Game of Thrones in the News: AFI Awards, Liam Cunningham on season 6, and the best of 2015! 

is still going strong on 2015 year-end lists, making several appearances this week, so we’ve rounded up the lot for your reading enjoyment. Leading the list is the AFI Awards! Liam Cunningham also talks up season 6 in a new interview, calling the new season “brasher” and “weirder.”

Also of note: today is the expected last day of filming for

season 6! We’re going to have to entertain ourselves after this week until the first trailer debuts, usually late January or sometime in February. Get ready for a long winter.

has once again been honored by the American Film Institute’s

AFI Awards as one of their TV Programs of the Year. The awards celebrate the “most culturally and artistically significant works” in film and TV. Joining

The Americans, Better Call Saul, Black-ish, Empire, Fargo, Homeland, Master of None, Mr. Robot

a special award for its contribution to “America’s cultural legacy.”

made a strong showing as you would expect. While the trending shows varied between the the United States and and the Global charts,

‘s list of the 10 Best TV Shows of 2015. Kristin Dos Santos says, “As much as we love every other show on this list,

really was the gold standard when it came to television in 2015. As the series veered off books for the first time, it felt like a freefall from a cliff with the most incredible landing. And of course, that season finale, with the unbelievably shocking death of Jon Snow, is a TV moment we’ll never forget.”

at #23 on its list of The Best TV of 2015, saying “[E]ven this show’s weakest season is still better than other shows’ best. Nothing else on TV can so artfully embrace the epic scope that

Game Of Thrones deals with weekly.” They also note that “even as the show was held up to more scrutiny than ever before, the finale and Jon Snow’s fate was all anyone could talk about.”

‘s list of the best of TV shows this year.

acknowledges some problematic elements of season 5’s plots, but ultimately says, “

had some rough spots this year, but it finished strong—and from what I can tell, after getting through those tough moments this year, the show is ready to charge to its end, and blow our minds to oblivion in the process.”

places the show at #20 on his year-end list, saying “While the series can sometimes struggle under the weight of its immense story and cast, when it breaks free it captivates like few other shows — precisely because of its expansive worldview.

In their 15 Best TV Shows of 2015, Kevin Fallon of the

says “Game of Thrones is one of the last remaining drops at the water cooler, and, with the exception of one or two broad strokes too many this past year, doesn’t take that status lightly. More sweeping than ever, but also with more intensity in its still moments, no series is as thrilling or as puzzling—in the way that we have come to demand our shows to challenge us. And as a stand-alone hour, “Mother’s Mercy” is a triumph, featuring the finest direction perhaps in the series’ history, a tour de force from Lena Headey, and the kind of grueling viewing experience Thronesfans live for.” GoT sits at #9 on the list.

Racing fan Liam Cunningham discusses season 6 in a new interview with

a Formula One-focused magazine. The Onion Knight talks about his love of Formula One but most importantly, he teases

“It is bigger, brasher, bolder and weirder. It’s written by the two biggest fans of the books, so they treat the story with great delicacy, grace and with tremendous amount of love. So we’re in safe hands. Kind of.”

made this year in the finale with Jon’s death, Cunningham is finding it difficult to fly under the radar.

“When I entered the Abu Dhabi circuit, I kept my phone on silent. But in five minutes Twitter was like ‘Davos Seaworth is in Force India’ – they don’t even call me by my real name… Somebody even put up ‘Westeros has come to Abu Dhabi’ and then the Jon Snow questions were all over the place. I’ve read all the scripts of the show and I know exactly what’s going to happen. Some people ask about it, others don’t like to know. It was actually very funny and interesting to witness all these reactions.”

, “It would be awful and stupid of me to spoil anything. Thankfully, not even large, very large sums of money, not even Bernie [Ecclestone]’s wallet could get it out of me.”

Have you already read all the books and/or don\'t care about spoilers? You can reveal/hide all the spoilers in the comments with the click of the buttons below.

Place the spoiler remarks inside this short code:

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Thomas Brodie-Sangster have a split second cameo in the new Star Wars movie (and Emun Elliott as a rebel officer).

