History Series / GameOfThrones

[[caption-width-right:350:''[[ArcWords "Winter Is Coming."]]''

[[caption-width-right:350:''[[ArcWords "Winter Is Coming."]]'' [[note]]If one wants to see Winter actually come, give or take six seasons.[[/note]]]]

[[caption-width-right:350:''[[ArcWords "Winter Is Coming."]]'' [[note]]If one wants to see Winter actually come, give or take six seasons.[[/note]]]]]]

[[quoteright:300:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/got_8010.png]]
[[caption-width-right:300:''[[ArcWords Winter Is Coming.]]'']]

->''"If you want justice, [[CrapsackWorld you've come to the wrong place]]"''

->''"This is it, Madeline. Just breathe. You can do this."''

->''"If you want justice, [[CrapsackWorld you've come to the wrong place]]."''

In the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, seasons last for years, and the story opens with the threat of a ''long'' winter fast approaching. TheGoodChancellor Jon Arryn has unexpectedly died. King Robert Baratheon ventures north to Winterfell to name his old friend, Eddard Stark, his new Hand and second-in-command. Despite the concerns of his wife, Catelyn, Eddard reluctantly accepts his new title out of duty. Once installed as the Hand, Ned begins to uncover evidence that Jon Arryn was murdered--and that the forces behind his death may now be poised to strike at the King. The investigation ultimately becomes the catalyst for a bloody feud for the control of Westeros. But, of course, this is an EpicFantasy, and more is afoot: it's GrimUpNorth, and a fantastical ancient threat is stirring, preparing to make its bid for world domination, with Ned Stark's HeroicBastard, Jon Snow, caught in the thick of it. And on the eastern continent are the Targaryens. Three hundred years ago, Aegon Targaryen, called "the Conqueror," became the first person to rule over the entirety of the Seven Kingdoms, not just through genius or charisma but because Targaryens are {{Dragon Rider}}s; his descendants ruled Westeros until deposed by King Robert 15 years ago. The last of his line, Daenerys, has come into her power on Essos and has her sights set on her father's Iron Throne. These three plotlines spiral around each other and begin to intermingle as the show progresses, until everyone is caught in the game of thrones.

In the land of Westeros, seasons last for years, and the story opens with the threat of a ''long'' winter fast approaching. TheGoodChancellor Jon Arryn has unexpectedly died. King Robert Baratheon ventures north to Winterfell to name his old friend, Eddard Stark, his new Hand and second-in-command. Despite the concerns of his wife, Catelyn, Eddard reluctantly accepts his new title out of duty. Once installed as the Hand, Ned begins to uncover evidence that Jon Arryn was murdered--and that the forces behind his death may now be poised to strike at the King. The investigation ultimately becomes the catalyst for events that lead several families into a bloody feud for the control of Westeros.

The show premiered on April 17, 2011, a couple of months before the publication of the series' fifth novel, ''A Dance With Dragons''.

The series was adapted for television by screenwriters David Benioff and Daniel Brett Weiss. In describing the series to newcomers, Benioff jokingly called it "''Series/TheSopranos'' [[JustForFun/XMeetsY meets]] [[Literature/TheLordOfTheRings Middle-earth]]". The producers and Martin made a tentative plan for seven to eight seasons, with each season's arc meant to line up with its corresponding book. However, this ultimately only worked for the first two seasons, as ''Literature/AStormOfSwords'' (which in pagecount equals ''the entire Lord Of The Rings trilogy'') was eventually split into two seasons, with ''Literature/AFeastForCrows'' bleeding into both Seasons 4 and 5. Martin himself wrote an episode in each of the show's first four seasons.

As of the sixth season, the show has [[OvertookTheManga overtaken the books]], as Martin has yet to publish the sixth novel, ''The Winds Of Winter''. Benioff & Weiss have been informed by Martin of the basic plot of how the saga will end, and Martin has said that [[AuthorExistenceFailure if he dies]] before completing his intended final two books (''Winter'' and ''A Dream Of Spring'') he will [[GeckoEnding let the TV show's ending stand as the conclusion of the saga]].

