House of the Dragon & Game of Thrones Criticized By George RR Martin

House of the Dragon & Game of Thrones Criticized By George RR Martin

Highlights

  • House of the Dragon succeeds in carving out its own identity from Game of Thrones, adapting from Fire and Blood.
  • George R.R. Martin expresses discontent over Targaryen sigils in adaptations, insisting on anatomically correct dragons.
  • Martin’s attention to detail, even on dragon anatomy, showcases his talents as a fantasy writer and sets him apart.

As a devoted fan of George R.R. Martin’s works, I can’t help but appreciate the meticulous attention to detail that goes into his fantasy world-building. His latest criticism towards the adaptations of House Targaryen sigils in “House of the Dragon” may seem like a minor issue for some, but as someone who cherishes the depth and accuracy of Martin’s creations, I can empathize with his concerns.


As a gamer, I’ve been excitedly following the new series “House of the Dragon” after the epic ride that was “Game of Thrones”. But even as it carves its unique identity, one thing from the old show refuses to fade away – and now, its original creator has poked fun at it!

The “House of the Dragon” television series has achieved great success, surpassing expectations set by its renowned predecessor “Game of Thrones.” “Game of Thrones,” which is based on George R.R. Martin’s books, holds the title as one of the most successful shows in the genre to date. Although both productions are adaptations, “House of the Dragon” draws from the 2018 novel “Fire and Blood.” In numerous aspects, this newer show has carved its unique path within the Ice and Fire universe. Remarkably, “House of the Dragon” boasts an intriguing justification for altering source material details, resulting in a captivating departure from the original work.

In his blog post, George R.R. Martin expressed his disappointment with the way House Targaryen’s sigil is depicted in both “House of the Dragon” and “Game of Thrones,” despite these adaptations receiving Martin’s approval. He noted that while dragons exist in the world of Westeros, the sigils featuring four-legged dragons are a source of frustration for him. In his books, the Targaryen emblem has two legs as a more realistic representation of a dragon. Martin questioned why anyone from Westeros would create a sigil with four legs when they could observe the real dragons and count their limbs.

I meticulously crafted my dragons, endowing them with the ability to fly and unleash flames. These features were non-negotiable for me. However, unlike many depictions, mine have just two legs and a pair of exceptionally large wings. Most fantasized dragons sport petite wings that would fail to lift such a beast. Moreover, they possess only two legs; the wings function as their forelimbs. Four-legged dragons are merely symbolic creations in heraldry. No creature that has ever inhabited our planet boasts six limbs. Birds and bats both exhibit this duality – two legs and two wings – as do flying dinosaurs such as pteranodons.

As a passionate fan, I’d like to share my thoughts based on Martin’s recent post about the inconsistencies in the visual representation of sigils in “Game of Thrones” and “House of the Dragon.”

Many fans might find it puzzling at first if they disagreed with Martin’s perspective on dragons and wyverns. In fantasy literature, dragons usually have four legs and wings, while wyverns are two-legged dragons. However, this distinction is not based on fact, as both creatures do not exist in reality. Martin incorporates wyverns into his world alongside dragons, but they are smaller, more aggressive, and native to regions far south of Westeros. Martin’s intricate storytelling is a hallmark of his talent, which was evident in Elden Ring and the rave reviews it received upon release, reaching back to the author.

Enthusiasts of the television adaptations may not be bothered by this inconsistency, but it’s this meticulous attention to detail that has made George R.R. Martin a renowned fantasy author. Readers will undoubtedly admire his continued dedication to intricate details in his forthcoming projects. Martin assures us that he’s making significant strides on “The Winds of Winter,” so here’s hoping for its release sooner than later.

House of the Dragon is available to stream on Max, and on linear TV on HBO.

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2024-07-15 21:23