Hey everyone,
Only 4 days away for the premier of Game of Thrones season 5 on HBO. That being said, this time is as good as any to do a quick recap on where everyone in the show is standing, what’s going on with HBO apps, and what’s the deal between the books and the shows. And, for those of you who have followed us during the past seasons of GoT, Wednesdays are the day we post our recaps for every episode, in which yours truly gives you a quick update on the episode, and then some comparative notes between it and the books.
I’ll leave the recap for last, in case there are some of you still catching up, so as to avoid any spoilers. Instead, let us start with HBO GO and HBO NOW. GO, is the app HBO has had for a while, and most of you know about it. It’s basically access to everything HBO, through it’s app – the only catch is, you need an HBO subscription with its television broadcasting (whatever cable/satellite company that might be) in order to sign in. It’s more of an extra, in case you want to watch something when you’re not home. But, as one of the first steps away from being a slave to the cable companies, HBO has lunched their HBO NOW, a stand alone app which provided everything HBO does, at the monthly fee of $15 a month (which is basically what the cable networks charge). Of course, I would rather give my money straight to HBO, then to the cable companies, so thats a plus. And not to mention, this is what will be seen as the first step for channels going online.
HBO Now is currently only available on Apple TV, as part of there beginning 3-month contract. Come July though, the app will be available everywhere, such as non-apple tablets/smartphone, and best of all, gaming consoles (such as PS4 and XBOX One), which have become the main entertainment hub for many people. So, there you have it… soon enough you’ll be free from the clutching hands of the cable networks, as far as HBO goes (and before long, hopefully completely free from them).
Let’s move on to whats going on between the show and the books. George RR Martin has stated multiple times that he would like the books to keep to 7. Which is understandable, as 7 is an important number for him… 7 gods, 7 kingdoms, etc. Obviously, his published would like more (because that = more $). Martin had repeatedly referenced 7 books, though he has admitted the last book might be huge… and by huge we mean over 2000 pages. In realistic terms, what most likely will happen is the seventh book will be split into two volumes. This keeps Martin happy for staying at 7, while the publisher gets an extra book out of it too.
Likewise, while GoT creators D.B. Wiess and David Benioff also want to stick to 7 season, so as to match the books. HBO stated they wished they could go for 10 season or more (as obviously, this is their biggest show), but fortunately after the apparent quality of everything, are putting their faith into the creators and leaving the decision with them (respect to HBO for that btw… putting creativity over cash). It has also been confirmed that this upcoming season (5) which officially catch up to the books (which is also on book 5). More on those details later. What needs to be mentioned is, if books 7 is indeed split into two volumes, it wouldn’t be surprising if HBO does the same with the show – maybe giving us two 8-episode seasons instead of the usual 10? This is similar to what AMC has done with some of their shows (i.e. Breaking Bad and Mad Med)… not sure if HBO ever did that, but this would be a good opportunity for them as well. This option, like in the books, would make both HBO happy, and the creators, for keeping it “officially” as 7 seasons (while obviously split into two).
Going back to season 5 catching up… for those of you who haven’t read the books, books 4 and 5 are actually the same timeline (5 moving a little ahead actually). Martin admitted that they were initially one huge book, but as he realized it would be too big for one book, he decided to split it into two, and instead of splitting them chronologically, he would would work with half the characters in one book, and the other half in the other (so chronologically, they take place at the same time). This was actually pretty interesting and unique as far as reading goes – as during book 5, you got to read a scene or two which you had read in book 4, but only from another characters perspective. Obviously, this does not work in show format… you just can’t keep it going smoothly with only half the characters/actors at a time.
Meanwhile, despite having split book 3 into two season, they’ve already moved ahead with many of the characters. Bran has reached his part of the story at the end of book 5. Dani is almost there (her scenes in season 4 finale was basically 3/4 through book 5). Theon is almost caught up too… and more. Another thing to mention is that while Martin has many more characters in the spotlight (especially in book 5), the show is keeping some of these side characters out of it. This is understandable, as it’s easier when reading for someone to identify and remember characters and story (remember how writing things down in school helps you learn it), while just watching a show for 10 episodes a year in one hour increments would make it too confusing (not to mention, we would be looking at 20 seasons just to tell the whole story). All this is mentioned to point out that not every single detail of book 4 and 5 will be included in the show, so… between that fact, and the fact that some characters have already reached their book point, season 5 has enough space to not only catch up to the books, but surpass it for some characters scene.
