Ryan Condal explains why House of the Dragon Season 2 only had 8 episodes despite George R.R. Martin’s wish for a full season.

The season finale of House of the Dragon Season 2 is almost upon us and surely everyone wishes there could be two more episodes just so they could savor the show. Even author George R.R. Martin wanted it to be a full 10-episode run.

Emma D’Arcy in House of the Dragon / HBO

Based on the Fire & Blood novel, the hit prequel series follows the story of the Targaryen dynasty as the great house faces a bloody civil war called the Dance of the Dragons.

George R.R. Martin Hoped For 10 Episodes For Season 2

On his website, George R.R. Martin wrote a reflection on the first season of House of the Dragon and how he wished it had more than ten episodes just so it could explore other aspects that were left out due to time and budget constraints.

If HOUSE OF THE DRAGON had 13 episodes per season, maybe we could have shown all the things we had to “time jump” over… though that would have risked having some viewers complain that the show was too “slow,” that “nothing happened.

George R.R. Martin via CBS News

He recalled how television shows in the past had more than 30 episodes and how it diminished over time. Game of Thrones only had 10 episodes per season, and this is what he also aimed for the prequel series.

As it is, I am thrilled that we still have 10 hours every season to tell our tale. I hope that will continue to be true. It is going to take four full seasons of 10 episodes each to do justice to the Dance of the Dragons, from start to finish.

Take note of his statement – “four full seasons of 10 episodes each” and yet, Season 2 of House of the Dragon only has eight. With this as the basis for criteria, the show has already missed one of the author’s major requirements.

Indeed, the series could have at least sealed the season with ten episodes just like its predecessor. Certainly, apart from the numerous modifications they did over the past couple of episodes, there are also other elements they left out for the sake of condensing the plot. Those extra two episodes could have covered them all.

Why House Of The Dragon Only Has 8 Episodes

Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen with Caraxes in House of the Dragon / HBO

Evidently, Ryan Condal has a rationale behind the decision to release a shorter season. Director Clare Kilner told The Hollywood Reporter that Condal wanted to reduce the episode count because it would ensure better pacing.

“There are eight wonderful episodes with so much happening in every episode, and we have trouble, at times, bringing them down to one hour,” she explained. Kilner further noted that the showrunner’s choice was made “to give it a good opening and a good ending” along with “emotional and visually exciting events”.

A lot of viewers have mixed feelings about Season 2, especially after waiting for it for what seems like an eternity. Hopefully, the final episode will make up for it, and fans will give the show the benefit of the doubt.

House of the Dragon Season 2 is streaming on HBO.