When will all Game of Thrones mashabiki turn Unsullied? An inventory of the remaining chanzo material 

Almost beyond any shadow of a doubt, the next season of 

. Just how much of the existing story is there left to tell on the show? As readers, how spoiled will we be in a year when season five airs? This post aims to look at the show’s progress compared to the books, and try to provide some answers.

Some blurred lines notwithstanding, the seasons of GoT have corresponded well enough to the books, with the past two seasons covering the enormity that is

, incorporating the beginnings of certain storylines from subsequent books as well (which was pretty much the case in every season, but much more so in the latest).

Season five will therefore be based on the material from 

, whose timelines run concurrently. I provide a rough count of the chapters left to be covered below. Mind that the numbers really are rough estimates only (so don’t get too hung up on them), but they should still give us a decent enough idea to answer the questions above.

[Spoiler note: I wrote this post in a non-spoilery manner, so that it is accessible to the Unsullied. However, the comments are bound to be ripe with spoilers, so steer clear of the comment section if you haven\'t read the books.]

Jon Snow’s storyline is the only one where we still have a couple of chapters left to cover from 

. Sam and Gilly’s story is of course related, and now Davos (with Stannis and Melisandre) is found in the same locale. Theon moved towards Winterfell with the Boltons at the end of last season, while Yara is still around somewhere, though it remains to be seen how her story is going to get adapted. Although I believe that a large chunk of the story that the Iron Islands could provide will remain off-screen, or get otherwise condensed, there is more than enough material in these chapters to see us through season five.

What about the situation in the south and across the Narrow Sea?

George R.R. Martin dedicated a lot of chapters to King’s Landing. Although we have learned that Jaime will get involved in other storylines as well, in what is a deviation from the books, there will be a lot happening in the capital. Tyrion’s story will be another pillar of the season arc, as will be the goings-on in Meereen. Throw in a new location (Dorne), a couple of new characters with separate storylines (we have so far heard no confirmation of those, though), and Arya sailing to Braavos, and there is enough plot to last us a season.

Only with a lot of generosity can we find four chapters between these three POV characters that have not been covered on the show yet. Brienne’s storyline (and in part, to a much lesser extent, Sansa’s) deviated from the book content far enough that some original inventions will be necessary to bring it back to the (yet unknown) point where it matches the book canon. It is quite possible that these subplots will not be visited too often in the course of the new season, but when we see these three characters next year, chances are rather high that we will be spoiled – depending on how much of the story is shown, and how much it deviates from the (future) books, of course.

As we have seen, the remaining material in the books can and will provide fuel for an entire new season, though beyond that, little – if anything at all – will remain to be covered. The storylines featuring Brienne, Sansa, and Bran are an exception, but I could live with getting somewhat spoiled with regard to those characters next season. However, I dearly hope, and with good reason, that I will be able to read 

What are your thoughts? Comment below (and please share this post with the rest of the interwebz).

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Imo Bran’s storyline shouldn’t be much of a problem. Ever since I saw season one, I hoped D&D would use Bran’s stay with BR (where not much happened) to explore the background of the current conflict. The ToJ sequence alone (cut from Ned’s PoV in the first book) would be riveting to see on screen, but they could throw in hints to Joramun, Gendell & Gorn, the Blackfyre Rebellions, AA, etc.

Brienne will obviously have differences from the books, but if they pull something similar to the Hound and Arya from last year with her and Pod, she could be fine for a season. But yeah, Sansa and Bran basically have one scene left each.

I think the showrunners will be doing themselves a disservice if they cut Iron Islands and Oldtown.

I think we will be safe until next summer, when season 6 starts shooting. Brienne and Sansa have characters to meet and interact with.

Great article. I’m not too concerned for this season. It’s season 6 I’m worried about.

Bran can have a whole season of learning to use different aspects of his gifts. Progressing from warging, greenseering, to Treevision

The only storyline that is truly in question is Sansa. We’ve got the Harry the Heir reveal, but otherwise it’s uneventful Vale politics.

“What about the situation in the south and across the Narrow Sea?”

Hi Azad! Looking forward to publishing more of your work

I agree with you on the three character arcs you highlighted… I have no idea what they will be doing with them!

I doubt Brienne will do a similar journey as in the books. They may even find a way to work Brienne into Sansa’s arc… If so is that a sign of what is to come in the future books?

Bran’s book story never interested me until he met Bloodraven/ The 3-Eyed Crow. Now that the initial meeting has happened I look forward to see where the series takes Bran. We could end up getting a lot of needed exposition about the past, maybe even some flashback like visions or green dreams!

I am interested to see exactly how they bridge us to Cersei’s penance walk.

