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NFT: Latest on final GoT seasons

Tony in Tampa : 6/28/2016 12:44 pm
Not sure if this has been posted but it confirms the 2 more seasons speculation:

BENIOFF: It’s two more seasons we’re talking about. From pretty close to the beginning, we talked about doing this in 70-75 hours, and that’s what we’ll end up with. Call it 73 for now. What Dan says is really true, but it’s not just trying not to outstay your welcome. We’re trying to tell one cohesive story with a beginning, middle and end. As Dan said, we’ve known the end for quite some time and we’re hurtling towards it. Those last images from the show that aired last night showed that. Daenerys is finally coming back to Westeros; Jon Snow is king of the North and Cersei is sitting on the Iron Throne. And we know the Night King is up there, waiting for all of them. The pieces are on the board now. Some of the pieces have been removed from the board and we are heading toward the end game. The thing that has excited us from the beginning, back to the way we pitched it to HBO is, it’s not supposed to be an ongoing show, where every season it’s trying to figure out new story lines. We wanted it to be one giant story, without padding it out to add an extra 10 hours, or because people are still watching it. We wanted to something where, if people watched it end to end, it would make sense as one continuous story. We’re definitely heading into the end game now.

The interview is also pretty interesting on the behind the scenes stuff,

Game Of Thrones’ David Benioff & D.B. Weiss On Shocking Season 6 Finale - ( New Window )
If there are  
TommyWiseau : 6/28/2016 1:09 pm : link
only 13 episodes left then why do it over 2 seasons? Why not just knock it out next year and be done with it
because they can milk it as long as they want  
GMAN4LIFE : 6/28/2016 1:10 pm : link
.
Its in the GOT thrones thread  
montanagiant : 6/28/2016 1:11 pm : link
.
RE: If there are  
Ten Ton Hammer : 6/28/2016 1:12 pm : link
In comment 13012534 TommyWiseau said:
Quote:
only 13 episodes left then why do it over 2 seasons? Why not just knock it out next year and be done with it


half-seasons have become en vogue these days. Mad Men did this for their final season too. Split it in half to spread the hype and viewership over more time.
its great that they are doing a final full season +  
UConn4523 : 6/28/2016 1:15 pm : link
the split sucks though, sucked for every show that's ever done it.
Its at the least 13 episodes  
montanagiant : 6/28/2016 1:21 pm : link
At the most 15.
I am sad its so close to the end, but respect  
Ben in Tampa : 6/28/2016 1:22 pm : link
that they have their story and they are sticking to it. Games of Thrones has so many subplots, and side characters it could easily go off the rails. Keeping tight and sticking to the plan is the right way to do it.
Well hopefully in two years  
weeg in the bronx : 6/28/2016 1:22 pm : link
GMMR will get at least one of the books finished!!
RE: If there are  
Tesla : 6/28/2016 1:22 pm : link
In comment 13012534 TommyWiseau said:
Quote:
only 13 episodes left then why do it over 2 seasons? Why not just knock it out next year and be done with it


It'$ a good que$tion, never really $ure why they do it that way. Mu$t be $ome good rea$on.
There will also be a ton of expensive battle sequences  
NYG07 : 6/28/2016 1:24 pm : link
in the final 13 episodes so assuming HBO gives them the full $100MM budget per season as they have in the previous seasons, they can create bigger battle scenes.
RE: Well hopefully in two years  
montanagiant : 6/28/2016 1:26 pm : link
In comment 13012577 weeg in the bronx said:
Quote:
GMMR will get at least one of the books finished!!

Sorry buddy, that will never happen.
To get more specific about the $ behind that decision:  
81_Great_Dane : 6/28/2016 1:30 pm : link
HBO's in the business of selling subscriptions. At the moment, they don't have a ton of hot shows, and nothing is hotter than GoT. So it's in the network's interest to have two more seasons, and keep subscribers hooked.

