Game of Thrones has become predictable and lazy in execution of its plot twists

At this point, it is safe to say everyone keeps up with the happenings of all the good folk over at Westeros right? No? Damn!!! (You that said no, are you even human?) Guess we are keeping this spoiler free then. Well, fans familiar with the George R.R. Martin series of books will be all too familiar with when exactly the TV show overtook the novels but for the benefit of the non book readers, damn near everything you saw in season 6 till now was and has been new to everyone, book and non book readers alike. And with that, subconsciously or consciously, many would have noticed a shift in the method of storytelling. For a show that relied heavily on misdirection or non linear plots, GOT has become utterly predictable. Or like my buddy puts it GOT now has a poor poker face.

Let me explain, George RR Martins story telling is reminiscent of a Guy Richie movie I saw long ago where at a bar, the good guy rather than attack an annoying patron, after a series of warnings, removes the fire extinguisher from the premises, comes back to sit and when the patron resumes his annoying ways, the main character sets him on fire. That is one of the ways of describing GRRM’s  method of storytelling. Slow to unravel, very indirect and unpredictable, but in the end it would leave you screaming WTF!

GOT has had a ton WTF moments. Moments where everyone plus that one person in the room wearing that smug look because him don read the books marvels at the twist in the plot or is genuinely surprised at the turn of events. Moments where even the most seemingly unimportant thing said or done could be the premise (an Easter egg) to a later event. That was skilled storytelling. That is classic GRRM

Now, with the show nudging passed the books, one would expect better or them staying true to the method of storytelling rather, I find I can guess their reveals or where the plot is heading e.g. how Daenerys may be slowly but surely being set up to fit into the mad queen shoes. Plus, those poorly hidden Easter eggs or reveals the show runners might as well have Neon signs pointing towards their intentions. Not to spoil the show but I am fairly certain the means by which Jon Snows true blood line will be revealed involves a Dragon.

I must say, it is very evident, the show has sailed passed the books and the show runners are fully in control thanks to this shift in method of storytelling ergo, I am fairly certain when the final books by George R.R. Martin eventually roll out, fans will still have a surprise in store for them and it will differ from the way the TV show concludes.

Lastly, what is with the fast travel all of a sudden? The speed with which characters now go from one far off location to another in a matter of scenes can best be described like something from a video game like the Witcher 3. Locations that previously took characters all season long to traverse. I understand the show runners are looking to wrap things up as quickly as possible but that is not reason enough to ruin the build up to what is supposed to be a climactic ending. Rant aside, GOT is still one of the best shows on TV right now. and I will be sad to see it end next year. Season 7 finale airs next Sunday. Who do you think will get killed off this season? My money is on Sansa Stark.