Matt Shakman, the director of two episodes from season 7 of Game of Thrones, has come forward to defend the show's controversial final season. In an interview with Inverse, Shakman praised showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, stating that he believes they accomplished what they set out to do with their storytelling.

Game of Thrones, which first aired in 2011, was adapted from George R.R. Martin's acclaimed fantasy novels and quickly became a hit for HBO. However, its eighth and final season received a mixed response from viewers. Shakman, who is best known for his work on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and serves as a director and executive producer for Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, defended both the show and its creators, stating that he would not critique how they could have done things differently.

The controversy surrounding Game of Thrones season 8 can be traced back to several factors. One of the main criticisms was the reduced episode count. While previous seasons consisted of 10 episodes, season 7 had only 7, and season 8 was even shorter with just 6 episodes. This led to storylines and character arcs that had been built up since the first season being concluded too hastily.

One example of this rushed storytelling is the resolution of the White Walkers storyline. These mythical creatures had been set up as the ultimate threat throughout the series, yet they were quickly defeated in a single episode.

Another casualty of the reduced episode count was the character arc of Daenerys Targaryen, played by Emilia Clarke. Her transformation into the Mad Queen and the consequential slaughter of innocent civilians in King's Landing felt abrupt and poorly developed.

The series finale of Game of Thrones also faced criticism for specific story decisions, such as Bran becoming King or the fate of Cersei and Jaime Lannister. However, the main source of disappointment lies in the compressed nature of the final two seasons, which resulted in rushed plotlines and unsatisfying character resolutions.

Despite the backlash, Game of Thrones remains one of the most beloved and memorable shows in television history.

While some viewers may have felt let down by the concluding season, it is clear that the series made a lasting impact on popular culture. Ultimately, the success and legacy of Game of Thrones will continue to be a topic of debate among fans and critics alike.