I have some doubts they will go the same route as the books. They have not established any of Cersei’s lovers from the books, or any of the alleged lovers to Margaery. Trant may replace the lovers, but I do not see that working as well as it did in the books. Will Cersei accuse Margaery of having something to do with Joffrey’s death? I would find it very interesting if Lancel confessed sleeping with Cersei to the High Sparrow and that leading to Cersei’s troubles.

I’m not sure I see it happening like that, but it would be much more streamlined and Cersei’s Season 5 arc will be much leaner than the books!

This should hit triple digit posts quickly I bet…..

I think you’re right. Bran has one chapter left, but it’s packed with potential expansions and of course original additions such as the ToJ scene. They can definitely carry a season with him and his many visions and cryptic convos with the Three Eyed Raven. I’m sure there will be spoilery implications to Bran’s arc in season 5 and a couple of non-subtle hints but I doubt we’ll see any major spoilers from him (except maybe the ToJ or something of that type).

I expect major spoilers from Sansa and Stannis.

Team Reek & Ramsay only appeared in 3 episodes in season 4.

It would suck for the actors, but they should have Team Sansa, Team Bran & (ugh) Team boring Brienne in only 3 episodes in Season 5.

As we enjoy reading The World of Ice & Fire this winter, know GRRM spent time working on it RATHER than writing TWOW.

Wow 10 Iron Island Chapters that’s more than I thought. I’m pretty sure most of that will be cut as we don’t have Victorian and Euron. I’m trying to figure what would be a bigger disappointment, no Greyjoy brothers or no Jon Conn and Young Griff. Probably the latter as they are important to Tyrion’s story

I heard a rumour that on Ice and Fire convention in Poland polish publisher mentioned that he and Martin had a discussion and Martin said that he intents to sends manuscripts to his publisher in January 2015.

I think that Oldtown will be saved for season 6. It’s basically just introduced in Feast, the real story is only going to start in Winds.

Why would we get spoilers from Stannis? He has a ton of book material left to adept

While I don’t mind being Unsullied for some of the storylines in season 5, especially Sansa who had her last chapter released 9 years ago with AFfC, just as Marko I still hope that The Winds of Winter will be released before season 6 premieres. Though it could be exciting, I would still rather be a Sullied if possible. The thing is that no matter what, we will all be Unsullied when season 7 and maybe 8 airs…

I think you’re right. Bran has one chapter left, but it’s packed with potential expansions and of course original additions such as the ToJ scene. They can definitely carry a season with him and his many visions and cryptic convos with the Three Eyed Raven. I’m sure there will be spoilery implications to Bran’s arc in season 5 and a couple of non-subtle hints but I doubt we’ll see any major spoilers from him (except maybe the ToJ or something of that type).

I do hope they bring us the ToJ (preferably with Sean Bean). One of my favorite scenes in the entire series and I have been waiting to see it ever since I knew the show was going to be made.

I’m glad they didn’t show it in season one, where it would have lost some of its edge I think, but a version of it should pop up in this show somewhere and Bran’s arc is the most logical place.

It’s the latter for me definitely! I think the show laid the groundwork to cutting Victarion completely last year. So I am prepared for that lready. I’m not sure Euron will feature in the endgame of the TV series at all. So he could be cut as well.

Until I hear news about Griff or young Griff I am assuming they will be cut as well.

The major destination of the upcoming Arianne arc in the books is her trying to align (or not) with Aegon, and since Arianne is cut, I wonder if Aegon is needed.

I do not buy the arguments centering on Varys’s motivations whatsoever and Tyrion can find enough to do for one season quite easily without that Griff arc.

That said, I would miss the characters and what they could bring to the TV series!

Not all of Jaime’s chapters take place in KL however, he leaves to lift the siege of Riverrun (in the books at least, in season 5 he is part of the Dornish storyline, so it’s doubtful we’ll ever get his Riverlands stuff).

Most of Victarion’s chapters take place at sea or the Shield Islands however, so they’re not part of the “northern” (North/Iron Islands) storylines.

If Aegon conquer King’s Landing (which is very likely) I doubt he will be cut. But Connigton, well, that is another thing.

Truthfully, giving Sansa even that one chapter may have been generous.

I don’t think they will cut Oldtown, but I don’t see a reason for it to appear in this season. Remember that Sam will have to stay at the wall for a couple of episodes until the election is done, so he will not get to Braavos right away.

When it comes to Brienne, I think they will use her storyline to expose the beginning of the Sparrow movement just like in the books, but apart from that I don’t know. LSH is still a possibility (comments from the director and producers may have been purposefully vague).

