In a previous episode Roose Bolton admonished Ramsey for wanting to take the initiative, saying that a wise commander does not go out to meet an enemy head-on in the open when he has the safety of walls, months' worth of food stores, and a bitter winter outside that can wear down the enemy for them.
Ramsay is desperate to earn himself some battlefield glory to add to his legitimacy. That brat growing in Walda Frey's belly is a threat to him, as he discussed with Roose. He knows the stakes.
if anyone can be accused of pulling the strings, it's probably Littlefinger and Oleana.
Littlefinger said he knew someone Oleana would be interested in, and next thing you know, Lancel Lannister is testifying against Cersei.
This is really astute. Kudos.
I have a feeling they will do season 6, then look at 7 and go, "shit, there's no way we can wrap this up in 10 episodes, we gotta do season 8"
Winds of Winter is supposed to be about 1500 pages. That's a monster text. For comparison, the last book was 1,040 pages. He has to cover a few chapters of stuff the show has already done in book 6, but that's easily enough for more than one season if they want to. He has also said the last book will be at least 1500 pages. Which probably means 3,000 pages and 2 books in GRRM speak. Point being, there is apparently a ton of material/ground left to cover for both the show and the books.
If you are unfamiliar with it, GRRM saw the story in 2 parts that were split by a time frame of like 15 years (I forget exactly). The last two seasons on the show/last 2 books were just meant to be connective tissue covering the time period between the two big story arcs. If what he has said in public is true, there is a LOT of story left to be told - entire major multi- season/book story arcs to work through. Another trilogy if you will.
I think they'll bang out an 8th season. It's a moneymaker for everyone involved. Also, if there really is that much story left to tell, it'll feel awfully rushed to cram it in 2 seasons.