Gone are the days of waiting around for some director to let it slip that he was going to be working on Game of Thrones next season. Now they just announce it immediately after the previous season ends through PR man, I mean, Entertainment Weekly reporter James Hibberd. Here then is the director roster for season 7:
– Alan Taylor: An Emmy-winning veteran of The Sopranos, Taylor helped pioneer the visual storytelling style of the show when he helmed the pivotal ninth and 10th episodes of season 1, particularly “Baelor” (the episode where Ned Stark was executed). The Thrones producers were so impressed they gave Taylor four episodes to helm in season 2 – including the premiere and the finale. Then Marvel snatched him up for Thor: The Dark World followed by Taylor reuniting with Emilia Clarke to direct her big-screen role in Terminator: Genisys. Now he’s back on Thrones for the first time since 2012.
– Jeremy Podeswa: The Canadian director and Boardwalk Empire veteran scored an Emmy nomination for directing the show’s most controversial hour, season 5’s darkly tense “Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken.” This year he directed the propulsive season premiere as well as Jon Snow’s riveting resurrection episode, “Home.”
– Mark Mylod: A four-time director on the show, the British veteran of Showtime’s Shameless and HBO’s Entourage took on this season’s uniquely textured re-introduction of the The Hound in “The Broken Man,” as well as Arya’s exciting chase sequence in “No One.”
– Matt Shakman: A newcomer to the series. Shakman is best known for his work on FX’s It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, a comedy loved by Benioff and Weiss (the showrunners even wrote an episode, “Flowers for Charlie,” although it’s not one of the 39 episodes Shakman has directed). Shakman has also helmed episodes of AMC’s Mad Men, CBS’ The Good Wife and FX’s Fargo.
WinterPhil: So, the bad news: Miguel Sapochnik is not returning for season seven. I can only hope that means he has bigger and better things planned, because he deserves it. Those last two episodes this season were masterfully done. The good news is… Alan Taylor is back! In my opinion, he was the one who really solidified Thrones‘ cinematic style with his work in season one. Go back and watch that first season and see how different the first episodes are in their direction and shot selection. Taylor really broke away from that and gave the show a much more epic, cinematic feel. It was no surprise to me he went on to direct big-budget Hollywood movies. But now he’s back and I’m excited to see what he can do on this show with a bigger budget!
No Miguel?
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!
Quite sad Sapochnick, Nutter and Graves are not coming back. Good news for Alan Taylor.
Hodor
I would think Miguel will return in season 8 for the huge battle episodes.
D&D we want our mate Sapo back! 🙁
I like Alan Taylor. But I hate Mark Mylod. Meh.
Get rid of Mylod bring in Sapochnick
Only 4 directors is basically confirmation that Season 7 will in fact be shorter than 10 episodes, yes? And also that this isn’t going to be a situation where they film 7+8 at the same but split them over two years so there’s enough time for editing and CGI and the like?
Instead, they really will film only 7 or 8 episodes this year and that will be season 7, and everything about season 8 will be dealt with next year. Good thing almost half the cast was killed off in Ep.10 and there’s less contract extensions that need to be worked out.
I’m glad Alan Taylor is back!
But only 4 directors? There’s definitely gonna be less than 10 episodes then right :(((((
Hopefully for the second half of season 7/season 8 David Nutter, Neil Marshall and Miguel Sapochnik are involved
NOOOOOO, NOT MIGUEL!!!!!!! We need him for Season 7, this is sad news 🙁
What? Miguel said in a video interview he would be returning? Was that someone else?
Ahhh noo, anyone but Mark Mylod. I really think he’s one of the worst directors on the show. 🙁 The Arya scenes in episode 7 and 8 were not good at all.
We want Sapochnik! 🙁
They probably saving Sapo for season 8 epicness. Heck bring back Neil Marschall too!
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sad to see Sapochnick not returning. The last two episodes were the best.
But I am happy to see Alan Taylor returning. Welcome back!
I kinda think they’re saving Miguel for season 8 too. But I’m glad Alan Taylor is back!
Really disappointed that Miguel is not coming back..
Glad Alan is coming back ..baelor and fire and blood is one of my favorites and iam sure for many as well..
Wish matt shakman for his time on GOT and hope he will deliver as well.
I like what benioff said
Dany summers in essos and winters in westeros..
A drink from cup of fire and cup of ice
So Alan Taylor 2 episodes., Jeremy podeswa 2 episodes and mark mylod 2 episodes and matt shakman 1 episode..
I think Alan will get the last two episodes
Ugh, I don’t think that any of these directors can handle a battle scene as good as Nutter or Miguel.
Especially Taylor: His battle scenes in that Thor movie were a mess.
After Hardhome, BoB and Winds of Winter, Sapochnik has established himself as the best director of the show and one of the best in TV. However, I’m certain that directing these massive episodes requires a lot of hard work. He deserves a break. Hopefully he’ll return in S08 for the huge battles.
Really excited about everyone else 😀
So it’s confirmed we have at least 4 episodes next season haha
Miguel Sapochnik crushes it every time…sad not to see his name.
I think this was the best season aside from the first season – perhaps its just the afterglow of a fecking great Sunday night that blew my socks off.
Michelle,
I hope so!
🙂
What about the other 3 hours and 40 minutes of the show he directed? People act as if Mylod is a disaster because of a couple of weak sequences. He’s still a professional director. And people rather liked High Sparrow, Sons of the Harpy and the Broken Man if I recall.
Anyway, decent roster. New guy put in good work on Fargo, as Winterphil says Alan Taylor really upped the show’s game cinematically, and Podeswa creates beautiful sequences with ease.
Just a guess, but I would guess Sapochnik is not back because he’s already committed to a yet unannounced big movie, which isn’t surprising considering what he’s accomplished. I refuse to believe that D&D can’t find a place for him. Hopefully, they’ll try to lock him up for the final season. As for the others, Im glad Taylor is back. He’s a godawful film director, but his Thrones stuff was terrific. Kinda meh on Podeswa and Mylod. Would’ve preferred Minhahan, if they were going to pluck from the S6 bench. Don’t know the other guy.
Wow, that was released quickly! Nice. I wonder if we’ll be getting information quicker this year as things are coming to an end for the series.
Coldfeet,
Exactly what i thought, this guy isn’t fit for GoT at all how about Christopher Nolan or Quentin Tarantino XD I would be curious to see how they would direct an episode of GoT. I can only think it would be EPIC.
Welcome back Alan! This basically confirms an 8 episode season 7. Sad face for MS not returning but I figured he’d be snatched up for some big budget epic film.
I’m sad that Miguel Sapochnik isn’t returning, but if he needs a break, he’s certainly earned it. Great to have Alan Taylor back, though! I was hoping that Alex Graves would make a return, and David Nutter said in an interview that he would skip S6 but be back for S7. Also really liked Daniel Sackheim’s work this year. Mark Mylod over him? C’mon.
I am excited for the marketing for Season 7, hopefully it’s as good as Season 6’s. Maybe some teasers of the upcoming war? 😀
Alan Taylor returns! It’s a pity that Sapochnik won’t return. Well, maybe we will see him in season 8.
I’m sad neither Sapochnik nor David Marshall are coming back. That means no big battle episode. Also really wanted Graves or Nutter to make a comeback; but well, we’ll have to wait for next year to see the results.
The good news is ALAN TAYLOR’s COMING BACK. So excited about that.
I’m not surprised that Miguel isn’t returning this season. He put a lot of work into both Season 5 and Season 6, and he deserves a well-earned break (before returning in S8!). Both Mylod and Podeswa directed for both S5 and S6 too, but their episodes were (in a way) easier, and I doubt they had anywhere near as many shooting days as Sapochnik. Podeswa is fine, but I’ve never rated Mylod, so I’m a little disappointed he is one of the ones returning (but naturally I’ll give him a chance).
It is always great to see new directors, and I look forward to seeing Shakman’s episode(s) next year. Fargo has some of the best direction on TV, and although I can’t remember his work specifically I’m sure he’ll bring some exquisite shots to the table.
I think we all wondered if any of the early season directors would return, and it is great to see Alan Taylor back. He’s directed some pretty rubbish films since GoT, but his work on Thrones was masterful, so I’m looking forward to his return. If the season is 7 episodes long I think he might be the one to direct just one episode given the fact he is a fairly big director nowadays, but it will be great to have him back anyway.
In my opinion, Mylod isn’t the worst director in Game Of Thrones. Podeswa wasn’t really inspired for the two first episodes of season 6. There’s only the name of Taylor that reassures me but Sapochnick or Marshall are more … fresh ? I don’t how you say that in english, haha.
Excited for Alan Taylor but sad for Sapochnik and Nutter.
I was kinda confused at first.
When we debated HOTU whether on of them die. Third time s the charm but prophecies come true so far. Drogo died, second one was possibly Hizdar but we never saw wedding. Doubt she’ll marry Euron on the show. Daeny is daughter of death isn’t she.
What Daeny saw in those visions is something she’ll experienced or it’s connected to her. When she smell sweetness…is that what she felt so that means she’ll love the third one but never a word on the guy. My point is. Did I get it right that it’s what she feels and experiences?
LostNorthern,
Nolan’s ep would prob be 3+ hours and there’d be a fist fight about Hans Zimmer scoring the ep instead of Ramin Djawadi. Count me in! *grabs popcorn*
Like others, I am hopeful Miguel Sapochnik is being “saved” for season 8 but that feels like false hope…
Let’s not fight or whine until we actually see the episode… 5×03 and 6×07 were really good in terms of directing so I don’t really get the hate for Mylod.
Also great to have Michele Clapton back for the whole season. She has created some truly iconic costumes for the show, and I know she’ll have some brilliant ones in store for us next year.
No more Miguel 🙁
I’m not sure why anyone would think this means there won’t be any big battles in s7. These are all veteran TV directors and anyone of them is capable of overseeing a shoot like that. I remember before s5, so many people were saying there wouldn’t be a big battle because Neil Marshall wasn’t coming back, and then Sapochnik, who almost no one had heard of before, came in and knocked Hardhome out of the park. There’s no reason to think Matt Shakman can’t do the same. And we know Alan Taylor can.
I’m very disappointed to hear Messy Mark will be back in s7. His episodes in s6 were probably the worst of the season. Yes there were good parts of his episodes, but I don’t give him credit for them. The actors are whom I give credit to. Some what weaker writing and terrible direction, the actors made the best of what they were given. Here’s hoping Miguel is given all of s8. Make it so HBO.
Mark Mylod!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
That’s convenient
I wasn’t thrilled with some of Mylod’s directing choices this season, but a lot of what was wrong with those sequences came down to the writing.
