Oh dear.
For those not in the know (how you wouldn’t be, I’ve no idea) the first 4 episodes of Season 5 of Game of Thrones have been leaked onto the internet for everyone to have their pick of. Unlike many shows/films that are leaked, these are complete, all effects in place and everything - the only difference being a blurred-out watermark in the bottom corner of the screen.
This whole episode (no pun intended) has brought one massive, glaring question to my eyes – why were FOUR episodes sent out? This show doesn’t need the exposure 5 years into its run, so why give reviewers 40% of the whole season? Why not dole the episodes out to them each week to review? HBO seemed rather proud of the fact that Game of Thrones was crowned the ‘most pirated television show’ in recent years, but have always tried to help to cut down the numbers. The launch of Game of Thrones on the HBO Go streaming service and the new season being simulcast all over the world, demonstrating their movements to achieve this. So the question remains as to why they would send out four episodes and not expect anyone to leak anything? Or, as some have speculated, could this leak be a purposeful one? I think it’s fair to say that the average person online would share information on leaked episodes before a press review of episode 1 - this information gets shared and shared and shared and millions of people get more excited for the season. It’ll be a bold move. We’ll probably never know the truth though.
For those not in the know (how you wouldn’t be, I’ve no idea) the first 4 episodes of Season 5 of Game of Thrones have been leaked onto the internet for everyone to have their pick of. Unlike many shows/films that are leaked, these are complete, all effects in place and everything - the only difference being a blurred-out watermark in the bottom corner of the screen.
This whole episode (no pun intended) has brought one massive, glaring question to my eyes – why were FOUR episodes sent out? This show doesn’t need the exposure 5 years into its run, so why give reviewers 40% of the whole season? Why not dole the episodes out to them each week to review? HBO seemed rather proud of the fact that Game of Thrones was crowned the ‘most pirated television show’ in recent years, but have always tried to help to cut down the numbers. The launch of Game of Thrones on the HBO Go streaming service and the new season being simulcast all over the world, demonstrating their movements to achieve this. So the question remains as to why they would send out four episodes and not expect anyone to leak anything? Or, as some have speculated, could this leak be a purposeful one? I think it’s fair to say that the average person online would share information on leaked episodes before a press review of episode 1 - this information gets shared and shared and shared and millions of people get more excited for the season. It’ll be a bold move. We’ll probably never know the truth though.
Should you download? I say that’s up to you. Of course, technically you shouldn’t, but this isn’t your fault – it’s the fault of HBO and the person who has leaked the episodes, they are breaking law. Don’t feel guilty because someone on the internet tells you that you should - if you want to download, go for it. If not, wait for each episode to be aired - It’s as simple as that. Just calm down with the spoilers and respect those who want to wait each week, eh?
(Maybe it was the intern?)
