Why Season 6 and 7 of Game of Thrones Had Such Terrible Writing

The seasons 6 and 7 of Game of Thrones have faced significant criticism, largely stemming from several key factors that departed from the show's earlier, more nuanced storytelling approach.

Departure from Source Material

By the time season 6 began, the series had surpassed George R.R. Martin's published books. While the earlier seasons were closely tied to the novels, which benefited from Martin's detailed world-building and character development, season 6 and its successor ventured into uncharted territory. This shift led many fans to feel that the narrative lost its depth and complexity. The showrunners had to create new content without the detailed guidance of the book series, leading to an uneven and sometimes unsatisfying experience for viewers.

Pacing Issues

The later seasons are often criticized for their pacing, with fewer episodes available to wrap up complex storylines. This necessitated a faster plot development, which resulted in rushed character arcs and resolutions that felt unsatisfying. Key plot points that previously unfolded over multiple episodes or seasons were condensed into single episodes, leading to a fragmented and hurried narrative. This hasty development often left important plot points unresolved, causing frustration among long-time viewers.

Character Development

Critics argue that character motivations and arcs became inconsistent or overly simplified during these seasons. Characters who had previously shown depth and nuance often seemed to make decisions that felt out of character or were driven more by plot needs than logical progression. This inconsistency flew in the face of the show's earlier focus on character development, leading to a sense of detachment and lack of emotional investment from the audience.

Focus on Spectacle

As the series progressed, there was a noticeable shift towards larger-scale battles and visual spectacle, sometimes at the expense of storytelling. While the production values remained high, the emphasis on action sequences led to a reduction in the political intrigue and moral complexity that characterized earlier seasons. This shift towards spectacle often detracted from the show's earlier strengths and contributed to the perception that season 6 and 7 moved away from the darker and more thought-provoking storytelling of the series' earlier episodes.

Narrative Choices

Some story decisions made during seasons 6 and 7 were seen as unsatisfactory or lacked the intricate plotting that fans had come to expect. Key conflicts and character fates were resolved in ways that didn't align with the established themes of the series. This led to backlash from long-time viewers, who felt that the conclusions did not live up to the high standards set by earlier seasons. Fans struggled to reconcile the show's preceding years of expertly crafted narrative with the perceived hasty and sometimes misguided decisions made in these later seasons.

While seasons 6 and 7 still had strong production values and moments of intrigue, the overall storytelling did not live up to the high standards set by the earlier seasons. Many viewers felt a clear decline in the show's quality, with pacing issues, character inconsistencies, and a shift towards spectacle all contributing to a less satisfying viewing experience. These factors, in combination, have left a lasting impact on the perception of seasons 6 and 7 of Game of Thrones.