The current season of Game of Thrones is hurdling along, making the collective internet freak out on a weekly basis.
A lot has happened – Jon Snow, Hodor, direwolves, beloved Rickon finally returning to us, Sansa stepping up as the true hero she always has been (basically this season is all about the Starks) – and it’s a lot to handle.
But it looks like next season will make everyone lose their minds for a shorter amount of time.
Co-creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss mentioned to Variety that the upcoming seasons could be shorter, and now director Jack Bender seems to have confirmed that.
He clarified to Vanity Fair the possibility of a shorter season, in response to whether or not he’d return to direct again:
“I don’t know the answer to that. They’re only doing seven [episodes], and they’ve got their regulars who have done it forever. I know that I had a wonderful experience doing the show and I know that Dan and David are thrilled with the shows, but I’ve got this series I’m mounting for the beginning of 2017 based on Stephen King’s trilogy of books, starting with Mr. Mercedes.”
All seasons previously, including the one currently airing, have a total of 10 episodes. Undoubtedly a lot will still be packed in, and it might help the pacing problems this show sometimes has.
While in all likelihood completely unrelated, it’s interesting that this news has come out right as The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman lobbied some criticism toward Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin regarding the HBO show.
In a profile by Rolling Stone, Kirkman said that Game of Thrones shouldn’t have spoiled book readers, or more specifically: “That’s the one thing I’m disappointed in George R.R. Martin for doing. He should have just been like, ‘Fuck you. You make it up now, I’ll get to mine when I’m ready.'”
Martin is currently writing the sixth book in his A Song of Ice and Fire series (which is what Game of Thrones is based on), but there’s no release date in sight. He has apologized to fans for not finishing it yet and that, while the show is diverting in significant ways, there will still be spoilers.
As primarily a book reader when it comes to this series, I get Kirkman’s general idea, but I think the criticism is harsh and unjustified. I’m definitely eager for the sixth book, and just hope it arrives soon.
What do you think of shorter Game of Thrones seasons? And do you think Martin should have done more to avoid book spoilers being revealed? Let us know in the comments!