Looking over Matt Shakman’s resume, wow, quite a breadth of experience. His episode of Mad Men was good, from what I remember — and really, pretty much all episodes of that show had terrific camera placement.
That doesn’t follow, anymore than Marshall’s absence from this season meant no big battle episode.
Disappointing selection. Glad Taylor is back though. Podeswa is hit or miss for me. Some good, some not so good. I really don’t understand how they can ask Mylod back. Is he not the director Maisie Williams had to go to tell to tone it down as his direction was out of character for Arya? I mean it’s not like this is a normal occurrence for Maisie. I would have thought her feeling the need to do this would set off alarm bells for the show runners and HBO.
Can we just start a petition to have Sapochnik finish the entire series?? Broken Man and No One were extremely underwhelming from Mylod…
“as well as Arya’s exciting chase sequence in “No One.”” Shut up, EW!
Mark Mylod has some of the worst rated episodes on Imdb. Those Arya scenes were such a mess.
The only 2 positive things in that article are Alan Taylor and Michele Clapton being back.
Geralt of Rivia,
Daughter of death yes but daughter of three that died rhaegar ,viserys and rhaego.
She sees those visions and experiences it ..
I don’t believe in those theories that sweet means bad thing..
I also don’t get where people get this there won’t be battle either..
We have a conquest at hand and Alan Tylor is returning ..
How can we not have battles
Don’t forget Sakharov too! I’m sad we won’t be seeing any of them next season. 🙁
I’m not excited that Mylod is back, but I don’t think he’s the train wreck some of you guys are implying. My beef with him is that he seems the most “TV” of all the directors. I’m not crazy about Podeswa, mostly because i think he does atmosphere better than action and motion. Mylod is just pretty typical master shot-over the shoulder coverage TV guy. You could plug almost anyone in the Director’s Guild into his position and get the same results.
Looking at Miguel’s IMDB page, he’s pretty busy with projects lined up. He has directed an Iron fist episode with Finn Jones and has 2 projects lines up. So, he’s not available for the 2017 season. hopefully he can direct in season 8.
I think people are people being too harsh on mark mylod..
He is getting sort of the same treatment as Alex graves..
Good News: Alan Taylor is back
Bad news: Miguel Sapochnik, the guy whom fans wanted to direct every episode, is not returning
Worse news: Mark Mylod, Barristan-killer, T1000-creater, Arya-character-assassinator is back. FML
Looking at Miguel’s IMDB page, he’s pretty busy with projects lined up. He has directed an Iron fist episode with Finn Jones and has 2 projects lines up. So, he’s not available for the 2017 season. hopefully he can direct in season 8.
Only 7 or 8 episodes–probably two of those by Mark Mylod, none by Sapochnik. That’s far too much Mylod, and far too little Sapochnik.
Looks good – guess this means the scripts are pretty much ready and shooting begins next month?
Saving him like he’s a relief pitcher and his director parts need resting? With only 15 or so episodes left in the series, my guess is he is being offered major motion picture director’s jobs and can’t do it. Otherwise, there isn’t really a saving him for later. The time is now since the show has one actual season left split over 2 years.
Disappointed they couldn’t get Miguel Sapochnik for the job … he had the best episodes ever. Well, let’s hope he comes back for Season 8. I suppose the big war with the White Walkers will be in Season 8.
One of my favourite episodes was The Door, so I wanted Jack Bender to come back too.
Let’s hope they improve the writing for this season and skip horrible jokes scenes.
No David Nutter, no Miguel Sapochnik, no Alex Graves, no Jack Bender, no Michelle MacLaren, no Neil Marshall.
Damn. None of my favorites are here.
Mark Mylod and Jeremy Podeswa are my two least favorite directors the show has ever had by a landslide, and both of them are pretty poor with action sequences in my opinion. Their action sequences are often nonsensical logistically, and not very exciting.
Yes, of course this is just my personal taste.
I’m psyched for Alan Taylor though, I was wondering if he’d ever return.
I’m not familiar with Matt Shakman.
So perhaps with Sapochnik not directing any episodes in Season 7, that means the Wall won’t crumble till Season 8? 😀 I would think that GoT would want Sapochnik directing any episode that involves the Wall coming undone, but perhaps that’s just wishful thinking on my part.
I think 2 episodes each, so Season 7 will be 8 episodes.
Ugh… Mark Mylod is back. Hopefully he’ll be the one doing only one episode
God, what’s with all the hate towards Mylod? Yes, there are several directors better than him but you behave like his episodes were total disaster… We are all supposed to be the fans, remember?
Anyone know why Michele Clapton left and then promptly returned half way through this season?
Also, is there any truth to the rumors that Ramin Djawadi won’t be scoring next season?
Also excited to hear that Michele Clapton will be returning to S7, though I guess that’s not a vote of confidence in the woman who replaced her, especially since they went to Clapton for an emergency job designing Cersei’s killer black dress from WoW.
RAvyn,
I agree with everything you said. Very well put.
She was working on a movie in Australia, I believe. I recall her stated reason was she needed a break from Thrones.
To all the people hating on Mark Mylod: I think The Broken Man was an incredibly well directed episode. Just don’t give him any of the big action sequences cuz then they’ll look like that Arya vs Waif thing in episode 8.
Yeah this is a huge fail. No Sapochnik is mind boggling. He has done 2 of the big battle episodes and Marshall did Watchers on the Wall. This does not bode well for a big action episode next season. Massive disappointment.
Well if you read my entire post, I did mention the writing was weaker as well. The credit is given to the actors. They made the most of what they were given. They were still good episodes. But if a man has to decide on which episodes were weakest in s6, a man will choose these 2 episodes.
To be fair, the chase sequence wasn’t bad. It was the fact that Arya had just been stabbed that was weird. The actual chase was good though.
I agree and even MacLaren.
Lord Parramandas,
We ARE fans. Are we not allowed to dislike some directors, or at the very least prefer some over others ?
What is it exactly with people like you acting as if liking the show means you have to think that every aspect of it is perfect ?
No offense meant, but as Edmure would say, I want to know, I truly do.
RAvyn,
Yeah, I mean Mylod is OK, but he has had already directed four episodes of GoT. I think that you should have to do more than OK to return. However, I also think that some continuity is required from season-to-season with the directors, but then they’re getting that with Podeswa.
It is certainly an underwhelming choice. If they wanted 2 returning directors from Season 6, and Sapochnik was unavailable, I would have gone for Bender (again depending on availability). Mylod was unfortunately my least favourite director in both Season 5 and Season 6, so it is disappointing (but as I said I’ll give him a chance; we can’t change the fact he is directing by moaning).
Jack Bauer 24,
They’ve been saying seven episodes for Season 7 over and over. That there are four directors doesn’t indicate they’re all doing two.
dragonmcmx,
This is true, he did pretty well with character driven scenes. But action isn’t his thing. Given that Season 7 will likely feature a lot of action, we’ll have to hope he improves.
Jack Bauer 24,
We are in full agreement, my friend.
Yeah “saving him” is a bizarre way of putting it.
Knight of the Walkers,
I loved Bender, too, but his exit interview made it pretty clear he was booked this year for various other things. Again, my guess is so was Sapochnik. I know to fans, there is nothing but GoT, but to people who work in the film business, this stuff is often just another gig, another career step. I have no doubt Sapochnik isn’t back because of a scheduling thing, and previously booked jobs. If we’re lucky, he’ll be back for S8, but don’t be surprised if Marvel, DC, snaps him up for a big assignment. And believe me, no director would pick a TV show over a big budget film assignment. Features are still the ultimate prize.
I choose to disregard that info and hope for 8 episodes in both Seasons 7 and 8. If we will it, then it is so!
I think Mylod is just fine. He may not be Sapochnik, but he also didn’t have the same type of story material to work with in his episodes. A lot of his scenes were setups for the big events in episode 9. I liked the Arya scenes in his episodes, including the chase scene. I think some people downgrade it more because of the gut wound, no Syrio, it didn’t turn out to be Jaqen, which was a silly theory, or any of the other ridiculous speculations.
They’ve never officially said that or confirmed it. They were still in discussion with Lombardo and HBO. They could have decided to do one extra episode.
Jack Bauer 24,
It’s nearly confirmed Season 7 will be 7 episodes. Followed by a Season 8 of 6 episodes.
Oh man. I really wanted Sapochnik back.
Unfortunately you are right. Blockbuster feature films are usually soooooooo catastrophically bad and pompous and flashy and overwrought and nonsensical that it’s a real shame to lose great TV directorial talent to those lumbering zombies of pure BS.
Markus Stark,
I’ve told you many times before that not everything is perfect for me and it wasn’t your comment that particulary bothered me. I just think that certain people are overreacting and I don’t see a point in that.
Jack Bauer 24,
The scripts should be pretty much done at this point.
Miguel deserves some really great praise and job offers after this last season of GoT’s and Hardhome too.
That said…….no Miguel? *falls on sword*
Agree with you about Mylod being too “TV”. I did not hate his episodes this season, and I thought the Riverrun siege was well done except for Blackfish’s off-screen death where the writing was to blame, and the Hound return was also well-done once we get past the disappointment in not getting Broken Men speech. However, I hate Mylod for the reason that he over-dramatized GoT and brought down it’s level with his stupid chase sequence, and he had the gall to call it the ‘greatest chase sequence’ in TV history. He butchered the Braavos plot. There were things that a director could control but he did not (Waif’s actions especially. Maisie was okay because she has been doing Arya for a while and knows the character than Mylod does). Often the inconsistencies and non-subtlety over the season can be attributed to having different directors and writers, but Mylod directed two consecutive episodes and yet made mistakes within those two, like Arya dramatically recovering and Waif being unnecessarily spiteful with no explanation.
What sets apart GoT from other drama series is the strength of the characters and complexity of the story. Mylod’s episodes and his interviews give the impression that he understands neither, and he thinks it is only about dragons and action sequences and production design. Those things do matter, but much less than the integrity of the story.
I’m sure they tried to get Sapochnik (and who knows, Marshall as well), but he might have other commitments, or he might be tired after a gruelling season (and who can blame him), or maybe he wants to try something different, or any another reason. It is easy to forget that these people have lives outside of GoT (i.e. Natlie Dormer’s comments).
It also doesn’t mean that there won’t be a big-battle episode. People said the same when the directors were announced for S5 and Marshall was absent. Another one of the director could step up and produce a stunning battle episode. Personally I wouldn’t expect a massive battle episode next season, because I think they will be saving it for S8, but I’m sure there will be some amazing set-pieces and smaller battles. D&D have shown they can produce a stunning season of GoT without the books; they have my complete faith.
Neither of those are directing choices. The writing called for Arya to be able to run through the streets in a lengthy chase and then defeat the Waif, and the Waif has always been played as hating Arya for no real reason.
