Apart from all the epic battles, intrigue and wit coursing through every episode of HBO's 'Game of Thrones,' most viewers know there are at least two huge reasons people tune into the show.  Two mountainous, firm yet supple reasons people drool every time a new episode of 'Game of Thrones' bounces onto our TV screens.

We're talking of course about solid direction and tasteful cinematography, but what's the deal with all that nudity, anyway?

While yes, it's true that 'Game of Thrones' usually features a heaping helping of nudity, sometimes both male and female (curiously no Emilia Clarke this season), not every director wills it so.  In fact, it probably won't surprise you to learn who's really pulling the bikini strings.

Speaking to Empire, 'Game of Thrones' episode director Neil Marshall ("Blackwater") spoke out about HBO's tendency to push for further nudity, even during filming of already-scripted episodes.  Marshall spoke about his recent directing duties, saying:

The weirdest part [of directing Game of Thrones] was when you have one of the exec producers leaning over your shoulder, going, 'You can go full frontal, you know. This is television, you can do whatever you want! And do it! I urge you to do it!' So I was like, 'Okay, well, you’re the boss.'"

This particular exec took me to one side and said, 'Look, I represent the pervert side of the audience, okay? Everybody else is the serious drama side, [but] I represent the perv side of the audience, and I’m saying I want full frontal nudity in this scene.' So you go ahead and do it.

Not that we're complaining about the multitude of beautiful women willing to bare all at the drop of a hat, but somehow we imagine that exec might be sweating a bit now that his contributions are out.  Daenerys Targaryen might just have to pay him a visit, and this time, Dany's Dothraki rags won't be what's being burned off.

What say you?  Do you think 'Game of Thrones' uses nudity for a cheap thrill, or does all the rampant boobage service the story?  Leave us your tasteful take in the comments below!

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