Are Game of Thrones' Creators Following the Original Plotline or Diverging with New Books?

The age-old debate surrounding the adaptation of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire novels into the hit television series, Game of Thrones, continues to captivate fans worldwide. Many wonder if the show's creators are staying true to the original plotline or if they are diverging significantly with upcoming books. In this article, we delve into the creators' intentions and George R.R. Martin's insights on this ongoing controversy.

The Battle Between Books and Show

From the very first season, speculation has swirled around whether the show was faithfully adapting Martin's books. This speculation reached a peak with George R.R. Martin's comments on how he expected the show to be different from the books. Martin himself admitted that some fans had unreasonable expectations for the adaptation process, as evidenced by his statement in an interview with the Annenberg Innovation Lab:

Some people I met thought we have to find the story’s throughline. Who’s the important character? Somebody thought that Dany’s the important character – cut away everybody else and tell the story of Dany. Or Jon Snow. Those were the two most popular characters to build everything around, except you’re losing 90 percent of the story.

George R.R. Martin’s Expectations

George R.R. Martin had high hopes for the adaptation, believing that the show would be more complete and faithful to the original books. Early in the show's run, it seemed that the creators were indeed walking the path of faithfulness, staying somewhat close to the source material. However, as the series progressed, it became increasingly clear that the creators were telling their own unique story.

During an interview in 2018, Martin made it clear that the ending of the show would be quite different from what he envisioned for the books:

The major points of the ending will be things I told them five or six years ago. But there may also be changes and there’ll be a lot added.

Reimagining the Convergence

Despite the differences, the show has managed to capture the essence of the books' complex characters and settings. However, the creators themselves have acknowledged that their version is a reimagination of the original work. In a 2018 article, it was stated that the show's creators had a broader canvas to work with, allowing them to explore certain narrative elements in greater depth.

The ending of the show will be different from what we’ll get in the books. Some elements will be similar, but there will be significant changes and additional layers added.

Character Foci and Story Development

The storylines of Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow became the most popular among fans, leading to their increased prominence in the show. However, as Martin emphasized, focusing on these characters alone would have meant sacrificing a vast majority of the story's richness. The show's creators, in their attempt to build a compelling and self-contained narrative, often had to make difficult choices, dissecting and reimagining entire story arcs to fit the television format.

This does not mean that the show has completely diverged from the books. The novel series and the show share common ground, particularly in the political and strategic elements. Yet, the adaptation's narrative choices and pacing have differed significantly from Martin's original pace and narrative structure.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the creators of Game of Thrones have clearly departed from the original plotline, making necessary changes and additions to create a more engaging and self-contained narrative. While fans of the books will undoubtedly seek out the original source material, the show remains a distinct and worthwhile adaptation, offering a unique viewing experience.

Whether Martin's upcoming books will follow a similar or significantly different path remains to be seen. For now, the Game of Thrones saga stands as a testament to the power of adaptation and the enduring appeal of George R.R. Martin's series.