George RR Martin on Why He Kills Characters

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A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones Author George R. R. Martin Interview on why he kills characters

[@eddielehman5153]

The death of Boromir in LotR inspired George at a formative age, so much so that he had to grow up and also kill Sean Bean.

[@RustySuffering]

That's good

[@sea-goatbr7588]

Lol

[@LaMilice.]

Was Boromir portrayed by Sean Bean in the books as well?

[@agusarce1]

@@LaMilice. yes

[@eddielehman5153]

Dark Wizard Yes. It being Sean Bean

[@xTyrone]

D&D took GRRMs philosophy a step further and killed the series

[@Alexfieldmusicofficial]

Tyrone Stevens HAHAHAHAHAH

[@nizzleprizzle9783]

They did the opposite and killed it anyways...

[@bizzyslivovitz7306]

George is going to be like Bette Midler in the movie "Ruthless People" when they imprison her and she loses 20 pounds. He is going to walk around Dubrovnik behind D&D while the fans yell, "Shame, shame," and then after doing this every day, say, "Hey, humiliation made me lose 20 pounds!" Because all his characters have to go through the wringer: Tyrion, Brienne, Jaime once he gets his sword-hand cut off, Sansa, Jon being brought up told a bastard is born of lust and is deceitful by nature, Davos being loyal to an insane leader who gets Davos' sons killed, Dany who is sold into prostitution, et al.

[@LaneGamesYT]

Valor Morghulis

[@dimitri0404]

Yeah its not valar morgules but series morgules

[@SamuraiZero]

George doesn't like to kill his characters but he wants to portray the mortality of the characters and that anyone can die.

[@user-ex4is1cv7b]

We get it

[@SamuraiZero]

@@user-ex4is1cv7b Cool.

[@emily_kn5152]

Valar Morghulis

[@saltytree729]

George has killed and resurrected more than Tolkien most writers are hypocrites including George himself

[@amysteriousviewer3772]

@@saltytree729Yeah, George killing characters is really more of a meme than actual fact. The only main characters he killed were Ned, Caitlyn and Robb. Apart from that most deaths have either been side characters or have been reversed by resurrection and we all know that Jon, Dany, Tyrion, etc. all have a ton of plot armor going into TWoW or ADoS if they ever see the light of day.

[@Chrisdvc26]

"It irritates me when I'm watching a movie or reading a book and the hero is going through incredible dangers, him and his six buddies, and none of them die, maybe one of them gets wounded at some point, and they all survive pretty much untouched at the end." He basically just described "Beyond the Wall"

[@vulcan387]

Not really, Thoros did die and also Viserion

[@alfiebrummer5422]

George had no control past S5-6 as the source material had ran out, that’s just pure d and d genius

[@eccles99]

As Vulcan points out: Thoros and Viserion both die. The Viserion death is a pretty big gut punch. In part, because of what it means for the bigger plot: a) Night Kings can insta-kill dragons, and b) Here come the zombie ice dragons. Thoros... well, this was not so much of a gut punch. You sort of saw that one coming. The actor probably had to get back to playing guitar for Steeleye Span or something.

[@baller6james]

@@vulcan387 lmao the night king could have killed Drogon in that same instance as he was not flying. Then proceeds to 360 no scope viserion from god knows how far away. It just didn’t make any sense. If the night king just kills Drogon in that instance everyone dies. GIANT PLOT HOLE

[@MariOmor1]

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

[@andrewau2736]

I fully believe that when i die i will hear George’s laugh.

[@Leonardo-or1ll]

Laughing at your death Edit: and life

[@yacinebenammar3164]

Valar morgulis one man most die

[@goldenDragon522]

It could become a meme

[@HarryS77]

Like the end of Amadeus.

[@gameclips2876]

U will hear silence and ur place in heaven or hell its a true fact u know

[@TheArcher101]

He hates plot armour - he must've hated the most recent episode at Winterfell then

[@journey95far49]

I doubt he is satisfied at all with how the show has gone in the past few seasons

[@yomoneyaintgood1637]

Journey95 Far fr tho

[@zain4019]

Schmeckle Cersei, Jaime, the hound, the mountain, Varys and tens of thousands of innocents all died in the penultimate episode. I guess they were just saving everyone for that episode.

[@STR33TSofJUST1C3]

@@zain4019 And only the Hound's death held some kind of meaning. This whole cleganebowl was pure fanservice and didn't contribute anything to the overall arc. Also, thousands? I think "hundreds of thousands" of innocents is more appropriate. A city of a million people, and Dany torched the entire place. She must've killed about half the population. But truth be told, way too many people survived the Game of Thrones. I went into season 8 thinking this season would end with almost everyone dead. I genuinely thought the NK battle would take place in KL in the finale with the living winning by a thread. And only a handful of people surviving. Next episode is just a wrap up and will see the death of two people, one of which is obviously Dany (by Jon's hand, or maybe Arya's, not sure). The other one is, well .... you'll see (unless you know of the leaks).

[@ben1ben2ben1]

Or.....then entire show since season 5. This season sucks, but seasons 6 and 7 were BY FAR the worst for plot armor

[@Morgothik]

GRRM: "If it were me he'd have stayed dead." Jon Snow: "WHEW"

[@Jungianguy]

We don’t know he is coming back in the books. Probably, but we don’t know if or how and what he will be when he does.

[@juholempiainen3767]

@@Jungianguy yeah like stoneheart is very different after her death

[@samarthrana8861]

@@Jungianguy my guess is melisandre burns shireen in order to bring back stannis.(they got the letter stannis is dead) ...but stannis aint dead and burning shireen will bring back Jon instead....i think this is a pretty popular theory....also i think Jon snow will get extremely lifeless after he is revived

[@Jungianguy]

@@samarthrana8861 I think he will come back more wild and unfiltered because I think he is in his wolf.

