We founded Watchers on the Wall nine years ago with a clear goal: to enjoy our favorite TV show together with our fellow fans, writing about Game of Thrones for the sheer love of it. We wanted to create the recaps and analysis and post the kind of news that we would want to read, on our own terms, without interference from corporate ownership. We wanted the freedom to enjoy fandom as wanted, and we found it on the Wall.
At the time it was a difficult decision to leave behind our previous internet home, but it’s one we’ve never regretted. To be able to write about Game of Thrones solely as fans meant there was no pressure to churn out content to make money- no quotas or finger-wagging. It also meant that once GoT was over in 2019, it was entirely up to us what we were going to do. We chose to keep Watchers on the Wall open but the future was uncertain.
Now, a few years onward, we have reached the conclusion that it’s time for Watchers on the Wall to close.
We knew there would be a Long Night after the end of GoT, but I don’t think anyone knew just how dark it would be. It took even longer than expected for a prequel show to turn up, due to the first pilot being scrapped and House of the Dragon being ordered instead. The Winds of Winter never appeared, making the fandom even drier of content. And then of course, 2020 was hit by something by something much less predictable than GRRM’s writing pace: a pandemic.
It’s been an extremely challenging few years for everyone here at the Wall, between working in healthcare, having babies, experiencing personal losses, adapting to new phases of life, traveling, and just…everything that comes with having a full life. People are tired, and real life comes first. That’s always been the main rule here: we do this for the love of it, and if we’re not loving it, it’s time to stop.
I’ve enjoyed House of the Dragon but it hasn’t inspired the fanatical level of devotion Game of Thrones did. I’ll watch season 2 every week, live-tweet a bit, and sleep peacefully. There will be no more 2am show nights for me; it’s time to retire and let other recappers have the fun.
We wanted to be a collective focused on the fandom, and I think we have succeeded in that. Nine years is a good run for a fan site and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together, as a community. It was a wild journey filled with color and light and unpredictable characters (much like Game of Thrones). Our readers and commenters have been such a blessing and I’m grateful for the time each of you spent with us along the way. You all made me think and smile so much. You made Watchers home.
I want to personally thank Oz, Luka, Vanessa, Samantha, David, Petra, Axechucker, and Marko for being absolute rock stars, and a special thank you to our features writers for their amazing creative contributions: Akash of the Andals, Hogan McLaughlin, JoeMagician, Morgoth, and Patrick Sponaugle. Also I’d love to thank past staff writers like Bex, Geoffery, Cian, Nate, Shylah, Dylan, Paige, and Marc N. Kleinhenz for their important contributions to Watchers on the Wall. Thank you to Dame Pasty for her technical help, and thanks to Jess for help with our Tumblr!
We’ve had some incredible guest contributors at the Wall over the past nine years, including Aishwarya, BryndenBFish, GreatjonofSlumber, Hannah, JamesRivers, Jared Kozal, Jefferson Carberry, Joe Buckley, Manu, Morgan, Randy Holt, Red Aly, Ryan Neuner and Tyler Dean. Thank you all so much for sharing your ideas and your talents with the fandom!
Watchers on the Wall will remain open until at least October 18th.
Thank you for every day, every night, every tweet, every comment, every cheer, every groan, every laugh, and every word. We loved watching along with you all.
And now our watch is ended.
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