Sonia Saraiya of Salon.com argues that the television version Game of Thrones’ upcoming deviation from George RR Martin’s books is a good thing.
I have to disagree.
I agree that sometimes everything in a book won’t transfer well to television.
On the other hand, while GRRM didn’t invent the fantasy genre, he is a pioneer of a sub-genre, namely – “Fantasy for Adults.” His career is one of the many reasons why we have books set in fantasy worlds where the hero doesn’t always save the day, unicorns don’t talk, and all sorts of chicanery ensues, thus keeping the attention of the adult reader.
So while it’s understood the show creators might feel necessary to deviate from the source material, let’s not cast GRRM aside as if he’s some kind of bumbling old-timer.
“Plans” and “life” are two concepts that do not get along. In life, you might get up everyday and work toward a plan. You and your friends cheer yourself along. Then one day – boom – an accident, a catastrophic illness, or some other unforeseen event happens and that’s it. Goodbye plan. Adios progress that was being celebrated and cheered on.
We cheered on Robb Stark as the inexperienced underdog won victory after victory against the veteran and fully bankrolled Tywin Lannister. We hoped this progress would eventually lead to a final battle in which Robb emerges victorious and the North becomes a separate state.
That was the plan…and then…bam! Throat cut at a wedding…just moments after the host went out of his way to make the Starks feel welcomed and assured them that there were no hard feelings about his daughters being dissed.
Like the gambler who hides an ace up his sleeve, that trick should only work once. OK GRRM. We’re onto you now. You won’t lull us in to a false sense of security again. We know you’re up to something and…oh hey look. The Viper just beat the Mountain….good for him…OH MY GOD!!!
M. Night Shyamalan knocked our socks off with the twist at the end of The Sixth Sense. I remember watching it, thinking it was an ok but average, mediocre movie until…OH MY GOD! BRUCE WILLIS’ CHARACTER WAS DEAD THE WHOLE TIME! (Shut up, you’ve had so long to watch that movie, spoilers, schmoilers).
Shyamalan then went on to attempt to recreate that twist in a series of movies that fizzled.
The Village – the monsters in the old timey village are just people who dress up to scare the people from wandering off and realizing that the village exists as an enclave in the modern world. BOOO! DUMB!
The Happening – the plague killing off the world was created by plants, their revenge for the way they are treated by humans. BOO! STUPID TWIST! STOP MAKING MOVIES! BOO!
Shyamalan just could not recreate that first brilliant twist. GRRM keeps doing it again and again. That is why he’s brilliant.
I’m not saying the show will be terrible as it starts to move away from GRRM’s books….but the show runners do have some enormous shoes to fill.
Bookshelf Battle 