[@janprochazka9482]

@@samarthrana8861 Only guessing... + It looks like your theory is based on tv show, so hey.

[@Cryogenius333]

"I think everybody who died in any war thought they were the hero right up iuntil he moment the bullet blew off the top of their skull." Quote that poetry.

[@ifstatementifstatement2704]

Exactly my thinking as to why anyone would willingly join the army or the police, jumping head first into life or death situations, as if it won't happen to them.

[@whatdoesthisthingdo]

This is overgeneralized. Sometimes people want to die, don’t care, or have other overriding motives. Not everyone thinks they’re the “hero,” that’s for sure.

[@ifstatementifstatement2704]

@@whatdoesthisthingdo seems kind of f’ed up to purposefully put your life at risk like that. I can understand doing it to defend who you care about, but doing it for any other reason is either suicidal or psychotic.

[@whatdoesthisthingdo]

@@ifstatementifstatement2704 Hey, I'm not making a judgement either way. Just saying, people do it for more reasons than being the hero.

[@ifstatementifstatement2704]

@@whatdoesthisthingdo fair enough.

[@digiman76]

He is right... The death of Ned Stark is what made his fortune

[@locky2127]

He really liked the death of Boromir and somehow unknowingly got to kill him himself in a way since both are played by the same actor.

[@mustafanawab1719]

it definitely got me interested in the series.

[@Stereotype23]

For me it started already when Jaime pushed Bran out of the window... something different about a book/series where even children are not safe. Its about realism and unpredictability that is lacking in a most other fantasy novels.

[@dparedes10]

Mustafa Nawab was il tu u lo.

[@dparedes10]

Mustafa Nawab was il tu u lo. I

[@Klespyrian]

You know, jokes aside, I think he legitimately cast Sean Bean as Ned because of Boromir.

[@Cba409]

Klespyrian ofc

[@brendansheehy8124]

Nice thought but I disagree because he didn’t create the tv or cast the actors. I think it’s more of a case that Benioff and Weiss cast Bean because he just effortlessly suits those sort of noble historical drama roles and usually gives a stellar performance.

[@Conflictedhots]

@@brendansheehy8124 i think in another interview somewhere he said that the only character he knew who should play him was Charles Dance as Tywin. Something like that

[@user-rt4og9ci2o]

@@Conflictedhots wired google answers

[@jamiewulfyr4607]

Major Sharpe was so bloody tough not even being played by Sean Bean could kill him.

[@iphone4wsom3]

" All men must die, I think It´s a part of life and art needs to reflect life". Well said George!!

[@iphone4wsom3]

@Mike Fortune Thank you Mike for the insight :)

[@EdwardHohenheim]

@Mike Fortune You do know that the books and show are different right? The way the show ended had nothing to do with Martin.

[@EdwardHohenheim]

@Mike Fortune like I said before the show had little to do with Martin even when he was overseeing it. After season 4 the show went awol, season 1 to 4 are brilliant because they were a copy and paste from the books. There were a lot of important character deaths in the 1st 4 seasons so I don't know what you're talking about saying that he kills only expendable characters, you calling Ned Stark expendable?!

[@EdwardHohenheim]

@Mike Fortune Imma leave it at agreeing to disagree.

[@EdwardHohenheim]

@Mike Fortune I ain't a GOT fan, I just know quality when I see it. I don't know what you enjoy if you think Martins books are garbage.

[@Matt-kq3ks]

"A man who reads, lives a thousand lives before he dies. A man who does not read, lives only once" Damm that was powerful stuff. Well said George

[@budakbaongsiah]

IIRC that was Jojen's line in the books.

[@kermysama4975]

@ZINURU it’s indicating how books can give significant detail throughout a persons life. Doesn’t matter if it is fantasy or not. If you’re a book reader, you learn all the experiences that shaped out the persons’s life. You read about, how their feeling, what were they thinking, and how their personalities were, and what they were about to do. The detail makes it feel so surreal, that you feel like you are there making the choices yourself.

[@christophergalatoulas9090]

A man who reads a thousand books loves a thousand lives but never his own

[@lefudj4236]

@@christophergalatoulas9090 i’m pretty sure you don’t need 80 years full time to live a thousand books.

[@davidlane1248]

A content man only needs one life to live

[@Depleted-Uranium]

don't get on a roller coaster designed by George RR Martin

[@anthonyoliva7191]

It be Final Destination 3 all over again.

[@chengda85]

well hes not an engineer, so I would not get on a roller coaster designed by him

[@Depleted-Uranium]

the.raven valar morghulis, pretty sure the end result would be the same

[@Viertelhund]

Well, you'd have the chance to become a survivor. A chance, you would've never had, if nobody died or was about to die in the first place.

[@lotuscoma4127]

or one designed by RTGame

[@lepyrolink182]

I remember when a friend was reading the books for the first time. He said right when starting the first book: "I don't know why but I am sure Eddard Stark will be king." If that is not innocence in its fullest I don't know what that is.

[@arrowtt3364]

I was like that when I started reading AGOT.

[@117rebel]

That’s how I was when I watched the show. I haven’t read the books but lately I’ve been kinda wanting to. I know it’s a little different from the show. I think I’m going to wait until GRR Martin finishes the series and then buy the whole set. If I read the books now and he still hasn’t finished the story it will drive me nuts.

[@P4PKing]

Well, to be fair he technically wasn't wrong... but not very long.