HBO's official site, featuring behind-the-scenes teasers, can be found [[http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/ here]], whilst the main fan nexus is [[http://winter-is-coming.net/ Winter Is Coming]]. The trailer for Season 7 can be found [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giYeaKsXnsI here]].

As of the sixth season, the show has now [[OvertookTheManga overtaken the books]], as Martin has yet to publish the sixth novel, ''The Winds Of Winter''. Benioff & Weiss have been informed by Martin of the basic plot of how the saga will end, and Martin has said that [[AuthorExistenceFailure if he dies]] before completing his intended final two books (''Winter'' and ''A Dream Of Spring'') he will [[GeckoEnding let the TV show's ending stand as the conclusion of the saga]].

As of the sixth season, the show has now [[OvertakenTheManga overtaken the books]], as Martin has yet to publish the sixth novel, ''The Winds Of Winter''. Benioff & Weiss have been informed by Martin of the basic plot of how the saga will end, and Martin has said that [[AuthorExistenceFailure if he dies]] before completing his intended final two books (''Winter'' and ''A Dream Of Spring'') he will [[GeckoEnding let the TV show's ending stand as the conclusion of the saga]].

As of the sixth season, the show has now overtaken the books, as Martin has yet to publish the sixth novel, ''The Winds Of Winter''. Benioff & Weiss have been informed by Martin of the basic plot of how the saga will end, and Martin has said that [[AuthorExistenceFailure if he dies]] before completing his intended final two books (''Winter'' and ''A Dream Of Spring'') he will [[GeckoEnding let the TV show's ending stand as the conclusion of the saga]].

The series was adapted for television by screenwriters David Benioff and Daniel Brett Weiss. In describing the series to newcomers, Benioff jokingly called it "''Series/TheSopranos'' [[XmeetsY meets]] [[Literature/TheLordOfTheRings Middle-earth]]". The producers and Martin made a tentative plan for seven to eight seasons, with each season's arc meant to line up with its corresponding book. However, this ultimately only worked for the first two seasons, as ''Literature/AStormOfSwords'' (which in pagecount equals ''the entire Lord Of The Rings trilogy'') was eventually split into two seasons, with ''Literature/AFeastForCrows'' bleeding into both Seasons 4 and 5. Martin himself wrote an episode in each of the show's first four seasons.

->''"When you play the game of thrones, you win, or you die. There is no middle ground."''

HBO's official site, featuring behind-the-scenes teasers, can be found [[http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/ here]], whilst the main fan nexus is [[http://winter-is-coming.net/ Winter Is Coming]]. The teaser trailer for Season 7 can be found [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxWfvtnHtS0 here]].

The series was adapted for television by screenwriters David Benioff and Dan Weiss. In describing the series to newcomers, Benioff jokingly called it "''Series/TheSopranos'' [[XmeetsY meets]] [[Literature/TheLordOfTheRings Middle-earth]]". The producers and Martin made a tentative plan for seven to eight seasons, with each season's arc meant to line up with its corresponding book. However, this ultimately only worked for the first two seasons, as ''Literature/AStormOfSwords'' (which in pagecount equals ''the entire Lord Of The Rings trilogy'') was eventually split into two seasons, with ''Literature/AFeastForCrows'' bleeding into both Seasons 4 and 5. Martin himself wrote an episode in each of the show's first four seasons.

HBO's official site, featuring behind-the-scenes teasers, can be found [[http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/ here]], whilst the main fan nexus is [[http://winter-is-coming.net/ Winter Is Coming]].

As of the sixth season, the show has now overtaken the books, as Martin has yet to publish the sixth novel, ''The Winds Of Winter''. Benioff & Weiss have been informed by Martin of the basic plot of how the saga will end, and Martin has said that [[AuthorExistenceFailure if he dies]] before completing his intended final two books (''Winter'' and ''A Dream Of Spring'') he will [[GeckoEnding let the TV show's ending stand as the conclusion of the saga]]. Fans have been a little disappointed in this fact, as Weiss & Benioff have begun diverging from Martin's vision (to the point of incorporating plot points that Martin explicitly said the books would avoid), but at the same time have rejoiced that the remaining novels would have some relevance.

