Both Outlander and Game of Thrones were adapted into eight-season TV shows based on popular fantasy novels. However, Outlander is currently expected to finish much more satisfyingly than Game of Thrones, which was criticized for its disappointing final season. Game of Thrones was once arguably the most popular show globally.
I remember when this series first came out – it instantly turned its stars into huge names, and so many shows tried to copy what it did. It practically brought back a whole genre of mature fantasy! But honestly, the way it ended really hurt the show’s reputation. That last season was so controversial, it overshadowed everything great that came before and left a bit of a stain on its overall legacy, which is a shame.
Although A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms improved on some of the issues with the earlier seasons, neither it nor House of the Dragon have reached the same level of popularity as the original Game of Thrones. The disappointing finale of Game of Thrones makes it uncertain if any future adaptations of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series could succeed.
Outlander Season 8 Is Poised For A Much Better Ending Than Game Of Thrones
Adding to the competition, the Starz series Outlander is expected to have a stronger finale than its predecessor. Based on the books by Diana Gabaldon, Outlander is a historical fantasy drama set in 18th-century Scotland. The story centers on Claire, played by Catriona Balfe, a nurse from 1945 who mysteriously travels back in time to 1742.
Claire finds herself caught up in a dangerous world when she falls in love with Jamie Fraser, a Highland warrior. She’s drawn into the conflicts of the rebel Highlanders of Clan MacKenzie, and soon becomes a target of Black Jack Randall, a ruthless government Captain and the show’s main antagonist. He relentlessly pursues the Jacobite rebels.
Season one of Outlander sees Claire and Jamie marry to keep Claire safe from the dangerous Black Jack Randall, but their relationship is just the start of a long and complicated journey. In later seasons, they travel to places like Paris, Boston, the West Indies, and eventually North Carolina, becoming entangled in the American Revolutionary War.
It’s true, the story is complex! The original Outlander novels are a massive nine books long, and the TV show has streamlined some storylines and cut others to make things easier to follow. Now, with season 8 being the last, Outlander is facing a problem similar to the one that affected the final season of Game of Thrones.
Like Game Of Thrones, Outlander’s Book Series Isn’t Actually Finished
The upcoming final season of Outlander will adapt Diana Gabaldon’s 2021 novel, Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone. While the Outlander universe now includes several spin-off books, bringing the total to over nine, this novel is the ninth installment in the original Outlander story.
In May 2025, Diana Gabaldon revealed she was writing a tenth book, called A Blessing for a Warrior Going Out. She hinted in the same announcement that this novel would likely conclude the main story of Claire and Jamie, giving their saga a long-awaited ending.
This means “Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone” is the second-to-last book in the series, putting Outlander season 8 in a similar situation to Game of Thrones season 8. Just like that controversial final season, this season of the show needs to conclude a large fantasy story, but now without a completed book to follow as a guide.
With A Solid Ending, Outlander Can Overtake Game Of Thrones As An All-Time Great Fantasy Series
Since it began, Outlander has received positive reviews, with critics praising its mix of romance, fantasy, and historical storytelling. While the show involves time travel, which touches on science fiction, the main story focuses on realistic historical events with only limited fantastical elements.
With consistent positive reviews, Outlander now has the potential to surpass Game of Thrones season 8 in one important way. While Outlander hasn’t reached the incredibly high viewership numbers of HBO’s popular series – which was one of the biggest shows of the last three decades – that’s not unexpected.
Look, I’ve been following this show for a long time, and the pressure on season 8 is immense. If they can stick the landing – even though they’re now forging ahead without the security of the original books – I honestly think it could surpass Game of Thrones in critical acclaim. Some folks argue Game of Thrones started losing its magic around season 5, but by season 7, pretty much everyone agreed it was really stumbling. This new season has a chance to avoid that fate, but it’s a huge ask.
Season 8 significantly damaged the show’s previously excellent reputation, and many believed this was due to the lack of original books to adapt. Unlike that show, Outlander has consistently received positive reviews throughout its seven seasons.
The show has consistently improved over time, demonstrating that romantic fantasy can receive the same critical acclaim as grittier shows. While it remains to be seen if Outlander will conclude successfully, it now has a strong opportunity to surpass Game of Thrones with its final season.
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2026-03-08 19:59