The story from Maisie Williams has me alarmed about asking Mylod to return. You can blame the writing from his episodes if you want, but she said in an interview she felt the need to approach Mylod and ask him to tone down his direction. It wouldn’t work for Arya. Are there countless stories of Maisie Williams asking directors or writers to change things? No. The fact she felt compelled to make this decision suggests he desired something so out of place, so out of character, and so over the top that it’s worth questioning why they asked him back and what he offers Game of Thrones that another available director could not provide.
You realize the director doesn’t write the episode, right?
Wow really you guys don’t like Mark Mylod? I think you’re too closely associating the writing of the episodes with the directing. He unfortunately hasn’t been tasked with directing the more popular episodes (though I’ve liked all of his episodes except for 8 this season, but that was because of writing). Guy is a stud. Go back and watch the introduction to the House of B & W, or the shot of Brienne and Pad on the cliff over looking Moat Cailin, or the incredible cold open to episode 7 this year, or the amazing shot of Ian McShane character hanging, or Arya wondering through the sea of people in Braavos with her stab wound at the end of episode 7 (complete with great Ramen music).
I wonder if Alex Graves will ever return to the series? I’m thinking it’s not likely at this point.
I don’t give two shits who will be directing future episodes! IMHO, all the directors HBO have used do a good job and it makes no difference to me who directs which episode. I’ve never had any complaints whatsoever the way ANY episode has been directed.
GoT is simply just great TV and compulsive viewing 🙂
I expected that Miguel Sapochnik would not be available. We’ll get him back for season 8, I imagine.
I know a lot of infants who know jack shit about the craft are going to cry for their bottle about Mylod but he’s a terrific director… provided you give him NO ACTION SCENES.
Sean C.,
He could make her injury less fatal in E07. The way it looked to me, he wanted to end E07 with a cliffhanger, with viewers getting worried ‘is Arya going to survive’ and hey! Lady Crane’s soup to help!
As for Waif’s spitefulness, I know it was already in previous episodes, but I can never get over that T-1000 walk and Ramsay-ish grin while chasing Arya. It was a director’s call, and Mylod acted the typical Hollywood action director.
zod,
It’s not the fact that she recovered that mattered (I was not one of the tinfoilers who said Arya was Waif), but how badly she was injured in E07. Twisting the knife? Really? And Waif’s expressions while chasing were clearly not in the writing.Even if it was, anyone who knew about Facelessmen would tone it down. Mylod didn’t.
Sapochnik was the best by far, thats so sad, he could easily direct the last episode of the whole show, rather would see him directing more episodes than some of the others that are mentioned in the article.
What a big dissapointment
Mylod is not even close to be a bad director. Hes not the best but its not who make some of you dont like a episode. I love every shot on riverrun and other episodes by him.
Podeswa is one of the most cinematic directors of got history. His shots are amazing. Just remember episode 5 season 5. That scene with jorah and tyrion in the beach, sansa wedding, stannis geting out of casttle blackwithhis army, and a lot more.
Season 7 is in good hands
Indeed. He was great
Nonore,
Alex Graves clearly had no understanding of the show. Watch his commentary for ‘The Children’ and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
aabe,
The silliness with the chase and Arya being stabbed falls directly in line with some of the stuff that happened throughout the rest of the season, so I blame D & D not Mark Mylod. They wrote the chase scene, including Arya jumping out of a window, right after she had been stabbed in the gut. So as a director, what choice do you have? If you show her hobbling around barely getting by, how is it believable she could escape the Waif?
I think Alan Taylor will get the bulk of the big action scene episodes. They’ll try to use him as this season’s Sapochnik, which seems reasonable on paper.
And the dark times have come.
The countdown clock is down on the site and we are back to seeing pictures of rocks, grass and water as our show news 🙁
1 year away … one year to wait and 7 episodes too look forward to.
p.s.
Dany finally sets sail for Westeros …. the irony is she could have done that 3-4 seasons ago in the sam fashion.
Her army is owerpowered, this way there is no suspense.
I personally really loved the Arya stuff in those episodes. It was tense and Maisie really is so insanely good with the character (and props to Faye Marsay and her smirk…she gives Littlefinger a run for his money).
The way it was wrapped up was odd and felt really rushed but I blame that directly on the shoulders of the writer(s) and not Mylod.
Jack Bauer 24,
And then that has nothing to do with the director but with the writing. In a tv series, a director doesn’t have as much authority to change things as he does in a film where he is very like considered the auteur. If the script says that a convalescent Arya runs for her life like a mad woman and that a healthy Waif doesn’t really catch her until the end, then the director has to follow that script. And I know Miguel changed a sequence in BoB but let’s everyone note that he did it only after receiving the green light from D&D. He himself admitted that D&D expect their scripts to be followed as they are. So if anyone has a problem with the Arya sequence then blame the writers. This is not saying that Mylod is the best director ever or that others have not been better than him but people should really have an understanding of what his job actually involves before they go attacking him. Completely understandable not to like his work but implying he’s bad at what he does? He wouldn’t have his job if he was bad, HBO and D&D wouldn’t call him back. Simple as that.
aabe,
Dude you’re blaming the director for the writing. I don’t think you understand how the process works.
I have faith in HBO.
They should not look at individual IMDB ratings but at what the series looks like as a whole.
I very much liked The Broken man and No One.
And who does not love the uncomfortable family dinner at Winterfell in season five or Jorah knocking Tyrion out on their boat trip? Scenes that are as good as it gets.
Directors on TV shows are supposed to do what they are told. He was told to let Arya get dramatically stabbed as a cliffhanger and let her get over it with a bowl of soup and some sleep in the next episode. So he did just that. Perhaps after he had advised against it…?
Mayhaps D&D saw that the epicness they anticipated was recieved with contempt by the audience and they gave him two episodes in season seven to say sorry…
I don’t think HBO is blowing millions on CGI and saving a couple of thousand by choosing cheaper directors. They got the best ones they could get and I’m looking forward to seeing the result.
If people want action without setup there is a Marvel comic comming to a screen near them soon. And when we at some point get action in season seven, I’m sure it will be good. It always is. Many different known and unknown directors have shown us that in the past six seasons.
“Jeremy Podeswa”
Meh. Hope he doesn’t have to direct fight scenes.
“Mark Mylod”
Ugh. Praying he doesn’t send Jon on a casual stroll beyond the Wall without Longclaw.
clouddragon,
Agreed. Graves was very highly rated by the fandom after Season 3, but he directed too many episodes in Season 4, and pretty much all of his comments afterwards were bizarre and showed his lack of understanding of the show. He would very unpopular choice if he were to return (a lot more unpopular than Mylod who is the epitome of average).
And? I’m a Barça fan and of course there’s plenty of things I don’t like about the club…being a fan means liking everything about the show??
You can criticize something you like to make it better…actually you should
zod,
.. And I did acknowledge that many unpopular scenes from Mylod’s episodes were the writing’s fault. I think he does well if given a strong script (Riverrun) and actors who know their characters well (Waif was undefined/mysterious and Faye was only good in duels, IMO. Whereas Jaime, Brienne and Edmure just nailed their scenes) but with D&D deviating more and more from the books and going more into traditional shock-for-shock’s sake drama regime, I’m worried about Mylod’s return.
Jack Bauer 24,
Personally, I hated the chase scene. Incredibly poorly shot and directed, felt like a mediocre Hollywood movie.
Hoyti Von Totiy,
With no army on her own no alliance and dragons too small..
People really need to stop with this overpowering and boring ..
All these years dany in essos is boring and now she is going to be in westeros and again the same complaints ..
Yes she has a huge army why can’t you guys wait till you see the actual purpose of why those powers are given..
Can’t beleive Miguel is not back, he’s been the best director on the show in my opinion
My episode guesstimate:
Mark Mylod – Episodes 1 & 2
Matt Shackman – Episode 3
Jeremy Podeswa – Episodes 4 & 5
Alan Taylor – Episodes 6 & 7
Not this BS again please. I thought we were past that 2 years ago and even then it was bandwagony Internet faux-outrage overreaction.
I don’t care what he said or didn’t say. All I need to know is that he’s responsible for three of the TOP 10 episodes GoT has ever done: And Now His Watch Is Ended, Kissed by Fire, and The Children.
LatrineDiggerBrian,
For the last time, I know he did not write the episodes. I’m saying he sacrificed logic for drama, or let it happen. I see now that others actually loving the Waif’s smirk and her general expressions during the chase, which I personally thought was the worst bit of action/expressions by any actor in the show so far. So if that is show’s version of cold-blooded assassin, yeah, fine. To each their own.
Hm, they have back:
– Mark Mylod who did the underwhelming “Terminator” sequence in No One and that weak fighting scenes of the Unsulled and the weaker sendoff of Barristan Selmy in Sons of the Harpye.
– Jeremy Podeswa who did that awful confrontation of the sandsnakes vs. Bronn an Jamie (The worst action sequence in GoT ever!), and the dissapointing kill off of Areoh Hotha in The Red Woman (Really!? Just one stab with a knife and the huge Hotha goes down like a wet bag!? Seriously!?)
But
– no Miguel Sapochnik (Hardhome, Battle of Bastards, Winds of Winter) ,
– no Neil Marshall (Blackwater, Watchers on the Wall),
– no David Nutter (The Rains of Castamere, The Dance of Dragons, Mother’s Mercy).
So who will do the big action sequences?
I have a bad feeling about this.
OT: Just noticed that Game of Thrones is the first show ever to have 1.000.000+ votes on IMDb 😀
Sad we don’t get Miguel.
But happy to see the others returning. ”Broken Man” was well directed and so was most of ”No one”. So I am happy to see Mylod back.
Podeswa as well. I loved UUU and can’t see what he’ll do next.
Man some people here…. You can be dissapointed, but all this hatred and anger is simply childish.
Mr Fixit,
This.
Pau,
I have no problem with criticism but I think people are overreacting about Mylod and Podeswa.
It must be Alan Taylor.
Poor Podeswa got so maligned for the admittedly bad Sand Snake action sequence that people are quick to forget that both his episodes in Season 5 were actually well-directed and visually gorgeous. Just think of Jorah and Tyrion in Valyria or breathtakingly beautiful Sansa’s wedding under the weirwood.
People are irrationally quick to latch onto a name and piss all over it just because they disliked an aspect of a particular episode. Same goes for phenomenal Graves who seems to be the worst director alive just because of one problematic scene that got huge public exposure and some unfortunate comments afterwards
Mr Fixit,
Yup. He is among my favourite directors.
Even the Sand Snake fight I didn’t think it was the second coming as some here do……Mostly I blame the spanish for giving him only 1 week to film all the scenes there, in a UNESCO world heritage castle, LOL….
Jokes aside, I am very excited to see him again.