One thing I found interesting is that some folks considered Season 5 “the weakest season”. I guess it depends on how you perceive it. Personally, I enjoyed Season 5 pretty much all the way through it. The only weak point I found was the Dorne stuff, as it just seemed underdeveloped all the way around. But even in its quieter moments (i.e., no huge sword battles, etc., etc.), I was very entertained throughout. I sometimes wonder what the ages are of some of these reviewers, because at times, the reviews that come out say they find the show “slow-moving”, weak, boring, etc. because there aren’t any sword battles happening or loads of boinking going on. Don’t they understand that the “Game of Thrones” is more who can outmaneuver another intellectually than who has the biggest sword and knows how to use it? 😀

I didn’t realize I’d have to say this but please don’t post Star Wars: The Force Awakens spoilers in comments here.

No one is expecting Star Wars spoilers when they click on spoiler coding, and some have spoiler coding turned off since they’ve read all the books.

(I added the coding to Carne’s post just to be on the safe side.)

Ah, didn’t realize that would be considered a spoiler. Lesson learned!

Great article, thanks!!! You know everything, Liam… 😉

Are they going to premiere April 24th without Veep/Silicon?

Well said KristG!!!! Loved season 5!!!! And loved reading all the “Best of” reviews! So well deserved and more! Thanks WOTW!!

by unannounced cameo roles, so yeah that’s a spoiler.

And I think it’s probably a bad idea to initiate SW discussion in a post like this anyway. Spoilers would happen. Better to start a forum post and mark it as spoilery if you guys want to discuss SW: TFA openly.

One thing I found interesting is that some folks considered Season 5 “the weakest season”.I guess it depends on how you perceive it.Personally, I enjoyed Season 5 pretty much all the way through it.The only weak point I found was the Dorne stuff, as it just seemed underdeveloped all the way around.But even in its quieter moments (i.e., no huge sword battles, etc., etc.), I was very entertained throughout.I sometimes wonder what the ages are of some of these reviewers, because at times, the reviews that come out say they find the show “slow-moving”, weak, boring, etc. because there aren’t any sword battles happening or loads of boinking going on.Don’t they understand that the “Game of Thrones” is more who can outmaneuver another intellectually than who has the biggest sword and knows how to use it?

Hodors Bastard: KK has no business in Westeros, but Krampus might. Happy holidaze.

Okay, now I am going to have nightmares about season 6!! Krampus is vewy scawy!! (which is saying something compared to GoT’s)

Force Awakens Spoilers!!!! Abandon ship, Abandon ship..

Seriously, I’m not going to hang around any place discussing the movie untill I have seen it.

Well, on some winters they could sing “On the 12 Months of XMas…” and then debate whether Azor Ahai is a historical figure or an allegorical one!

I feel motherly proud for GOT’s achievements, which is funny, taking into account that I played absolutely no part in its development. Many good shows on those lists, I have recently discovered the wonderful Mr Robot and The Americans thanks to a fellow fan whose name, unfortunately, I forgot. But, anyway, much obliged, ser/ m’lady!

I would also call Mr Cunningham “Davos” if I had the pleasure to meet him – slim chances as I don’t hang around Formula 1 and filming sites

Liked S5, it’s easly my 3rd favourite season. Alltough it could be 2nd, but I just loved Sean Bean as Ned and Robert(Always forget the actors name!) so much, that they alone make me love S1.

And of course the nostalgia googles probaly make me forget the bad things…

S4 is still my favourite, thanks too the great performance of Pedro and Dance mostly and Peter’s trial, that was a sublime moment.

S2 still remains my least liked, close there with S3. Not because of the story but the pacing. It’s painfully obvious they are straching the seasons so they can have Blackwater and the RW in EP9.

But that isn’t saying much, because I still consider them better them most other shows.

Didn’t you like the Arya-Tywin scenes and the Brienne-Jaime scenes? For me those clever confrontations are the best. And Arya-Hound voyage was absolutely amazing. And Tyrion and Oberyn discussing… priceless!

Liam is such a cool dude. Davos has always been one of my favorites. I really hope he survives. I have a feeling he will. But it gets “weirder” eh?? Hmm! Verrry interesting!

Arya and Tywin in S2 and Jaime’s scene with Brienne in the tub are among my favourite moments in the show. But sadly they aren’t enough too make love those seasons.

Like I said tough, even the seasons I consider the ”worst” are better then 90% of whats on TV, in my opinion.

Its going to be a very long wait for the trailer for me since this is my first “off season” following the show and all the filming updates have spoiled me.

