Tv Vs Books

Published May 15, 2019 · Updated July 6, 2022

Dear Gene and Big D,

I love you podcasts, started listening during Westworld season 2 and since then I’ve been hooked. You guys are doing a great job with season 8 of GoT although I miss Roger.

Anyway, to my reason for this email, one of the biggest complaints I hear regarding this season is that it is rushed and has not really taken the time to flesh out character motivations (ala Mad Queen), or giving short shrift in concluding storylines 8 seasons in making (ala Night King). I can agree with that assessment to a certain extent. But the truth is that B and W were never going to be able to conclude these stories in a way that would be satisfying, especially to book readers. George books are so vast and nuanced, tv is not the medium to give a satisfying conclusion. If people want the answers to these questions in the nuanced and satisfying way they are going to need to wait and hope GRRM finishes his saga. The fans have built all these theories and expectations and the source of many of these theories are not from the show but from the books (ala Azor Ahai).

Haveing read the books and watched every episode I myself often intermingle plots and character arcs between two mediums and well that creates the confusion on what is on the show vs in the books. In conclusion, I wanted the Night King arc to be fleshed out more and I wanted maybe a better understanding of why our Queen just torched a million people, but I understand limitations of tv, and I am willing to wait for the books to fill in the gaps. Maybe next to Breaking Bad this is the best written and best-acted show in tv history, even after season 5 when the source material ended. I understand that and this is why I am loving and savoring every moment of this season.

Thanks, guys keep up the great work.
Josh NYC

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