Social media has completely transformed the way we enjoy our favourite TV shows. Instead of waiting hours or even days to discuss the latest episode around the watercooler, we can now share our opinions in real time online.
But which shows are we talking about the most? Which have us jumping for joy and which have us leaping online to vent our frustration?
Explore the tool below to find out which TV shows are generating the most online discussion, as well as how they’re making us feel.
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Game of Thrones
The Walking Dead
Stranger Things
American Horror Story
Doctor Who
Rick & Morty
Daredevil
Black Mirror
Mr Robot
Westworld
The Good Place
Bojack Horseman
Better Call Saul
Peaky Blinders
Poldark
Handmaid's Tale
Homeland
Killing Eve
The Bodyguard
Luther
It’s no surprise to see Game of Thrones come out on top as the most talked about show on TV. Over the course of its run, the show has always kept fans guessing, never letting us know who will live, who will die and who will eventually take the Iron Throne. As the grand finale draws ever closer, take a look at which characters and episodes have generated the most discussion.
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SPOILERS AHEAD: READ ON AT YOUR OWN RISK
Most talked about characters
Jon Snow
Daenerys Targaryen
Arya Stark
Sansa Stark
Tyrion Lannister
Cersei Lannister
Bran Stark
Joffrey Baratheon
Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish
Jaime Lannister
Ned Stark
Brienne of Tarth
Drogon (Dragon)
The Night King
Ramsay Bolton
Samwell Tarly
Theon Greyjoy
Tormund Giantsbane
Sandor "The Hound" Clegane
Melisandre
Robb Stark
Ygritte
Gendry
Davos Seaworth
Viserion (Dragon)
Varys
Tywin Lannister
Bronn
Grey Worm
Shae
Most talked about episodes
The Dragon and the Wolf - SE 7, EP 7
The action-packed final episode of season 7 gave fans plenty to talk about, generating almost 2 and a half million posts on the day it aired. Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen finally give in to their feelings for each other - after the viewer had it confirmed that they were in fact related! However, the biggest moment came at the episode’s finale, as the Night King, riding the reanimated Viserion, destroys Eastwatch, allowing the White Walkers to invade the Seven Kingdoms.
SadnessThe Winds of Winter - SE 6, EP 1
Another season finale, The Winds of Winter saw a number of storylines come to fruition, as characters sought to tie up loose ends. Arya Stark sets out getting her revenge on House Frey, feeding Walder Frey a meat pie made out of his sons, before cutting his throat. Meanwhile, Cersei Lannister uses a wildfire explosion to destroy the Great Sept, killing all her enemies in one swift stroke.
SadnessBeyond the Wall - SE 7, EP 6
The penultimate episode of season 7 sees Jon Snow’s raiding party journey beyond the wall, where they encounter the Night King and his army. While Game of Thrones is no stranger to death, fans were not ready for the demise of Viserion. And to make matters worse, the episode ends with the Night King turning Daenerys’ once-faithful dragon into one of his White Walkers.
SadnessBattle of the Bastards - SE 6, EP 9
The Battle of the Bastards, which sees Jon Snow and Ramsay Bolton battle for control of Winterfell, is widely considered to be one of the best episodes of the series, and one of the best battle sequences of all time. The episode also sees Daenerys Targaryen continue to build her power, using her dragons to burn the slaver fleet.
SadnessDragonstone - SE 7, EP 1
Dragonstone sees Arya Stark complete her revenge against House Frey, disguising herself as Walder Frey and killing the remaining men. The episode also featured a cameo by Ed Sheeran, which didn’t go down too well with some fans! However, the main talking point was Daenerys Targaryen’s long-awaited return to Dragonstone, accompanied by her vast and formidable fleet.
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Based on Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel of the same name, The Handmaid’s Tale has built up a cult following in its short run on air. The show follows the lives of the people of Gilead, a totalitarian theocratic dictatorship in what used to be the United States of America. In this dystopian future, fertile women are forced to live as Handmaids and bear children for the new ruling elite.
SPOILERS AHEAD: READ ON AT YOUR OWN RISK
Most talked about characters
June Osborne / Offred
Serena Joy Waterford
Aunt Lydia
Commander Fred Waterford
Nick Blaine
Emily / Ofglen
Moira
Luke Bankole
Janine / Ofwarren
Rita
Most talked about episodes
Emmy Award Win
The top online talking point for The Handmaid’s Tale wasn’t actually an episode, it was an award show. The first season won eight Primetime Emmy Awards from thirteen nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series – and fans couldn’t help but jump online to share their joy and congratulations.
