For thirteen years, a single television episode reigned supreme.Breaking Bad’s “Ozymandias” held the coveted position of the highest-rated show on IMDb, a perfect 10 out of 10, untouchable amongst millions of contenders. That reign has ended, not through critical reassessment, but through a digital war.
The fall from grace was swift and unexpected, a bizarre twist worthy of the show itself. A coordinated effort by fans ofGame of Thronesinitiated a review-bombing campaign, dragging “Ozymandias” down to a 9.5 and a distant 767th place. The irony is palpable – an episode about a crumbling empire brought down by a furious fandom.
The catalyst? The recent success ofGame of Thrones: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Its fifth episode, “In the Name of the Mother,” briefly shared the top spot with “Ozymandias” before being nudged down to a 9.9, then a 9.8. This sparked a retaliatory strike, a digital battle for supremacy between two passionate fanbases.
The evidence is clear within the review sections themselves. One-star ratings for “In the Name of the Mother” appeared with messages like “in the name of Ozymandias” and “leave Breaking Bad alone.” The sentiment was a clear declaration of war, a digital echo of the conflicts within Westeros.
“Ozymandias” faced the same onslaught. Reviews appeared with titles like “The Lannisters send their regards,” and comments lamenting the pettiness of the situation. One user admitted to lowering their rating simply “because of [Breaking Bad] fans,” expressing regret at being drawn into the conflict.
Even official channels joined the fray. The HBO Max Nordic Instagram account posted a clip from the infamous “Battle of the Bastards,” framing the feud as a similar clash of armies. The caption read, “The fans called the banners quickly,” acknowledging the escalating digital conflict.
Amidst the chaos, a sense of disbelief emerged. Many observers, watching from the sidelines, labeled the entire affair as “extremely petty and ridiculous.” Others dismissed it as “pathetic review bombing drama,” questioning the motivations behind such fervent online behavior.
Despite the turmoil,A Knight of the Seven Kingdomshas undeniably resonated with audiences. Its finale, “The Morrow,” scored an 8.7 on IMDb and is being hailed by many as the “best series of the year.” Though, even there, a glimpse into the one-star reviews reveals the lingering presence of the opposing force.
The battle has left both episodes diminished, a cautionary tale about the intensity of fandom and the potential for digital conflict. While the ratings may fluctuate, the real cost seems to be a loss of perspective, a reminder that even in the realm of entertainment, passions can run dangerously high.