Having recently rewatched season 2 I have to agree about the Arya/Tywin scenes. Charles Dance and Maisie Williams were so amazing together. When he asks about her father and calls her “a sharp little thing”… So good!! They both just nailed that scene.

Thank you, Sue! It’s annoying having Star Wars spoilers permeate everything.

If you read many of the previews of the first four episodes, most commentators were saying S5 was and would be the best season. Episode 5’s reception was also strong. Episode 6’s controversy really seems to have changed peoples’ perceptions of the season – all of a sudden it was terrible and immoral. By episode 7 the show was apparently back on track, and 8 was mindblowing.

Rewatching the season now, the Dorne stuff is underwhelming in the second half (the build-up to Sunspear was great, I think) but I can’t see all of these other terrible problems that some have with the show.

I am interested by “weirder” …. in what way? If he is referring to his own plot, it has already been quite “weird” (shadow babies etc). Is weirder a good thing? Anyway, good lord, here we go, trying to interpret something from single adjectives…!

They are amazing actors, they seem to have great scenes no matter who replies to them. Charles Dance has a lot of experience, but Maisie… so young and, as far as I know, with no acting classes! That’s pure talent.

I didn’t like the Arya-Tywin scenes in season 2, cause they were completly out of character for Tywin imo. He did even smile at Arya and showed some affection for her, something Book Tywin never would have done. I was reading the books at the time and missed a lot of the great stuff that happend in Harrenhall in ACOK.

Since season 3 I accepted the differences more and see show and books as what they are. Season 2 is still the one I would rank as the weakest, I call it the “Bastard season” for myself.

Season 5 also had some weaknesses (Dorne, Battle of Winterfell), but I think it was one of the best in point of direction, visual storytelling, pace and editing.

Last year Liam was caught off guard with a comment at the Monaco GP in May. He was being interviewed by Ted Kravitz on Sky Sports F1, Ted stated that he knew nothing about Game of Thrones even though his wife watches it. They proceeded to talk F1 for a couple of minutes and then Ted asked when he was back filming for Game of Thrones, Liam confirmed that he would be starting filming season 6 at the end of July. That was sufficient to tell me that he was not getting killed off in season 5. He did mention a couple of other things but I can’t remember what they were.

Dance is fantastic! Those scenes he had with Masie where pure gold.

They will always be among the best scenes in the series.

Its going to be a very long wait for the trailer for me since this is my first “off season” following the show and all the filming updates have spoiled me.

Hopefully we’ll have a trailer in about a month and a half. It’s almost January already.

Well said. I’ve noticed the same complaints by people about some of my favorite scifi series (Babylon 5, Deep Space 9). Granted, those were also made for broadcast TV, which means longer seasons, but people were far too eager to give up because they started slow (and thus missed the awesome payoffs). I used to think it was people spoiled by AMC and HBO, but now it seems it’s old-fashioned impatience.

I am ready for Full Metal Weird in S6/TWoW. Bran is plugged in, the weirnet is buzzing, glass candles are burning, undead are marching, valyrian steel is shining, dragons are flying, spells are casting, direwolves are amassing, little birds are stabbing, old gods and red god are vying for attention, Freys are ripening, horns are blowing, blood is flowing…..winter is coming! Ahhhh!

I didn’t like the Arya-Tywin scenes in season 2, cause they were completly out of character for Tywin imo. He did even smile at Arya and showed some affection for her, something Book Tywin never would have done.

I understand what you mean: the Lannister patriarch couldn’t love his dwarf son (no matter how inteligent and what a good ruler he was), but showed affection to a stranger, a girl who was a highborn Northener in disguise – as he well discovered. Idk, maybe because I like Charles Dance so much I enjoyed the new face D&D invented for him. I don’t mind films changing the books, for me it’s like going to the theatre and knowing that the director will have a new view on the play. About season 5: of course, I would have liked to see a battle at the end and Obara sounded, in my opinion, like an actress in her very first role. But the fantastic moving scenes in season 5 we all know and like are more important for me than the mistakes. When I like something (and I simply adore GOT) I pay much more attention to its great moments than to weeknesses.

Premiere date last year was announced January 8th. Do you think they’ll announce the exact date early January again?

Well said. I’ve noticed the same complaints by people about some of my favorite scifi series (Babylon 5, Deep Space 9). Granted, those were also made for broadcast TV, which means longer seasons, but people were far too eager to give up because they started slow (and thus missed the awesome payoffs). I used to think it was people spoiled by AMC and HBO, but now it seems it’s old-fashioned impatience.