[@rossstephen2568]

117rebel If he finishes the books

[@OmniValor]

He was sort of king for a while, he ruled while Robert was away, so you get to see what the realm would be like if he ruled: Justice prevailed, and he ruled with honor. All that until he gets his head chopped off that is

[@frankfilmic]

"Frodo gets stabbed, Sam gets the ring, then the book ends and you really think Frodo died", then he pauses for a few moments. Thinking about Jon Snow there uh?

[@jbparrish17]

I’ve never read a book that gave me such extreme anxiety as Storm of Swords when Oberyn Martell was facing the Mountain. My heart was pounding out of my chest with every word I read, knowing that Tyrion’s fate could go either way and my favorite character could be killed just like the others. This guy is a writer above all others.

[@ronin6897]

“You raped her. You murdered her. You killed her children."

[@LewysC]

_If it had been me Gandalf would have stayed dead_ - *George RR Martin*

[@josebenardi1554]

If John Snow comes back to life in the books that would make him a hypocrite

[@josebenardi1554]

@@Visitormassacre Lady Stoneheart revival however wasn't the return of a protagonist/likeable character, but its transformation into someone much more cynical and sinister. From my perspective her return didn't ruin the ethos of GRRM's writing as she became a stark remind of the consequences of bad decisions (hers and Rob's). On the other hand Jhon Snow just waltzing back into the story would taint the aforementioned ethos as I believe that many would take it (I included) as the convenient comeback of a loved underdog protagonist (At least if did as done in the show).

[@TheWeedyBird]

@@josebenardi1554 lol not if george follows the flaming sword dude storyline

[@loganford9997]

@@josebenardi1554 am i mistaking? But jon hasn't died in the latest book yet, right?? Maybe i just forgot, i havent read it in years

[@federico5263]

Logan Ford he died

[@mikeselk7409]

Everytime he laughs Another Character dies in his books

[@yonatanyonatano1192]

Mike Selk He must have been watching a Monty Python film when he wrote the red wedding.

[@jake12step]

He must be really ticklish.

[@Kalenz1234]

2:30 Martin's reflects on plot armor and how it irritates him. Me thinking of battle of Winterfell..

[@210SAi]

The show is not the books so especially after season 6

[@ihaveacar]

This is what makes the story so amazing. The show got huge because the end of Season 1 was the guy you thought was the main character getting his head chopped off and people went "Oh I guess this isn't going to be a normal show". Like he said it's much better to have a story where you have absolutely no idea what comes on the next page / scene.

[@aishwaryap2141]

"I want to treat war honestly" D&D disappointed GRRM in season 8 🙄

[@JamesL0717]

Ever since the show went past the books, the plot armor on main characters have been too noticeable.

[@KingAgniKai]

Yeah they completely fucked with the Dorne storyline.

[@smp9614]

Aishwarya P literally feels nothing like GOT anymore, at least 4 or 5 more main characters should have died

[@maddievalprivateuser2373]

I keep hearing comments like this. I have to say I highly doubt this genius of a man just let D&D do whatever the heck they wanted. He’s read every script and approved or disapproved. It will pan out the way he wants it to.

[@Telindra]

@@maddievalprivateuser2373 He hasn't been actively involved in the show runner in a long time. He has had conversations with them and shared source material, enough to have lasted them about 5 seasons more than these 8, but since after season 4? It has been HBO's and D&D's creation, and this has been noticeable. Painfully noticeable.

[@Jezzascmezza]

Is he cosplaying as an elderly Waluigi?

[@CokeZIlli]

Jezzascmezza You deserve more likes for this lol

[@aminecheikh3497]

haha

[@connorholt2979]

Waluigi cosplays George

[@jessicabarbour6952]

lolllllll

[@Dmdm_dm]

🤣🤣🤣

[@nikhilrana4895]

"I love my characters. But they must die. Because that reflects life. In war anyone can die. Everyone thinks they are a hero until the bullet goes through their head. Death of a character should be a powerful moment. Your reader should grieve their death as they would for their own." - George R.R. Martin

[@jolopolo4761]

quite hypocritical since in the last two books it is seen that it is difficult for him to kill his characters, in fact no one important in the saga dies, and it is disappointing

[@mothwizard3095]

Honestly, as much as I hate to see such well written characters die, it really gives the series even more of a terrifyingly real tone.

[@sankai91]

Last episode was basically what he critizises other fantasies for...

[@megatops6335]

he is not the one writing it

[@jovialvibes5962]

no it wasn't. you think he likes being pigeon holed into having to kill at will to please his fans who misunderstood this message? it's incredible that the NK died actually. goes to show nobody is safe, not even the all powerful NK.

[@larochejaquelein3680]

reiko na6ase You think his lame ass death fight wich lasted 5 seconds was incredible?

[@jovialvibes5962]

@@larochejaquelein3680 I think it is an incredible fact that he died how he did, yes. and was blindsided by a vessel of the faceless, the god of death. a greater power which the night king had no knowledge off. the god of death has proven through arya's story line that death is not to be played with and the night king was the largest offender. his own programming to destroy humanity left him susceptible to an even greater enemy (who was hidden on another continent that the night king could not reach throughout history) I think his sudden death represented that very well. he seemed near unkillable and yet he died. I actually think this is another example of George's point. But many viewers do not seem to look into the lore and the religion as being important to the series. Many people seem to forget the previous seasons of the show and when removed from context, I see how it could not be enjoyable for some people Would it not be against George's point here to have the night king have a mega fantasy battle with the hero Jon, for Jon to come out on top and everyone lived happily ever after? To me, that sounds like a far less interesting turn of events.

