7 Things A Song Of Ice And Fire Did Better Than Game Of Thrones
George R.R. Martin Deserves the Iron Throne.
In 1996, author George R.R. Martin introduced audiences to the world of Westeros with his book, A Game of Thrones, the first volume of his A Song of Ice and Fire Series.
People fell in love with his novel, even though it constantly broke their hearts, killing off its main character in the first book. Since A Game of Thrones' release, Martin has put out four more books in the series, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, and A Dance with Dragons, and is currently writing the sixth and seventh entries, The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring.
In the gap between Dance and Winds, fans of the World of Ice and Fire sunk their teeth into its small screen adaptation. HBO's Game of Thrones ran for eight seasons, finishing Martin's story before he could.
While fans adored the show for most of its run, a disappointing eight season has caused some to turn on it. Many found refuge in the books, which, they find superior to the show. While some of their criticisms towards Game of Thrones are unfair, they're right that the books surpass their adaptation in many ways.
Here are 7 Things A Song of Ice and Fire Did Better Than Game of Thrones.
7. Littlefinger
Aidan Gillen's portrays Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish, Catelyn Stark's former friend and suitor and current (as of the Pilot) brothel owner, as a one dimensional bad guy. Gillen shines when Petyr turns on Ned Stark or pushes his wife out the Moon Door. Show Littlefinger is the kind of moustache twirling baddie you love to hate, and his work added great melodrama to the show.
The books paint a different, more complicated picture of Baelish. He gives Ned good advice, not the least of which is to trust nobody, himself included. He seems intent on serving Ned as the hand, and seems, like his rival Varys, to want what's best for the realm. In other words, he is trustworthy...right up until the moment of betrayal.
In the show, Littlefinger's ambition overwhelms him. Every word he says sounds poisonous, telegraphing to the audience that he will stab whoever he's talking to in the back before he does it. Book Littlefinger is, ironically, much harder to read, keeping his true intentions hidden behind a friendly smile.