In the land of Westeros, seasons last for years, and the story opens with the threat of a ''long'' winter fast approaching. The GoodChancellor Jon Arryn has unexpectedly died. King Robert Baratheon ventures north to Winterfell to name his old friend, Eddard Stark, his new Hand and second-in-command. Despite the concerns of his wife, Catelyn, Eddard reluctantly accepts his new title out of duty. Once installed as the Hand, Ned begins to uncover evidence that Jon Arryn was murdered--and that the forces behind his death may now be poised to strike at the King. The investigation ultimately becomes the catalyst for events that lead several families into a bloody feud for the control of Westeros.

As of the sixth season, the show has now overtaken the books, as Martin has yet to publish the sixth novel, ''Literature/TheWindsOfWinter''. Benioff & Weiss have been informed by Martin of the basic plot of how the saga will end, and Martin has said that [[AuthorExistenceFailure if he dies]] before completing his intended final two books (''Winter'' and ''A Dream Of Spring'') he will [[GeckoEnding let the TV show's ending stand as the conclusion of the saga]]. Fans have been a little disappointed in this fact, as Weiss & Benioff have begun diverging from Martin's vision (to the point of incorporating plot points that Martin explicitly said the books would avoid), but at the same time have rejoiced that the remaining novels would have some relevance.

In the land of Westeros, seasons last for years, and the story opens with the threat of a ''long'' winter fast approaching. The Hand of the King, Jon Arryn, has unexpectedly died. King Robert Baratheon ventures north to Winterfell to name his old friend, Eddard Stark, his new Hand and second-in-command. Despite the concerns of his wife, Catelyn, Eddard reluctantly accepts his new title out of duty. Once installed as the Hand, Ned begins to uncover evidence that Jon Arryn was murdered--and that the forces behind his death may now be poised to strike at the King. The investigation ultimately becomes the catalyst for events that lead several families into a bloody feud for the control of Westeros.

The series was adapted for television by screenwriters David Benioff and Dan Weiss. In describing the series to newcomers, Benioff jokingly called it "''Series/TheSopranos'' [[XmeetsY meets]] [[Literature/TheLordOfTheRings Middle-earth]]". The producers and Martin made a tentative plan for seven to eight seasons, with each season's arc meant to line up with its corresponding book. However, this ultimately only worked for the first two seasons, as Book 3 (on its own the length of the ''entire Lord Of The Rings trilogy'') was eventually split into two seasons, and then Books 4 and 5 were combined into a single season. Martin himself wrote an episode in each of the show's first four seasons.

However, as of the sixth season, the show has now overtaken the books, as Martin (as of April 2016, when the sixth season began to air) has yet to publish the sixth ''Ice And Fire'' novel, ''The Winds Of Winter''. Benioff & Weiss have been informed by Martin of the basic plot of how the saga will end, and Martin has said [[AuthorExistenceFailure that if he dies]] before completing his intended final two books (''Winter'' and ''A Dream Of Spring'') he will [[GeckoEnding let the TV show's ending stand as the conclusion of the saga]].

The series was adapted for television by screenwriters David Benioff and Dan Weiss. In describing the series to newcomers, Benioff jokingly called it "''Series/TheSopranos'' [[XmeetsY meets]] [[Literature/TheLordOfTheRings Middle-earth]]". The producers and Martin made a tentative plan for seven to eight seasons, with each season's arc meant to line up with its corresponding book. However, this ultimately only worked for the first two seasons, as Book 3 (on its own the length of the ''entire Lord Of The Rings trilogy'') was eventually split into two seasons, and then Books 4 and 5 were combined into a single season. Martin himself wrote a episode in each of the show's first four seasons.

->''"If you want justice, [[CrapsackWorld you've come to the wrong place.]]"''

