Benioff and Weiss Confirm Thrones’ Bad Writing is because They’re Bad Writers

When Game of Thrones reached its explosive Season 8 finale, fans around the world were left confused, frustrated, and—above all—disappointed. Many blamed the rushed pacing, shallow character arcs, and a shocking disregard for long-term storytelling. Now, years later, showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have seemingly confirmed what many suspected: the writing was bad… because they are, quite simply, bad writers.

Let’s break down what they said, what went wrong, and why the “Benioff and Weiss bad writers” debate is louder than ever.

The Admission That Broke the Internet

In a recent interview, Benioff and Weiss discussed their creative choices during the final seasons of Game of Thrones. Instead of defending the show’s controversial ending with the usual “artistic license” argument, they surprisingly leaned into admitting a lack of experience and literary depth, essentially confirming that their creative missteps stemmed from their own limitations as writers.

“We didn’t really understand the characters the way George [R.R. Martin] did,” they admitted.
“We were focused on making big moments work, not necessarily earning them.”

This confession essentially validates years of criticism from both fans and critics alike.

Why Game of Thrones Fell Apart

1. Character Arcs Abandoned

Characters like Jaime Lannister, Daenerys Targaryen, and Jon Snow had long, complex development—only to have their arcs reversed or abruptly ended in ways that felt unearned.

2. Rushed Pacing

Seasons 7 and 8 moved at breakneck speed. Emotional depth and political nuance were sacrificed for spectacle, leading to what felt like a cheap conclusion.

3. Plot Over Substance

Benioff and Weiss prioritized plot twists over logical progression. The Night King was built up for eight seasons, only to be defeated in one rushed episode with minimal impact on the larger story.

Fan Backlash: A Global Phenomenon

The Game of Thrones finale became one of the most widely criticized series endings of all time. Over 1.8 million people signed a petition to remake Season 8 with “competent writers.” While unrealistic, the petition revealed a major truth: people didn’t just dislike the ending—they felt betrayed.

And now that Benioff and Weiss have acknowledged their shortcomings, it’s a bitter kind of validation.

The Fallout for Benioff and Weiss

After Thrones, the duo had numerous high-profile projects lined up, including a Star Wars trilogy with Lucasfilm and a controversial HBO project titled Confederate. Both were eventually scrapped—likely due to the backlash surrounding their handling of Thrones.

They’re now working on Netflix’s The Three-Body Problem, but fan skepticism remains high.

What This Means for Writers and Creators

The Benioff and Weiss saga is more than just a tale of a disappointing TV finale. It’s a warning:

• Respect the source material

• Earn your audience’s trust

• Don’t trade depth for spectacle

Most importantly, it proves that no matter how big the budget or how popular the show, poor writing is always exposed in the end.

Conclusion

The confirmation from Benioff and Weiss that Game of Thrones’ downfall was due to their own writing failures cements what fans have long believed. Rather than a victim of circumstance, Thrones’ final seasons were derailed by a lack of narrative understanding and creative discipline. While the legacy of the earlier seasons remains strong, the final chapters will forever carry the shadow of poor execution.