SadnessGolden Globes Speech
In 2018 the awards kept coming, with the show taking home the Golden Globe award for Best Television Series – Drama. However, it was Elisabeth Moss’ acceptance speech for her Best Actress that really got people talking. In it, she quoted from Margaret Atwood, calling out inequality and drawing attention to sexism in Hollywood.
SadnessThe Word - SE 2, EP 13
The most talked about episode of The Handmaid’s Tale was the season 2 finale, The Word. Viewers were rewarded for their patience, as various storylines finally came to a head. Serena and the wives attempted to alter the law, while Emily took her revenge on Aunt Lydia. Meanwhile, June once again set out to escape, this time with her new baby. However, things are never that simple in Gilead.
SadnessSeason 1 Launch
The Handmaid’s Tale started out with a bang, releasing the first three episodes on the same day. Throughout the course of these, viewers were introduced to the horrifying world of Gilead and the people that make up its population. Through flashbacks, we’re also shown the events that led up to this point, as women’s rights are stripped away and power is seized by a new totalitarian government.
SadnessThe Last Ceremony - SE 2, EP 1
Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse, The Last Ceremony sees the Waterford’s sink to new lows, culminating in a horrendous assault on June. While the show has made a name for its brutal, unflinching storytelling, this episode was even harder to watch than usual. And naturally, fans had plenty to say about it afterwards.
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Another fan favourite with a strong cult following, The Walking Dead tells the tale of a world living in the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse. The series follows Rick Grimes and a group of survivors in their quest to stay alive in a dangerous new world. As well as battling hordes of zombies, they also come face to face with other groups of survivors, some more hostile than others.
SPOILERS AHEAD: READ ON AT YOUR OWN RISK
Most talked about characters
Rick Grimes
Daryl Dixon
Negan
Carl Grimes
Glenn Rhee
Carol Peletier
Michonne
Maggie Greene
Morgan Jones
The Governor
Hershel Greene
Andrea
Shane Walsh
Lori Grimes
Merle Dixon
Ezekiel
Dwight
Dale Horvath
Most talked about episodes
The Day Will Come When You Won't Be - SE 7, EP 1
The season 7 premiere came out on top as the most talked about episode of The Walking Dead, and for good reason. Season 6 ended on a cliff hanger, with fans left wondering who Negan’s victim was. Season 7 wasted no time in showing both Abraham and Glenn get beaten to death by Lucille, Negan’s barbwire-wrapped baseball bat - an image fans will struggle to forget.
SadnessNo Sanctuary - SE 5, EP 1
No Sanctuary sees the culmination of Carol’s gradual transformation into a one woman killing-machine. There was something so satisfying about seeing this once timid housewife rescue Rick and the other survivors from Terminus, infiltrating the compound and taking out their captors.
SadnessAfter - SE 4, EP 9
After, the mid-season premiere of season 4, follows the aftermath of The Governor’s deadly assault on the prison, which leaves the survivors scattered. The episode sees Rick and Carl’s already fragile relationship stretched to near-breaking point, while Michonne finds herself haunted by memories of her past.
SadnessNo Way Out - SE 6, EP 9
Another mid-season premiere, No Way Out had fans glued to the screen as they waited for the outcome of the previous episode’s cliff-hanger ending. Most of the episode deals with the survivors trying to stop a group of walkers invading the Alexandria safe-zone. However, it also sees two major moments from the comic book series brought to the big screen – Carl Grimes losing his eye and the death of the Andersons.
SadnessA - SE 4, EP 16
The season 4 finale explored the lengths people will go to in order to protect themselves and their loved ones in a wild, lawless world. More specifically, it sees Rick reach new levels of brutality, as he savagely kills Joe and his gang of Claimers, after they ruthlessly threaten his group. The episode draws to a close with Rick and the survivors being captured by the dangerous residents of Terminus.
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Set in the 1980s, Stranger Things follows the residents of Hawkins, Indiana, as they deal with the disappearance of the young Will Byers and try to make sense of an increasingly strange world. Described by critics as a love letter to the 80s, the show is full of nostalgic references, earning itself a huge following and quickly becoming one of Netflix’s most successful shows.