Also, GoT is a massive production -- 13 episodes in a year would be a ginormous undertaking. They are surely glad to have the extra time, especially since they feel the need to keep topping themselves.
Everyone is splitting their final seasons now  
ZGiants98 : 6/28/2016 1:49 pm : link
Breaking Bad did the same thing. Here's hoping we get a full 15. 8 and 7 would be pretty sweet.
The problem with this is that their changing tack.  
giantsfaninphilly : 6/28/2016 1:57 pm : link
The first 5 seasons had a ton of bloat. now it seems rushed so they can get it over with.
13 more episodes would be kind of silly  
illmatic : 6/28/2016 1:59 pm : link
They would have a seven and then a six episode season? Assuming that would be the final season but it's still too short. They might as well flesh out some of the storylines slightly more and just make it 8 + 8.
7 + 7 makes..  
Chris in Philly : 6/28/2016 2:12 pm : link
more sense for GoT.
More rowing  
spike : 6/28/2016 2:24 pm : link
For Brienne and pod and Gendry
I want a damn prequel series  
spike : 6/28/2016 2:25 pm : link
Roberts Rebellion.

We can even recycle some of the actors in the current series
RE: The problem with this is that their changing tack.  
ZGiants98 : 6/28/2016 2:26 pm : link
In comment 13012659 giantsfaninphilly said:
Quote:
The first 5 seasons had a ton of bloat. now it seems rushed so they can get it over with.


Why do you think this? From day one they have wanted to do 7 seasons. 7 seasons for 7 books was the exact quote from B and B. Getting an extra 3-5 is a bonus.
RE: RE: The problem with this is that their changing tack.  
UConn4523 : 6/28/2016 3:09 pm : link
In comment 13012715 ZGiants98 said:
Quote:
In comment 13012659 giantsfaninphilly said:


Quote:


The first 5 seasons had a ton of bloat. now it seems rushed so they can get it over with.



Why do you think this? From day one they have wanted to do 7 seasons. 7 seasons for 7 books was the exact quote from B and B. Getting an extra 3-5 is a bonus.


I see the opposite. I don't think it was bloat at all, it was necessary then and its lacking now. I'm hoping that the extra episodes mean they can properly pace the show. Not to flame on again about it again, as we will never agree on it, but the show absolutely went off the rails this season with pacing. If it was always like that and cut everything out i'd be fine with it, but they broke their own mold.
I wonder what order things  
giantgiantfan : 6/28/2016 3:19 pm : link
will fall in. I think we all have a good sense of how this end. I wonder if they deal with westeross first, then white walkers or vice-versa. Mixing the two in and out could be fun as well.
The aftermath of Hastings  
Chip : 6/28/2016 3:20 pm : link
was as interesting as what happened before. The story could go on forever. the border wars between Scotland and England went on for centuries.
I just want to see Mother of Dragons  
Shadow : 6/28/2016 4:02 pm : link
Naked again.
RE: RE: RE: The problem with this is that their changing tack.  
ZGiants98 : 6/28/2016 4:24 pm : link
In comment 13012763 UConn4523 said:
Quote:
In comment 13012715 ZGiants98 said:


Quote:


In comment 13012659 giantsfaninphilly said:


Quote:


The first 5 seasons had a ton of bloat. now it seems rushed so they can get it over with.



Why do you think this? From day one they have wanted to do 7 seasons. 7 seasons for 7 books was the exact quote from B and B. Getting an extra 3-5 is a bonus.



I see the opposite. I don't think it was bloat at all, it was necessary then and its lacking now. I'm hoping that the extra episodes mean they can properly pace the show. Not to flame on again about it again, as we will never agree on it, but the show absolutely went off the rails this season with pacing. If it was always like that and cut everything out i'd be fine with it, but they broke their own mold.


As always, thank you for your singular opinion. My singular opinion is that season 6 was one of the overall's stories best.
I'm still in awe of seasons 1-4  
UConn4523 : 6/28/2016 4:38 pm : link
season 5 sucked by the show's standards. But if you gave me the ability to remake any of the seasons I'd actually chose season 6 over season 5. Episodes 9 and 10 were great, but 1-8 was just all over the place for me and I have no idea why. Maybe its because they were planning on shortening it and had to speed it up, maybe its because the source material was gone (the heavy details that is, I know they know all of the GRRM story arcs).

