The Game of Thrones series finale was one of the most controversial endings in TV history. The HBO fantasy series saw many prominent character arcs sacrificed in favor of a sensational ending, leading to many fans’ ire. Even the final battle with the White Walkers that the season teased was done away with by episode 3.
However, author George R.R. Martin, whose books inspired the show had a completely different plan for the story’s ending. In a letter to his publisher about the outline of A Song of Ice and Fire, the writer described what he planned to do with the series and spoke about the climax, which sounds much better than what the show ended up making.
George R.R. Martin’s Original Ending For Game Of Thrones Was Epic
George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire became a global phenomenon after it was adapted into the fantasy drama series Game of Thrones by HBO. The show, like the books, was set in the land of the Seven Kingdoms and saw the political conflict between various noble families who were competing for the throne at King’s Landing.
While most of George R.R. Martin’s storyline was adapted into the show, after season 5, Game of Thrones went in its own direction as Martin had yet to finish the book series. This led to the controversial series finale which irked many viewers due to its weird character turns. The final White Walker battle was also heavily criticized.
However, the finale would have been accepted by fans if the show stuck with Martin’s original plan. In a letter addressed to his publisher in 1993, the author outlined the story of A Song of Ice and Fire, which was then planned as a trilogy of books. He spoke about how he wanted the story to end with the White Walker battle and tie up all loose threads. He said,
The greatest danger of all, however, comes from the north, from the icy wastes beyond the Wall, where half-forgotten demons out of legend, the inhuman others, raise cold legions of the undead and the neverborn and prepare to ride down on the winds of winter to extinguish everything that we would call “life.”
The only things that stand between the Seven Kingdoms and an endless night is the Wall, and a handful of men in black called the Night’s Watch. Their Story will be the heart of my third volume, The Winds of Winter. The final battle will also draw together characters and plot threads left from the first two books and resolve them all in one huge climax.
While George R.R. Martin’s planned ‘trilogy’ has extended up to seven books, two of which are still being written, the show too did not subscribe to this planned ‘three-act’ structure. The White Walker battle, which was promoted as the main attraction of the season, was confined to the third episode and ended on a convenient note.
George R.R. Martin Was Not Consulted On The Final Season Of Game of Thrones
George R.R. Martin is still working on the final two books of A Song of Ice and Fire. The author has been working on the sixth book Winds of Winter since at least 2013 and has released a few chapters on his blog. However, the novel seems to have missed many deadlines and despite his promises, there has been no release date.
Since the last book in the series was published back in 2011, the makers of Game of Thrones had to take some leeway and find their own path in the show. In the end, many fans were disappointed with the show, with some of the actors from the show also expressing their disdain. The writer mentioned that he was not in the loop during the later seasons.
George R.R. Martin said in an interview with The New York Times,
By Seasons 5 and 6, and certainly 7 and 8, I was pretty much out of the loop. I don’t know — you have to ask Dan and David [showrunners of Game of Thrones].
The author also expressed his own anger at unfaithful adaptations recently on his blog and even mentioned how many producers and screenwriters changed storylines to make it their own.
Game of Thrones is available to stream on Max.
