Game of Thrones director Neil Marshall has backtracked on criticism that he levied against the final season of the show – namely that it felt ‘rushed.’
Marshall – who helmed the famous Blackwater episode – had previously admitted he was unhappy about the actions and endings of certain characters featured in the show.
‘Ultimately all the characters ended up where they were meant to be,’ he told The Sun. ‘But I think some of them got there in a bit of a rush. I agree that it was a bit of a rush. It felt like things weren’t set up well enough.’
Now, however, the filmmaker has backtracked on his comments. Speaking to NME, Marshall said that backlash to the final run of the show was inevitable.
‘I don’t necessarily think the backlash was justified,’ the filmmaker continued. ‘But it was unavoidable. I for one wouldn’t fault [showrunners David Benioff and D.B Weiss]. It was an unbelievable achievement and ten years of their lives that they’ve devoted to it.’
Marshall’s career on the HBO epic was relatively short, he only directed two episodes, but they happen to be two of the best in the history of the show; second series highlight Blackwater and Lord of the Rings-esque The Watchers on the Wall during the fourth season.
As we all know by now, Thrones’ last-ever run of episodes was divisive, to say the least.
The eighth instalment of the high-fantasy epic got a massive backlash from fans – from the lower episode count to the choices certain characters made, the general consensus was that the last eight episodes sprinted to the finish line with little care or love given to the show’s central characters or how they ended up in their pre-determined fates in the final.
The criticism was so intense, that a petition to re-write and re-shoot season eight managed to accumulate a record-breaking one million signatures, although network HBO have categorically said the show will not be re-shot.
One hope left for fans, however, are the source books. Author George RR Martin still hasn’t finished writing his high-fantasy epic, and has already spoken out about the ‘traumatic’ and unfaithful ending of the TV adaption.
Game of Thrones seasons one to eight are available to stream on NOW TV.
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