George RR Martin can finally finish A Song of Ice and Fire now that the Game of Thrones TV series is over. Photo / Getty Images
George RR Martin can finally finish A Song of Ice and Fire now that the Game of Thrones TV series is over. Photo / Getty Images
Game Of Thrones is over. And many fans wanted to throw the board in the air and storm off to their room like a toddler in a red cordial-induced rage.
It wasn't so much that the ending was bad. But it certainly felt forced, without the character development and plot twists that made the show so popular back when it was based on the books.
Now, of course, the good news is that George RR Martin can finish his A Song Of Ice And Fire and fix all these issues.
Previously fans were irritated that he was such a slow writer that the TV show overtook the books and his series is still two books away from being finished.
All those left disappointed or unfulfilled by the TV show's finale are crossing fingers, toes and dragon claws that GRRM can fix the errors.
There are seven books in the series — so let's look at the seven areas that need to be tidied up by the master storyteller so this epic tale can finally have an epic finish.
The original Three-Eyed Raven was apparently more than 125 years old, which means Bran is going to be king for a loooong time. Again, the original raven (or Crow, in the books) has the power to see things in the past, present and future. The TV show seemed to limit Bran's abilities to merely seeing things in the past. He did a little warging to see what was going on with the Night King but it all felt like an opportunity lost. His powers were never properly explored, which leaves us with many questions. If he's going to rule for decades, will he get bored? Will the Hand of the King become the real power behind the throne? Did he manipulate events so he would end up with the crown? The books can clear all of this up.
DAENERYS
Fans were divided over Dany's change into the Mad Quee. Photo / AP
Fans were divided over her change into the Mad Queen. Some saw it as a natural progression, some saw it as forced. It did happen quickly in the TV show but could happen more naturally in the books — if it happens at all. Likewise her flip-flopping between loving Jon/hating Jon seemed forced. If she's going to go mad, there are two books to get us accustomed to that idea.
JON
Kit Harington as Jon Snow. Photo / AP
Why was he brought back to life? Just to kill Dany? And why was he sent north to command the Night's Watch when that has no point any more, given the Night King is gone and the Wildlings friendly now. Surely his story needs to be fleshed out more.
MELISANDRE AND THE AZOR AHAI
Carice Van Houten as Melisandre. Photo / Supplied
She spoke about this theory briefly on the TV show but it has been a major part of the books. The show ignored it completely for the last season but the books won't make the same mistake. Did the show gloss over it because the next GoT prequel looks at the first invasion of the Night King and that would ruin all the suspense? Whatever the reason, there has to be some sort of resolution in the books. Even if it's to show the theory is false and Melisandre has been a fool all these years. At least her decision to go off and die in the snow makes more sense then.
VALONQAR
Another book theory that the TV show conveniently forgot about for the final season. Was that because they didn't want to see a woman choked to death on prime TV? Or was this theory another red herring by GRRM? Whatever the reason, let's at least deal with it properly in the books.
CERSEI
Let's see Cersei given a more fitting end in the final book. Photo / AP
If she's not going to die at the hands of Jaime or Tyrion, at least give her a fitting death. She's been a compelling character but the way she went at the end, acting like the terrified heroine of a 1950s movie, was disappointing. This was the woman who would never back down. Let's see her given a more fitting end.
NIGHT KING
The Night King. Photo / Supplied
For a start, this was a character made up for the TV show. In the books there is a "Night's King" — but he is a figure of history. The White Walkers don't appear to have a leader as such. Or, at least, not yet. So can there be an instant victory in that case, the way that Arya Stark won the battle of Winterfell? Or has GRRM got something else planned?