[@nairdan3492]

@@jovialvibes5962 You totally forget every other main character who was swarmed by wights so many fcking times and just didn't die. That's the disconnection from reality George criticises. And just because Arya doesn't kill the NK doesn't mean Jon has to kill him with ease. Why not an epic battle between the two which Jon looses and someone else delivers the final blow. Idc if aryas is the onr, just give the scene more impact and the NK some purpose

[@onemanenclave]

"Do you like them or do they drive you insane at times?" "Yes."

[@margaritatabellini8806]

Exactly

[@erikr968]

The part of GoT where Arya and the Hound travels through the war torn lands, seeing the true consequences of war - famine, looting, murdered civilians, destroyed homes, lawlessness - are the most honest descriptions of war I've ever read or seen. It's truly gripping.

[@ZacharyReaper]

Absolutely agreed with you, those Arya chapters, as well as Davos's after the Blackwater are my favorites

[@ronin6897]

I agree

[@davesgotacamera1126]

George RR Martin: says something George RR Martin right after: Evil witch laugh

[@manasdas8793]

this is what I love about his story writing. no character is faultless. everyone is a product of their back story.

[@kepspark3362]

Yep.

[@bigj1350]

"I want you not just to read my work, but to live my work" I felt that George... I felt that

[@andreandrews6237]

his work is writing death, that's just his creative way of saying "I wish you all would die" lol

[@Fahimeh_AB]

"I don't want you to read my books, I want You to live my books" That's a really powerful advice to every writer

[@bitzibaerlie]

Can we all take a minute to pay our respect to the poor forgotten fellow who sat behind Martin in geography class? They probably told proudly how they went to school with him only to watch this and end up heartbroken.

[@iffatzeb8168]

HBO: So,how many we have to kill? . George R R Martin: *yes*

[@unicornhorn6662]

Jihanna Hainé ???

[@yourmama7973]

@@unicornhorn6662 it's a joke

[@gononhisphone6399]

UnicornHorn dumbass

[@unicornhorn6662]

whats happen I get it, it was just really fucking cringey

[@corbeau-_-]

@@unicornhorn6662 ??? means you don't get it...

[@bernardfinucane2061]

Tolkien was a WWI veteran and didn't really want to talk about facing death, especially in the face of WWII. Death wasn't a fun topic to many people in that era. That was the point of writing fantasy. His books are modeled on epic poetry, which are not very realistic, even if tragedy and loss play a big role. It matters if someone dies in an epic poem. Game of Thrones reads more like medieval history.

[@SStoj]

That being said, Tolkien in his childhood lived in areas of great natural beauty, and over the course of the war as he served in the Battle of the Somme, saw the industrial machine of war slowly turn the idyllic fields of France into muddy cratered wastelands, and he conveys that information in his books very strongly. The orcs, and especially Saruman taking the axe to Fangorn, represents the industrial machine of war destroying the natural world.

[@MarcBliss]

Terry Prachett said of fantasy: "Fantasy is escapism, but wait... Why is this wrong? What are you escaping from, and where are you escaping to?" I think Tolkien was very much hoping to escape from that grim reality though which he lived.

[@SStoj]

@@MarcBliss Tolkien had this to say on the matter: "I have claimed that Escape is one of the main functions of fairy-stories, and since I do not disapprove of them, it is plain that I do not accept the tone of scorn or pity with which 'Escape' is now so often used. Why should a man be scorned if, finding himself in prison, he tries to get out and go home? Or if he cannot do so, he thinks and talks about other topics than jailers and prison-walls?”

[@eli3568]

On the other hand he is clearly covering the topic of shell shock, the damage to the soul. Frodo is never the same after the whole ordeal. He sails from the Grey Havens as he knows that is the only way he will find peace, moving on to the next life. Another note, Gandalf is really only brought back to fulfill a necessary role, and leaves Middle Earth with Frodo.

[@Robert399]

@@eli3568 Well sort of. That's 1 person and it doesn't happen until his epic quest is complete. The whole PTSD thing is a capstone on a well-rounded personal journey. Similarly, Boromir and Gandalf die but they have very heroic and climactic deaths. I think GRRM's point is that death doesn't have a sense of narrative or dramatic timing. Great heroes die of disease or accidents or in minor skirmishes with 2 nobodies. Death (or trauma) is a threat to everyone all the time, not just a potential twist or downer ending to an otherwise conventional story/arc.

[@daiselol]

'I do think it needs to be done.....' *silence* GRRM in here sounding like the fantasy writer Thanos

[@matt94alexander32]

Killing Ned for example is not only powerful & shocking but furthers the character development of his children, suddenly Robb emerges as a vengeful 'King of the North' with Arya, Bran & Sansa having prominent roles for the rest of the series. Jon although a Nephew not a son also gets a major role post Ned's execution.

[@floshjix02]

Jon especially considering he executes the man that betrays Ned (Janos Slynt) and ultimately is what gets Ned executed

[@MegaSteven011]

Watching this after s8e3 shows how disconnected the show has become from George’s vision.

[@MegaSteven011]

Mr Muscle well I’m just saying the plot armor in that episode was off the charts and it didn’t feel a thing like GoT

[@NukeDetonator]

@Mr Muscle How? Not only did characters magically get out of impossible situations, but 8 years of White Walker build up wasted, and no answers well... answered. Now we are left with a completely underwhelming villain, with Arya the superhero having the ability to easily defeat her.