Season 8 Directors:
Miguel Sapochnik (Hardhome, Battle of Bastards, Winds of Winter) ,
Neil Marshall (Blackwater, Watchers on the Wall),
David Nutter (The Rains of Castamere, The Dance of Dragons, Mother’s Mercy).
No Migul is awful but you guys are being unfair to Mylod. The High Sparrow was absolutely brilliant direction wise and the Broken Man was good too. Just don’t give him big action scenes. Jeremy is good too.
But, the biggest piece you guys are missing is we are getting the fucking guy WHO DIRECTED THE LAST 2 EPS OF FARGO S1! :O
That show is seriously good direction wise, surprised you guys aren’t talking that!
The Day’s King,
That would be the dream. Probably wishful thinking though.
I think the directors will understand that the stakes are higher than ever now that we’re coming towards the end, everything has to be top notch. Knowing this I don’t think any director will do a bad job.
Also, I’m pretty sure Miguel would have been asked to come back given the praise for the penultimate ep and the finale, sensing the passive aggressiveness towards D&D because other directors were picked in favour of him, but it’s his prerogative not to come back for S7.
At no other time was it more obvious how much of a difference a honest-to-goodness, genuinely talented director can make to this show than in the final two episodes of this season. His shot selections, framing, and especially the silences with unforgettable facial reactions which communicated volumes was on a level unknown to the show… since Alan Taylor’s Baelor. I am crushed that the show’s producers didn’t have the foresight (especially after Hardhomme) to secure his services for the crucial, final two seasons. I mean, damn. They killed off half the cast and should have plenty extra in the budget now. I’d have signed early, before he chance to get scooped up by some shitty, super-hero, big studio project. Sorry for the rant, but I just can’t hide my disappointment.
It is tempered by Taylor’s return. I know he hasn’t had great reviews with his movie projects, but I feel the need to point out that those are famously interferred with by studio exec’s who don’t have the first clue about true artistry. It’s a widely known fact that most directors and actors consider this Golden Age of Cable TV to be the place to go for genuine artistic freedom these days. That’s why we’re seeing bigger and bigger names signing up for cable projects. I remember reading about Taylor’s frustrations with the big studios. His Baelor remains my #1 favorite episode. I’ve read all the books, knew what was coming, but because of his vision and artistry that episode affected me like none other since. I’m incredibly excited about his return. I hope they give him the best material.
Matt Shakman is a real get. I can’t say enough about his work on Fargo (he directed the stunning, first season’s final two episodes). This has all the makings of a great match.
*SPOILERS*
Check out the finale preview’s clips here, and this long shot. He”s also responsible for the infamous elevator scene, and Malvo’s death scene.
Please D&D, don’t make us beg. Please get Sapo for the final season Whatever it takes (My dream team would be Taylor, Sapo and Shakman).
Lord Parramandas,
Ignore him. That’s all he does lately, attack those who he disagrees and completely ignores the hateful and spiteful comments of others because he agrees with them.
Shaz,
Yup.
Could very well be he who refused to return.
As others said, they are people with lives of their own. Look at Natalie wanting to leave since LAST year!
This is another huge argument to those who say the show should have waited for Martins book to be finished. You would without a doubt lose a huge part of your actors..etc.
Of course it’s sad to see that they couldn’t get Sapochnik (and I’m 99% sure that’s the case – they would have taken him if they could), but it’s funny how much people are overreacting. You’d think the season has already flopped by reading some of these comments.
Alan Taylor has proven himself as masterful GoT director, they’ll probably give him the last episodes. It’s been a while since I watched Fargo season 1, but Shakman directed the penultimate episode and the finale of that season, and from what I remember those were some awesome hours of TV. I definitely trust he’ll do well in GoT – he might even be our next Sappo, who knows. And Podeswa and Mylod are fine enough directors to take the set up episodes. (Btw, I hope this means 8 episodes)
I do hope they get Miguel back for season 8, but we’ll see.
Perhaps it’s wishful thinking, but what we really know at this point is that the final two shortened seasons are being handled differently somehow. Perhaps Miggy Sap is slotted for Season 8 and the scale of his work there means that his directorial duties will begin during the production schedule of Season 7, which could be necessary to build up something highly complex.
What I wouldn’t give for Peter Jackson to ask to direct an episode 9 & 10…. Though I don’t know for sure if I could handle the epicness of it.
At last, the voice of reason.
Directors are NOT responsible for plot development the fans don’t care about.
Having said that, I wish we would see something more from Jack Bender. I do hope he, as well as Miguel Sapotchnik will be back for the last season.
Sou,
Sadly I think Bender was a 1 off thing.
Sadly… because I loved his episodes.
Can someone please explain what Alex Graves said in the commentary that has pissed so many people off?
That would be an absolute dream wouldn’t it?
Silly to blame directors. Arya’s Frey pie scene in the finale was just as ludicrous and dumbfounding as the infamous Braavos chase. Blame the script writers.
Taylor is pretty decent but the other 2 did the weakest episodes of season 5 and 6. I mean that fight scene in Dorne was just terrible! I’m a bit worried really!!!!
What??!!!!!?
Ooof. I feel like I just got punched in the gut. Links?
Oh, this just cannot be allowed.
Dragonwolf,
Alan Taylor will direct the big action sequences. He’s more than capable.
WildlingKing,
Yeah, Shakman is a real coup for the show. I know people are disappointed by the fact that Sapochnik isn’t back, but the news that Taylor and Shakman will be directing makes up for it. Not a lot of people had heard of Sapochnik a couple of years ago; Shakman is an exciting addition to the roster.
chamush,
Did you like the scene with Tyrion and Jorah in Valyria? Them talking about Jorah’s father? The fight against the Stone man? Tyrion drowning and the amazing shot of him and Jorah on the beach?
Even Sansa’s wedding was well directed in my opinion. It was one of the best shots in the series.
Podeswa directed many amazing scenes, in my opinion.
To remember him only for that scene is, in my opinion wrong. Mostly here I blame the set, he had 1 week to film all scenes and the set was a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Not only is she overpowered, her opposition is underwhelming? Cersei and Euron perhaps. Something tells me Jaime will already have killed his sweet sister by the time Mother of dragons arrives.
I never thought it likely but the show might well explore Daenerys vs Jon in season 7.
pdamico,
I love Ramen. I know this is the minority opinion, but I really really really hated the bit with the piano during the opening sequence of Episode 10. It just seemed so out of place and didn’t fit in with anything Game of Thrones had done before. It wasn’t haunting, it seemed more contemporary to me than anything. Now I’m reading Miguel Sapochnik and D & D came to Ramen and told them they wanted a piano in the sequence because they wanted to disguise the build up of what was going to happen. Like the whole world didn’t know what was coming after they telegraphed it over and over with “foreshadowing” in previous episodes. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Let the guy come up with his own theme, he’s fucking brilliant. If these rumors do come to fruition, I could see why he would want to leave.
LatrineDiggerBrian,
I’m not going to argue on the music, it is far to subjective.
But I watched the episode with 6 friends. Only 1 expected the Wildfire.
http://winteriscoming.net/2015/02/27/my-problem-with-alex-graves-commentary-on-the-children/
Halfman,
So he annoyed some book purists. And now they yell that he doesn’t ”understand” the story? LOL.
And him saying he was happy they got rid of Tysha only makes me love the guy even more!
Same with the LSH comment.
you gotta pay the troll toll
Aegon Frey,
Here’s a recap of the after episode commentary: http://winteriscoming.net/2015/02/27/my-problem-with-alex-graves-commentary-on-the-children/
Not that I was pissed but I fundamentally disagree with his statement (“Like, bring her back and have her kill some people!”) about
. I think it’s a gross oversimplification of a character.
Wow no Miguel
So shitty
nvm
Halfman,
It’s cowardly if they don’t bring him back because of that. He’s directed so many brilliant sequences, off the top of my head he did Sandor vs Beric in the cave, Oberyn vs The Mountain, The Purple Wedding, Dany’s taking of Astapor, the Wight attack as Bran and co try to enter the Raven Tree, etc etc etc etc. Him and Nutter are my top two GoT directors.
dragonbringer,
We’ll get battles and it was said before that we’re going to get couple of battles next season. Just different directors. Actually glad that Alan Taylor is back because he worked with Emilia really well on Game of Thrones and did Terminator Genysis with her.
I don’t believe sweetness is a bad thing but just asking if it’s her who experienced it.
If it’s Rhaegar, Viserys and Rhaego. Then coincidence that Drogo, Hizdar are dead too. Hizdar in the books almost. In the show yes. Third one could be too.
LatrineDiggerBrian,
That has no effect on them deciding directors. Most likely they couldn’t bring him back or he had other plans.
D&D don’t listen to the internet, even less to the hardcore book fandom, rightly so. If they wanted him back and could bring him they wold have done it, like they did with Mylod and Podeswa.
I will be fine with this if they announce only three directors for the final season: Nutter, Marshall, and Sapo!
Then just let ‘er rip!
Shakman is an unusual choice, but I can’t deny he’s directed great episodes of The Good Wife, Fargo and Mad Men. He’s a very good director. That should be fine. He’s particularly good with mood and atmospherics.
Taylor is going to be great. Welcome Back!
I think Podeswa is great about atmosphere and directing dialogue in an interesting way with good blocking, but he’s middling to poor in action scenes, so hopefully his episodes will be dialogue heavy?
Mylod is just a journeyman TV directing-by-the-numbers guy. I hope the scripts he gets are particularly strong, because he hasn’t shown me the capacity to elevate the material in any meaningful way for me…
I hope Mylod is not involved in the final season; and I hope they can Miguel to direct the last couple of episodes of the series. Hope they can keep Taylor for the end too and maybe invite Bender or Nutter back…
Mihnea,
You don’t know this and you don’t know what goes on behind the scenes. I don’t know either to be honest. All I know is Alex Graves said he was going to take a season off and anticipated he would be back for season 6. Didn’t happen for season 6 or 7.
Dissapointed to hear there’s no Sapochnik
Probably depends on what type of episodes there are
Hopefully the can get him back if er, some of those $500k per episode actors aren’t around for Season 8 (Money would be on Jaimie and Cersei dying together)
Given the climactic battle episodes would presumably be in Season 8, so hopefully Season 8 is top heavy with Sapochnik with some Nutter thrown in etc
Tyrion’s farewell to Jaime is a powerful moment in the books? More like one of the worst moments in the books.
BranTheBlessed,
That was an awesome scene!!
But yeah it’s not the director, this is how it was written
Come on people…..
Season 1: Wow Alan Taylor is the best director (Baelor, Fire and Blood)…. season 2: Wow, Alan Taylor is the worst director (The Nightlands, House of the Undying….)
