The masterminds behind “Game of Thrones” stayed true to their track record of torturing fans. During the show’s Facebook Live release of the Season 7 premiere date announcement on Thursday, things got glitchy and a lot of fans panicked — though, many also shared their amusement.
It took more than an hour to find out that Season 7 will premiere on (wait for it) July 16, 2017.
The Facebook Live video featured a block of ice with the announcement frozen inside. The more viewers commented on the video, the more fire was blown onto the ice block, thus getting that much closer to knowing how much longer we will need to wait to see what goes down in Westeros next. Viewers were urged to comment “Fire” and “Dracarys.”
The video launched at 11 a.m. Pacific Time, and lasted for roughly 18 minutes before cutting out unexpectedly, just when the ice block was starting to shrink. A few minutes later, a new live feed was up. But after about 20 minutes, that feed ended too. After an hour from the initial live feed, a third attempt was made.
After the first failed live stream, Game of Thrones tweeted this:
We will be back and ready for more fire soon. #GoTS7
— Game of Thrones (@GameOfThrones) March 9, 2017
And “GoT” fans flew into a tailspin. Here are the best reactions:
https://twitter.com/CeylinCee/status/839918358174842880
Me waiting for the ICE to melt on #GameofThrones Facebook Page. #GOTs7 pic.twitter.com/W38O5txZFK
— Yash (@commentatorship) March 9, 2017
Whoever is in charge of the @GameofThrones S7 premier date reveal is getting a visit from Septa Unella. @HBO @WiCnet @CulturessFS #GoTS7 pic.twitter.com/K3nZPwUmQu
— I. A. Melton ??♀️??♀️??♀️ (@ijamelton) March 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/Wayner_20/status/839926938722516992
https://twitter.com/amandapen/status/839935541558640640
I guess we find out on next week’s installment of Giant Block of Ice of Thrones. https://t.co/pbQUzjtEur
— Eric Goldman (@TheEricGoldman) March 9, 2017
you have 3 dragons they'd have melted that stuff in 30 seconds.
— dragon's daughter (@yeahclarke) March 9, 2017
The ice be like #GoTS7 pic.twitter.com/YjE34asDET
— No One (@iNoOnex) March 9, 2017
when the @GameOfThrones livestream cuts out
#GoTS7 pic.twitter.com/ZT7FBQzeDd
— Taryn Arnold (@Thetarynarnold) March 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/sansastcrk/status/839917217378598913
Could have watched an entire episode of Game of Thrones. Instead, I am watching Ice melt for an hour. #GOTs7 pic.twitter.com/Ev2ptEQrK7
— Bear (@BeingTheBear) March 9, 2017
Waiting for the marketing team to make a statement: "we wanted it to be frustrating and for you to feel violated" #GameofThrones
— Jenny Slife (@JennySlife87) March 9, 2017
Every Game of Thrones fans right now. pic.twitter.com/5sGeECMECq
— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) March 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/GMBosko/status/839923052188151810
https://twitter.com/jowrotethis/status/839920239127166976
When #GameofThrones doesn't show the date in the live video….. BURN THEM ALL! #GOTs7 pic.twitter.com/W3Up1LPlla
— Drue Gindler (@DrueGindler) March 9, 2017
Once the video finally started working, fans found that it featured cameos from Lena Heady, Isaac Hempstead Wright, Gwendoline Christie, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Liam Cunningham.