--- title: Chinese Censors Cut 6 Minutes From Game of Thrones Premiere description: The season eight premiere shown in China was only 48 minutes long, 6 minutes shorter than the original, with key scenes removed. canonical: https://time.com/5571377/game-of-thrones-season-8-china-censorship/ author: Hillary Leung article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2019-04-16T07:23:38.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-10-13T08:28:03.345Z og:title: Chinese Censors Cut 6 Minutes From Game of Thrones Premiere og:description: "It feels like a whole century was cut out," one fan said og:url: https://time.com/5571377/game-of-thrones-season-8-china-censorship/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt85e221629eb67ae7/698948687cdbac39d2d5f5de/gettyimages-579450520.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 3000 og:image:height: 1688 og:image:alt: Comic-Con International 2016 - Day 3 og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Chinese Censors Cut 6 Minutes From Game of Thrones Premiere twitter:description: "It feels like a whole century was cut out," one fan said twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt85e221629eb67ae7/698948687cdbac39d2d5f5de/gettyimages-579450520.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # 'It Feels Like a Whole Century Was Cut Out.' 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Terms and conditions apply. * Savings buckets are a feature of Ally Bank's Savings Account. * No ATM fees from Ally Bank at Allpoint and Moneypass ATMs plus we reimburse for fees charged by other ATM owners nationwide up to $10 per statement cycle. * Early direct deposit offers eligible direct deposits up to two days sooner. * Spending buckets are a feature of Ally Bank's Spending Account. ## Video: The Final Season of Game of Thrones Is Here. Who Will Win the Iron Throne? [Watch (HLS stream): The Final Season of Game of Thrones Is Here. Who Will Win the Iron Throne?](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/hZmr87c4.m3u8) (2:25)  _Published 2019-03-13. The Final Season of Game of Thrones Is One Month Away. Who Will Win the Iron Throne?_ by [Hillary Leung](https://time.com/author/hillary-leung/) ## Hillary Leung Apr 16, 2019 7:23 AM UTC The Final Season of Game of Thrones Is One Month Away. Who Will Win the Iron Throne? by [Hillary Leung](https://time.com/author/hillary-leung/) ## Hillary Leung Apr 16, 2019 7:23 AM UTC _Game of Thrones_ fans in China are not happy that the season premiere they watched on the country’s online streaming platform was heavily censored, with six minutes’ worth of action — including what some say are key scenes — removed. The first episode of the eighth and last season clocked in at [54 minutes long](http://time.com/5550596/how-long-every-game-of-thrones-season-8-episode/), but the version Chinese fans watched was [just 48 minutes](https://www.weibo.com/1235640127/HpSjNDF8S). In China, the popular fantasy series is streamed [exclusively](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-17/game-of-thrones-is-coming-to-phones-in-china-thanks-to-tencent) on tech giant Tencent’s video platform. HBO has been blocked in the country since June of last year [following a segment](http://time.com/5321945/hbo-china-john-oliver-xi-jinping/) on _Last Week Tonight with John Oliver_ in which the comedian criticized Chinese President Xi Jinping. “It feels like a whole century was cut out,” [said one user](https://www.weibo.com/2341697932/HpLSmdOwe) on Chinese microblogging platform Weibo. “They’ve sanitized the episode and removed all the action and excitement,” another [complained](https://www.weibo.com/6207159095/HpQD9hSX2). “It’s like I’ve paid to watch a family drama.” Online, social media users discussed which scenes had been cut, sharing clips of the redacted scenes and remarking on their relevance to the episode. The [redaction](https://www.weibo.com/5995970700/HpMKP5BEd) of a more violent scene showing a message from the White Walkers, the supernatural humanoid creatures who pose a threat to the fictitious continent of Westeros, was met with criticism. That particular moment [has been discussed](http://time.com/5570506/game-of-thrones-spiral/) by fans as a significant and defining portion of the episode. A sex scene involving one of the soldiers, Bronn, and three prostitutes was also taken out. One user [said](https://www.weibo.com/6115865506/HpQXrrhZS) he understood the removal of the lewd parts, but disagreed with the removal of the White Walkers scene. “I didn’t even know that important part happened,” he commented. “Why would you delete these scenes which are crucial to the plot?” Chinese broadcasters routinely impose censorship in its media. Gay scenes [were redacted](http://time.com/5541656/china-bohemian-rhapsody-censor-lgbtq/) from Oscar-winning _Bohemian Rhapsody_ when it landed in China last month, and last year, authorities [banned](http://time.com/5112061/china-hip-hop-ban-tattoos-television/) rappers and actors with tattoos from appearing on television. ## Transcript [ MUSIC ] After a nearly 20 month hiatus, Game of Thrones is set to return for it's eighth and final season on April 14th. As the highly anticipated conclusion draws near, predictions about how the show will end are flying Throughout Game of Thrones' eight year run, the central question has always been, who will end up on the Iron Throne? Some fans predict that the final season will actually conclude with either the literal or figurative destruction of the throne. When all is said and done, is it possible than no one, and we don't mean Arya, will rule over the Seven Kingdoms? If the throne is still standing at the end of season eight. There are a number of remaining power players who can still win it. While Cersei Lannister currently wears the crown, there are several prophecies that seem to be working against her, including Maggy the Frog's prediction that another, younger, more beautiful queen will come to cast her down and take all she holds dear. That certainly sounds a lot like Daenerys to us, but both Sansa and Arya Stark have a score to settle with Cersei as well. Meanwhile, Red Priestesses of the Lord of Light have declared both Daenerys and Jon to be the Prince Who was Promised, a prophesied savior who is the reincarnation of legendary hero Azor Ahai. Who is destined to lead the people against the darkness, which we can only assume is a reference to the White Walkers. [ MUSIC ] While, the common interpretation of the prophecy seem to make John the more likely candidate. Daenerys' right hand woman, Lassonde pointed out that the word, Prince, is considered gender neutral in high Valerian. [ MUSIC ] Meaning, the proper translation is the Prince or Princess, who was promised. This is an important distinction. Especially, considering that some fans believe, there's evidence to believe The Mother of Dragons is actually the chosen one. But, hold up, what about the Knight King? If neither John nor Danny manages to take down the later of the Night Walkers who is now in possession of his very own ice dragon, another popular theory suggests that Bran Stark will try to use his time traveling abilities to prevent the Children of the Forest ever creating the Knight. That seem somewhat unlikely, considering the former three eye raven's plain that the past is already written, the ink is dry. Ultimately no matter who ends up on top when season eight comes to a close, it seems all but certain that at least some of our favorite characters Characters will be lost along the way. This is Game of Thrones after all. 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