[@MekareP]

Pretty sure Jorah's death is going to have nasty consequences for Dany. She's doubting everything she's ever known right now and is essentially alone. She has almost no army and has to trust people she doesn't know. She doesn't believe in Tyrion any longer; who is likely going to to argue on Sansa's behalf when it comes to the North. Let's not forgot the situation with Jon. Even if he doesn't want the throne, there will be those around him who will want him opposed to her. Add in the issue with Sansa and the North and one dragon... Oh, and I doubt Tyrion and Jaime will be doormats when it comes to Cersei. Dany will want to kill her. If she's really preggers, Jaimie won't allow it. Tyrion will argue for their behalf. Further sowing distrust for him. She's alone. Jorah's death is actually pretty huge.

[@scottjo76]

@@MekareP Both Dragons survived

[@Walaa-ct7pi]

The ruined the whole show with last episode

[@Javalin197Gaming]

(Reads Lord of the Rings) George: I Love Boromir's Death. (Casts Sean Bean) George: Alright Joffrey, sic'em.

[@littlesmallworld123]

Stole the comment right out from under me ;)

[@SuperCosty2010]

he casts no one, and GoT was written in 1996

[@Javalin197Gaming]

Specifics, specifics. Just let the fun be had. XD

[@Oxley016]

Konstantin Yagodin actually that’s one of the things he was most involved in, having the right people casted for the right roles.

[@nw4529]

Konstantin Yagodin SIT DOWN

[@tf9822]

LOTR was a story about hope in the worst of times, written at a time where people were in desperate need of hope (WW1 & WW2), while Game of thrones was written at a time where most people havent lived through major conflicts (still is the case today), therefore the story can be more gritty and hard hitting. I don't think Game of thrones would have been as popular as lord of the ring if it had been released at the same time back then...

[@saltytree729]

Tolkien literally world built a book with all of these race types that had never done before an absolute father figure. Nobody even George can compete with that. Tolkien paved the way, and George is the biggest hypocrite ever he’s brought more characters back to life than anyone.

[@ArDeeMee]

Nothing pissed off Tolkien more than people claiming LotR is about WW2.

[@ForgeofAule]

Not to mention Tolkien actually fought in WW1

[@detectiveMM]

@@saltytree729 and later on his characters get serious plot armor. Especially aria. I don’t care how well trained she is she’s a 10-year-old girl and Parries sword blows from full grown. Well trained extremely strong men with two handed swords. Ridiculous.

[@yourdashingheroidol7909]

The way he described Tolkien bringing Gandalf back in LOTR, undercutting the perceived death was EXACTLY how I felt about what he did with Lady Stoneheart. It really cheapens the genuine shock of her death in the RW. Sure, she isn't Catelyn Stark anymore exactly, but still... it's like, oh boy. Is this a thing now and is it at all necessary?

[@hands-ongaming7180]

Difference is Gandalf became stronger but lady cayeron became evil and hateful

[@Monsterassassin3]

@@hands-ongaming7180this is correct, her coming back as a fucked up zombie is actually worse

[@jamie_d0g978]

Coming back to life in asoiaf got a really really fucked up side effect

[@rajinbin]

He's so right, whenever someone dies who you love, who you're invested in, it does makes the book memorable and it helps to paint a clear picture.

[@corbeau-_-]

It is more relatable in that way, realistic. Life isn't fair, it can be brutal, especially in war. And if you love, or like someone, a little part of you dies with them. It makes you appreciate your memories more, especially when they're fond. About the same goes for hatred, Ramsey dying is closer to satisfying: He deserved it. I always hated Rambo, etc. 1 dude takes out legions, with ease. Near untouchable. Boring, predictable. That's also what makes his death and decay writing style more exciting. It isn't that predictable. Oz and the Sopranos had the same quality, also a lot of sex, by the way, which is often also conveniently left out of stories. HBO must love George for killing off so many characters and describing sexual scenes. I guess it's what got them hooked.

[@sriharsha_sheshn]

Well said man. I'm fucking sad watching the last episode

[@laprimaverrra]

Yes, but if all the characters you are invested in are killed off, you lose overall interest. "The Good Wife" did it right - one brutal and unexpected character death, but it was devastating and powerful. After so many character deaths on GoT, they have lost their emotional punch.

[@HMQ333]

@@laprimaverrra Agreed. It feels like I'm watching reality TV at this point.

[@Reqwulf]

Its called lazy writing, just live from the impact until it turns meaningless. So overrated in my opinion.

[@maurice8180]

"Do you love your characters or do they drive you insane at times?" -"Yes"

[@TBStudios91]

The really good thing about Martin's books, and something the writers of the show did not really get, even before the last seasons, is that it's not "random death for shock value". In the books there is no character whose death was not explained in some measure. Some died because they disdained the game, some were too stupid or manipulated by others, others still were outwitted or betrayed, no one died randomly.

[@aplix747]

This man is perfect to work with the people who made dark souls, bloodborne and sekiro. There's so much hidden and powerful depth to these games that I know he would be interested in.

[@frainaemi9780]

Well, there is elder ring. You may want to look it up. it is a storywriting of martin with the worldstyle of darksoul

[@slothorne8222]

You played elden ring?

[@Milkra]

ELDEN RING

[@d1st94]

Poor George. After yesterdays episode he must be rolling in his bed...

