We’re going to have to settle for slightly shorter seasons of Game of Thrones from here on out, but in order to atone for its transgressions, HBO is giving us the longest episode of the show to date in the season six finale.
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Before we go any further, it’s worth noting that the details you’re about to read could be considered spoilers. If you want to remain completely in the dark about the season’s final episodes, turn back now.
According to the show’s page on HBO.com, the tenth and final episode of season six will be titled “The Winds of Winter,” (a nod to George R.R. Martin’s unfinished novel) and will run for an extended 69 minutes. This will make it the longest episode of Game of Thrones to air in the show’s six season run.
HBO has also revealed that the ninth episode of season six will be called “The Battle of the Bastards,” presumably referring to the brewing clash between bastards Jon Snow and Ramsay Bolton. Entertainment Weekly reminds us that the showrunners claimed this season would feature the biggest battle in the history of the series, so it would make sense for this to be the one.
“The Battle of the Bastards” airs on June 19th and “The Winds of Winter” airs on June 26th. Both will be directed by Miguel Sapochnik, who received a great deal of praise for directing the season 5 episode “Hardhome” last year.