Since Littlefinger talks about building up the legitimacy and support for Robin, I think Harry the Heir will not be a part of the show (otherwise he would probably agree that Robin would not last long, like he does in the books, instead of saying that frail boys can become strong lords or something like that). In that case, they will probably get a little into winds of winter territory with this storyline (and remember that GRRM wrote a Sansa chapter for aDwD that was moved to tWoW). But I don’t think we will see much of it.

The end point of the season is also an interesting topic. We have information about a large battle in the snow being planned, so the battle outside Winterfell is a strong possibility even though the first hand accounts from it are not a part of aDwD. In the books, this battle will probably take place intertwined with the battle at Mereen (which is a cool storytelling effect: the battles of ice and fire taking place at the same time). If they want to accomplish that in the show, they would have to move Daenerys’ storyline really fast. That is not a big problem imo, however they would have to move Tyrion’s storyline even faster if they want to get him to Mereen for the Daznak’s pit scene. (there is also the problem of budget in having two battles in the same season). How much of Tyrion’s travels will they cut? And relatedly, will the Griff storyline be gone altogether? Also, will they let Trystane take the place of Quentyn for the later part of the story? In that case he would have to leave Dorne very early, but I think that the Quentyn storyline is another thing that will be removed altogether..

HBO gave D&D the green light for seasons 5 & 6 – the first time they guaranteed 2 more seasons to them. I wonder if they are filming scenes for both seasons at the same time and will later decide how to piece it all together.

I agree with almost anything said above. Sansas arc will probably be the most spoilerish.

As for Brienne, I think there’s still a lot of space left to edit and rearrange her storyline. In aFfC there’s a lot happening in the Riverlands and there’s quite a few characters there.

I’m at least expecting to see Gendry turn up somewhere next season. Possibly in Kings Landing, but it’s more likely he’ll turn up in Brienne’s storyline which should give them material for one or two episodes at least.

HA! Thanks, I can’t wait to set up my new home studio to create some content. I have a 6 page(!) Jaime’s adventures in Dorne comic I started, but havent been able to touch for a month (I moved and everything is still in boxes).

On topic: GRRM has (mostly) cleared his schedule for the year. I’m confident he’ll get TWOW out for season 6. Unless he runs into Meereenese Knot v2.0

I’m really looking forward to being Unsullied. One of my absolute favourite scenes last Season was the glimpse beyond the Wall at [possibly] the Night’s King. I’d love to see them being brought in a little more. Perhaps within Bran’s storyline.

I have a feeling that the Riverlands arc is going to be trimmed, if not cut completely. I can’t say I’d mind too much. The only thing I’d personally miss is Blackfish vs Jaime – and that seems unlikely anyway, given Blackfish’s disappearance post-RW.

What can I say? I can’t wait to see how things play out. Then reading how everything fits together in the book.

Fingers crossed that they tell some backstory highlights via Bran’s growing abilities. In particular the ToJ and the hints at Jon’s parentage. It seems like such a good opportunity. After the House of Undying scenes played out I began to wonder if Jon’s lineage will matter for the show plot – or the book plot for that matter.

My tent is pitched in camp Team Sansa. Hoping they will use the season to show her growing saavy as a playuh, although the events used as a backdrop to show her development may be manufactured.

I can’t believe the Griff’s are entirely cut. It’s all but certain that

That’s way to major an event to cut from the show. Additionally, a Sand Snake could take the role in Season Six. Dorne’s gotta do something for the last two books, so this storyline probably has too much importance to cut outright.

Added to which, they name dropped a major part of it frequently in Season 4.

It’s entirely feasible however, that the storyline plays out in conversation until Season Six, with the Season 4 part of it suddenly appearing in Westeros and going from there.

And hey, we gotta get Euron at least one of these days. It would be cool if A Man did what many of us suspect he will in Season 5,

and then bring company to witness the final leech at the end of Season 5 or beginning of season Six.

Hey, something has gotta happen with that. It was set up in Season 3, but it is possible for it to be executed quickly in Season Six.

Nice. We finally have some tits on this site with the Bad Idea T shirt ad.

will be out spring/summer 2016, to coincide with Season 6.

By the way, that hypothetical book cover is awesome. It should be submitted to the publishers to be the official cover.

There are only 5 Dorne chapters? It’s admittedly been a while since I read AFfC, but the way people bitch and moan about Dorne you would think it was half the book. Maybe they can cover all of Dorne this year and then bring in the Iron Islands for S6.

Bard: Not all of Jaime’s chapters take place in KL however, he leaves to lift the siege of Riverrun (in the books at least, in season 5 he is part of the Dornish storyline, so it’s doubtful we’ll ever get his Riverlands stuff).