[@mecha279]

I know, right!!! He's so clever!! Now they are just pandering to fan theories in a tasteless manner too

[@xTHExMASTERxDEBATERx]

@beatle pete the show is farther into the story than the books

[@paradox_4094]

@beatle pete the show passed up the books

[@xTHExMASTERxDEBATERx]

@beatle pete I'm pretty sure he's helping them write and come up with the story, but yes

[@Chunderthunder420]

@beatle pete yeah pretty much. i think its pretty cool because you cant have read the books and know the ending for the show and likewise you cant have watched the show and know the ending for the books

[@simulterious9767]

He kills them because they didn't finish their duolingo classes

[@BlueEyes-WhiteDrag0n]

I missed my one lesson and Now i am trapped in my basement in fear of Duolingo

[@emmaphilo4049]

I did not finish mine either... Ooops

[@Madmac79]

it is known

[@beck242]

someone needs to make an edit of the duolingo owl with george's laugh

[@antonironstag5085]

Funny because high valyrian is on duolingo lol

[@shezcreative]

I love George’s writing philosophy. The fear makes the books so much more real, it shows that the world and not black and white and not only the bad guys die but good guys do too(and much more often tbh).

[@caluminnes579]

I get angry he hasn’t finished the books but then I hear George rr Martin laugh and any anger towards him goes away, I’ve never heard a more jolly laugh in all my life lmao

[@ross.metcalf]

For some reason, I really like the way he says, "book".

[@irockmajorly]

Bwook

[@ComedyLoverGirl]

Bock

[@lasb1230]

Big takeaway from this interview, the only one surviving season 8 will be Frodo

[@megatops6335]

he is not the one writing the tv series

[@leftovermonday1642]

Oh, my sweet summer child.

[@nickkirby1263]

lol this comment did not age well

[@coxxycabee]

Thanks for posting this video. I had only seen George when talking with other well known authors and I hated what I saw of him. Watching this video I've realised that he acts very differently when anxious or awkward. This is a much more truthful telling of his character and he seems like a much more amazing person than what I'd originally painted of him via my impressions of what I'd seen of him earlier.

[@lorenaarias1952]

I think he is a wonderful writer. I’ve experienced so many feelings reading his books. Absolutely love him! Thank you George you made both my son and me very happy.

[@adithyakrishnan4389]

Jon:"You Stark's are hard to kill" GRRM: Challenge accepted...

[@jollesracing517]

Adithya Krishnan haha

[@rendesvouztoi]

that’s why jon died. he’s a targaryen

[@TheIzaam]

He kills characters so often beacuse fan's tears are their primary sustain.

[@Manglet762]

They're the ink he writes his books in....maybe that's why it's taking so long to release another book, he ran out of a consistent flow of material before he could finish and can only write in small bits.

[@DevineAbyss]

@SmallmoneyYT I don't think many people or authors are that sadistic. I think that is only something some fan would think, that got personally offended by a fantasy book. George is right: There is much more suspense in the story if you don't know who wins or survives. 95+% of all stories you know who the good and bad guys are after 10 minutes and you already know who wins in the end. You only watch/read how exactly it ends up there. His books aren't like that and that makes them powerful. Very rarely do "good" main characters die and even more rarely the bad guys win at the end. Silence of the Lambs comes to mind. Maybe even "empire strikes back". Se7en for sure. I cannot even think of any other major movies.

[@Andrew-fi1sd]

@SmallmoneyYT Eh, depends. Reading one of the Dragonlance books as a kid, my favorite character dies, very big and foreshadowed moment in the series. The authors talked about planning to kill him from the start, and how hard it was actually to go through with because they really liked the character.

[@kadenjames6519]

This man is such a talented writer and truly understands his craft as someone breaking into the writing scene he's someone I look to when it comes to the philosophy of writing

[@arkine11]

That moment when Sam survives hordes of undead while crying on top of a pile, and then you watch GRRM saying he wants war treated honestly

[@thatsabingo6695]

he didnt write that episode. He didnt write season 8 at all.

[@arkine11]

@@thatsabingo6695 I know. The show writers and producers didn't treat GRRM's vision with respect. Hopefully he releases his next book soon so we can actually see the good story again.

[@dukeblank9415]

I watched this right after the battle of winterfell to make myself feel better.

[@christianhelton5838]

Your not alone.. RIP Lady Mormont, Jorah, Theon.

[@megatops6335]

battle of winterfell is exactly what he is criticizing in this, all the heroes survived like magic especially sam

[@jovialvibes5962]

his books have magic and the story has becoming increasingly full of it - I think many people upset about episode 3 are mistaking his words by thinking in every encounter someone heroic must die just to remind you nobody is safe. The deaths throughout the show carry meaning and impact as well, but now it seems everyone just expects random troll deaths for the sake of the lolz. It is funny that so many people predicted the NK would not die yet, and so they are upset, but at the same time are complaining the show is not unpredictable enough?

[@Flamerunner451]

reiko na6ase no he’s saying he gets upset when characters somehow escape consequences that they would normally face in real life. We didn’t want characters to die just to die, we just know it’s BS that a character like Sam would actually make it out alive in the situation the showrunners put him in, but yet he magically did

[@jovialvibes5962]

@@Flamerunner451 okay but it makes sense that he defeated a white walker in single combat or healed greyscale on his first try ? I'm not tracking.

[@ms_publisher7143]

If only they killed any important characters in episode 3

[@galloway2364]

Um, Jorah? Theon? Beric?

[@untamedbanana3794]

Russel Tinnier they weren’t integral to the plot. or even served much of a purpose. that last episode felt so unimportant. “holy shit, we all need to ban together to defeat the night king or we’ll all die” for one whole fucking season and they killed off i’d say 2 “big” characters during the fight. like please, utter bullshit. so many people they could’ve killed, should’ve killed

[@MaTeIRiA]

UntamedBanana the fact that u expected they would kill nore proves how good this show is. they did the unexpected and let a lot of them survive. it is also necessary to do so to not reveal who will sit on the Iron Throne at the end. plus there will be another war which has to be fought. probably a lot of chars will die there.