I think part of it is that there are folks out there who are all about instant gratification (for whatever)…. if they don’t see enough action (battles or sex scenes) in an episode, then it’s boring. It’s possible they just don’t have the cranial capacity to understand the interplay that is the build-up to episodes like Hardhome and Mother’s Mercy and the like. Sadly, with too many folks I know, it’s all about how much “bang for the buck” in as short a period of time as possible.

I watched the Abu Dhabi GP and I didn’t even realize Liam Cunningham was there! It is nice when two things you like comes together. F1 politics is somewhat similar to Westeros politics at times.

Premiere date last year was announced January 8th. Do you think they’ll announce the exact date early January again?

It probably won’t be on the same daye, but I’m sure they will announce it that month, as for the trailer I’m thinking maybe the end of January or anytime during February. Does anyone know when they usually announce the new season episode titles?

It would have been a lot easier for Tywin (Book or Show) to like almost any child other than Tyrion! Tyrion was a huge disappointment to Tywin in multiple ways. His serving girl was a pleasant surprise who reminded him a little of his daughter.

Those show scenes were extrwmely useful for developing both characters, and developing Tywin in turn helped develop his three children. Stuff like this made it very easy to understand why Tyrion shot Tywin later, too.

Although season 2 is at the bottom of my list (although still effing EPIC compared to other tv) Arya – Tywin scenes are some of my favorites…

I hate season 2 theon’s story because he is a DOUCHE and season 3 as well… with the mystery torcher. SO dragged.

Absolutely agree with you Kristy G. I loved season 5, even with Dorne (which I was not so much in love with in the books anyway, except for Doran). To me the slow pace everybody critizised was important because it felt like a grinding rock slowly moving into place, once it clicked it unleashed some of my favorite, most compelling TV moments ever: episodes 8 to 10. If they had given us huge moments every episode, the impact of the final part of the season would have been lessened in my opinion.

Thanks for ponting this out, I sometimes confuse it… 😉

I didn’t like season 5, it was easily my least favorite season. Of course there were moments I liked, but season 5 was also the first time while watching the show I found myself at times looking at the clock, bored, with the episodes dragging.

The “slow-moving” components were necessary for that big pay-off towards the end of the season. I just don’t feel it’s a viable critique, just seems like it’s a throwaway comment to negate the show coming towards its last stretch. By no means was this a perfect season but this supposed disadvantage is redundant. Sometimes a show like GoT is its own worse enemy, people seem to miss the nuance and exposition amidst all the action.

Yeah, I hated Theon in season 2. When he was shown on the cross for the first time it seemed like divine intervention. After several scenes… not so much.

For those who enjoyed the Maisie-Charles Dance scenes (including me) don’t forget she is going to share scenes with Richard E Grant next year.

He comes across similar calibre to Dance to me so I’m hoping they are going to be equally amazing scenes.

While I don’t agree with the criticisms of “too slow,” I also don’t agree with the assessment those who feel that way do so because of possible lack of cranial capacity. I don’t think it has anything to do with not being smart enough, I think it’s simply due to different people liking or wanting different things.

In some cases, it could well be true, but certainly not in all. There are plenty of determining factors as to why folks might be bored with GoT’s not moving quick enough/not having more punch… being tired, having ADHD, wanting instant gratification, not that much into that pesky dialogue sort of stuff, watching the show because their spouse/bf/gf/family watch it… *shrug*

While I don’t agree with the criticisms of “too slow,” I also don’t agree with the assessment those who feel that way do so because of possible lack of cranial capacity.I don’t think it has anything to do with not being smart enough, I think it’s simply due to different people liking or wanting different things.

I loved Dorne I don’t care what anyone says.

I did a few instagram searches and I did find a few things from some of our new Braavosi castmembers; no spoilers but just in case:

Eline Powell (theater Sansa) shared a pic of many actors from the play a few weeks ago:

Eva Butterly (theater Margaery) also shared a pic of her and Powell in costume; they appear to be wearing common clothes not their known theater attire.

I suppose I’m just not one to judge someone else as lacking intelligence or what have you because their taste in what they enjoy is different from mine.

I suppose I’m just not one to judge someone else as lacking intelligence or what have you because their taste in what they enjoy is different from mine.

