Game of Thrones Season 8: Unearthed Behind-the-Scenes Secrets Revealed!

Summary

Game of Thrones season 8 received criticism for its rushed pacing, abandonment of character setups, and unanswered questions.

The final season received widespread criticism for prioritizing elaborate set pieces over meaningful character development, as well as for deviating from George R.R. Martin's novels and facing time constraints during production.

Screen Rant's Pitch Meeting series is revisiting Game of Thrones season 8, examining its various issues such as rushed pacing, unresolved character setups, and unanswered questions. The episode, which was highly anticipated and watched by many, has been a subject of critique for its disappointing conclusion. The series host, Ryan George, reflects on the legacy of the original episode and addresses viewers' questions about the show's production.

Why Game of Thrones Season 8 Remains The Most Divisive

Game of Thrones season 8 faced numerous obstacles prior to its release. The most significant challenge was its shortened episode count of only six episodes, compared to the usual 10 episodes in previous seasons. Unlike Season 7, which had prioritized development, Season 8 was announced during the development of its predecessor and had to go through a rushed production process.

Consequently, Season 8 encountered various issues throughout its run. Apart from its pacing problems, the criticism primarily revolved around the focus on grandiose set pieces at the expense of meaningful character arcs. This was particularly evident in the disregard for previously established character arcs, such as Jaime Lannister's redemption journey, as he ultimately returned to his incestuous sister and died by her side. Another controversial aspect was Daenerys' sudden villainous transformation in the series finale, which seemed to come out of nowhere for many viewers and undermined the show's emphasis on her ascent to power.

The rushed development and production cycle can be attributed to the issues faced by Game of Thrones season 8. Another major factor was the show's departure from adapting Martin's novels, with the story surpassing the published works and fans eagerly awaiting The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring. Martin did provide some insights into the upcoming novels, but it seems that showrunners D.B. Weiss and David Benioff's vision deviated significantly from the source material, causing the final season to go off course. Fortunately, House of the Dragon season 1 has revived the franchise and Martin's increased involvement in the prequel provides hope for a continued success.