Sometimes I need to remind myself that the show is the show and the books are the books, but I will miss seeing Jamie’s Riverlands stuff. (And I agree that it doubtful we will ever see it). Not that anything exciting happens, but I liked the character moments.

But wait Now since george has been writing Twow for about 4 years and lately he said that he is going to stop going to events and things like this and he is not gonna even write an ep for next season , all that in order to sit down and finish the book .. With all this why are we soo sure that he might not finish befor 2016/May ?? I can see a chance for him to release it before that if he spent more time writing

Any way I don’t want to upset you but sooner or later we will become Unsullied Again … Lets say Twow came out before s06 and we servived .. He still gonna need another cuntery

It’s clear from some of the spoilers which have emerged, as a side-effect of the S5 casting leaks, that S5 could consume maybe 80-90% of AFFC and ADWD. After all, Bran is with the 3EC, the Boltons are already off to Winterfell and we know Cersei will go for a walk.

It’s almost certain, from what we know, that several significant subplots are gone (Stoneheart/Greyjoys/Arianne/Crackclaw Point/Quentyn to name a few). It’s conceivable that Greyjoys could get bumped into S6. Like others, I believe Oldtown will remain, for the simple reason that HOBAW wants the book.

The only major ‘off page’ plot that we know of to replace them is the romance between Myrcella and Trystane.

So the big question is will they develop other ‘off page’ plots. Personally I hope they put the relief of Hardhome on screen, as it would provide a good climactic event for the end of the season.

Because the show won’t leave it in a cliffhanger. The climax will be the big battle outside Winterfell (we know they’re filming a battle sequence that was supposed to be in Iceland in the winter but got pushed out of Iceland because it grew too long and complicated for the short daytime hours there- has to be the Battle of Winterfell in my opinion), so we’ll likely know the fates of the involved characters. So Stannis, Theon, the Boltons and Yara (unless they change something with her) will probably reach spoiler territory in the last couple of episodes.

From this point forward, I’m not sure that all important book events necessarily “have to” appear in the show. So much needs to cut from AFFC and ADWD to work through all the material from the two books by Season 5′s end. Likewise, I am almost positive a huge amount of TWOW and ADOS will need to be cut as well.

Many people consider AFFC and ADWD to be a lot of filler so they can more easily accept half of the material being cut from the TV series, but it’s likely an equal amount of material will need to be cut from the last books of the series as well. Those last two books should be filled with far less “filler” being that they are the endgame of the saga, right? That would mean even events and arcs important to the books will need to be cut or at least streamlined a great deal. To me it makes sense for them to start the show’s streamlined endgame trajectory in Season 5.

HouseMartellBitches: Dorne’s gotta do something for the last two books

Some of speculated that Trystane could take on

Aegon’s role either directly or indirectly. If Aegon did survive where better to place him than with his relative in Sunspear? I’m not sure I bet it or that they would just swap the roles like that, but it would certainly keep Dorne in play. Honestly though, I think Dorne is less important than the character’s from Dorne. The Sand Snakes may have important roles to play, but since a few of them are headed to other integral sites in the show’s endgame we wouldn’t necessarily need to see much of Dorne itself.

I think we will be safe until next summer, when season 6 starts shooting.

Brienne and Sansa have characters to meet and interact with.

Most of the characters Brienne meets are sidetrips that will, based on this show’s style, be cut. Depending on whether the show is including Stoneheart or not, they may be completely reformulating that plot.

As to Sansa having “characters to meet and interact with”, none of the people she meets in the last chapter have been cast (which doesn’t mean they aren’t there, of course, but one can’t assume it). Myranda Royce’s immediate role is seemingly to find out if Alayne is Sansa, which is irrelevant on the show as Yohn Royce already knows that (they also used her name for Ramsay’s psychotic minion). Mya Stone hasn’t done anything yet. Maybe they have more significant parts going forward and will be introduced, but it’s far from something to bank on. The show pretty much burned through Sansa’s AFFC material in every meaningful sense, including the only plot that might have served as a source of real drama (the Lords Declarant). What we get next season is going to be some mixture of TWOW spoilers and invented fillerish material, though we don’t know in what amounts.

As for Bran, I’m skeptical of the common assumption that they’re going to cram his storyline in season 5 with flashbacks. The show typically doesn’t introduce stuff like that until it becomes relevant to the drama.

The whole “Trystane-Myrcella romance plot” thing is blown way out of proportion. I can’t see it taking up more than a couple of scenes.

All I can say is that Sansa and Brienne are my two favorite characters, lol, so I’d much rather be spoiled for their story lines than go a season (or more!) with them only showing up a couple of times.

