@JustinJackFlash said:

I said this before, after season 6 ended. That two short seasons isn't enough to end the story without the pacing feeling very uneven. Game of Thrones being known for its's slow pace and depth.

Now that I've just finished season 7 I still feel the same way. It did feel rushed.

Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed it immensely. But a lot felt underdeveloped. The Jon Snow/Daenarys love story being one example that springs to mind. They knew each other for five minutes, then suddenly they're in love. It didn't feel as natural as it should have. Plot strands are raised and closed soon after without the chance to simmer. The dialogue felt brisker and emptier.

And now in the final season they have to play out the whole conflict with the whitewalkers and the battle against Cersei all in a mere six episodes.

It really does seem like an odd decision to cut the amount of episodes. It makes no sense from both the showrunners point of view, who will make less money and the viewers.

Im no expert on production costs but CGI cost for the Dragons, white Walkers and wights is likely far too expensive to justify 10 episode seasons at this point.

These 6 episodes may very well be 80 minutes long, essentially short films. That should be enough time to resolve the story. And They promised a bittersweet ending, so the ultimate finale may not be Dany vs Cersei. For all we know the Night King might be closing in on her doorstep in the first scene of season 8.

@CalabrianQueen said:

Im no expert on production costs but CGI cost for the Dragons, white Walkers and wights is likely far too expensive to justify 10 episode seasons at this point.

You don't have to have dragons, white walkers and battle scenes in every episode. Game of Thrones is about politics, plotting, double dealing and character developments more than special effects and action.

. And They promised a bittersweet ending, so they ultimate finale may not be Dany vs Cersei. For all we know the Night King might be closing in on her doorstep in the first scene of season 8.

That sounds good. I like the idea of a completely unexpected ending that could be quite dark.

It's simple. They no longer have the GRRM source material.

Best case scenario, he finally releases The Winds of Winter and we get a more detailed account.

@snoho said:

It's simple. They no longer have the GRRM source material.

Best case scenario, he finally releases The Winds of Winter and we get a more detailed account.

I do believe that is something to do with it, yes.

Is he still doing more books then? Or has he given up?

@JustinJackFlash said:

@snoho said:

It's simple. They no longer have the GRRM source material.

Best case scenario, he finally releases The Winds of Winter and we get a more detailed account.

I do believe that is something to do with it, yes.

Is he still doing more books then? Or has he given up?

He's been working on The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring for years now. The former is likely finished but the added pressure of the show's (huge) fanbase probably keeps him second guessing himself.

@JustinJackFlash said:

@CalabrianQueen said:

You don't have to have dragons, white walkers and battle scenes in every episode. Game of Thrones is about politics, plotting, double dealing and character developments more than special effects and action.

It was until they ran out of GRRM material to draw from. Now the show is about how many epic CGI scenes can we can string together and still have enough money in the budget for anything else.

That sounds good. I like the idea of a completely unexpected ending that could be quite dark.

I'm thinking one of our star-crossed lovers doesn't make it to the end.

@CalabrianQueen said:

I'm thinking one of our star-crossed lovers doesn't make it to the end.

I'd like it if they pull some kind of surprise that's a bit more than just a big character dying. But I think your probably right.

@JustinJackFlash said:

I like the idea of a completely unexpected ending that could be quite dark.

From the very first episode I've been expecting a dark ending. "Winter is coming" and it's supposed to be a long one. How can it end any other way. I will be hugely disappointed if GoT ends with even the tiniest bit of hope...