Game of Thrones: The shorter season has been a huge problem

Love or hate Game of Thrones Season 8, there’s one thing we can all agree on. Choosing only six episodes has been a huge problem.

Game of Thrones Season 8 has had some mixed opinions. While some have loved the way the storyline has played out, others have been hugely disappointed. But while we can’t agree on what we think of the storyline, there’s one thing we can all agree on; the shorter season has been a huge problem.

There’s no doubt about it. Having only six episodes has made the season feel rushed. We went from the Battle of Winterfell in Episode 3 straight to the Battle of King’s Landing in Episode 5. There hasn’t been the time to really breathe or really build up to the tension between the two biggest battles that we’ve waited eight seasons for.

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While I’ve personally enjoyed watching the two battles, I’ve got one complaint: they’ve felt rushed.

Opting for 10 episodes would have been far better for the final season. Eight at a pinch, but 10 episodes would have been ideal. There would have been the chance to build up to the Battle of Winterfell in Episodes 3-5, allowing the show to stretch out the battle and leaving us eager to see how it would play out, and then leaving the fight for the Throne to Episodes 8-10.

With rushing the story, there have been a number of potential storylines that haven’t been touched on. We haven’t had nearly as much Cersei as we should have. She was in the first episode and then we got glimpses of her in Episodes 4 and 5. There was so much we could have been delivered between Cersei and Euron.

The Golden Company wasn’t utilized at all. Hey, maybe they should have brought those elephants after all. There were this big build-up and the theories about the Golden Company switching sides, and then they were all just wiped out at the beginning of Episode 5. What was the point?

Jon and Daenerys had plenty of potential for the buildup to finding out about Jon’s parentage. We could have had more time to develop the Mad Queen storyline – while it had always been foreshadowed, finally bringing us the Mad Queen was just jarring the way it happened.

Part of it feels like D&D just wanted Game of Thrones over and done with. It’s not like the negative reactions really bother them. This is the final season. Threatening never to watch again doesn’t matter. Once the series finale airs, that’s it. But it does feel like it’s been rushed to deliver an ending without really thinking about the buildup.

And that is the problem I have with Game of Thrones Season 8. I don’t mind the storyline that’s being told. This is the story the writers want to tell. Fine. But it just feels so rushed.

What do you think of Game of Thrones Season 8? Would you have preferred more episodes? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Game of Thrones airs its series finale on Sunday at 9/8c on HBO.