How will we cope without mad kings and queens, bloodshed and dragons? Photo / Supplied
How will we cope without mad kings and queens, bloodshed and dragons? Photo / Supplied
The end to the epic fantasy series Game of Thrones is upon us and thousands of New Zealand fans will have to accept the inevitable - winter is finally here.
Despite the recent furore over the rushed end to the 71-episode show, come tomorrow night it will be doneand dusted, and post series depression - yes it's a thing - could kick in.
The sad and empty feeling that sinks in as the credits roll on a series you have invested so much time in is real, and psychologists say being prepared for it is the best medicine.
Sara Chatwin is a Game of Thrones fan and says people need to "fill the void" left by the show. Photo / supplied.
Auckland psychologist Sara Chatwin - a huge Game of Thrones fan - has already made plans to fill the void left on Monday nights and suggests others do the same.
"For a lot of people there will be feelings of loss and just being a bit bummed - a bit directionless, where to from here," she said.
"I would say plan something for that time, go and exercise, pick up a hobby or a friendship that fills that gap."
Chatwin said the final of Game of Thrones - which had a fan-span from "adolescents to 70-year-olds" would hit dedicated viewers harder than other series that had ended.
"Game of Thrones is so dynamic with so much action, and so many components it cast a wide net of viewership. That's why it is such a big thing," she said.
"It is a real social thing for people, it galvanises people and gives people a connection so people will have to go out and find something else."
The de Wild couple, front and centre, with Game of Throne cosplayers at DragonCon last year. photo / Kevin Kerr
As well as fan sites, Facebook pages, weekly dinner gatherings and the newly formed alliance of fans attempting to get the end rewritten, there are also others who have created side businesses from the popular series.
For dedicated super fans, Rozanne and Paul de Wild, Game of Thrones led to the creation of a business organising tours for dozens of like-minded cosplay fans to conventions overseas.
The tours will continue after the series ends but, even if they didn't, there is a constant reminder of Game of Thrones by way of a full-scale replica of Drogon, Daenerys Targaryen's dragon, sitting in the corner of the de Wild's lounge.
Game of Thrones fan Morgan Byrt as Daenerys Targaryen with Drogon. Photo / supplied
There is also a Game of Thrones party penciled in for the following Monday after the final episode airs - with Drogon as the guest of honour.
With the time freed up by the end of Game of Thrones, Rozanne has plans to expand her cosplay tours business.
The eight season run of Game of Thrones first premiered in April 2011.
During its tenure it has won 47 Primetime Emmy Awards – including Outstanding Drama Series in 2015, 2016 and 2018 – and five nominations for the Golden Globe's award for Best Television Series Drama.
The full-scale replica of Drogon took three years to make and with luck will wing its way to DragonCon next year. Photo / supplied
The couple are also crowdfunding to take Drogon - who was made by Paul de Wild over the course of three years - to DragonCon next year.
There will no doubt be a large tour group heading to the event but for the heavy foam, silicone and leather dragon the trip will be one way.
Forget Westeros ...
Three shows that will help you out of your post-Thrones slump.
Chernobyl - Neon
This series will blow the socks off all the Game of Thrones fans who tuned in for the series' dark politicking but weren't so keen on all the dragon and snow zombie malarky. This star-studded mini-series portrays the series of bad decisions leading to the real life Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Couldn't happen again, you say? This show will change your mind.
Vikings - Lightbox
This long-running series is essentially a real life Game of Thrones. It's grim, brutal and full of deception, intrigue and all that other good stuff. The shows leans heavily into its realism as rival clans duke it out and depicts life as it was back in Viking days. If you dug GoT's medieval vibes, this is for you.
The Handmaid's Tale - Lightbox
With Alabama and Georgia both passing ghastly and prehistoric passing anti-abortion laws this week, this adaptation of Margaret Atwood's chilling dystopian tale is looking increasingly prophetic. The third season starts on Lightbox on June 6.
