The teased sequel plans for Game of Thrones have the perfect opportunity to repeat what made the first season of the show work, based on how the famous fantasy series concluded its story. With the book series Game of Thrones was built from still being in-progress years after the show concluded, it seemed for some time as though sequels could be outright impossible – especially since many of the show’s biggest criticisms emerged after it diverged from its source material.

Six years after the 73rd episode of Game of Thrones brought the iconic fantasy series to its controversial ending, though, it seems the world of Westeros is set to get some follow-up series delving into what happened after the War of the Five Kings and the subsequent battle against the White Walkers and their forces. Hopefully, any sequel that’s able to follow up from this point will be able to mirror what made the first chapters of Game of Thrones so successful.

Game Of Thrones’ Sequel Plans Can Repeat What Made Season 1 So Interesting

Years after the divisive final season and ending of Game of Thrones, George R. R Martin has revealed that “there’s a sequel or two“ in the works for the series, alongside the range of prequel projects either actively running or in development.

This is a fascinating revelation for multiple reasons, as while several characters were left in scenarios that could have warranted a sequel installment after Game of Thrones, the negative reception to the last seasons of the show did make it appear as though any follow-up releases would be set before the events of the main series, as has been the case for House of The Dragon and its adaptation of GRRM’s Fire & Blood.

Though following on from the end of Game of Thrones season 8 would certainly require a careful hand, a sequel story – regardless of when it was set – would be uniquely benefited by the fact its story would be able to mirror Game of Thrones season 1 in a sense, which also focuses on the aftermath of a great war that changed the lives of all who experienced it.

Season 1 works as well as it does arguably because it’s set at this point in the franchise’s timeline, and is able to explore the aftermath of this “happy ending” and unpack the complexities that arise in times of ostensible peace.

With a big criticism of Game of Thrones season 8 being the convenient way it tied up its main storyline and many other plot points, taking a similar approach and showing that this seemingly neat conclusion may have had more messy aftereffects seems a move that would be beneficial for the wider franchise on many levels – and would be categorically in line with the world’s lore and overall tone, too.

Game Of Thrones’ Prequels Mean Having The Sequels Repeat Season 1 Makes Even More Sense

House of the Dragon‘s story made sense as a follow-up to Game of Thrones given the source material already existed, and allowed for some more creative adaptation given the nature of the Fire & Blood book, as a historical account, did itself suggest the “real” version of events likely didn’t follow exactly alongside what history recorded.

However, delving into House of the Dragon – and announcing fellow prequel series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms – has also provided the added benefit of showing audiences first-hand how the history of Westeros tends to repeat itself, which effectively sets up for the kind of scenario wherein a Game of Thrones sequel can mirror the structure and story of season 1.

Though any release that’s tasked with exploring what happened after Game of Thrones season 8 will have to contend with fan sentiment towards this period of the show – and rebuild some viewer trust in this regard – the prospect of this series being able to serve as a spiritual reset of sorts that can balance out Game of Thrones‘ final chapters is seriously promising one.