‘Game of Thrones’ season 6: ‘The Winds of Winter,’ show return date speculation, and more
Tonight, “Game of Thrones” airs its season 5 finale, and at the same time also prepares to put HBO, the show’s producers, and fans of George R.R. Martin’s book series in a very odd position. While we have seen moments and storylines on the show that have not been a part of the book series, at least so far (Dany meeting Tyrion, the death of Shireen), the majority of the show has still been reasonably documented within A Song of Ice and Fire.
Now, we are starting to enter some strange waters going into season 6. The next book entitled The Winds of Winter may be out before the new season is in the spring, but that’s not confirmed. Ideally, Martin will not face any pressure and simply get it out when it is done, but the show moving forward so blindly could have a massive impact on almost everything that happens in the months ahead.
For example, if you think that the presence of paparazzi and fans at show sets has been rough so far, imagine now that few know what is actually going to happen next. HBO may need more security than ever before.
On the flip side, there will be quite possibly more curiosity about the future than ever before, and we anticipate a fuller range of emotions in preparation of what happens next. Inevitably, there will be some who are longtime book readers are somewhat annoyed that they are learning about things from the show before they read it through Martin’s own words.
What we’ve wondered is this: Do you think HBO should have waited to do the show until after the books were further along, and does it matter to you that you may be discovering some things earlier on TV? Personally, we find ourselves being somewhat indifferent one way or another, but we say this as someone who discovered the world through the TV show.
Vote now in the attached poll, and head over here to receive some other news leading up to tonight’s finale. Also, sign up here to get some further news on all we cover via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: HBO.)
mopkins
June 15, 2015 @ 10:33 pm
I’m not a fan of the show being ahead of the books, but the blame is solely on GRRM and nobody else. Also, while I’m disappointed, I have to laugh at the sudden turnaround that book readers find themselves in now compared to show watchers.
Al Ge
June 15, 2015 @ 6:26 pm
Well the problem is that the show has horrendous, poor, fan-fiction level writing. So to have moments in the books are even entire plot-lines spoiled in such a clumsy, slap-dash fashion is infuriating for those who have been waiting for this book for years.
April Walsh
June 15, 2015 @ 5:03 pm
This is all on George. As much as I can’t begrudge GRRM a life outside writing ASOIAF, I don’t believe he has prioritized it, work-wise, and has spread himself in too many other directions. Since the show started, one book has been released. I thought, five years in, that 6 would be done and 7 would be what we’re all waiting for. The show has already spoiled the books on several major events and, at this rate, I see no way around it spoiling the ending and you pretty much have to watch because every corner of the internet will spoil it even if you wait for the books. GRRM is an amazing writer and I’d rather read things from him before seeing the show’s sloppier handling (Dorne was a disappointment all around), but this is what we’re left with. I don’t like it, but there it is.