UPDATED, 1:31 PM:HBO has released a statement in response to George R.R.
There are few greater fans of George R.R.
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George RR Martin talks ‘House of the Dragon’Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic / Getty Images / HBO
(Condal has confirmed the showwill end after season 4).
Those were terrific episodes: well written, well directed, powerfully acted.
A great way to kick off the new season.
Fans and critics alike seemed to agree.
From the commentary I saw on line, opinion was split there.
Viewers who had not read the book had no such problems.
Most of them found the sequence a real gut-punch, tragic, horrifying, nightmarish, etc.
Some reported being reduced to tears.
I found myself agreeing with both sides.
He then goes on to point out differences between his tome and the show.
In my book, Aegon and Helaena have three children, not two.
The twins, Jaehaerys and Jaehaera, are six years old.
They have a younger brother, Maelor, who is two.
As Helaena has two sons, however, they demand that she choose which one should die.
She resists and offers her own life instead, but the killers insist it has to be a son.
If she does not name one, they will kill all three of the children.
To save the life of the twins, Helaena names Maelor.
Whether the boy is old enough to understand that is not at all certain.
Thats not how it happens on the show, he continues.
You would think a glance up his PJs would reveal that, without involving the mother).
Instead of offering her own life to save the kids, Helaena offers them a necklace.
Blood and Cheese are not tempted.
Blood saws Prince Jaehaeryss head off.
We are spared the sight of that; a sound effect suffices.
Quel surprise, he thinks his version is better.
I still believe the scene in the book is stronger.
The readers have the right of that, Martin wrote.
The two killers are crueler in the book.
He goes on to explain how the character omission could impact future seasons.
you’re free to findhis whole blog post here.