Still high quality TV, just didn't sit right with me when looking back on the whole season.

But today's news gives me faith they will finish the show the way it was started. I just didn't see it with 7 episodes but with 13-15, I think they can pull it off.
Eh. I still disagree  
ZGiants98 : 6/28/2016 4:59 pm : link
Every season had slower episodes in them. Season 6 had the resurrection of John in the beginning which was well done. The fabulous " The Door" in the middle. I personally liked episode 8 a lot too. 9 and 10 were obviously phenomenal and the height of this series so far. I think you'd be hard pressed to find any season that had more than 3 standouts that people will look back to over and over again but season 6 obviously will.

From what I've heard season 5 was a bit of a mess because the book is a mess and all over the place. Id agree 5 was the worst but season 4 is its best. I probably go..

6
4
2
3
1
5

Even 5 finished very strong 8-10 IMO. Not bad at all.
In fact ...  
ZGiants98 : 6/28/2016 5:02 pm : link
reflecting on season 6... people on these very boards were saying "best season ever" after episode 5 The Door. That's remarkable considering how strong the season ended. Ep 1-5 were very strong this year. I guess you can make a case 6-8 were a little slower/off pace but your talking about 2 episodes or so at most.
I loved every episode save one this season  
Ten Ton Hammer : 6/28/2016 5:04 pm : link
It was appointment watching for me, and I completely ignored season 5. I'd just read online recaps.
RE: I loved every episode save one this season  
ZGiants98 : 6/28/2016 5:06 pm : link
In comment 13012975 Ten Ton Hammer said:
Quote:
It was appointment watching for me, and I completely ignored season 5. I'd just read online recaps.


Same. People want to nitpick and get hung up on time travel, ect. they are missing the forest for the trees IMO.
RE: I loved every episode save one this season  
Giantology : 6/28/2016 5:08 pm : link
In comment 13012975 Ten Ton Hammer said:
Quote:
It was appointment watching for me, and I completely ignored season 5. I'd just read online recaps.


You owe it to yourself to go back and watch Season 5, episode 9. It's definitely one of the top 5 episodes in the series' history, maybe even top 3 or 4.
I understand I am in the minority  
UConn4523 : 6/28/2016 5:08 pm : link
season 6 was filled with many highs, but I couldn't get past many of the lows. Much of it has to do with continuity and pacing rather than just being a slow episode (which is where the show shines when done right, IMO).

In any case, this is good news for all fans. I just hope its not a full year wait in between half seasons, it would be incredibly lame.
I agree with Z  
Jay on the Island : 6/28/2016 5:08 pm : link
Season 6 was the best season IMO. I know it would never happen but I personally was hoping that they would make a movie to end the show. That way they would have a huge budget with few restrictions.
RE: RE: I loved every episode save one this season  
Giantology : 6/28/2016 5:08 pm : link
In comment 13012983 Giantology said:
Quote:
In comment 13012975 Ten Ton Hammer said:


Quote:


It was appointment watching for me, and I completely ignored season 5. I'd just read online recaps.



You owe it to yourself to go back and watch Season 5, episode 9. It's definitely one of the top 5 episodes in the series' history, maybe even top 3 or 4.


sorry- episode 8. Hardhome
Honestly I really like the Hound's return episode too  
ZGiants98 : 6/28/2016 5:09 pm : link
It was sort of a diversion and maybe came out of nowhere but I thought it was very well done. Ian McShane was a nice temporary addition.
RE: I understand I am in the minority  
ZGiants98 : 6/28/2016 5:15 pm : link
In comment 13012985 UConn4523 said:
Quote:
season 6 was filled with many highs, but I couldn't get past many of the lows. Much of it has to do with continuity and pacing rather than just being a slow episode (which is where the show shines when done right, IMO).

In any case, this is good news for all fans. I just hope its not a full year wait in between half seasons, it would be incredibly lame.


