LOS ANGELES: The creators of global smash television series “Game of Thrones” say they knew how they would end the show five years ago, and are anxious that fans will like it.
“We want people to love it. It matters a lot to us,” said D.B. Weiss, who along with David Benioff created the series that is based on the novels of George R.R. Martin.
“We also know that no matter what we do, even if it’s the optimal version, that a certain number of people will hate the best of all possible versions,” Weiss told Entertainment Weekly in an interview that was published on Tuesday.
The final six episodes of HBO’s award-winning medieval fantasy series set among warring families in the fictional kingdom of Westeros launches on Sunday and concludes on May 19.
Weiss said he and Benioff had “known the major beats for at least five years” of how the show would end.
Season 7, which was broadcast in 2017, saw the characters head toward a great battle over the Iron Throne while a zombie army of White Walkers, led by the undead Night King, march south to destroy humanity.
The two executive producers said it has grown harder and harder to keep details of the plots secret. Although based on Martin’s series of novels “A Song of Ice and Fire,” the show has long gone beyond Martin’s books.
“We won’t be relieved until the final episode airs without a leak. We’re certainly happy we got through production without a leak. But there have been issues that have happened in post-production, or a week before an episode airs. So, we’re entering the most dangerous time,” Benioff told Entertainment Weekly.
Weiss and Benioff said they plan to go offline when the finale is aired in May.
“We’ll be in an undisclosed location, turning off our phones and opening various bottles,” said Weiss.
“I plan to be very drunk and very far from the Internet,” added Benioff.
“Game of Thrones” has won multiple Emmy awards and is HBO’s biggest hit ever with some 30 million viewers in the United States and an army of devoted fans worldwide.
Game of Thrones finale: ‘We want people to love it’
Game of Thrones finale: ‘We want people to love it’
- ‘Game of Thrones’ has won multiple Emmy awards
- It is HBO’s biggest hit ever with some 30 million viewers in the US and an army of devoted fans worldwide
Ramadan recipes: a taste of southern Italy with Linguine alla Nerano
DUBAI: Chef Francesco Cortorillo, head chef at Dubai’s Scalini, shares a signature interpretation of the iconic southern Italian dish Linguine alla Nerano, celebrating the seasonality of zucchini and the subtle, elegant flavors of Provolone del Monaco DOP.
“Linguine alla Nerano is a dish that captures the elegance of Italian simplicity. When prepared with care, it delivers extraordinary depth from just a handful of ingredients,” he said.
Ingredients (serves 4)
400g linguine.
700g zucchini.
120g Provolone del Monaco DOP.
40g Parmigiano Reggiano, finely grated.
Extra virgin olive oil, as needed.
Fresh basil leaves.
Salt, freshly ground black pepper.
Method
Prepare the zucchini
Wash the zucchini and slice thinly, about 2 to 3 millimeters thick.
Heat a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil in a wide pan and fry the zucchini in batches until golden and lightly crisp.
Remove and drain on paper towels. Season lightly with salt while still warm.
Once cooled, set aside with a few fresh basil leaves.
This resting time is essential, allowing the zucchini to release their aroma into the oil.
Cook the pasta
Bring a large pot of well-salted water to the boil. Cook the linguine until very al dente. Reserve plenty of the pasta cooking water before draining.
Build the sauce
In a large pan, gently warm a small amount of the zucchini frying oil, lightly crushed. Add the fried zucchini and a ladle of pasta water to create a light base. Add the linguine and finish cooking directly in the pan, stirring gently.
Cream the pasta
Remove the pan from the heat. Gradually add the Provolone del Monaco and Parmigiano Reggiano, stirring continuously. Add pasta water slowly until a smooth, creamy sauce forms.
The sauce should coat the pasta without becoming heavy or stringy. Finish with fresh basil and, if desired, a touch of black pepper.
