Game of Thrones final season [spoilers]

[arewethereyet]

I don't know.  I think it would have been a better move to have kept the season at 8 episodes rather than 6, and spent more time on the writing and planning the battle strategies so they didn't make the characters look like idiots.

A couple more episodes would have helped - the White Walkers could have put up more of a fight, for one thing, but - personally - I'd have liked the show to have taken more time with its last few seasons, as well as this one. Many plots were cut short, in a fairly abrupt and unsubtle way and without much explanation, or consequences. And this last season is pretty much bare-bones in terms of story - almost all the remaining characters are in one location and have pretty much the same goals and the rest of the - once rich and diverse - world might as well not exist. It's way too linear for my taste, never mind the (relatively) break-neck speed with which major events unfold and a lack of sense of the passage of time, which makes the world of Westeros feel small.

I believe GOT should have had at least 10 seasons, considering the wealth of source material, though I doubt that was ever a realistic possibility, from the financial perspective. Of course - that in itself wouldn't guarantee that it would have been better, or that the ending wouldn't be disappointing, because quality of writing doesn't necessarily improve with quantity.

I don't have an issue with not getting a fairy tale ending; I have an issue with getting an ending that doesn't present a conclusion that fits the themes of the story.  So far, I'm unhappy with aspects of how they're telling the story but not necessarily with the where things look like they're heading.  But there's still one episode left so I can't say 100% one was or the other whether I'm happy with the ending.

Sure, but we already know, that the main threat, that set the tone for the entire story, is gone. Seemingly - so are the other remaining main villains. And while the "Mad Queen"  could have been an interesting plot development, there's not enough time left for it to go anywhere. At this point I can't see how we can get a fitting ending to the story - unless we decide, that the theme of the show is stabbing misbehaving monarchs. I hope I'm wrong and that there's a twist coming, but I'm pretty sure, that - whatever the ending - the reaction of fans will be much more entertaining...

I agree with your much of your assessment.

After a two year wait I do think it would have been nice to have a full season with enough time for the wrapping up of storylines not to be so rushed.  If they were going to cut down the number of episodes and total hours then they really could have shaved some time off the endless blasts of fire and the too dark to watch battle with the Night King and wights and used it to bring more stories to satisfying conclusions.  It seems to me we will see a parade of 'the ends' or cliffhangers as far as the rest of the characters are concerned instead of completed story arcs that live up to the character/story development.

Sam was pretty important to the story unfolding (Gilly too) and they just sort of vanished.  I am not sure what could have been added there.  Gilly is pregnant and the implication is that life will go on for them but it did seem abrupt.  

Jamie and Cersei being crushed was also a little bit of a letdown (IMHO).  I was good with them dying together...in together and out together...but I was expecting something more.

The Clegane brothers...yeah, I really did think that would end up with both of them dead...or dead again, as was the case with Sandor.

This season has been a dash for the finish line.