Season 3: Wow, Alex Graves is the best director (Dracarys, Kissed by Fire)…. season 4: Wow, Alex Graves is the worst director (sept-rape…)
Don’t confuse the writing with the directing.
And keep in mind that the material each director is given is very different (end of season material is always going to be “better”).
Anyway, I do agree that Alan Taylor defined the more cinematic look of the series with his first two episodes and his episodes have always been wonderfully shot. Glad he’s back.
LatrineDiggerBrian,
I know this is the minority opinion, but I really really really hated the bit with the piano during the opening sequence of Episode 10. It just seemed so out of place and didn’t fit in with anything Game of Thrones had done before. It wasn’t haunting
We are all entitled to our own opinions, and I truly mean no offense here, but…
Honestly, I can’t even find the words to describe how brilliant that music was for those scenes. That composition was as if touched by the gods. It *needed* to be something jolting and suspenseful and world-changing. This was a huge turning point, generally, and specifically to Cersei’s evolving madness. From the opening notes, to the masterfully placed bells, to the choral impact it showed a deep, deep understanding of the material and enhanced it to another level. I’d love for some crafty YouTuber to juxtapose those scenes without the music with a cut back to the beginning with the music. It was beautiful and genius and it actually gave me goosebumps.
LatrineDiggerBrian,
Yes I don’t know.
But I will not believe D&D changed a director, one who had great moments just like you said, because he might have angered some hardcore book-readers not when most likely they agree with him on those things.
Taylor’s a great grab, but Miguel Sapochnik, David Nutter, Michelle McLaren, Alex Graves, Neil Marshall… all no-shows. I think it’s easy to figure that Sapochnik, who’s been behind “Hardhome”, “Battle of the Bastards”, and “The Winds of Winter”, might be saved for Season 8. He’s got an SDCC GoT panel appearance lined up, so he’s still in the loop, although I kind of felt like some of his open comments about budget issues re: 6×09 in that big Entertainment Weekly article might suggest a rift. As for Nutter, he said he’d try to make it back for Season 7, so I guess that didn’t work out.
I’m going to level with you guys: I’m not ecstatic about this list at all. Taylor’s good, as I said, but Podeswa and Mylod are pretty uneven. And hiring on yet another new director when there’s been such a wealth of good ones (like this year’s Jack Bender, he of “The Door” fame) is a bit disheartening.
Oh well. We shall see. Predictions for a huge outdo-yourself-another-year-in-a-row flashy spectacular battle in S7 have been dampened, though. Maybe the Daenerys/Cersei confrontation will be a somewhat quieter affair. I can see Taylor lending his cinematic character-focused vibe to the Lannister dramatic climax sure to come from that.
BranTheBlessed,
Wait!!!
We disagree on about everything, in the show, and I wanted not to reply to you on couple of subjects as not to derail the thread.
but….
It is so rare to find a hardcore book-reader who agrees with me on the Tyrion/Jaime scene… You disliked it as well?
LatrineDiggerBrian,
Don’t ask me, I wasn’t around then. My son watched GOT for years and I never took any notice til last year. Now I know far more than he does lol.
Don’t know why people are already bashing Podeswa and Mylod! IMO Jeremy Podeswa is one of the finest GOT directors. The atmosphere that he brings to each scene is amazing! Mylod is a fine director as well, he just got unlucky that he got given the weakest episode of the season (in terms of writing). A little bit bummed out because of no Sapochnik, but still hype as hell!!
pdamico,
Yes I agree so much
Good King Joffrey's Warty Penis (formerly renowned as deekan),
Graves would be a good choice, too. I love how directors can go from being loved to hated seasons go on. I remember Butter was even disliked for while for reasons I can’t recall. Graves gave us the fantastic Lion and the Rose than the meh Breaker of Chains. I will laugh if Mylod gives us a powerhouse episode next season.
pdamico,
Fair enough, I respect your opinion. Just didn’t work for me. It was distractingly bad and didn’t touch one chord of emotion inside me. I wanted it to just go silent. It reminded me of True Detective season 2 when Rachel McAdam’s character was infiltrating the orgy, they really tried to mimic Brian Depalma’s style with that scene and it ended up falling totally flat. I believe it also had a similar piano score playing over it. Same thing here in that this piano piece is almost what we’d expect because we’ve seen it in other movies or something. They should’ve just let Ramen come up with his own theme and not introduce an instrument that they haven’t used on the show. It felt totally out of place. Let him do something original that some other film maker will mimic in the future. Dave, Dan and Miguel don’t know shit about scoring a TV show and should leave those decisions in Ramen’s hands.
BranTheBlessed,
And he is powerfull how ..
LatrineDiggerBrian,
Its not even minority I have only witnessed only one complain about that and that’s you ..
You’re entitled to your opinions and tastes ..but am just saying its only you that thought it was bad..
Geralt of Rivia,
Maybe that’s where the fires comes from she will burn jon for love..
I doubt it ..
We shall see
Quinton O’Connor,
About Bender. His quote about directing in season 7 is a little disheartening… “I don’t know the answer to that. They’re only doing 7 [episodes], and they’ve got their regulars who have done it forever … I haven’t been asked yet.”
Mostly the part about the “regulars” and not being asked back (yet).
LatrineDiggerBrian,
Digging latrines has given you a very negative take on all things GOT….at least that’s how you largely come across.
Aegon Frey,
This. But I actually kinda liked ”breaker of chains”…
I think the score for the first twenty minutes of Winds of Winter is the best atmospheric music throne has ever had, the piano then builds up to strings, choir and then an organ when Lancel is stabbed.
If anything, it sounded to me like Funeral March or even a Requiem, which is appropriate, given what happened.
LatrineDiggerBrian,
Everything in the show has to get the green light from D&D to go through, I think D&D know more about mood and music and scoring than you give them credit for.
Looks like I should lower my expectations for the next season. None of these names inspires any confidence in having great season.
Lord Parramandas,
Whenever I see irrational fans being irrational, I’m reminded of these article:
http://birthmoviesdeath.com/2016/05/30/fandom-is-broken
dragonbringer,
No offense, but that’s weak to state support for your own opinions when it comes to art by how many other people agree with them, and put down someone else’s opinion because of how many other people disagree with them. Especially with music. So my advice to you: when making your own opinions on art, don’t make them based on what the opinions of others are.
Guys, please don’t nag for the next 10 months.
Aegon Frey,
They do deserve a lot of credit for being the CEOs of all creative decisions on the show. HBO and the producers deserve a lot of credit too for having all brilliant people in place when D & D started and had no clue what was going on (i.e. Nina Gold, Michelle Claption, Gemma Jackson, all of the initial directors who had great relationships with HBO, and on and on and on). But to me it sounds like D & D micro managed Ramen here.
Sou,
Oh my sweet summer child…
Yes, cinematically-awesome, story-too many plot holes
My most disliked, actually. Came out of nowhere, made little sense and felt like terribly forced drama. Ruined the image of Tyrion.
pdamico,
Plus, it was Djawadi himself playing that piano!
Fair enough, I respect your opinion. Just didn’t work for me. It was distractingly bad and didn’t touch one chord of emotion inside me. I wanted it to just go silent.
I see this remark more as projection than as any credible criticism. Because it wasn’t what you wanted is not synonymous with “bad.” Not recognizing its exquisite skill, even though you felt it misplaced, is not valid criticism for the music itself.
I’m sincerely sorry you didn’t enjoy it. I felt it was like a precious gift to both the show and the viewers.
LatrineDiggerBrian,
Oh i didn’t meant it as rude OE anything ..
I can see how one can have a different taste and opinions..
Just pointed out that I have seen only you complain about light of seven ..that doesn’t mean your opinion is any less ..
On a different topic, did anyone expect some kind of payoff from ‘that’ Melissandre scene in episode 1? Thought that was gonna be setup to Lightbringer or something of the sort, but never paid off. Guess it will payoff next season.
I can’t bash any of the directors. I think their final efforts largely depend on the material afforded them.
But I really expected them to go all out for the final chapters.
Halfman,
I honestly think that some of these people are being forced to watch the show.
BranTheBlessed,
So good to find someone else with the same opinion about that scene. Hated it and I hate what it did to Tyrion.
It’s among the only 2 moments I strongly disliked in ASOS, right after LSH of course.
pdamico,
What are you talking about? I never even said what I would’ve wanted, so how is it projection? All I said was I didn’t like what was there and would’ve rather for D & D to just stay out of it and let Ramen do something original based on his own instincts. I don’t even know what that would be, but I’m sure it would be awesome. I never criticized Ramen’s “skill” either. You’re just really having a problem coming to terms with the fact that someone could have a different opinion than you.
People not expecting big battles in S7 based on the directors.. you do realize that big sequences is the reason why we’ll get a shorter season next year, right?
LatrineDiggerBrian,
ok, we get it, you don’t like the piano.
It hurts me deeply, since I am a pianist myself, but I respect what you are saying.
Halfman,
Some of you guys are so fucking binary that it’s really hard for you to understand someone that has nuanced opinion that isn’t just 100% love or hate. I loved the first 5 seasons. I like or loved 4-5 episode of season 6. All in all though (and part of this is because the bar is set so high) I was massively disappointed with season 6.
It’s completely boring to just sit there and criticize someone for having a negative or positive opinion on something, especially when they support it with well thought out points. Add something to the discussion or don’t say anything.
His brooding expression beats her smug expression.
But seriously, not every battle needs to take to the field. I don’t think they’ll unite all too easily.
Aegon Frey,
It was supposed to show her real age ..how experienced and how much she must have seen ..
And its also showed that she was having second thoughts about her god by removing the necklace..
Thats all i expect will come out of That
LatrineDiggerBrian,
RamIn.
dragonbringer,
Why bring it up then if you’re not trying to cut down the opinion by saying how many people don’t support it? That in fact I’m the only one you’ve ever seen to have that opinion?
A friend just texted me that the choice of directors confirms that Qyburn will invent and arm his men with rifled muskets and just shoot the dothraki.Gotta love friends.All hail Queen Cersei,long may she reign.
forget it.
BranTheBlessed,
That I like to see..but I think they are going to f**k while fighting bases on Kit’s response.
Ofcourse there is going to be some drama after all we have drama when two starks united..
I was just intrigued that how can he be anymore powerful than lannister and Euron.
dragonbringer,
Hmm that’s true. As much as I wanna see Lightbringer on screen, I don’t think it’s a literall sword on fire, however cool that may be 😀
Sou,
It will happen lol
Knight of the Walkers,
Heh.
LatrineDiggerBrian,
Seriously Brian (?) you’re always arguing with some one. Just ignore some people .
Mihnea,
I felt they did some pandering to the audience in season 6 but whatever.