This is also confirmed as both Martin and the HBO creators have admitted the show will be wrapping up the story before the books. Martin reassures readers not to worry, as there are tons of story and characters that are not included in the show (as mentioned before), so when you’ll eventually be reading them, you’ll have tons of new things to read about, which will add to the overall story. More importantly, Martin is an AMAZING writer. It’s not just the story that is good… he’s a good writer. Period. He is eloquent. Captivating. Enchanting. Reading his books are a pleasure. I’ve seen the show and read the books twice over, and I still enjoyed reading them a 3rd time around. So I for one am not disturbed by the show surpassing the books. HBO has done an excellent job at making the show as excellent as it gets, and this is probably the only time ever that this situation would happen… the show surpassing the book. Any film ever based on books is always “after” they have all been written. So this is a once in a life time experience… lets go for the ride and see how it all ends. And considering George Martin works on the show (and obviously will be following the story in correct detail), then you know you can trust it to come out the way it’s “suppose” to be.
At this point, the next question is, Books 6 is estimated for 2016. Season 6 will probably be around the same time of the year (always around April, give or take). Will Martin be able to release his book before April? That would be great, as it would at least give the readers one more book to be ahead of the game. Of course, Martin takes his time with the books, and 2016 is only an estimate, so all we can do it hope.
That’s it for what’s going on with the show and the books. Knowing this just makes this upcoming season more exciting. Book 4 and 5 where pretty intense, and the last 1/4 of book 5 is crazy (prepare to have one of the most shocking season finale’s yet… Red Wedding is a joke in comparison!). Plus, if a few of the stories start moving ahead, it will be great to not know what happens next for once… and great not to know who might die. As it is though, we’re right at the cusp of book 4 and 5 pretty much, so here is where we stand…
SPOILERS AHEAD
So, Jon Snow had semi-lead the Wall to defending against the Wildlings – at least long enough till Stannis Barratheon shows up with his army to decent the land. And though he stops the Wildlings, the Red Priestess is there to remind everyone that they are not the real enemy.
Sansa is with Littlefinger, and finally fitting into her role – finally playing the game of thrones. Her sister Arya has finally left the clutches of Clegane (as he was left dying after an infected wound, and Brienne beating the sh*t out of him), and is now heading to Bravos to escape all this Westoros crap.
Bran finally reached his destination of getting to the Three-eyed Raven; and old man living inside the roots (and practically part of them) of a giant tree, who will teach him to use his powers. Rumors have it, Bran won’t really be in this next season, as he’s already reached his story from the books, and I have a feeling whatever is next for him is big.
Tyrion, with the help of his brother Jamie, escapes certain death (after loosing the trial) and on his way to freedom exacts the revenge he deserves… he kills that whore Shae and takes out his POS father, Tywin as well. Of course, that means he needs to disappear, and with the help of Varys, he is also on a ship to Bravos. Varys, realizing they will undoubtedly figure out he had something to do with all this, also leaves with him.
With Jeoffrey done for, Tommen is next in line for Kingship, and is slowly courted by the the ex-soon-to-be-queen Margery (who now hows a new husband to be to work with) – something Cersei is not happy about. Meanwhile, a half dead Mountain (from the battle with the Viper) is being experimented on. Jamie, despite being back home, feels more out of place then ever, and in fact misses his latest companion, Brienne, who understood who he really was. Their other child, Myrcella, was sent to Dorne a few seasons ago (to the Red Vipers family), so she’s coming into play this upcoming season.
Dani has reached a sort of standstill, trying to teach herself how to rule the 3 kingdoms she’s already concurred, and having a hard time at that. What is worse, her dragons are becoming dangerous and unruly, so she finds herself forced to impression them (one of the saddest scenes ever in my opinion); at least two of them. The big one, Drogon, has flown off and disappeared.
And that’s where we are. Tune in on Sunday with HBO for the premier of Season 6, and keep in touch with us as we recap the episodes every week!
~mozeus