[@untamedbanana3794]

Taiga that’s not a breaking of expectations, it’s disappointment. the only reason why so many main characters survived is because their main characters. that’s utter bullshit imo, especially given the scenario they were in. i get the progression of story that needs to be fulfilled, so they have to spare certain people, but did they really have to spare so many on what’s supposed to be the biggest fight of the series? that episode did not feel like it even had a big impact, or that the dead army was even a major threat to begin with. i can name so many reasons why that episode was just bad altogether, but i don’t want to waste your time man lmao

[@ohFitZz]

@Paul McCartknee Ghost is alive.

[@adamseidel9780]

I’ve watched and rewatched this video and few times and one thing that strikes me this time is part of George being such a great writer is that he’s a great reader and is thus writing for readers. He’s not writing only form the artistic perspective of a creator, which is important, but he’s deeply informed by what is impactful to the readers of his works. He knows what he wants to feel and experience by reading and he seeks to deliver that. It’s generous and not just selfish and pretentious in that way.

[@spooplegeist5260]

I just want to listen to George talk for hours. His voice, pacing, and inflections are so calming and pleasant. He can tell me about all the things he wants dead.

[@JarinCOD]

Well they don't die on the show anymore. Everybody has plot armor and deux ex machina everywhere. Everybody is surrounded by 100 of enemies and they are saved. Dumb and Dumber betrayed George.

[@TravelWithBradley]

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[@FalconCooper]

@@VisitormassacreSuddenly start butchering it ? That's what I hate with you people, looks like season 5 and Dorne did not serve as massive warning light ? Neither Season 6 and 7 ? Such people who think they are intellectual for hating season 8 are massive fools, of course the quality dropped but people act like it's way bigger than it is. If they started being shit at S8, it means you were fine with Jon's expedition beyond the wall right ? The dumbest thing the show has ever done just for the sake of being cool and epic. And now people are pissed they don't see mindless epic shit like Jon vs The NK, as always those "fans" are the most inconsistent and entitled people on earth.

[@noahmay7708]

No one is entitled for thinking Arya killing the night king was dumb. Sure the show can have surprises but it needs arcs as well.

[@maxpower3555]

@@FalconCooper fuck dude. Be more of a gatekeeper.

[@JarinCOD]

@@noahmay7708 The worst part is that Sam was lying on the ground for 20 minutes screen time and still survived 8x03.

[@logiarhythm6285]

Tolkien: aynone could die Martin: anyone could survive

[@JustAGuyWhoLikesStuff.]

The dichotomy of fantasy.

[@user-vc5wj3op3m]

This is why i also liked asoiaf. As an avid reader having read so many books it comes to a point that you get bored of certain books, your standards have elevated, and you're in that constant search of something genuine, new, but also resonatingly real and impactful. Not many authors have the same courage to kill their characters especially major ones so I like how GRRM made us feel this sense of vulnerability and restlessness in his characters just as much as if living and dying through them as well.

[@kappamania5674]

His laugh proves he himself is a One Piece character.

[@user-js8dp9iy9s]

i can't wait until the show is over so we can hear George's real opinion on everything D&D have done

[@lowercase21]

R well he is a producer on a upcoming GOT prequel so I don't think we will hear what he really thinks.

[@alil3231]

@@lowercase21 prequel? Please explain

[@alchivlogs2368]

@@alil3231 theres a prequel coming with the storyline of "honeycomb and a jackass on the brothel"

[@durabell7]

If only D&D had viewed something like this before writing the last episode...

[@jasionsail]

correct

[@maulcs]

They couldn't give a shit, their egos are out of control

[@kevinc.cucumber3697]

The writers don’t care. Its pretty clear they’re rushing to finis the show. They don’t care about GOT anymore

[@manaspuranik8353]

I love this man so much. He deserved all this fame and praise long ago but better late than never.

[@mynamejeff8741]

Whenever a major character dies in a book, it seems like it is always one of my favorites. Undoubtedly not a coincidence.

[@ribbledude]

He must of been pissed at the latest episode

[@avimondal8226]

My man Samwell Tarly, killed at least a dozen wights sitting down. Now imagine how many he would have killed if he just stopped eating ice cream

[@Chunderthunder420]

@beatle pete gilly

[@sriharsha_sheshn]

If I could give all the money I have I would have for this comment. I'm that pissed watching the last episode

[@scythelord]

@@sriharsha_sheshn How can you be pissed watching the episode? I had absolutely no complaints with it.

[@ramsesjfg7668]

@@scythelord Watch it again

[@twstf8905]

Hahaha "Southlings and Easterlings and Otherlings" he says lol😂

[@SysterYster]

I like it when a book can make me pause and simply sit still thinking for a while, about the words and the things said and done in the book. They can have a very real effect on me.

[@marcod5027]

This man speaks so thoughtful, i'm impressed time and time again. Ironically, the more a book is written to scare in the sense of imposing real fear, the more it feels like that rollercoaster ride. Because however we'll be carried with the story, deep down we know that it''s a book.

[@CxMooMs]

Oberynn’s death still angers me to this day... WHYYYY... I loved him so much during those 4 episodes x)

[@igals2343]

His death was important IMO

[@stefankowalski9103]

Yes. It was the most shocking death to me. Even more than the red wedding.

[@aswin2813]

Valar morghulis

[@corbeau-_-]

he was a good screamer

[@itsmealyssaaa]

was looking for someone to comment this! i agree

[@jake12step]

Stop interviewing the man! He's got a book to write and should not be distracted.

[@marcoboscarol2420]

@channel of light "five minutes a day to masturbate" and thats too much already!!!