I really think they had a falling out with Alex Graves but whatever I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree.
LatrineDiggerBrian,
To tell that your taste was singular ( is that a right word) and not something others share not even one person…i was only talkinh about you saying you are in minority …if you have said you didn’t like I wouldn’t have mentioned a word..
Jaime lied and cheated Tyrion but I ended up feeling angry at Tyrion and sorry for Jaime. Can’t have been GRRM’s intentions, surely?
Dee Stark,
I enjoy the discussion and debating things with people that have different opinions. What fun are these boards if everyone agrees on everything?
But you’re right, too often I waste time responding to the younger kids who don’t add anything and are simply mad at me just for having a different opinion or for “complaining”.
Aegon Frey,
I think you have already seen the lightbringer and show just likes to end with them appearing on screen ..
You can guess that by my name .
Aside of Alan Taylor, that list is entirely underwhelming. I was hoping to see more of the show’s standout directors on this list (Neil Marshall, Sapochnik, Nutter, Jack Bender and even a more controversial Alex Graves).
I find the hate towards Mylod kind of odd. The biggest complaints about those episodes he directed had to do with the script, not his direction. He has not done an epic episode like Taylor, Graves, Sapochik, etc. but there are several well directed sequences under his belt.
Janis Slynt’s execution was directed by him for example. He also directed the fight between Jaime and the Forme soldier (fun scene). And if anyone gives him crap for Barristan’s death, they should know that sequence was actually directed by Podeswa. On the “Sons of the Harpy” commentary Mylod mentions that they had moved back some of Dany’s scenes. Mylod directed the execution of the freed slave that shows up in the second episode of Season 5, but that got moved back and was replaced by the Podeswa sequence.
Very patronising comment. You can’t expect people to take you seriously if you don’t respect other posters here.
How was there too many plot holes
I’m sorry but there is zero plot hole in aryas scene. nothing illogical or inconsistent there, nothing out of the blue. We knew she was leaving to westeros, we knew Walder Frey was on her list, and we know she knows where the twins are.
I don’t think plot hole is the right word. I’ve seen very few comments people didnt like how fast that was for her to get there (but we don’t know how much time has passed) or some people don’t understand how she managed to sneak in there and kill two Freys without no one noticing , but I think this is due to the fact that she has learnt how to be stealth from her FM training, and I think this is what it was for. That’s how I took it. And I expect to see more of that.
I don’t know. My two cents
Knight of the Walkers,
It’s not patronizing at all. I’m singling out the people who attack me with immaturity and add nothing. Just within the past two weeks, I’ve had someone wish death on me, post spoilers to the last episode (which everyone else could see), flag my post just because it dissented with their own opinion, and been called an array of unflattering names. Some of these kids parents should be in a jail cell for allowing their children to a) watch this show which is filled with nudity, violence and adult themes and b) let them go completely wild on the internet and mouth off to anyone.
Never understood the hate for that scene,I mean I understand it,it comes mostly from some of the book readers.But from a show perspective it was quite nice,they gave him a heroic death,he saved Grey Worm’s life and he finally kicked some ass.It was good.The show is not the books,two different stories.
Ser Gerold Dayne,
This. I thought the fight was great and come on, the man took 20 guys down with him.
Agree though, most of the ”anger” comes from some angry book-readers, not because of the scene itself but because it was a change.
LatrineDiggerBrian,
Whoa!! Calm down, there’s no need to get so stroppy!! I’ve no idea what you posted in previous seasons, I wasn’t here then, as I mentioned to you in another thread.
Your contribution here this season has been endlessly negative. You may have made positive contributions but considering the number of posts here, I can’t recall them. I’ve only noticed that I’ve come to associate your posts with complaining. That’s how you’ve come across whether that annoys you or not. I made the comment light heartedly, no need to fly off the handle.
Of course people can have a different opinion and no one here likes everything all the time. Endless negativity however, depresses everyone. Just saying!!
I’ve made my point, if that’s alright with you. End of my input. ?
OK, now we all know you’re a troll. Shame.
LatrineDiggerBrian,
I am NOT saying this for you Brian, but it is just that some people do tend to firmly support quite the opposite of what most think just for the sake of argument.
I will give it to you though that sometimes it is difficult to express minority opinions. For instance, I personally got some vivid reactions when I said that I didn’t appreciate the murdering children (it gave me the creeps!) or the whole pie thing. And that I still cannot see what was the purpose with revealing Mel’s age.
Still, I don’t mind it when people react a little bit too harsh. After all, it is just a show (that I will GREATLY MISS for the next 10 months).
Can’t wait to see the intro next year,with the Lannister lion on King’s Landing.Ha ha.
LatrineDiggerBrian,
Unfortunately, maturity does not forcibly come with age.
Death wish, really? What for?
Can someone tell me what episodes these guys have directed before ?
Edit: I didn’t notice that the episodes were named above lol!!
Seriously? Because he’s King in the North and the East have declared for him as well. They are united. They don’t have any enemies except Queen Cersei.
Lannisters? Jaime is Lord now and all may not be well between the twins. They have enemies in every direction. The people will turn against Mad Queen as well.
Euron? How can you even take this guy seriously in the show.
I’ve personally done my best to stay out of direct discussions with you because I typically don’t agree with your opinions. You’re not going to change your opinion any more than I will mine so I’m not going to debate them. Your name for me, and apparently many has become synonymous with ‘negative’ over the last several weeks. When I see you’ve made a comment I just expect it to be something negative about the show. I’m not saying it always is, just that it certainly feels like it most of the time. It simply just gets old for people that are huge fans of the show to be discussing how much they enjoyed this or that and then *smack* here comes “debbie downer.” This is a FAN site after all, so you should expect people to get upset.
Alan Taylor
– Valar Morghulis (2012)
– The Prince of Winterfell (2012)
– The Night Lands (2012)
– The North Remembers (2012)
– Fire and Blood (2011)
– Baelor (2011)
Jeremy Podeswa
– Home (2016)
– The Red Woman (2016)
– Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken (2015)
– Kill the Boy (2015)
Mark Mylod
– No One (2016)
– The Broken Man (2016)
– Sons of the Harpy (2015)
– High Sparrow (2015)
Matt Shakman
-new to GoT
BranTheBlessed,
I agree Euron, despite a very promising introduction, has turned out to be somehow comedic. But let’s wait and see…
Dee Stark
Because nothing about Arya’s story is coherent in the show. One minute she wants to be No one, next minute she’s had enough and going back home as Arya Stark, then she’s back being No one/using FM method to kill.
This without even getting into phantom abilities that she must have to do all that she did at the Twins.
Sou,
Meh I wrote you a long reply to this then it didn’t go through. Basically in a nut shell, I hear what you’re saying about some people taking the opposite point of view just for the sake of it, and I get why people think I might be doing that or that I might be one of those book nuts.
Truth is I was over on WEsteros.org last summer fighting the book extremists than I came over here and then season 6 went down the tubes for me and I was fighting people here.
Like you, I enjoy a dissenting opinion as long as it comes from an unbiased perspective. Maybe I do need to be a bit more positive as thread after thread keeps coming down to this with me responding to 8 or so people and then it becomes about me.
BranTheBlessed,
North is just not in that great shape and same goes for riverlands..
Vale I give you .
But the tyrells and dorne forces alone are match to this guys ..
Jamaie will turn against cersei but not until the end ..he will obey her command because she is taken the throne as lannister..
Euron Iam thinking he will be showing his book side in next season…even in books I don’t take him as seriously …he is just another lie to slay ..
dragonbringer,
I take this Euron more seriously then book Euron…..
Just can’t take it how over the top he is in the books..
BranTheBlessed,
Um no she doesn’t want to be no one because no one means she has no grudge or forget her list
She used her skills as “no one” to kill off people from arya Starks list.
I didn’t even cross my mind that she wants to be no one again
And yeah she wanted to be no one before but she didn’t realize all the consequences that came with it. She tried but she is too tied to her stark self so she left. Using a face to Kill Freys doesn’t mean she wants to be no one.
This is an idea,no spoiler or speculation or anything,but for example show Euron can make a huge damage to Dany’s armies by attacking them at sea.Dothraki or Unsullied would be almost useless in a naval battle against ironborn ships armed for attack.Maybe even add some storms to that,they referenced “the storm” in relationship to Euron a couple of times.Dany could loose many men,even to show Euron.
BranTheBlessed,
How did jaquen Hagar kill all these people without anyone noticing in season 2?
Ser Gerold Dayne,
Thank you ser
Ser Gerold Dayne,
Yes, I actually like that scene! I have heard criticisms that the action itself wasn’t that good, although I enjoyed it. I think people have used it to argue that Mylod is not good with action, O know at least one comment referred to that scene. But it is irrelevant when discussing Mylod because he didn’t direct that sequence, Podeswa did.
Hahaha 😀 😀 😀 – Nice one !!
Yep, there’s nothing like stirring the shit or throwing it at the fan (i.e. GoT fans) to get their backs up – LOL 🙂
There are plenty of over the top characters in the book,that doesn’t make them bad or less serious.They just have traits that are exagerated a bit so people could catch easier a certain picture,it happens in fantasy.And not only in fantasy.
Ser Gerold Dayne,
Jon ”The real enemy won’t wait for the storm to pass, he will bring the storm”
Euron will be back and along with Cersei will be one of the biggest vilians, next season.
Book stuff
Ser Gerold Dayne,
I agree but I just can’t. The chapter from WOW just confirms he will get only more over the top.
I don’t say he is badly written. I like the idea of his character but not the execution from what we saw so far.
Same with Daario in the books and all the over the top masters and so on… I just don’t like this. Most of my complaint though comes from the fact that this all starts in the 4th book. I wouldn’t complain 1 bit if it was like this from book 1….. I wouldn’t have read it though…
Clob,
Fair enough, though I’m not trolling for the sake of trolling. ANd I do back my dissenting opinions with well thought out points, and often times (as you can see with the posts just above making fun of my user name) I’m the one that gets trolled! But I shall try to ignore them and be more positive in general.
Sou,
For saying that I felt there was some stench emitting from the preview of episode 10.
Excited for Matt Shakman. He directed the shit out of “Charlie Work” on It’s Always Sunny.
Just looked up which epsidoes of Fargo Shakman directed. Turns out he directed the last two episodes of Season 1. Those are incredible episodes. Hopefully some of that quality will be in his GoT episodes.
What is your point?
Obviously there isn’t gonna be another War between Kings and Queens in the Realm. I was initially talking about season 7 plot. The South (Tyrell, Martell) have already flocked to Deanerys. Mad Queen Cersei with very little support is the only opposition. Can’t see it dragging over many episodes. The North and East remain.
So it seems reasonable to assume the show could focus on some conflict (maybe political, maybe moral, maybe something else) between Jon and Daenerys.
