free slaves, help people for 7 seasons just to ruin her character in 2 eps? Disgusting.'
And one user went on: 'RIP Daenerys Targaryen. She ain't dead (yet), but her 10 year character development is.'
Nathalie Emmanuel, who played Daenerys right-hand woman Missandei, joked that her character was 'in heaven like: I saw that going differently in my mind.'
While Comedian Mindy Kaling joked: 'I like what Dany did, I didn't care about those randos, I would've done the same, should I be tweeting this.'
Upset: Viewers were shocked to see Daenerys become the Mad Queen during the show's fifth episode as she burned the city to the ground, and they took to Twitter to complain
Meanwhile fans were also left feeling frustrated by Jamie and Cersei's storyline, as the former had abandoned his twin in season seven only to return to her side during Daenerys' siege to try and save her.
Many expected Jamie to kill his sister, fulfilling a prophecy she received as a young girl from the witch Maggy the Frog which claimed she would meet her end at the hands of the Valonqar, which means Little Brother in High Valyrian.
Instead, the pair died in each others arms in the cellars of the Red Keep, after their escape route was blocked and the walls collapsed around them.
Not satisfied: But that wasn't all, as fans also criticised the backtracking of Jamie Lannister's character development, as well as the way his twin sister, and main villain, Cersei met her end
One fan complained: 'Best ways to kill Cersei, 1. Jamie kills Cersei, 2. The Night King kills Cersei, 3. Arya kills Cersei, 4. Drogon kills Cersei, 15. Bran wargs into Cersei and commits suicide, 146. She gets Pheumonia and dies, 1672. Gets trampled by rocks.'
Another added: 'I really hate to admit this, but that Jamie/Cersei death was garbage. Cersei deserved worse, and Jamie all but redeemed himself over the whole show just to crawl back to Cersei!? Who was the brother that was prophesied to kill her!'
While one criticised the story, as they said: 'Jaime running back to Cersei tracks for me; she's his addiction. Jaime turning his back the people of king's landing - the people for whom he sacrificed all of his personal good will and saved in robert's rebellion - is complete character assassination.'
Sharing an image of Jamie knighting Brienne of Tarth from episode two, one user added: 'I'm just going to pretend this man died at the Battle of Winterfell and his character arc ended right here.'
Irritated: Meanwhile fans also discussed their frustration over Jamie and Cersei's storyline
The show is set to come to a conclusion on Sunday night, opening with Daenerys on the Iron Throne following her brutal destruction of King's Landing.
While it's unclear what is set to happen, characters like Arya, Jon and Tyrion are sure to confront her over her rash actions after witnessing the violence first-hand.
Game of Thrones concludes on HBO in the US, and is screened simultaneously at 2 AM on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in the UK, on Sunday night.
Back soon: Game of Thrones continues on HBO in the US, and is screened simultaneously at 2 AM on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in the UK, on Sunday night
