That Big Event From Last Sunday's GAME OF THRONES Will Reportedly Happen Differently in The Books
This article will reveal what happened in the most recent episode of Game of Thrones, so turn back now if you aren't caught up.
I'm still heartbroken over the loss of Hodor in this past Sunday's Game of Thrones episode, even if I don't fully grasp the exact specifics of how it went down. (I may write more about that this week if I have time.) But regardless, it was an absolutely devastating moment, and a terrific piece of television from director Jack Bender and showrunners Benioff and Weiss. It was so good, in fact, that many book readers expressed disappointed that they had to watch it before they read it in George R.R. Martin's (still unpublished) new novel, because the showrunners have said that the origin of Hodor's name came straight from George himself. Some fans, myself included, assumed that meant that the scene in the books plays out just like it did in the show, but according to one Redditor who apparently spoke with Martin about it, that isn't necessarily the case.
Vanity Fair explains that Martin appeared at an event celebrating the new book of writer Joe Hill, and a fan asked him about the Hodor reveal:
He said that his name reveal in the books will differ in the context and how it happens. So while the name will still mean the same thing (Hold the Door), it will be very different from the show's reveal. He said he came up with the name idea in 1991 and seemed depressed that the show got to reveal it before he did. He said he had no one to blame but himself for his slow writing.
It has to be tough for Martin to see everyone react to this special moment on TV instead of in one of his books, since he's had that specific idea in his head for twenty-five years. But if this report is true, then maybe he'll have a chance to craft a situation that's different, but just as heartbreaking in the books...if he ever gets around to finishing them.