George R.R. Martin reacts to Game of Thrones’ 2017 Hugo nominations

(Photo by Tiffany Rose/Getty Images)

The nominations for the prestigious Hugo Awards have been announced by WorldCon75, and two episodes from Game of Thrones season 6 have been nominated in the category of Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form: “The Door” and “Battle of the Bastards.” Reacting on his blog, George R.R. Martin revealed that three Game of Thrones episodes actually got enough votes to get on the ballot, but the third was not allowed because of “the DR. WHO rule,” which forbids more than two nominations per show per category. “It’s been needed for years,” Martin said of the rule, “and I’m glad to see it in place, but it’s one of life’s little ironies that the first show it bites is not DR. WHO, but GAME OF THRONES.

"But one must not be greedy. It IS an honor just to be nominated, and a double honor to be nominated twice, so thanks to all the fans out there who gave us one of their votes."

Other shows nominated alongside Game of Thrones include Black Mirror (“San Junipero”), Doctor Who (“The Return of Doctor Mysterio”), The Expanse (“Leviathan Wakes”) and the experimental album Splendor & Misery, by Clipping.

Beyond the nominations for Thrones, Martin thinks that “this is the best (Hugo) ballot we’ve had in several years.” It’s so good, Martin isn’t sure if he’ll need to hold the Alfie Awards this year. His own private awards event, Martin created the Alfies (named in honor of Hugo Award winner Alfred Bester) to recognize the runners-up shoved off the top spot in categories targeted by the controversial Sad/Rabid Puppy voting block in previous years. “My first inclination is to say, hey, maybe not, doesn’t look as though they’re necessary. But they were fun, so let me mull that a while. I still have a lot of hood ornaments in the basement.”

In 2016, Martin handed out the Alfies at his Hugo Loser’s Party, which he’s been throwing for years.

But while he approves of the ballot, Martin was bummed that another one of his works didn’t make it on:

"And yes, I will confess, I am very disappointed that WILD CARDS did not get a nod in the new Best Series category, it being our thirtieth anniversary and all … Anyone who works in this field for long, as writer, artist, editor, or fan, will have their share of both celebrations and disappointments. I certainly have. But you know, you can even celebrate your disappointments; that’s what the Hugo Losers Party is all about."

Not counting the new nod, Game of Thrones has previously been nominated for four Hugo Awards, and won three: in 2012, season 1 as a whole won in the Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form category; in 2012, “Blackwater” won in the Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form category; and in 2013, and “The Rains of Castamere” won Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form. “The Mountain and the Viper” was nominated in that category in 2015 but did not win.

You can watch the WorldCon75 online 2017 Hugo Awards Finalists announcement below:

The winners will be announced on August 11 at the 75th World Science Fiction Convention in Helsinki, Finland.