Wasn’t really “judging” anyone… just making an observation and putting a snarky twist on it as a possible “reason”. Sorry if I offended you – it wasn’t my intent.

There’s no need to apologize to me. I wasn’t offended, as I’m one who enjoys what some would deem as “slow,” and I probably should have used a word like “categorize,” instead of “judge.” I suppose I just balk at the notion of those who prefer what I’ll call “bang, bang, shoot ’em up,” over a more moderately paced unfolding as somehow lacking in intelligence. That said, I’ve given male friends tons of grief for complaining about what they perceive as a decreasing bewb-factor.

Anyway, no worries. I probably should have just let it go.

Kristy G.: Wasn’t really “judging” anyone… just making an observation and putting a snarky twist on it as a possible “reason”. Sorry if I offended you – it wasn’t my intent.

You offend pretty much everyone when you accuse those who see things differently from you as “lacking cranial capacity”, “having ADHD” and so forth. Hopefully you’ll moderate your comments to be less offensive from now on.

The need to lighten up just a smidge is strong in this one.

Seriously, I’m sorry that I offended “pretty much everyone” with my sarcastic take on possibilities as to why someone might not enjoy/get into the slower pace of the show. I have a good friend who has ADHD and he has said several times, when watching the slower-paced bits of GoT, that he wished they’d just hurry up and do something. It was not intended to insult anyone who suffers from it. It was not intended to call people dumb… it was sarcasm. Period. Obviously, I hit a nerve with you, and for that, I apologize. I’ll try to keep my sarcastic nature at bay from now so as to be more PC around the folks here.

chameleon: You offend pretty much everyone when you accuse those who see things differently from you as “lacking cranial capacity”, “having ADHD” and so forth. Hopefully you’ll moderate your comments to be less offensive from now on.

I thought your comment was funny. And I agreed with what you said cause your point was valid, regardless of sarcasm.

I’ll try to keep my sarcastic nature at bay from now so as to be more PC around the folks here.

Do so. Looking forward to comments from you that actually have content, as opposed to insults, or “sarcasm” as you say (also called “trolling”, FYI).

To be clear: there is a difference between “I disagree that S5 was too slow” and “People who think S5 was too slow are lacking cranial capacity or have ADHD, etc”. This is what is objectionable.

When I linked the interview with Liam on one of the posts yesterday, it jumped out to me that the last day he mentioned he was filming was Dec.17th. To be a fly on that wall today!!!! 😀

chameleon: Do so. Looking forward to comments from you that actually have content, as opposed to insults, or “sarcasm” as you say (also called “trolling”, FYI).

To be clear:there is a difference between “I disagree that S5 was too slow” and “People who think S5 was too slow are lacking cranial capacity or have ADHD, etc”. This is what is objectionable.

Wow, sarcasm and trolling are definitely not the same. Sarcasm is an accepted form of syntax where one says the opposite of what one means to make a more poignant point, while trolling is purposefully trying to lure out a heated debate (typically with little personal investment) for the sake of annoying people.

And also, it has been pretty much proven time and again that people with high iq have a better understanding of syntax than people with lower iq. So it is likely that people with high iq are simply more capable of enjoying the arguably “talky/silent” bits more than people with lower a iq.

And for what is objectionable, please, the fact that people are barely willing to admit they liked Dorne is a signal that people have gone too far with their mockery in the first place. The idea that somebody has to lash out with a sarcastic tone to establish her opinion in the face of ridicule is objectionable.

Jack Bauer 24: I loved Dorne I don’t care what anyone says.

I did not hate it, but I also realize that I was biased because of the book. “Nowhere near as awful” does not necessarily mean “good,” but you cannot help but to

that a presentation is good when it is nowhere near as awful as the first presentation! 😀

(Objectively, it was the slowest portion of last season: and it took a while to get to the point of Jaime completely failing to be Tywin II and instead being a dude with a soul. However, I still think that telling his story in Dorne was a lot better than kicking the dead horse in the Riverlands, so it was two cases of “not as awful” for me.)

Have so much love for Liam Cunningham, I actually work with his sister but have never built up the courage to tell her what a huge fan I am of both him and Thrones!

I think I would have actually enjoyed season 5 a whole lot more if I wasn’t reading all the negative comments that came along with each episode. It won’t put me off reading them throughout season 6 but I want to make sure I form my own opinion first before feeling influenced by others on here.

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