There are 13 Episodes of Game of Thrones Left
All things must end, including Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones just aired its best season finale to date. It’s a shame that we’re gearing up for the end, but it feels like time. Game of Thrones is finally in a place to tackle the series’ major question — who is going to sit on the Iron Throne? We know that there will be a seventh season with seven episodes, but the details beyond that haven’t been clear. Until now.
In an interview with Deadline discussing the season six finale, Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss talk extensively about the final two episodes, and let it drop that there is only, roughly, 13 episodes of Game of Thrones left.
"“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.”"
That would leave season seven at seven episodes, and season eight at six. Benioff and Weiss want to, above all else, tell a “cohesive story” that doesn’t go on any longer than it has to. Thirteen episodes it by no means a lot, but it’s still going to take over two years at this point for the rest of the story to be told.
Relive the finale’s shocking moment:
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The rest of the interview is a treasure trove of information, Weiss even confirms that there are no standard villains left in Westeros. Just The White Walkers, and their leader, The Night King.
"“I don’t think of the Night King as a villain as much as, Death. He is not like Joffrey, or Ramses. He’s not really human anymore. To me, evil comes when you have a choice between that and good, and you choose the wrong way. The Night King doesn’t have a choice; he was created that way, and that’s what he is.”"
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Benioff also confirms that Arya, in the finale, initially intended to take out Jamie, but didn’t have the opportunity. When showrunners open up like this it is a real boon for fans, and it’s great that the team behind Game of Thrones is willing to do it. It’s worth pointing out that season eight is not set in stone, and so the episode count could change. The particulars don’t really matter. As long as Game of Thrones can tie up its many loose ends (some of which were just plain killed in the last episode) all will be well.