While Game of Thrones was hugely popular and defined fantasy television for a decade, many fans were disappointed with how the show ended. Even though it finished airing on HBO seven years ago, the finale is still widely discussed. The franchise continues to be successful with spin-off shows like House of the Dragon, which premiered in 2022, and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, coming in 2026. Plus, a movie focusing on Aegon I is also in the works.
As a TV reviewer, I have to admit Game of Thrones really changed the game – for better or worse. It set a new bar for fantasy shows, delivering some truly incredible episodes. But it also became a cautionary tale about the difficulty of sticking the landing with a huge, complex story. Now, in 2026, another fantastic, though often overlooked, fantasy series is wrapping up. And honestly, despite facing the same pressure to deliver a great finale, I think it’s in a much better position to actually pull it off.
Outlander Is Ending With Its Book Source Unfinished (Like Game of Thrones)
Premiering a few years after Game of Thrones, Outlander is a Starz series adapted from Diana Gabaldon’s popular novels. While the show has gained a dedicated fanbase and is well-made, it hasn’t reached the same level of critical acclaim as Game of Thrones. Like its predecessor, Outlander will conclude after eight seasons, even though the book series isn’t complete. The final seasons will draw from Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone and are expected to incorporate material from the tenth book, which hasn’t been published yet.
George R.R. Martin’s highly anticipated novel, The Winds of Winter, remains unfinished, and its release date has been delayed repeatedly. Martin had originally hoped to finish the book before the Game of Thrones TV series caught up to the published material. This didn’t happen, and some fans believe it contributed to the disappointing final season of Game of Thrones.
How Outlander Is Poised To Deliver A Better Ending Than Game of Thrones
One reason Outlander might have a stronger conclusion than Game of Thrones is how its story is structured. The show has always centered on the relationship between Jamie and Claire. Even when separated by time and distance, their connection has been the driving force of the narrative.
Unlike Game of Thrones, which featured many significant relationships that didn’t last, this story handles romance differently. In Game of Thrones, the relationship between Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen ended suddenly in the final episode, before viewers who hadn’t read the books had time to fully understand its complexities. Daenerys’ death came as a shock, happening quickly after their romance began.
If Outlander continues to focus on what makes its story compelling, it seems poised to have a good conclusion. The show got off to a strong start, earning a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes – a much better beginning than Game of Thrones season 8, which started with a 55% rating.
Outlander streams on Starz, while Game of Thrones is available on HBO Max.
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2026-03-10 19:40