However, as of the sixth season, the show has now overtaken the books, as Martin (as of April 2016, when the sixth season began to air) has yet to publish the sixth ''Ice And Fire'' novel, ''The Winds Of Winter''. Benioff & Weiss have been informed by Martin of the basic plot of how the saga will end, and Martin has said [[AuthorExistenceFailure that if he dies]] before completing his intended final two books, ''Winter'' and ''A Dream Of Spring'', he will [[GeckoEnding let the TV show's ending stand as the conclusion of the saga]].

In the land of Westeros, seasons last for years, and the story opens with the threat of a ''long'' winter fast approaching. The Hand of the King, Jon Arryn, has unexpectedly died. King Robert Baratheon ventures north to Winterfell to name his old friend, Eddard Stark, his new Hand and second-in-command. Despite the concerns of his wife, Catelyn, Eddard reluctantly accepts his new title out of duty. Once installed as the Hand, Ned begins to uncover evidence that Jon Arryn was murdered--and that the forces behind his death may now be poised to strike at the King. The investigation ultimately becomes the catalyst for events that ultimately lead several families into a bloody feud for the control of Westeros.

In the land of Westeros, seasons last for years, and the story opens with the threat of a ''long'' winter fast approaching. The Hand of the King, Jon Arryn, has unexpectedly died. King Robert Baratheon ventures north to Winterfell to name his old friend, Eddard Stark, his new Hand and second-in-command. Despite the concerns of his wife, Catelyn, Eddard reluctantly accepts his new title out of duty. While there, he uncovers evidence that Jon Arryn was murdered--and that the forces behind Arryn's death may now be poised to strike the King. The investigation becomes the catalyst for events that ultimately lead several families into a bloody feud for control of Westeros.

The show premiered on April 17, 2011, a couple of months before the publication of the series' fifth novel.

However, as of the sixth season, the show has now overtaken the books, as Martin (as of April 2016, when the sixth season began to air) has yet to publish the sixth ''Ice And Fire'' novel (of a planned seven). Benioff & Weiss have been informed by Martin of the basic plot of how the novels will end, and Martin has said [[AuthorExistenceFailure that if he dies]] before completing the final two books, he will [[GeckoEnding let the show's ending stand as the conclusion of the saga]].

The series was adapted for television by screenwriters David Benioff and Dan Weiss. In describing the series to newcomers, Benioff jokingly called it "''Series/TheSopranos'' [[XmeetsY meets]] [[Literature/TheLordOfTheRings Middle-earth]]". The producers and Martin made a tentative plan for seven to eight seasons, with each season's arc meant to line up with its corresponding book. However, this ultimately only worked for the first two seasons, as Book 3 (on its own the length of the ''entire Lord Of The Rings trilogy'') was eventually split into two seasons, and then Books 4 and 5 were combined into a single season. Martin himself wrote a episode in each of the show's first four seasons. [[note]] Adapting the novels is a particular challenge, in they are written in first-person, with the narrative changing characters with each chapter. [[/note]]

However, as of the sixth season, the show has now overtaken the books, as Martin (as of April 2016, when the sixth season began to air) has yet to publish the sixth ''Ice And Fire'' novel (of a planned seven). Benioff & Weiss have been informed by Martin of the basic plot of how the novels will end, and Martin has said [[AuthorExistenceFailure that if he dies]] before completing the final two books, the show [[GeckoEnding will end]] the saga.

The series was adapted for television by screenwriters David Benioff and Dan Weiss. In describing the series to newcomers, Benioff jokingly called it "''Series/TheSopranos'' [[XmeetsY meets]] [[Literature/TheLordOfTheRings Middle-earth]]". The producers and Martin made a tentative plan for seven to eight seasons, with each season's arc meant to line up with its corresponding book. However, this ultimately only worked for the first two seasons, as Book 3 (on its own the length of the ''entire Lord Of The Rings trilogy'') was eventually split into two seasons, and then Books 4 and 5 were combined into a single season. Martin himself wrote a episode in each of the show's first four seasons. [[note]] Adapting the novels is a particular challenge, in they are written in first-person, with the narrative changing characters with each chapter. [[/note]]