Technically, there’s more than one chapter left for Sansa. I’m copying this from something I said in the forums:

I don’t quite think the show is gonna jump to her TWOW at the start of the season. Her arc next season could start with the Eyrie preparing for the winter and her taking care of Robyn. Than, they’re probably going to show her descent of the mountains with Mya and maybe her talk with the other highborn ladies. Afterwards, Petyr will start to discuss marrying her to Harry, it’s possible that the show might even introduce him earlier than the books. And perhaps the show might end her arc with her killing Robyn in his sleep (which is a personal theory of mine, do you guys remember that TWOW is going to have a controversial Sansa chapter). Anyways, this is just my opinion so feel free to point out anything I might have missed or if you think something is gonna go down a different way.

Plus, after reading the summaries of some of the chapters, we’re still missing the Lords of the Vale trying to overthrow Littlefinger and him swaying them his way

Brienne is a little more tricky, I suppose they could have her meeting you-know-who at the start of the season and then having her look for Jaime.

Bran, who the he’ll knows what’s gonna happen to him. Personally, I don’t think one season of exposition and learning is gonna be all that satisfying. There has to be some sort of arc for him that also includes Meera and Hodor.

Tyrion’s ship will end up getting attacked by slavers and he will end up being taken to Meereen and sold to Yezzan, bypassing all of the traveling slowly down the river with JonCon and FAegon.

I’m not sure what exactly happens to Varys in this instance though.

They have mentioned the Golden Company so many times though, that I feel like they have to do something with them. So, they could

continue mentioning them throughout season 5, like mentioning that they have broken their contract with Myr and then introduce JonCon and FAegon or at least FAegon (though if they cut JonCon I will be very sad) in season 6 and have him head straight to Westeros. It could work, if they want to bother doing it.

I guess it all depends on where that story goes in the books.

Count me in on the list of people who are really hoping that Winds comes out before season 6.

I’m most curious about Davos this season. Where does he end up at the end of the season? Is he just setting off for White Harbor or has he been dispatched by WM to Skagos for Rickon? Does he perhaps interfere with whatever plans Melisandre has for Shireen? I really need some Wyman Manderly, even if it’s for just a scene or two, this season.

I am interested to see exactly how they bridge us to Cersei’s penance walk. I’m not sure I see it happening like that, but it would be much more streamlined and Cersei’s Season 5 arc will be much leaner than the books!

I don’t think this story line will be much abbreviated. I think there will be huge build up to the walk. In season 3 Margaery basically admits to Sansa that she is experienced with men. I don’t think Ser MT will serve as a good substitute for Cersei’s trouble. There are two main reasons 1) he is too old to be used against Margaery and 2) since he is a king’s guard he would have no reason to confess to the High Sparrow. I think Lancel is the perfect person to get Cersei into trouble. We already know he has been with Cersei while Jamie is away. He is young and good looking so he could play the part of a Osney Kettleblack. I don’t see any reason for him to be all religious like in the book.

This is my prediction: E1: Tywin Funeral. It is determined Margaery & Tommen should wed immediately

E3: Margaery & Tommen Wed, Cersei is in bed with Lancel and hatches her plot

E6: Lancel admits failure to Cersei, Cersei sends him to the High Sparrow anyway

E8: Cersei is summoned by the High Sparrow and everything goes to the seven hells

I suppose Tyrion and Varys will get to Pentos, wherupon Tyrion will travel alone after that, so no concern about Varys being taken by pirates. Varys will stay in Pentos since he is going back to KL later after all.

How much screen time total did Bran and Brienne receive in S4? Don’t think it was much on either count – suspect we will just have minimal appearances for these two and Sansa this season.

Her arc next season could start with the Eyrie preparing for the winter and her taking care of Robyn. Than, they’re probably going to show her descent of the mountains with Mya and maybe her talk with the other highborn ladies.

They were already leaving the Eyrie at the end of last season (hence, “Shall we go?”). The descent is not really relevant now, as that was about Myranda trying to suss her out, which is unnecessary on the show.

Plus, after reading the summaries of some of the chapters, we’re still missing the Lords of the Vale trying to overthrow Littlefinger and him swaying them his way

We’re not “missing” it, it already happened in episode 4.08. The show condensed that whole plotline into the inquiry into Lysa’s death. Royce, Waynwood et al. are Littlefinger’s allies now.

How much screen time total did Bran and Brienne receive in S4?Don’t think it was much on either count – suspect we will just have minimal appearances for these two and Sansa this season.

After leaving the capital in episode 4, Brienne appeared in every other episode. She had pretty decent screentime on her own.

Bran’s screentime was pretty minimal, but frankly, the show cannot afford to have that character do virtually nothing for another season. If that happens he’s going to become completely irrelevant to most of the audience, as that will have been three seasons straight of very little happening.