Because these two are the major end-game characters and all that will remain after they unite will be the fight against the Dead.
Black Raven,
It was a joke. Blimey, I thought that was obvious.
Oh well, I guess culturally we are all very different as we come from different parts of the world.
No offence meant, seriously. It was a light hearted remark.
Right, I’m really out now.
I think show Euron gets an incomplete for me. I liked some aspects of him, but also didn’t like other aspects. Mainly it was the fact that I wish he had more of a grand entrance to the Kingsmoot and had some better costuming that set him apart. I pictured him as being more elegant, otherworldly and having a presence that put him so far apart from everyone else. On the show he was just kind of brutish and douchey, but I didn’t mind Pilou’s portrayal and am interested to see what they do with him.
LatrineDiggerBrian,
You dislike the piano? How DARE you to dislike the piano?!
Just kidding. I actually really enjoyed the soundtrack because I got the feeling that it was a “goodbye” song and that something really bad was going to happen to the characters.
BTW. I’m an amateur pianist myself and I’m currently learning The Rains of Castamere which is really a pain in the ass.
Halfman,
It was funny ?
Dee Stark,
It was insensitive to the hard working people out there that dig latrines for a living.
Lord Parramandas,
Not so much hatred for the piano, just that piece at that point in the show. Just didn’t work for me, felt so annoyingly out of place.
BranTheBlessed,
Point was you were saying lannister and euron are not strong enough for opposing dany..
So you said there maybe jon vs dany..
So I said even jon is not a strong threat to dany ..
You forget her dragons. Yeah, she could lose a few ships but there is nobody- no army, no fleet- who stands a chance against her.
Agreed here,costume wise they can do much better.It can easily be improved for next season,he is king now after all.But I did liked Pilou,some where very harsh on him but he didn’t write any of that,he just does his job with the material he is given.
BranTheBlessed,
Are you purposely being dense? I never said they would wage war against the other. Just that there was a possibility that the show might explore a bit of conflict between the two main characters before uniting them.
LatrineDiggerBrian:
Yeah, that would make it very interesting. Did Euron mention he has *it* in his possession on the show? I can’t recall
BranTheBlessed,
My point was not that someone would just come and beat her,of course no one can just do that.But she can still loose many men and many ships.To an attack,bad weather,etc.Which can complicate things.It’s not that simple.
In the books for example
LatrineDiggerBrian,
A joke.
BranTheBlessed,
BranTheBlessed,
No I got your point on your first reply ..
But I was talking about battlefield ..you did mention about vale backing him ..so I replied with how those are not such a big threat ..
It is hard to understand what am saying ..
LatrineDiggerBrian,
That reminded me of the tweets from the guy who played Lem. I think they were just having fun. Pilou had a funny tweet about “one ship down, 999 to go” with a picture of a small boat.
Okay… When it first started during my first watch I did think, “well this is different.” We’re just not used to hearing piano on the show and it did initially feel out of place to me. As it continued though I really started to enjoy it and on each subsequent view I’ve only seen it as a brilliant switch. Sure, they could have gone with the Lannister theme or Rains, but we’ve heard all that before. This piece though almost gives me a “something wicked this way comes” type eerie feeling that blends with what is being seen – and the switch to organ at one point fits the Sept (church) part. I am a sucker for slow, melodic piano music though. 🙂
Ser Gerold Dayne:
Fair enough. You’d expect the final season to be all about the Great war, its fallout and conclusion. So, I’m fascinated to see how the plot moves forward in season 7. Whether it’ll mainly center around Jon/Sansa/LF drama in the North, Daenerys/Cersei war in the South OR a focus on South/North conflict with a bit of tension between Aunt and Nephew 🙂
Tycho Nestoris,
Dee Stark,
Horse crap. Tell it to the guy in India who works for 3 pennies a month to work 18 hours a day digging a disease infested latrine because they don’t have the infrastructure for plumbing. Totally not cool, I expect more from you Dee.
Well, this escalated quickly…
Yeah, I’m also disappointed that Sapochnik won’t be back for Season 7, but some of the reactions here are WAY over-the-top. I don’t recall too many people here being excited that the director of Repo Men had signed on to replace Neil Marshall 2 years ago, so I trust D&D’s judgment when it comes to directors.
That being said, I don’t recall Shakman’s episodes of Fargo as being particularly showy or filled with cinematic pyrotechnics (his episodes didn’t include the long single-take office building massacre or the shootout in the middle of a blizzard). To me, the choices of directors here indicate more of a focus on character work as opposed to spectacle next season, which is fine with me. Remember, Seasons 7 & 8 are really 2 halves of one single season, and there will undoubtedly be plenty of action loaded into the final 6 or 7 episodes.
dragonbringer
Conflict aside, its interesting that Kinvara never met Deanerys. So she continues to be clueless about the threat of the Others.
Clob,
Sadly, I haven’t watched the episode again yet. I remember the days when I use to re-watch the episode right after it was finished, and then watch it countless other times during the week on my own volition and as it aired randomly on HBO. ::ducks::
I don’t see my opinion changing on re-watch, but I’m glad you guys liked it. In fact I was so bothered by it, I even came onto the show thread to post my feelings about it mid show. I’m sure many on here loved that.
I wonder if there is any truth to the rumors of Ramin? I hope not.
Dee Stark,
I think what he might be referring to is that she had to cut up two men into little pieces without being seen and then bake them into a pie. In a castle with hundreds of people, the kitchen fires would likely be kept going all night and someone would have been in the kitchen baking bread or doing something else throughout the night.
Frankly at this point I’m not concerned about how she was able to do it without being noticed. I’m more interested in how her experiences have scarred her and what that portends for the future.
LatrineDiggerBrian,
Relax
There are jokes about everything
But wait why is it your user name?
LatrineDiggerBrian:
The show has simplified dragon taming. In the books, she had to assert herself and bend Drogon to her will. Question marks remain whether she can do the same with the other two and what sort of a bond they’ll ultimately share with her.
The show seems to have made it into ‘mother-children love’ sort of thing and she easily controls all three. You can’t break those bonds, normally. Perhaps this is why they’ve not introduced Crow’s Eye’s weapon.
Clob,
The episodes he directed were the worst. He butchered the scenes for Arya v the waif. His episodes were boring as hell too except for the Broken Man episode.
Ecstatic Alan Taylor is back. Yes his Hollywood films were terrible but he did a great job on Thrones and really upped the visual ante of the show.
Happy with Podeswa and Mylod. They’re both solid choices and have proven themselves in the past. Mylod may have mucked up No One but I liked his episodes in the previous season as well as his work on The Broken Man which I thought was absolutely lovely in a minor note kind of way.
Intrigued by the new guy. I was a fan of The Good Wife which was for most of its first several seasons, the best show on network TV. Plus he’s worked on Fargo and Mad Men and Sunny which means he’s versatile.
I’d like to see (if we’re pulling directors from the previous seasons) for the final season a mix of any of these names:
Jack Bender
Alex Graves
Miguel Sapochnik (at this point, the #1 director I want back – I hope for him to direct the series finale)
Brian Kirk (The Wolf & the Lion was my standout episode in the first season)
Neil Marshall
Yes I excluded David Nutter. He may know how to keep things propulsive, but he also makes the show more pedestrian stylistically. He brings the show down to his network TV style, rather than classing it up. His episodes are generically shot and no wonder if you read anything about how he shoots – he just gets tons of coverage and figures it out in the editing room. The results speak for themselves – mediocrely framed shots that are typical of network style TV. He got the Red Wedding which he pulled off competently cause he *does* have a good hand with the characters but I really believe that the material surpassed the execution and it was the strong material that made the episode. There’s little elegance or poeticism to the way the Red Wedding is pulled off visually. Contrast that to many of the other directors who have a vision and actually want to do something poetic (like Sapochnik who spends hours on storyboarding).
LatrineDiggerBrian,
You keep saying how you posted all these positive comments and there were all these episodes you love and I don’t think anyone can remember anything but perpetually negative comments and whining from you.
I’ve been wanting Alan Taylor to come back for years now so it’s great to see that he is. Hopefully it’s not just a one off episode and they give him at least 2 episodes, and hopefully the last 2. Sapo not coming back is a major dissapointment, but at least we get everyone’s favorite Mark Mylod back yet again! (/end sarcasm).
I’m deeply disappointed in this list, but I know it’s irrational, because some of these directors are also responsible for some of the best scenes on the show. We just remember the ones we hate.
Sapochnik has set such a standard that we don’t think anyone could match it, but NO ONE expected Hardhome out of him. So I’ll keep my fingers crossed that the quality remains high, even without Sapochnik, Nutter, Bender, Marshall….basically the TOP TIER for fans.
It’s curious that Bender said D&D like to go back to their regulars because this list doesn’t scream “regulars” to me. I’m just hoping and praying we get Miguel and Neil Marshall back for season 8.
Btw, I was always adamant that the Wall wouldn’t fall just yet, because I think there’s still a Westeros conflict to be told. The casting announcement that they’re looking for various castles tells me the wars in Westeros are not done yet. Plus, with the way they’re talking about Sansa/Jon/LF, combined with this information, it makes me think that Season 7 is not going to be some crazy huge action set piece season.
I’ve long felt we’re not going to have 2 seasons, even 2 short seasons, of the WWs. The show has sparingly shown us the Walkers, and so when they appear it’s this sense of the unknown, the fear and the dread of it. It would be diluted substantially if it was 13 episodes of zombie wights crawling around Westeros. I really think the Wall only falls at the END of Season 7, and perhaps they give that to Alan Taylor (who has done beautiful work on GOT).
As much as we like to say the show needs to give WWs time, it just sounds like fan fantasy. We’re not going to get more than 8 hours of WW battles.
ah Taylor is back!… we’re seeing boonies again in the next season. yeah! 🙂
Dee Stark,
I know I was reverse trolling teehee.
The name is from season 5 when Jon orders that ginger Brian to build a latrine and he seems so happy about it.
For the directing of the Final Season i wish :
801 & 802 – Tim Van Patten
803 & 804 – David Nutter
805 & 806 – Neil Marshall or Miguel Sapochnik
as for S7 directing list , Matt Shakman has a great resume directing especially his work on mad men , and alan taylor is the only good news for the returning list
BranTheBlessed,
David,
D & D butchered the scenes between the Waif and Arya. I’m sure they were on set while they were shooting the big chase scene. If they had such issues with how Mylod directed it, they could’ve stepped in and said something. And they certainly wouldn’t have invited him back to direct for season 7.
Nadia,
Even if that was the case, I’m entitled to have negative opinions as long as they’re unbiased and supported with well thought out points. Look at what you’re doing now, you’re literally complaining that I have a different opinion than you. What does that say about you?