Im guessing it will be. They will be positioning Westworld as their new must watch show in the fall so they will want to distant them a bit. Madmen, Breaking Bad, ect. all made us wait a year in between. Lame? Yes. Uncommon. No.
Im probably alone  
ZGiants98 : 6/28/2016 5:17 pm : link
but Im not ready for the series to end yet. lol. Im ok with it taking two more years. Maybe by then Ill be caught up on the books and book 6 at least will be out as well and the only thing left will be book 7 to close everything out once the TV series ends.
RE: Im probably alone  
Giantology : 6/28/2016 5:22 pm : link
In comment 13012999 ZGiants98 said:
Quote:
but Im not ready for the series to end yet. lol. Im ok with it taking two more years. Maybe by then Ill be caught up on the books and book 6 at least will be out as well and the only thing left will be book 7 to close everything out once the TV series ends.


You're not alone. I'd actually love for a "prequel" series to explain even more history about the world, but I don't know that it would be a big hit.
RE: I understand I am in the minority  
widmerseyebrow : 6/28/2016 5:32 pm : link
In comment 13012985 UConn4523 said:
Quote:
season 6 was filled with many highs, but I couldn't get past many of the lows. Much of it has to do with continuity and pacing rather than just being a slow episode (which is where the show shines when done right, IMO).

In any case, this is good news for all fans. I just hope its not a full year wait in between half seasons, it would be incredibly lame.


I agree 100%. The highs were satisfying, but a lot of the subplots really fizzled for me. It's weird, on one hand I think you hit the nail on the head earlier about not having the source to fall back on for depth. On the other hand, I feel like GRRM wrote a couple of the story lines into holes too deep to get out of in a meaningful way on TV.
RE: RE: Im probably alone  
ZGiants98 : 6/28/2016 5:53 pm : link
In comment 13013005 Giantology said:
Quote:
In comment 13012999 ZGiants98 said:


Quote:


but Im not ready for the series to end yet. lol. Im ok with it taking two more years. Maybe by then Ill be caught up on the books and book 6 at least will be out as well and the only thing left will be book 7 to close everything out once the TV series ends.



You're not alone. I'd actually love for a "prequel" series to explain even more history about the world, but I don't know that it would be a big hit.


Im sure it would be. Ive never seen a series that has been this epic that has this big of a built in fanbase.
RE: RE: RE: The problem with this is that their changing tack.  
giantsfaninphilly : 6/28/2016 6:56 pm : link
In comment 13012763 UConn4523 said:
Quote:
In comment 13012715 ZGiants98 said:


Quote:


In comment 13012659 giantsfaninphilly said:


Quote:


The first 5 seasons had a ton of bloat. now it seems rushed so they can get it over with.



Why do you think this? From day one they have wanted to do 7 seasons. 7 seasons for 7 books was the exact quote from B and B. Getting an extra 3-5 is a bonus.



I see the opposite. I don't think it was bloat at all, it was necessary then and its lacking now. I'm hoping that the extra episodes mean they can properly pace the show. Not to flame on again about it again, as we will never agree on it, but the show absolutely went off the rails this season with pacing. If it was always like that and cut everything out i'd be fine with it, but they broke their own mold.


I dunno. Maybe you're right. But it feels like there was a lot of filler in the first 5 seasons. Dany's journey got to be tedious what with the whole Mereen thing. It felt as if the first 5 had more GRRM-esque meandering and now that it's way beyond the books, HBO is condensing it. What sucks is they aren't doing another 2 10-episode seasons.
RE: RE: I understand I am in the minority  
UConn4523 : 6/28/2016 6:57 pm : link
In comment 13013015 widmerseyebrow said:
Quote:
In comment 13012985 UConn4523 said:


Quote:


season 6 was filled with many highs, but I couldn't get past many of the lows. Much of it has to do with continuity and pacing rather than just being a slow episode (which is where the show shines when done right, IMO).

In any case, this is good news for all fans. I just hope its not a full year wait in between half seasons, it would be incredibly lame.



I agree 100%. The highs were satisfying, but a lot of the subplots really fizzled for me. It's weird, on one hand I think you hit the nail on the head earlier about not having the source to fall back on for depth. On the other hand, I feel like GRRM wrote a couple of the story lines into holes too deep to get out of in a meaningful way on TV.