As for Sansa, based on how they ended things with her for Season 4, I doubt she’s going to be placed on the back burner.

I’m going to be somewhat vague here because I don’t know how to do spoiler codes. Will they adapt Ramseys marriage plot as written? I found it too disturbing to read so had to skip those chapters. I know leaving it out will change Jon’s motivations, and Theon’s, but considering how everyone hated the Theon torture porn, this would be even worse!

Ugh. So much material. I gotta step up my reread. It’s so much fun to speculate, but so frustrating at the same time. Can’t S5 and TWoW just get released already? *sob*

I like Dorne and all, but if they cut the Greyjoys in favor of that convoluted side story I’ll riot (or shake my head vigorously).

I dont care about being spoiled further books.

To be honest, my main concern with season 5 is I damn well hope they dont screw the Winterfell and Wall arcs !

Don’t think so. The filming schedule is tight as it is. Doing that would make things needlessly complicated.

Go to the top of the thread and the secret about the spoiler code will be revealed.

It is a tribute to GRRM (not considering the speed of his writing) that each reader has their very own favorite storyline as evidenced above. Personally, I hope the Iron Islands plot is severely cut back though it did grow on me during reread. I am most interested in the North this season!

I can see them push the Greyjoys to season 6 to climax with Victarion’s arrival at Meereen

Even if there is potentially enough ‘fuel’ in AFFC/ADWD for S5, I doubt the show will try to avoid spoiling the books in order to buy GRRM more time and wouldn’t be surprised, if we get both of the battles in S5. (if

take place somewhere around episodes 6-8, followed by the battles which should have been the climax of ADWD, season 5 has the potential to be very exciting).

GRRM might be able to get TWOW out before S6 in 2016, but what are the chances that

will appear before 2017? Non-existent. For that he would have needed to write in TWOW in three years 2011-2014 (so, it would be out around this time), which would have left him 2014-2017 for the final book. Alas, that was not to be.

The show will eventually spoil the books. They might as well start this season to give a balanced 7-season version of the whole story.

I really don’t mind that we will all be Unsullied eventually since I read the books after starting the tv series.

The Brienne/Sansa/Bran situation is going to be pretty tough seeing as Brienne and Sansa are two of the most popular characters on the show. I honestly don’t think they are going to be willing to sacrifice much of their screen time so I expect it to be the about the same as usual and we will get original material from the writers or material from TWOW.

If Balon doesn’t die in Season 5, I will assume the the Greyjoy storyline has officially been cut.

Also, I don’t care what people say, I’m still optimistic that we could see TWOW as early as the premiere of Season 5!

I’m glad they didn’t show it in season one, here it would have lost some of its edge I think, but a version of it should pop up in this show somewhere and Bran’s arc is the most logical place.

I agree with absolutely everything in your comment. Even if I wanted to add something I wouldn’t know what!

I’m bit afraid to watch the Sansa plot next season. Because there’s not much left for her I suspect they’ll use material not published yet. Unless they do a completely show storyline about the Vale. And I won’t even know the difference.

I prefer to read before I watch. This has nothing to do with Martin. It’s a general preference. That’s before someone quotes me and labels me as book purist, or show hater or whatever else label anyone comes up with!

Although I think the Warrior’s Sons could make the series. It is a nice and quick way to connect the Sparrows growth in strength to Cersei’s weakening power due to her debt to the Iron Bank.

There is still a fair amount of streamlining likely to happen even if they do not go a different route than the books..

Those Theon chapters were probably the best chapters in the whole series. I sincerely hope they stay as close as possible to the source material with regards to Theon and Winterfell (though so far there is a disturbing lack of info).

The Greyjoys are much more of a convoluted side story. Victarion is a glorified ship delivery man and Aeron has done nothing that warrants his inclusion and is widely considered one of the most boring POVs in the entire series). The only character there that the show has any business casting in season 5 is Euron, and he might end up being just as pointless as his other brothers.

With that said, I do think they’ll have to follow up on Balon’s leech and they also have to get Yara back on her way to Deepwood Motte or whatever the show replaces it with. So I’ll remain cautiously optimistic that Euron will get cast at some point and that he’ll have a role to play in the books and in the show.

Strider: I agree with absolutely everything in your comment.Even if I wanted to add something I wouldn’t know what!

I’m bit afraid to watch the Sansa plot next season. Because there’s not much left for her I suspect they’ll use material not published yet. Unless they do a completely show storyline about the Vale. And I won’t even know the difference.

I’m not sure if we’ll be that spoiled. I wonder where Sansa’s storyline will start in tWoW. If it picks up directly where we left her, than yes, we’ll be spoiled. But there is a possibility that some time will pass before we see her again and that when we meet her again, she’ll have spent some time at the Gates of the Moon already.