[@julierocketqueen1477]

LoooooooooooooooooL best comment on this video lmao 😂 😂😂😂😂

[@Reevesy791]

George R.R. Martin is not your bitch!

[@hansolo5912]

@Smaug Studios His comment was intented as a joke. But I still like your comment and here's your like :)

[@wiczus6102]

Others got to learn from him.

[@michaelh3583]

I remember when season 1 started, I got midway through and my sister said: "read the books first". Grind read the first book before the season ended and was hooked. I love the finality of it all. No one, regardless if they were good, bad or neutral, was safe and how it played out was not at all how it typically would in most fantasy books.

[@Justsomerandomguy951]

I really hope he stays the way he is in regards to him not watching the show anymore. He would cry seeing his baby getting mistreated in season 8

[@Justsomerandomguy951]

@MrAlex send me the meme! If you've got Instagram, my username is kyloben63

[@dylanciccarello6418]

I could listen to this man talk for hours

[@az_budhunter8964]

All hosts of George RR talks should talk less. They always seem to interrupt when he is pausing for effect or to reach for a specific word. Then I am left wondering wtf he was going to say before they interrupted..

[@CosmosOrchestra]

*LEGEND!!!!!!!!!* Such a brave Writer and in very touch with reality.. this is how the things goes in real life.. That's why it works so well!!! Really a legend of present times!!

[@hildaangulo2720]

Este hombre sabe lo que hace. Y como escritor, lo admiro tanto. Me da tristeza que nunca llegaré a conocerlo

[@FernandesRafael1]

Show writers should have watched this

[@gony82]

GRRM is giving out gold here and it's all lost on this dull interviewer. So very very few of Martin's Q and A moments are handled by someone who has actually read the novels.

[@highonyomama]

Yeah, the way he is constantly trying to interact with the crowd instead of paying attention to his conversation partner is really annoying.

[@HardWhiteChocalate]

The interviewer also looks like a fucking idiot and a slob

[@royofzo4698]

Thanks George for explaining so thoroughly what I had allready been thinking for several years before I read your wonderfull novels. Your view on the neccesity of a powerfull death completely resonates with me. It means the story can go anywhere and removes the feeling of safety, and makes room for excitement..

[@dandraper1695]

Good Interview

[@MrClark-df9qn]

Boromirs death is epic. As described by Tolkien there were hundreds of dead Orcs laying around Boromir. Like a boss.

[@Enivri]

2:41-2:57 that is literally him saying when Jon Snow and the others went north to capture a Wight. He said maybe one gets injured or dies which would be Thoros of Myr but the rest are untouched.

[@jjjames4484]

The interviewer looks like "I don't even know what GOT is, so I wil play youngster"

[@HardWhiteChocalate]

finally someone else calling out the way this fool looks, why is no one else talking about this guy XD

[@hsdlm5598]

I think he knows what got is , he said at the beginning of the interview " even ramsay bolton"

[@ztheclarinetist8493]

"If it were me, Gandalf would have stayed dead." George R.R. Martin 2018

[@moshpit45]

Thank you George R. R. Martin for creating the greatest fantasy world experience ever put to the screen! Every death is well thought out and with reason! WHAT IS DEAD MAY NEVER DIE!

[@danielstellwag3081]

How about a sandwich?

[@homoxymoronomatura]

Greatest fantasy world is Witcher. GoT world's second.

[@incadeptus]

@@homoxymoronomatura Greatest is Lotr and everybody knows that.

[@homoxymoronomatura]

@@incadeptus LOTR's third.

[@incadeptus]

@@homoxymoronomatura Bakana!

[@cdruskoff6617]

“Ramsey’s a misunderstood character” SON YOU CAN LEAVE RIGHT NOW

[@WingedBagels]

@Harold King You mean how he married a neighboring lady who feared him and locked her away until she starved to death after eating her fingers?

[@joynelbonetdelgado4952]

@Harold King i never thought of him being smart on the show either

[@josharntt]

@@joynelbonetdelgado4952 The bit with having Rickon there in the Battle of the Bastards would have been smart if he had a couple volleys of arrows to kill Jon.

[@martinigasolini4062]

Yall are aware GRR was just bullshiting right? He wasnt being serious.

[@johnnylr]

@@josharntt he did have the arrows, none of them hit (for whatever narrative purpose)

[@jettison27]

I love that quote about readers living a thousand lives.. what a beautiful way of putting it.

[@flexiblenerd]

Haven't actually watched GoT, but this interview alone makes me want to read/watch.

[@franlovelsimic8421]

2:42 basically GoT for the last few seasons

[@ShepardOfficial]

Love how the thumbnail is even George basically looking like "because I want to. What you gonna do about it?" 😂😂😂💯💯💯

[@neerajronaldo6288]

With this interview, I became a fan of George rr Martin as a person ❤❤

[@bromf5372]

5:13 the gears turning in his head. i love artists

[@CharlesOwens04]

What I've learned from George that is invaluable to life is that no one, no matter what they've done, sees themselves as "the villain." How could you live with yourself if you did? Humans will do terrible things, and then rationalize them in order to sleep at night. It's the most terrifying part about us.

[@gurpreetsingh793]

Legend.

[@orlanswf]

Interviewer: Do you love your characters or do they drive you insane? George: *yes*

[@j.masonbrown6216]

The smart thing about George is that he never kills a character for no reason (something the later seasons of the show got SO wrong). Every main character death is preceded by a clear and distinct path of wrong choices or misjudgements. Ned kept his honor and truthtelling even though he knew it would kill him in the end. Robb married a low-tier noblewoman from the enemy side, betraying his agreement with the Freys. Jon betrayed his oath and lost faith in his men.