When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. The once mighty Game of Thrones television adaptation has faltered a little in the home run. Suddenly fans and critics are split as never before. The most recent episode, The Last of the Starks, is the second worst rated episode of the entire show, sitting at a shockingly low 58% aggregate, with Season 8 Episode 3 the third worst on 74%. What is going wrong? There have been growing complaints that the show is getting weaker without Martin's source material to draw upon, while the plot twists are feeling rushed and lacking context or complexity. The author himself already revealed what he would change. Everybody knows by now that Book 6, The Winds of Winter, is drastically overdue. Martin said: "Some of the deviation, of course, is because I’ve been so slow with these books. I really should’ve finished this thing four years ago — and if I had, maybe it would be telling a different story here." But he also pointed out there was still plenty more in the books that could have been used and expanded, telling Variety: "If you’ve read my novels, you know there was enough material for more seasons. They made certain cuts." It's not just the cuts that are frustrating many fans, it's the sudden over-simplification of characters and plotlines, with the nuances and exquisite inner complexities and twisted logic seemingly abandoned in favour of hitting key plot points. Martin had plenty to say on this.<doc-sep>George R. R. Martin confessed to feeling 'a little sad' that there aren't more seasons of Game Of Thrones to faithfully adapt his A Song Of Ice And Fire series in full. The author, 70, spoke candidly about his thoughts on the series coming to an end in an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine in April, which was published after the first two episodes of the eighth season were released. And the creative mind behind the fantasy juggernaut told the publication that he'd have preferred it if the show did 'it exactly the way [he] did', but understood that the showrunners and actors couldn't be expected to sign on to a show for that long. Emotional: George R. R. Martin admitted he felt 'a little sad' Game Of Thrones won't have more seasons to faithfully adapt his A Song Of Ice And Fire series, in an interview released in April He explained: 'You know, it’s complex. I’m a little sad, actually. I wish we had a few more seasons. But I understand. 'Dave [Benioff] and Dan [Weiss] are gonna go on to do other things, and I’m sure some of the actors were signed up for like seven or eight years, and they would like to go on and take other roles.' While he admitted he wasn't 'angry or anything like that', George did explain that having his prose adapted for the small screen has sometimes been 'traumatic' due to conflicting creative visions that resulted in 'a lot of conflict'. George went on to add: 'The series has been… not completely faithful. Otherwise, it would have to run another five seasons.' Sad farewell: The creative mind behind the fantasy juggernaut said he'd have preferred it if the show did 'it exactly the way [he] did', but understood the reason behind it ending The author is currently working on the sixth book in the series titled The Winds Of Winter, which will then be followed by the franchise's final novel A Dream Of Spring. But that's not all, as George is also on hand to assist HBO with their many spin-off shows, which will follow a wide range of different stories and periods from his books. Earlier this month he admitted the subscription-only channel is planning to capitalise on the shows enormous popularity by developing a handful of shows set within the sprawling Game Of Thrones universe. 'We have had five different Game Of Thrones successor shows in development (I mislike the term "spinoffs") at HBO, and three of them are still moving forward nicely,' he told fans in a personal blog post. High hopes: George went on to add, 'The series has been… not completely faithful. Otherwise, it would have to run another five seasons' 'The one I am not supposed to call The Long Night will be shooting later this year, and two other shows remain in the script stage, but are edging closer.' While the author was careful not to reveal plot details, he did admit his latest book, a complete chronological history of the show's fictional House Targaryen, might offer some clues. 'What are they about? I cannot say,' he wrote. 'But maybe some of you should pick up a copy of Fire And Blood and come up with your own theories.' Game of Thrones continues on HBO in the US, and is screened simultaneously at 2 AM on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in the UK, on Sunday night.<doc-sep>
George R.R. Martin, the mastermind behind “Game Of Thrones”, is warning his fans not to believe everything you hear on the internet, but is letting everyone in on what will be coming next. “Internet reports are notoriously unreliable,” Martin shared on his blog. “We have five different ‘Game Of Thrones’ successor shows in development ( I mislike the term ‘spinoff’) at HBO, and three of them are still moving forward nicely.” RELATED: John Bradley Tells Ellen He’s In The Dark About How How ‘Game Of Thrones’ Will End “The one I am not supposed to call ‘The Long Night’ will be shooting later this year,” he adds. “Two other shows remain in the script stage, but are edging closer. What are they about? I cannot say. But maybe some of you should pick up a copy of Fire & Blood and come up with your own theories,” the author said while promoting his newest book. Martin also praises “Avengers: Endgame” in his post. “Kudos to the writers and director. I cannot believe they got all those characters into one film, and still managed to do them all justice. The final battle was epic, exciting, thrilling, full of twists and turns… and strangely beautiful. But the character scenes earlier in the film really made it for me.” Adding on, “Stan Lee would have been proud.” RELATED: Emilia Clarke Drops ‘Game Of Thrones’ Teaser, Reveals There’s A ‘Bigger’ Episode Coming Up From TV, to Movies, and then onto the 2020 presidential race, Martin says he is “pleased” that Joe Biden is running. “The main things I want in a nominee, however, are twofold: (1) someone who can beat Trump, and (2) someone who would actually be a good/ great president. Biden qualifies on both counts. Also, the speech he gave announcing his run was kicka**… and so, so true.”