So I had this Facebook conversation with a friend of mine about the last episode of “Game of Thrones.”
ME: So you didn’t read the book?
HER: No! And now I don’t want to read the damn book! *Pouty Face*
Well, I have read the entire series so far. I knew what was coming. What follows is a discussion for fans of the books on what the series producers will do next. So this is MAJOR MAJOR SPOILAGE approaching.
Be warned! If you don’t want to know what happens next (at least in the books) bail out now!
First here’s the trailer for the next episode. Looks awesome!
OK, I'll warn you again:
SPOILERS AHEAD! DON’T LOOK!
First I have to give the producers props for dropping the axe, er, sword on good old Ned. I’m sure they had plenty of discussions about whether they couldn’t cheat. “True Blood” did it with Lafayette Reynolds. In the novel series, Lafayette was killed off early in book two; on the TV series he’s stuck around considerably longer.
But no, Ned dies much like in the book, beheaded on Joffrey’s whim. What I didn’t expect was the level of fan fury this raised. I haven’t seen the fans go this crazy since Joss Whedon killed off Tara (and then Wesley and then Wash.)
I’m also thinking about those airhead critics, those ones who posted those reviews of the first episode and called it childish fantasy; those so called journalists who obviously never read the book or watched the episode in question. I wonder what they’re saying now.
Actually George R.R. Martin’s practices fan torture at levels that would make even the Whedon cringe. All of us who’ve read the books know that the bad news is just getting started. Let’s look at what’s in store for the next few seasons.
"CLASH OF KINGS": Theon Greyjoy gets his heel turn when he and the Ironmen successfully invade the North and take Winterfell. All throughout the book I remember thinking Theon’s arrogant father Balon was going to get a swift comeuppance. I think I’m as upset by the fact that Robb never gets a chance to trounce Balon on the battle field as much as anything else that happens in the series.
Arya’s journey in this book is stunning. It’s like a medieval version of “Apocalypse Now” or the “Deer Hunter.” I hope the producers can pull that off. Tyrion Lannister has his finest hours in this book. He takes over for Ned as the hero. But like Ned all his good intentions come to naught at the end. He isn’t killed but he’s pushed aside, which for him is far, far worse.
"STORM OF SWORDS": Whoa boy! What can you say about this one? For me this was easily the most traumatic of the books.
