The Fate of Westeros: How Game of Thrones Ends Compared to A Song of Ice and Fire
In the complex world of Westeros, fans have long speculated about the ultimate fate of their favorite characters and the fate of the realm itself. The finale of the popular TV series Game of Thrones (GoT) brought closure to many beloved storylines, but the question still looms large: will the show's ending mirror that of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF) series? As of August 2023, it remains uncertain, with various insights and hints pointing to significant differences between the two.
Significant Differences Between GoT and ASOIAF
The narrative divergences between the television series and the book series are well-documented. By the time GoT concluded in 2019, the show had taken a distinct path from Martin's original writing. The final book series, with the exception of a few planned volumes, has not yet been published, leaving the ultimate fate of Westeros and its inhabitants up for speculation. This divergence was partly due to the showrunners' creative decisions and their evolving interpretation of the source material.
Insights from George R.R. Martin
George R.R. Martin's input into the showrunners' direction has been a topic of much interest. Martin has indicated that while he provided some plot points and character arcs to showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, the specific details of the ending diverged from what viewers saw on screen. In a recent statement, a close friend of Martin revealed that based on what he has been told, the book series' ending will be "very different."
Martin himself has acknowledged that he only knows the ending "in broad strokes," and there is no guarantee that the showrunners stuck to his provided information. Additionally, many of the ending's plot points were clearly invented for the television adaptation to "subvert expectations."
Confirmed and Speculative Endings
Bran's path to becoming King in the North is a confirmed aspect of both the show and the books. However, the details of this journey, and the paths taken by other characters, are subject to change. For instance, there is the possibility that Rickon could survive and rule the North, with Sansa as the Lady of Winterfell. Alternatively, Jon may not return to the Night's Watch, and Arya could remain in Westeros or travel to Essos or Braavos, instead of embarking on the ill-fated journey to Westerlands.
Arya's nearly unprecedented passage to the Westerlands is particularly questionable. Given her lack of experience with sailing, the idea of her crossing the Narrow Sea without prior navigation skills is highly improbable. This raises the intriguing possibility of a different path and final destination for the Stark sister.
Conclusion
The question of how Westeros will truly end remains a tantalizing mystery, drawing fans into a world of endless speculation. While Martin's (potentially) divergent ending leaves much to the imagination, the confirmed aspects of Bran's rule and Rickon's survival hint at significant differences between the show and the books. Only time will tell how George R.R. Martin will complete his masterpiece, and whether it will match the dramatic coda seen in the television series.