SPOILERS AHEAD: READ ON AT YOUR OWN RISK
Most talked about characters
Eleven
Will Byers
Steve Harrington
Dustin Henderson
Mike Wheeler
Jim Hopper
Barbara 'Barb' Holland
Demogorgon
Nancy Wheeler
Lucas Sinclair
Jonathan Byers
Bob Newby
Joyce Byers
Billy Hargrove
Max Mayfield
Talking points
Eggos
Following the release of season 1, all anyone could talk about was Eggos! This once insignificant breakfast food was thrust into the public eye, thanks to the role it played in the show as Eleven’s new favourite food. When season 1 ended with Chief Hopper leaving some Eggos in the forest, fans were given renewed hope that Eleven would return for season 2.
SadnessFairy Lights
Another seemingly insignificant element that played a major role in the first series of Stranger Things was the fairy lights in the Byers’ home. Following Will’s disappearance, Joyce discovered she can communicate with her lost-son via a set of fairy lights.
SadnessJustice for Barb
Despite not getting much air-time, Barbara Holland quickly became a fan favourite. Following her untimely demise at the hands of the Upside Down, fans leapt online to cry out for justice for their poor, bespectacled Barb.
SadnessSteve's hair
While season 2 saw Steve Harrington go from hated jock to courageous hero, all people wanted to talk about online was his impressively quaffed hair. Dustin wasn’t the only one obsessing over Steve’s luscious locks!
SadnessPower couples
Stranger Things introduced us to a number of different couples throughout its first two seasons, both romantic and platonic, and fans were quick to get behind their favourites. While Mike and Eleven generated the most conversation, it was the newfound bromance between Dustin and Steve in season 2 that made fans the happiest!
Mike & Eleven
Nancy & Jonathan
Dustin & Steve
Nancy & Steve
Hopper & Eleven
Max & Lucas
Joyce & Bob
Peaky Blinders centres on Tommy Shelby, fierce boss of the notorious Peaky Blinders gang. In the aftermath of the First World War, Tommy attempts to consolidate power and work his way to the top of the criminal underworld, no matter the cost.
SPOILERS AHEAD: READ ON AT YOUR OWN RISK
Most talked about characters
Tommy Shelby
Arthur Shelby Jr
Polly Gray
Grace Shelby
Alfie Solomons
John Shelby
Michael Gray
Finn Shelby
Charlie Strong
Ada Thorne
Lizzie Shelby
Linda Shelby
Esme Shelby
Curly
Chester Campbell
Most talked about episodes
The Noose - SE 4, EP 1
The opening episode of season 4 starts off on a positive note, as Arthur, John, Michael and Polly escape the noose at the last minute. However, things quickly go downhill from there, as each of the Shelby family receive word from the Sicilian mafia, marking them for death. The episode ends with the family being attacked as John and Michael are hit.
SadnessThe Company - SE 4, EP 6
In a climactic end to the fourth season, The Company sees Tommy Shelby face off against Luca Changretta one last time, bringing the brutal family feud to an end. Tommy also confronts Alfie for his betrayal, discovering he has cancer and planned everything so Tommy would track him down and kill him, which he does.
SadnessEpisode 1 - SE 3, EP 1
The first episode of season three opens up on Tommy Shelby’s wedding day, as he ties the knot with Grace. However, it’s no surprise to watch the happy day quickly descend into mayhem, starting with a bust-up between the two families and ending with a murdered Russian spy’s body being burned in the garden.
SadnessEpisode 6 - SE 3, EP 6
In another action-packed season finale, the final episode of season 3 sees three tense plotlines playing out simultaneously. Tommy races to complete the tunnel into the Russian vault, Michael attempts to track down Father Hughes and rescue Charlie, and Arthur and John carry out the train bombing. And to top things off, the episode ends with the police raiding the Shelby family home and arresting the Peaky Blinders.
SadnessHeathens - SE 4, EP 2
Heathens introduces the viewer to Aberama Gold, the ruthless killer-for-hire who Tommy hires to help in his ongoing vendetta with the mafia. We also learn more about Luca Changretta, as the Sicilian mobster comes face to face with Tommy and announces his brutal intentions.
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Data sourced from Twitter, with sentiment analysis used to show the emotional breakdown of each post. Conversation analysed from the 1st of the month in which the first episode of each show aired until 31st January 2019. Data looks at global conversation in the English language.
Please note, this information is purely for entertainment purposes and may not be 100% accurate or definitive.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.