He did, but 3 more books are rumored, so until they all come out or he just quits writing, I'm going to look forward to the rest of what he has to say. Speaking of which, I have the dunk and egg novellas and need to start them soon.
RE: RE: RE: RE: The problem with this is that their changing tack.  
UConn4523 : 6/28/2016 7:00 pm : link
In comment 13013066 giantsfaninphilly said:
Quote:
In comment 13012763 UConn4523 said:


Quote:


In comment 13012715 ZGiants98 said:


Quote:


In comment 13012659 giantsfaninphilly said:


Quote:


The first 5 seasons had a ton of bloat. now it seems rushed so they can get it over with.



Why do you think this? From day one they have wanted to do 7 seasons. 7 seasons for 7 books was the exact quote from B and B. Getting an extra 3-5 is a bonus.



I see the opposite. I don't think it was bloat at all, it was necessary then and its lacking now. I'm hoping that the extra episodes mean they can properly pace the show. Not to flame on again about it again, as we will never agree on it, but the show absolutely went off the rails this season with pacing. If it was always like that and cut everything out i'd be fine with it, but they broke their own mold.



I dunno. Maybe you're right. But it feels like there was a lot of filler in the first 5 seasons. Dany's journey got to be tedious what with the whole Mereen thing. It felt as if the first 5 had more GRRM-esque meandering and now that it's way beyond the books, HBO is condensing it. What sucks is they aren't doing another 2 10-episode seasons.


It's certainly a preference thing, but yes Dany was done poorly but so has recent Dany. Her arc kind of oversees everything and she's so far away it's hard to portray it on the show. Aryas story was exhausting the last 2 seasons, and what they've done to littlefinger and Jamie is appalling.

I'm looking forward to the conclusion. I have been eagerly awaiting Westworld for forever and the more I read the more I can't wait. It has infinite potential. The night of looks great too, produced by James Gandolfini.
While I wish it went on forever  
Joey in VA : 6/28/2016 8:07 pm : link
If you look at from their viewpoint it's like someone asking Michelangelo to add a few more cherubs so we can keep watching him paint when he's done with the chapel. They see this from their viewpoint, to tell an epic story and when it's over it's over and they shouldn't cater to anyone but the art. I have mad respect for that.
Something this big  
Kanavis : 6/28/2016 8:57 pm : link
Will never wrap up on a way that satisfies everyone. GMM should learn from what happened to his friend (Jordan) and try to wrap the books as well.
Something this big  
Kanavis : 6/28/2016 9:03 pm : link
Will never wrap up on a way that satisfies everyone. GMM should learn from what happened to his friend (Jordan) and try to wrap the books as well.
RE: RE: RE: I understand I am in the minority  
ZGiants98 : 6/28/2016 11:01 pm : link
In comment 13013067 UConn4523 said:
Quote:
In comment 13013015 widmerseyebrow said:


Quote:


In comment 13012985 UConn4523 said:


Quote:


season 6 was filled with many highs, but I couldn't get past many of the lows. Much of it has to do with continuity and pacing rather than just being a slow episode (which is where the show shines when done right, IMO).

In any case, this is good news for all fans. I just hope its not a full year wait in between half seasons, it would be incredibly lame.



I agree 100%. The highs were satisfying, but a lot of the subplots really fizzled for me. It's weird, on one hand I think you hit the nail on the head earlier about not having the source to fall back on for depth. On the other hand, I feel like GRRM wrote a couple of the story lines into holes too deep to get out of in a meaningful way on TV.



He did, but 3 more books are rumored, so until they all come out or he just quits writing, I'm going to look forward to the rest of what he has to say. Speaking of which, I have the dunk and egg novellas and need to start them soon.


There is overwhelming evidence it will still only be two more books. I think there was one quibble that he was toying with the idea of 3 but I would bet everything I own it ends up being just two more. You're stating this as if 3 more books are expected or assumed. Its still two by just about everyone out there.
RE: RE: RE: RE: I understand I am in the minority  
giantsfaninphilly : 6/28/2016 11:44 pm : link
In comment 13013239 ZGiants98 said:
Quote:
In comment 13013067 UConn4523 said:


Quote:


In comment 13013015 widmerseyebrow said:


Quote:


In comment 13012985 UConn4523 said:


Quote:


season 6 was filled with many highs, but I couldn't get past many of the lows. Much of it has to do with continuity and pacing rather than just being a slow episode (which is where the show shines when done right, IMO).

