In Defense of Game of Thrones Season 8 Story Choices: Director's Perspective

Article Overview

Matt Shakman, the director of two episodes in season 7 of Game of Thrones, stands by season 8 and supports showrunners D.B. Weiss and David Benioff, asserting that they successfully concluded the intended narrative.

Viewers have been highly polarized by Season 8 of the show due to several controversial narrative choices. The primary factor contributing to the season's shortcomings lies in its limited number of episodes, as well as the reduced episode count in Season 7. Consequently, the numerous storylines and character developments were condensed, leaving audiences feeling unsatisfied.

Matt Shakman, the director of 2 episodes in season 7, defends Game of Thrones season 8. The popular HBO show, based on George R.R. Martin's fantasy novels, first premiered in 2011 and was led by showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss. Despite its huge success, the final season in 2019 was met with mixed reactions from viewers. In a recent interview with Inverse, Shakman, known for his work on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and as a director and executive producer for Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, defends the divisive season and expresses support for Benioff and Weiss. Read Shakman's full comment below.

I believe those individuals are exceptionally talented and have effectively conveyed the intended narrative. Although it may have sparked contrasting views, I refrain from expressing any opinions on potential improvements they could have made.

Why Game Of Thrones Season 8 Was So Controversial

Game of Thrones, which premiered in 2011, steadily gained popularity and became one of the most beloved television shows. It followed a diverse range of characters as they competed for control over the Iron Throne of Westeros. The show received praise not only from viewers but also from critics for its ability to handle multiple characters and storylines. However, this ability to balance the many aspects of the show faltered in season 7 and, particularly, in season 8.

One major criticism of Game of Thrones season 8 was its reduced episode count. While previous seasons consisted of 10 episodes, season 7 had only 7 episodes and season 8 was shortened to just 6. As a result, complex storylines and character developments that had been built up since season 1 were hastily wrapped up. For instance, the long-anticipated threat of the White Walkers, which had been teased throughout the series, was resolved in a single episode.

The reduced episode count led to the rushed development of Danaerys Targaryen's character arc, particularly her transformation into the Mad Queen, which involved the sudden slaughter of innocent civilians in King's Landing. The Game of Thrones series finale also had divisive story decisions, such as Bran becoming King and the conclusion of Cersei and Jaime's story. However, the main issues with season 8 primarily stem from the compressed nature of the final 2 seasons.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I have mixed feelings about Game of Thrones Season 8. On the one hand, I understand the frustration of many fans who felt that the final season was rushed and did not do justice to the complex characters and storylines that had been built up over the previous seven seasons. On the other hand, I appreciate the fact that the showrunners made bold choices and took risks, even if they did not always pay off.

I think one of the biggest problems with Season 8 was the lack of character development. Many of the characters who had been so carefully developed over the course of the series seemed to undergo sudden and unexplained changes in their behavior. For example, Daenerys Targaryen's transformation from a compassionate and just ruler into a ruthless and tyrannical queen felt unearned and rushed. Similarly, Jaime Lannister's decision to return to Cersei after everything she had done was confusing and disappointing.