??? So you think the people saying this has been rushed and the writing is failing the show are the ones who don't read the books? The people who thought season 1 was slow are thinking this season is rushed? I would wager it is the opposite. I would think more(not all) book readers will complain about the writing, pacing and character work than someone who thought season one was slow. That is closer to what I see with my friends in the divide between those who have and have not read the books.
My argument really is that people (if they read or not)
want it to be fast at this point in the story even if they say the opposite, I mean realistically what more is there to tease out of these characters' personalities? People want to say the writing sucks because they disagree with the outcome, but instead they moan about it going too fast. People who have read the books (and/or watched the show) should understand the characters and not find the need for
more characterization.
But I'm not some blind zealot, if anyone has a good example of a main character that would have benefited from them slowing down and continuing to tease out that character I am happy to listen, I just can't think of any out of the major ones, other than Euron Greyjoy.
I would argue that in Westerosi history Euron is probably the best personification of the Iron Born that there is, but in the show he just kind of shows up, kills his brother, and proceeds to just pursue Cersei and torment Theon. They could have flushed out his character a bit so people don't just see him as some kind of weird addition to the mix. As far as the show goes what would it necessarily matter if we understood the achievements of a character you are really supposed to hate, even if you respect him in some pragmatic way.
The Mountain/Hound: their entire relationship was leading up to this conflict, and they even throw in a bonus where the Hound passes on his knowledge and tells Arya not to throw her life away for revenge as he has done. This rounds out his arc nicely, what more is there to add?
Cersei/Jamie: They die together, the world literally crumbling around them. Their father, their children, their house is gone (except Tyrion). I would actually argue that Jamie was
over written in this season. Knighting Brienne was a great thing, but then the weird romantic/then not sub-plot just confused his character, seemingly for many people. This is actually an example of over-writing this season. Cersei has pretty much just stood in a window and stared for two whole seasons but no one gripes about that because
we know who she is. No need to develop her further.
John/Dany: I know some are arguing that Dany was a spot where they really needed more to show that she had jumped to violent bloodlust, but I would argue these people are not paying attention to all kinds of reg flags in previous episodes/seasons.
She has lost almost all of her primary advisers except Grey Worm (literally or she thinks they are all traitors), her only hope at love (in her mind) was dashed when Jon Snow wouldn't smash his aunt. She is isolated and on top of that lost another dragon, her
child. She shifted all of her plans and lost a great many soldiers helping Jon and now feels betrayed by almost everyone around her. I would argue that anyone in similar circumstances would feel like they were backed into a corner, and what do cornered Targaryens do? Burn shet.
Jon is Jon, we have seen him develop so damn much I won't even entertain the idea that people want more for him this season.
Tyrion: Similar to Jon, we have seen his character evolve very closely, what more could we ask for with him? See that Dany is becoming a monster and help his sister defeat her? By the time he sees the truth it is too late.
Arya: We again have seen her go through so much already. Adding a sexual element to her character was strange, but she is really the only character they have even tried to round out this season, and people complained about all of it. Her struggle is internal, and as the Hound pointed out she is essentially hollow, filled only with revenge.
Sansa: Sansa's journey has been all about learning through pain. What more could they put this poor girl through that would have helped her arc this season?
Grey Worm: We see that he is in fact a human with emotions, then he experiences the most human thing possible, to lose a loved one, and reacts how he has to everything he whole life, with violence.
TL;DR name a character that you felt needed more characterization to fulfill their story this season that would have made it more entertaining/enjoyable for you.