LatrineDiggerBrian,
You’re entitled to have them.
The point is, when someone points out that you just point relentlessly negative comments, you dissolve into personal attacks about how they’re sad children, how their parents should be jailed for letting them watch this show, etc.
I would suggest you watch your TONE. You may think you’re some poor victim in all this, but if so many people (as you feel) are ganging up on you, chances are the problem is you.
As it is, people tend to discount the opinion of someone who only complains, because what’s the point of engaging with someone nitpicks at every detail?
But yes, carry on, and if people have problems with your posts or discount your opinion, perhaps you only have yourself to blame
I am a little disappointed Miguel is not on the list. He is probably busy and is not available. It’s okay.
Not a Mylod fan at all.
Nadia,
You’re spinning the argument. I only pointed out the people who called me horrible names, spoiled the show, and wished death upon me as children whose parents should be in jail.
“If so many people are ganging up on you, chances are the problem is you.” Honestly that’s one of the most short sighted comments I’ve ever heard. Tell that to people who have been bullied by groups of people who all ganged up on them because it was safer to be in a clique than to have a dissenting opinion. Throughout history, popular opinion has constantly been wrong and has often times lead to the death of many many innocent people.
I don’t only complain. I don’t really care if you haven’t seen my positive posts.
“If people have problems with your posts or discount your opinion, perhaps you only have yourself to blame”. I’ll just say wow. You seem like that person everyone knows that has no original opinions and just follows the popular thing to do. If that’s how you are fine, but don’t criticize me because you don’t have the balls to say anything that isn’t popular.
Pretty disappointed that Sapochnik isn’t returning. I hope he returns for the final series. S6 E9 and E10 had me gawping at his direction and I don’t often pay attention to the direction. I just kept turning to my mum and going ‘my God, this direction is just beautiful!’ He just brings something really cinematic and fresh to me.
He did way more bad stuff, one of them the badly directed Barriustan Selmy flight.
TFT,
He didn’t direct that, it was moved to his episode.
What else?
LatrineDiggerBrian,
Don’t you ever dare to change. I really appreciate your opinions and the balance it gives to this site. When we care about something we become critical, some people tone it down and it’s good, they can do well like that, some people tone it up, and it can be good too.
Since season 5 I disliked Mark Mylod (before it was cool, how hipster am I now?), his episode 8 this season and the whole Arya storyline was clearly a mess, though it wasn’t completely his fault because it’s a script problem, his direction had problems too, and like many of you said, specially in action sequences. I loved episode 7, I thought it was a very bold and atmospheric and I have no problems if he’s back to some quieter scenes (I loved his DP, “The Broken Man” had one of the most beautiful photography of the season). We can only hope now that he gets the most outlined and detailed scripts and that he outdoes himself, I’ll be really glad if I’m mistaken and his episodes ended up making me surprised.
I would also love having Alex Graves back, who cares about what he says if when you watch his episodes you can clearly see that he DOES understand what he’s doing, it’s only empty words. Anyway, sad that we won’t have Sapochnik, Bender or Marshall. Maybe it will be a calmer season? Though I don’t see how… We can only HOPE
BranTheBlessed,
Well sam did say ” she sounds like quite a woman ” when speaking about daenerys with aemon on the show…so I expect him to meet and tell her about it…
We may get marwyn next season.
What I was thinking for last couple of days is what will Mel do once she realizes that dany is coming and she has 3 dragons and was unburnt..
Regarding dragonhorn ..its so obvious its going to end up on dany’s possession ..me thinks she is the only one who can blow it and not die.
The citizens of Bravos during the Arya/Waif chase were like dead zombies… Arya falls at least 20 feet and tumbles down stairs and people are concerned about the oranges and start picking them up and act like they can’t even see Arya. All the good GOT directors are in demand and have already been hired for other shows.
I wish they would of least hired Neil Marshall…. Blackwater was brilliant…
Hopefully GRRM will write at least 1 season 7 episode.
I usually ignore you because your insistent negativity has obviously become your shtick and a way for you to generate some attention under the guise of being more sophisticated than anyone else, when, in fact, you’re just repeating the same shit twenty times and frankly, it’s boring. But this quote just proves how full of it you are: This is an exact quote from Ramin about the piano piece. “This is what I love about the process with David and Dan and the whole collaboration on the show: the way we experiment and try things. When I wrote the piece, we definitely tried it on the harp and used other elements, but we always came back to the piano and we said, “No, there’s nothing like it. This will be it.” D&D didn’t force anything on him. It was just the regular music spotting session conversations, and they came up with the mood they thought was best. You’re entitled to your opinion you didn’t like it. Frankly, I could care less what you think about anything. But you’re not entitled to your own facts about what went on. Ramin sure doesn’t sound like he wants to leave: ” We literally just finished. I haven’t really had a chat with David and Dan, so I don’t really know what Season 7 will bring us. It’ll be exciting to see what we can come up with next year.”
Here’s the full article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/game-of-thrones-composer-breaks-down-the-season-finales-opening-sequence_us_5773cacde4b0352fed3e7774
Those who created my least favorite episodes of the season are the only directors from this season being invited back, it would seem. And Sapochnik is a heartbreaking loss. As the Waif would say, “So sad.”
To be fair, I think the script told Mark to produce the greatest chase sequence TV has ever seen, and it might have been the script that gave such conflicting direction that Arya was supposed to be both on her last leg and Jason Bourne at the same time. However, a great director would have seen the conundrum and looked for some way to make it believable or to change the script, as I think Sapochnik or Bender would have done. Even Maisie tells in interviews how she kept telling the director that Arya needed to dial way back what she was capable of doing. So Mylod never quite got the need to feel real and still look fantastic.
When LDB first started posting, I mistakenly read the name as LatrineDiggerBrain. I wonder if that would be a better fit.
I think the directing has been fine; any real problems with the show has been due to writing. That said, I’m sad to not see Miguel Sapochnik but I’m hopeful that it means he’ll be locked up for half of S8. These choices are fine, but I wouldn’t have minded seeing Jack Bender’s name in there too.
Ravyn,
Oh for God’s sake, stop being so melodramatic and acting like I’m a monster that’s roaming the country side. All I do is express my opinions with well thought out points and you guys get so butt hurt just because they’re not exactly in line with your own.
I’ll be the first to admit if I misstated facts. I wasn’t the one who came in with the rumor that Ramin could be gone, though I’ll admit I jumped to conclusions from it.
You’re right it doesn’t change my opinion on the musical piece, but from reading that article Miguel did seem to be trying to mimic another scene from another classical movie (like I mentioned) and was aware that the piece didn’t fit Game of Thrones. Didn’t turn out great imo, but obviously it worked for a lot of people.
Agro,
Thanks 🙂
Ginevra,
Oh well now we know your thoughts on people who work blue collar jobs.
Nonore,
Agreed. Sapochnik, Sakharov and McClaren are the best directors, IMO. Taylor’s good too. There’s an artistry to their direction that some of the others lack.
Give us STANNIS: AZOR AHAI REBORN directed by Neil Marshall.
Except for Dany’s landing/sea battles (which I really don’t think will see that much opposition), I’m suspecting next season will be all about the power plays, politics, and betrayals. I don’t think we’ll see much of the North next year. The signing of Alan Taylor makes me think he’ll be directing a very major character’s death (as he did so beautifully with Ned’s), probably Cercei’s at Jaime’s hand, or both of them. As evil as she’s become, I bet that’s going to be incredibly heart wrenching to watch Jaime go through with that.
Agree. I had the same concerns after reading Maisie’s interview.
LatrineDiggerBrian,
Overplaying the stabbing and the chase were director’s creative decisions. It is also possible say ‘Battle of the Bastards’ had weak script, after all there was so little lines but the episode was, in my opinion, brilliant due to Sapochnik’s choices.
Anyway, I hope every director will do great job next season. Nice to have Alan Taylor back and I’m looking forward to seeing how will Matt Shakman do.
With the exception of “Baelor,” the episodes these four directed leave me underwhelmed. Mylad’s episodes were actually my least favorite of the entire series, and I imagine with the addition of Shakman we will be getting more of a stomach-churning Tyrion being a not-so- funny stand-up comedian. Tyrion being turned into a groveling baffoon this past season ranked on par with Dorne in my book. Let’s hope Tyrion is treated more respectfully in Season 7.
LatrineDiggerBrian,
Its Ramin not Ramen, a Persian name. His dad is Iranian.
Anton,
How do you know this? Dave and Dan are on set, so if they had any problem with director’s decisions, they could let them know.
So it means that Daenerys will skip 2 episodes again (1 of Jeremy Podeswa and 1 of Mark Mylod) 🙁
Please bring back Neil Marshall!
Not sure if I am thrilled about Alan Taylor’s return. He’s still got the stench of Terminator Genisys all over him.
Would SO love to have Neil Marshall back. Blackwater & Watchers on the Wall are two of the series’ best episodes. I saw WotW at an IMAX theater, along with The Children, and it was incredible.
TBH, I don’t understand why there’s so much discussion on what director is best for ‘such a such’ episode? I would have thought what ever director B&W choose has to conform what THEY WANT to see in the camera? i.e. Whoever the director is I reckon has to dance to the tune of Benioff and Weiss? Its them who give the thumbs up (or down) and who have the final word.
The bottom line from me is I don’t give a flying fuck who directs which episode! Never had a problem in direction with any episode or in any season 🙂
Ginevra,
Funny that, it’s how I read it for ages until someone called him Brian.
Mark Mylod back? He directed the two episodes I did not like at all this season :/
Well as many have already said, I really wish Miguel Sapochnik was back. I didn’t think there was a way to further elevate “Game Of Thrones”…but he proved me wrong, two seasons running. I hope he will be back to guide us home in Season Eight!!! I would also like to see Tim Van Patten and Neil Marshall return. Glad Alan Taylor and Jeremy Podeswa are back.
Something tells me this isn’t the complete list of directors, either that or these directors will do more than two episodes each…
loco73,
There would be only 7 episodes next season, that’s why there are only 4 directors instead of the usual 5.
His interviews after the episodes, where he told about wanting viewers to be scared for Arya’s destiny, Maisie saying that she asked him to play the chase sequence down, and the fact that episodes are filming simultaneously lead me to think it’s the director who had the main decision-making power when it came to visuals. In such massive production, I guess, Dan and Dave don’t have time to monitor and correct every bit. And, perhaps, they were more involved with ‘bigger’ episodes. The writing may not have been at its best but it was the execution that made it ridiculous. Something, I believe, let’s say, Miguel Sapochnik wouldn’t let happen.
I hope next year, with smaller number episodes, there will be no weak links in the season.
Excuse me, if this isn’t readable 🙂