In any case, this is good news for all fans. I just hope its not a full year wait in between half seasons, it would be incredibly lame.



I agree 100%. The highs were satisfying, but a lot of the subplots really fizzled for me. It's weird, on one hand I think you hit the nail on the head earlier about not having the source to fall back on for depth. On the other hand, I feel like GRRM wrote a couple of the story lines into holes too deep to get out of in a meaningful way on TV.



He did, but 3 more books are rumored, so until they all come out or he just quits writing, I'm going to look forward to the rest of what he has to say. Speaking of which, I have the dunk and egg novellas and need to start them soon.



There is overwhelming evidence it will still only be two more books. I think there was one quibble that he was toying with the idea of 3 but I would bet everything I own it ends up being just two more. You're stating this as if 3 more books are expected or assumed. Its still two by just about everyone out there.


I don't think there are going to be any more books. I could be wrong. It's been since 1998 he started the series. 18 years FFS.
My criticism of what we're getting on GoT now  
81_Great_Dane : 6/29/2016 1:40 am : link
is that this doesn't feel like George R.R. Martin anymore. The show has always made itself compelling by setting up the viewer's expectations, then confounding them. Ned Stark looks like the hero of the show, then his head gets chopped off. Robb Stark looks like the hero, then he and his get slaughtered. You like a character, he kills them off. Things happen that make no narrative sense, according to the usual storytelling structures, because he wants to remind us that nobody is safe simply because they're heroic or likable or sympathetic.

But this season the narrative began to get much more conventional. The Sparrows got blown to bits. The cavalry rode in to save the day. Dany's return was a deus-ex-draco twist. Ramsay got eaten by his dogs -- poetic justice. Arya went Titus Andronicus on Walder Frey before slaughtering him -- more poetic justice. In a George R.R. Martin narrative, you'd expect Ramsay Bolton's or Walder Frey's death to be unsatisfying or unsettling, because it would empower someone or something even worse.

I think the show has become more traditionally crowd-pleasing but less provocative. Maybe that was inevitable, because at some point the story has to move toward an ending, but it feels more like David Benioff now and less like GRRM.
I clearly said "rumored"  
UConn4523 : 6/29/2016 5:19 am : link
when talking about a 3rd book, didn't I? I don't care if it's 2 or 3, I'm looking forward to it either way. I also think he finishes, but what do any of us know? We can all point to this and that for reasons he will or won't finish, I'll just wait and see.
RE: My criticism of what we're getting on GoT now  
giantsfaninphilly : 6/29/2016 8:50 am : link
In comment 13013324 81_Great_Dane said:
Quote:

I think the show has become more traditionally crowd-pleasing but less provocative. Maybe that was inevitable, because at some point the story has to move toward an ending, but it feels more like David Benioff now and less like GRRM.


This is what happens when a story gets put on film before the writer has finished it. It's been 18 years since the books were started. WTF has GRRM been doing in that time? He's written 3 other novels that have nothing to do with A Song of Ice and Fire. Seems like he lost focus after the third book. It was 5 and 6 years to get books 4 and 5 out. It tells me he got disinterested. Book 6 was supposed to be out in 2014. Winds of winter had 400 pages worth 4 years ago. He had said that books 6 and 7 were supposed to be over 1500 pages each. He backed himself into a corner with bloat in the first 5.
Its obvious what he's been doing  
UConn4523 : 6/29/2016 8:57 am : link
he's filthy rich, touring to promote the show, and enjoying all the spoils of the world he created. Kudos to him.

I want the books to come as bad as anyone, and it would be unfortunate if his legacy is tainted due to his own success, but he earned it.
Well  
5BowlsSoon : 6/29/2016 10:04 am : link
If he ever does finish the books, you can expect book ending to be quite different from tv endings.
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