Many Game of Thrones fans could not tolerate sex scenes involving Arya (played by Maisie Williams), who they have seen grow up from aged 11 in season one.
They questioned if she was old enough for such scenes and also took to Twitter to vent their disgust at the HBO show for including the scenes.
Now, showrunner David Benioff has spoken about why they included the scenes and what they represent.
He told The Hollywood Reporter: “For us, what was interesting about this episode was that this is our last night together, and I think everyone would face the end in different ways.
Everyone faces [the end of the world] in different ways
David Benioff
"Some characters want to make love for the first time because they've never done it before, and other characters are getting drunk and singing songs.
"Everyone faces [the end of the world] in different ways. But they're all facing it and that's why this episode was so important to us because it's all these characters that we've been following for so long and now they're facing a common enemy."
For him it is all about creating firsts in a season that is bringing the characters’ stories to an end.
Some fans believe they would have been quite happy never seeing Arya’s sex scenes with Gendry (Joe Dempsie), as it confirms the girl they loved from season one has grown up.
One fan tweeted: “I could’ve gone my whole life without seeing Arya in a sex scene on Game of Thrones.”
Another added: “Just finished watching the second episode of season eight. Arya’s love scene was beyond uncomfortable to watch. Arya is the most interesting character, she doesn’t need trashy sex scenes.”
Game of Thrones season 8: Boss explains why they needed
