having too many characters and refusing to cut them isn't weak writing period...

no

and no again

it's complex source material...

i notice that most people that binge watch multiple seasons missed far less than those who haven't...that's on the reader's/viewers and to a certain extent on the source material...

so again...NO

there have been some writing mistakes...but too many characters and plotlines is not one of them just like it isn't in the books...that's just people who want complex shit to magically become simple