If the second scenario is true, the show could extend Sansa’s storyline for another season by showing how she’s introduced to the Vale and uses her Darth Sansa powers. Of course this could all be wrong though, the Lords of the Vale already know that she’s Sansa Stark and I don’t think that’s going to be the case in the books.

I prefer to read before Iwatch. This has nothing to do with Martin. It’s a general preference. That’s before someone quotes me and labels me as book purist, or show hater or whatever else label anyone comes up with!

I to prefer to have read the original work before seeing the on screen adaptation. It’s just more rewarding overall. That being said, I’ll be watching next season (and the season after that if we don’t get tWoW), because I can’t help myself

There’s no way the battle of Meereen happens at the end of season 6/early season 7. The chronology is already off and the show can’t spread Dany’s storyline (which is already thin in the books) over three seasons.

D&D have said again and again that 7 seasons are the plan, so Dany needs to move on quickly during season 6.

I like Dorne and all, but if they cut the Greyjoys in favor of that convoluted side story I’ll riot (or shake my head vigorously).

I agree 100% the Dornish ploy is tiresome and most of the things they’ll probably end up doing can be done by other parties. Greyjoy’s are a much more interesting bunch of characters with a much bigger impact.

A surprise Balon cold open, with a special appearance by a certain familiar faceless man.

Edit: Oh and Jason Isaacs for Euron. Oh its on Velti. Its fucking on.

My money is on Sansa’s storyline being half filler, half TWOW. I think the first half of the season will involve Bronze telling her that he saw Arya at the gate of the Vale and then she goes out to look for her (which I classify as filler because Arya didn’t go to the Vale in the book. Thus, its an action based on a non-existent event (i.e. filler)).

It’s when she’s out looking for Arya, that Brienne finds her and there you go…TWOW material.

Any way I don’t want to upset you but sooner or later we will become Unsullied

Again … Lets say Twow came out before s06 and we servived .. He still gonna need another century

I ment to say ” another sentury until he finish A dream of spring ”

Huh. I wrote a thing precisely on this topic, so I might as well copy & paste:

What follows is an speculation on how “A Feast For Crows” and “A Dance with Dragons.” will be adapted for Season 5 of Game of Thrones, with some of it having already appeared in Season 4 and, as I predict, a little bit bleeding into Season 6 as well. This is NOT an speculation on the faithfulness of the adaptation but on what span will be roughly be covered each season.

The placement of most storylines by the end of season 4 leads me to believe that the Battle at Winterfell, which hasn’t even been fully portrayed in the books as of yet, will be moved up to serve as the “episode nine” climax of season 5. This point of separation between seasons 5 and 6 is mostly based on the fact that the Bolton plot has been considerably brought forward, while the Greyjoy storyline hasn’t even been set up with the much delayed death of Balon. As a counterpoint, halfway through season 4 Daenerys’ storyline already was into ADWD territory. The other Westerosi storylines are around the end of “A Storm of Swords.” This would mean Jon’s ADWD storyline will be done next year, as will the King’s Landing-focused storylines, with Cersei’s walk of shame, Jaime’s rejection of her call and meetup with Brienne (with a new Dornish context) and Varys’ assassination of Pycelle and Kevan (if he is brought back) and revelation about Aegon Targaryan (alongside his invasion of the Stormlands), if it happens at all.

Also —and this is relevant for setting up season six—, season five will introduce the Dornish story and probably burn through all their published material (though heavily changed), and just maybe also the Greyjoy one, from the Kingsmoot to Victarion’s fleet setting sail to Meereen (it doesn’t seem the will do it, though.) These storylines will probably follow the Bolton formula from season 4: relevant storylines with a meaty amount of screentime in the episodes in which they appear, but and a spread-out episode allocation and hence a limited screentime overall. In Meereen, Tyrion and Jorah will get to the city and Daenerys will fly away from the fighting pits on Drogon. Maybe we see her meeting a Khalasar, or it may be reserved for next season. Either way, this takes us directly to season 6. I’m pretty sure most of the intrigue at the Meereenese court after the disappearance of Daenerys won’t be portrayed until early in season six, with the as of yet unpublished Battle of Meereen serving either as an opener, mid-point or climax —it can easily be made into an early event or be delayed just as they did with the Battle at the Wall. It probably depends on the —as of yet unknown— consequences of the Battle; if another climactic event is ahead for this plotline, that (whatever it is) could be the season-ender for Season 6 instead of the battle, which would be placed earlier.

