Game of Thrones: A Typical Book Fan’s Reaction to the Television Series

I’ve had a chance to talk to a few Game of Thrones super-fans in the last few days, and when I mean super-fans, I mean people who read the first book in 1996, when it came out. Compared to those people, I’m only a regular, normal fan. Yet, the one thing most of those people and I have in common is our reaction to Game of Thrones the TV show.

To be fair, there are many Game of Thrones fans who hate the show, just as there are some who don’t care to see it. Most fans, however, are somewhere in the middle. Most fans like the idea of seeing their favorites brought to life. Most bemoan any little deviation from the books, but understand the concept of streamlining plots. And most fans, though they know what’s coming, have extreme reactions to actually seeing it.

So, without further ado, here is a typical book fan’s reaction to the TV show:

Season One

• Wow, this is a good adaptation.
• I love how they’re being so true to the characters.
• The actors are awesome.
• I don’t know why I refused to watch this for so long; it’s so gratifying to see my favorite characters come to life.
• BRAN …NO, BRAN. Boy, I did not need to watch that. It was bad enough in my mind.
• Oh, look, Daenerys was so interesting at first. George R. R. Martin really screwed up on that one. I used to love her. And Drogo. I MISS DROGO.
• Jon is my favorite of the Starks. Even if he isn’t a Stark. And, look, there’s Ghost! Oh, I love the direwolves. I hate Joffrey. Little bastard. I’m going to enjoy Season three SO FREAKING MUCH.
• No, Ned. Don’t be so noble. No, no. Oh, I should have known this was going to be harder to watch than it was to read.  But, look, Arya is getting away. And Gendry is there!
• Robb, my poor sweet Robb. I’m not getting attached. I already know what happens.
• DRAGONS! DRAGONS!

Conclusion: It was SO MUCH better than you expected. It didn’t leave any of the good stuff out. In fact, you almost want to say it was a perfect adaptation.

Season Two

• Boy, there’s a lot of nudity in this show. Almost all female.
• It sucks when you know what’s coming, and you can’t do anything to keep characters from making wrong decisions.
• Daenerys, you’re so boring this season. And next season, probably. In fact, are you ever going to be as relevant as you were in Season One?
• Sansa really does have it bad. At least Arya gets to be sort of free.
• I take that back. ARYA, MY ARYA. Nooo!
• Why do I say these things out loud if I already know what’s coming?
• Davos, why are you so boring?
• Tyrion is my absolute fave.
• Well, okay, no, Brienne is my absolute fave.
• Wait, no, ARYA is my is!

Conclusion: Some changes, but they were to be expected, since Daenerys has done nothing good for the last three books. All is well.

Season Three

• Do I get to watch Joffrey die this season? Tell me I get to watch Joffrey die this season, please.
• If I have to put up with the Red Wedding, I BETTER GET TO WATCH JOFFEY DIE THIS SEASON.
• Ugh, the Red Wedding. How am I going to watch that?
• Though it’ll be kind of fun to see the shock and the outrage in others.
• I feel so bad for Theon… said no one ever.
• Fine, Daenerys, I’ll give it to you, that thing with the Unsullied and the dragons was kind of cool.
• Brienne/Jamie interactions give me life.
• I thought I’d have you forever, Kingslayer, but …I kind of love you now.
• Oh, Robb. Oh, Catelyn. Oh, Starks. I still love you.

Conclusion: Boy, that was hard. But I’m good. I survived. The best is yet to come!

Season Four

• Joy of joys, we get the Red Viper.
• Pedro Pascal is awesome.
• AND GOODBYE, JOFFREY. That scene makes all the time I spent watching a story I already knew worth it. Bite it, you little troll.
• WAIT. WHAT IS THIS “RAPE” CRAP?! Jamie does NOT rape Cersei. This is absurd. UGH. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY JAMIE?
• Okay, I can’t watch anymore. This is unforgivable.
• Fine, maybe I’ll watch again, but don’t think I’m forgetting about this crap, GoT.
• Tyrion’s trial is kind of fun.
• Oberyn, I love you. Even if you’re a flashy idiot.
• I don’t understand how it can still hurt to see your favorite slaughtered after so many years.
• The Wall is intense.
• Bye Tywin. It was nice knowing you.

Conclusion: I don’t understand why they had to do that with the Jamie/Cersei scene. It makes no sense. Also, why the needless violence against women? I get it, the setting pretty much lends itself to it, but you don’t have to show it ALL THE TIME.

Season Five

• Boring, boring, boring, boring.
• Why am I still watching this? Oh, yes, because I might get some new information. It’s not like George R. R. Martin is EVER going to write Book Six, so I need to live vicariously through the TV show.
• War of the Five Kings my ass, where’s number five? SHOW ME THE IRON ISLANDS!!!
• Violence, Violence, violence everywhere. What’s up with this show and violence against women?
• I liked you better in the books, Doran.
• Cersei, I hate you.
• But Tyrion, you are equally as badass here as you are in the books. I approve.
• Religious fanatics are even worse than Cersei, if that’s possible.
• The White Walkers are much scarier on TV.
• The dragons are back! The dragons are back! The dragons are back!
• I take back what I said, Cersei. You’re a bad-ass. RAIN FIRE ON ALL OF THEM!
• Wow, this is different. Why are all these people who are still alive in the books dying? What’s going on? I don’t understand. Someone explain this to me. NOW.
• JON IS NOT DEAD! JON IS NOT DEAD! I REPEAT, JON IS NOT DEAD!

Conclusion: Who are we kidding? I’m never going to be able to stop watching this show. Not unless I get book 6. *pauses* Yeah, I’m never going to be able to stop watching this show.

Agree? Disagree? Have some more book to TV gripes/comments? Share with us! We are always willing to talk Game of Thrones!

Game of Thrones returns next year for Season 6 on HBO.