Game of Thrones' episode 5 smashes show's viewing records despite fan reaction

It's been an incredibly controversial episode

Author: Emma DoddsPublished 15th May 2019

The penultimate EVER episode of Game of Thrones aired on Monday (13th) - to rather mixed reaction from fans of the show. Episode five of season eight, which will be the last series of the show, completely divided fans as the events that unfolded were totally unexpected. SPOILERS AHEAD!

Daenerys Targaryen, whose sole purpose on the show has been relaunching her family's claim for the Iron Throne, has been shown as a fair and just ruler during the last seven season - despite the occasional sense that she could follow in the footsteps of her father, the Mad King Aerys Targaryen II, and descend into madness.

However, during episode 5 'The Bells', Dany seemed to lose the plot, and utterly destroyed not only King's Landing, but pretty much all of its citizens using the firepower of her dragon, Drogon.

And although many fans were really unhappy with the outcome of the episode, it's now been revealed that it's the most-watched episode in the history of the show.

Take a trip down memory lane to see how the Game of Thrones cast looked then vs. now...


Game of Thrones' episode 5 smashes show's viewing records despite fan reaction
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According to The Hollywood Reporter, 'The Bells' drew an audience of a whopping 18.4 million viewers, around 600,000 more than its predecessor, episode three - 'The Long Night', which saw the Battle of Winterfell take place, and drew 17.8 million viewers.

The show's co-creators have also shed light on Dany's shocking change of heart, with David Benioff saying in an interview, "I think that when she says, ‘Let it be fear' she's resigning herself to the fact that she may have to get things done in a way that isn't pleasant. She chose violence. A Targaryen choosing violence is a pretty terrifying thing."

He added, "If circumstances had been different, I don't think this side of Dany ever would've come out. If Cersei hadn't betrayed her, if Cersei hadn't executed Missandei, if Jon hadn't told her the truth.

"Like, if all of these things had happened in any different way, then I don't think we'd be seeing this side of Daenerys Targaryen."

Check out our recap of Game of Thrones season eight.

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