Game of Thrones co-showrunner David Benioff, joining 3 Body Problem co-creators D. B. Weiss and Alexander Woo in a conversation with Josh Horowitz, talked about the execution of one particular Sophie Turner moment in the sixth season of the renowned fantasy drama television series. The moment marked the show’s peak and made the writer-producer realize he could die with no regrets.
Here’s your spoiler warning for Game of Thrones before we delve into Benioff’s comments.
This revelation surfaced after the Happy Sad Confused host asked the three creatives to discuss the most noteworthy character deaths they’ve written in their long-standing careers. Besides mentioning the nigh-universally-disliked Joffrey Baratheon’s demise in Season 4, co-creator D. B. Weiss also highlighted Ramsay Bolton’s Season 6 death.
Echoing a similar response, David Benioff agreed that the Ramsay sequence was epic but that the impact of it had to do with Sansa’s reaction to the situation—the presentation of which understandably evoked feelings of self-fulfillment.
Game Of Thrones Co-Creator David Benioff Knew He Could Die Happy After This One Sansa Scene
Talking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, David Benioff revealed why the despicable Ramsay’s death scene in the sixth season episode, ‘Battle of the Bastards,’ culminated in one of the series’ many peaks. And Sophie Turner‘s performance as Sansa Stark was at the forefront of his reflection.
Those who have watched the episode know why the scene is impactful, as it stands to represent the cold, calculated vengeance Sansa carries out against Ramsay.
As Ramsay’s hounds—who he believed were loyal and wouldn’t harm him—maul him into his demise after Sansa rightfully pointed out that they had been unfed for seven days, audiences see the latter walk away from the scene with a smile on her face. And this was the one character death in Game of Thrones that convinced Benioff he could die happy.
It was one of the peaks the series touched before it eventually tumbled downwards with the succeeding seasons.
Following was Benioff’s comment on the podcast:
“At the end of Battle of the Bastards, when Sophie […] does a walk away. You don’t actually see the death; you see some of it in the background. You don’t really see the death, but what you do see is Sophie’s smile. And it was all in one shot.”
He continued,
“We did it, you know, seven times. I remember standing there with Dan [Brett Weiss]. When she finally got—she nailed it on the seventh or eighth time. It was just that feeling of, ‘That’s so epic.’ Sophie was so good, and when she got that shot, I felt like, ‘I can now die happy.’”
Josh Horowitz added, encapsulating the sentiment Benioff presumably felt after the neat execution of Ramsay’s death, “I’ve peaked. That’s it.”
In the same interview, D. B. Weiss and David Benioff discussed the controversiality of the fantasy drama series’ conclusion when asked if they expected to see the discourse surrounding it. A refresher for those who intend to forget the ending to GOT ever happened: it disappointed several fans and reaped mixed reviews from critics. It thus became the lowest-rated installment in the series on Rotten Tomatoes.
David Benioff Talked About The Game Of Thrones Finale Backlash
On the topic of the acclaimed series’ conclusion, which was deemed haphazard and half-hearted by the audience, Benioff knew that it would be ‘controversial’ from the get-go. However, the renowned writer-producer revealed initially having hoped for a more 50/50 reception. In reality, the ending to Game of Thrones reaped the ire of thousands, who took to social media platforms to voice their disappointment.
Season 8’s 55% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes‘ Tomatometer illustrates critics’ dissatisfaction with the finale. If that wasn’t enough, the audience score is even lower—30%. A far cry from what viewers were used to.
David Benioff continued in his statement on Happy Sad Confused:
“I think you hope for a better proportion of… [We] definitely didn’t want it to be … so much hate. We’re prepared for some of it, but, you know.”
On the other hand, some did (and continue to) genuinely enjoy the Game of Thrones conclusion, and Benioff happened to encounter someone just like that. Recalling one such anecdote during the interview, the series showrunner stated:
“The only positive moment I’ve ever had with Homeland Security was going through LAX a few months ago, and the guy saw my driver’s license and said, ‘Are you… Dave and Dan?’ I was like, ‘Yes, I’m one of [them].’”
Benioff continued:
“He’s like, ‘I love the final season, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.’ So, that was a really sweet moment in a situation where you’re not expecting sweetness.”
The 3 Body Problem co-creator ultimately asserted that a few people do hold a fondness and appreciation for the last season of the fantasy drama, even if they’re lesser in quantity. And isn’t that how it goes with most fictional pieces? Opinions are bound to diverge when accounting for a vast population of viewers.
That said, the general disapproval of the GOT finale reverberates even today, with many still mourning the could’ve-beens of the television series.
If you still wish to rediscover the rest of what made the show special, Game of Thrones is available for streaming on Max.