Brienne’s travels have been compressed, but not severely —not having her meet Lady Stoneheart made sense, as it would have skipped most of it. Still, introducing Stoneheart through Brienne’s eyes (instead of a Frey nobody) does also make more sense in the show’s storytelling style, so that may be why Stoneheart has not appeared yet (or maybe she just won’t.)

The Starks are a curious story as well. Arya is the most easily adaptable: although she only has five chapters ahead, and they are quite introspective, they are brimming with potential: her assassin training can easily be expanded and depicted throughout season 5 and part of season 6 if need be. I imagine she will end season 5 by being blinded after saving Sam (which would leave Sam’s storyline at the end of said season with him sailing away from Bravoos and Aemon dying). Of course, they might not follow her cliffhanger fake out and opt for the more dramatic assassin initiation for a climax instead. Her late season 6 storyline will very likely delve into “The Winds of Winter” territory, maybe ending with the already published excerpt of her killing someone known to Arya (necessarily a different person in the show); after all, Arya regaining her identity yet retaining her newly-acquired assassin skills would be a great climax. Then again, maybe there is better finale material just around the corner, or she may have so many chapters later that her season 5 and 6 storylines will have to be condensed instead of expanded.

Meanwhile, Sansa’s storyline has almost reached the end of all published material and there has been some plot alterations to it, so her journey will delve into the unknown next year, either from TWOW or the writers’ imagination. Although Bran would appear to be on the same boat, he has a meaty chapter yet to be adapted. While the events therein are only narrated in passing, such a long time passes and so many things happen that the chapter could easily be expanded for the show: learning about the Children, Bloodraven, greenseeing, warging and the old gods; developing Meera and her relationship with Bran, maybe introducing at last his infatuation with her; secretly warging into Hodor against his will just to walk around, maybe with the added consequence of getting caught; his first doubts about abandoning his body even further; becoming a greenseer and linking to the tree; and finally, a TV-friendly version of the greenseing dream of Winterfell. Maybe add in another altercation with the White Walkers somewhere, and there is more than enough story for a full Bran season. Of course, just as much as Arya, Bran could have a more elaborate and climactic storyline ahead that we are not aware of; if so, his last chapter of ADWD could easily be compressed instead of heavily embellished.

I predict almost as many ADWD chapters will be covered in season 6 (14 chapters) as AFFC and ADWD chapters have been used for season 4 (16 chapters). Except for Arya’s and Sam’s, all of these chapters have to do with the incoming Battle of Meereen. Although the show has expanded a few storylines once in a while, in this case each and every one of them would need to be extremely drawn-out throughout seasons 5 and 6 so that the show doesn’t completely overtake the currently published books by season 6. Yet, the producers have repeatedly stated they will not stall. In season 5 we will be getting new Sansa and Littlefinger material (based on TWOW or not), maybe even Bran, and by season 6 we will most certainly be getting an adaptation of unpublished material for every storyline, unless TWOW is released by April 2016. Obviously, the writers would have written the season almost a year earlier, but we must assume they will have access to the story and even the unfinished manuscript in the process.

The following list of chapters from AFFC and ADWD, which mostly take place concurrently, are chronologically ordered as per the “A Ball of Beasts” fan edition. Chapters adapted for season 4 are highlighted in yellow, while those that could be adapted for season 5 are in orange and for season 6 in red. However, a chapter may be completely different but serve the same purpose in the character’s storyline and will be listed (e.g.; Brienne’s adventures with Pod have been severely condensed, while Arya’s with the Hound’s expanded, but their original narrative purpose remains —a different path that leads to the same end.) I don’t intend to theorize on which subplots or even storylines could be cut (e.g.; although the prologues most likely will not make it, I will place them where they would be if they were included.) I insist: this is NOT an speculation on the faithfulness of the adaptation but on what span will roughly be covered each season.

OT: Adam Best posted again about the situation. I really don’t wish Fansided any harm, really, I don’t, I hope they are able to turn the ship around, but frankly, Best is just making it worse now. I mean, I really don’t get it. How can you write

You will never see us badmouth that site on WiC (or allow it to be badmouthed), and if we do for some reason we want to hear about it.

when literally a paragraph earlier you wrote something like this?:

Their new site’s comment section is also a dogpile full of negativity [...]

Does he want this very post of his to be reported?

I actually think we might get a lot more TWOW stuff than people are anticipating. A lot of characters haven’t even been added and the storylines are moving quickly. The days of added filler to keep certain stories from getting too far ahead are probably pretty much over.

Those two things are important because they bring the supernatural into storylines that previously didn’t have it. Magic started off the series on the fringe of the story and has been slowly moving towards the center, finally arriving there in ADWD.

aren’t they said next season we will know what is Varys’s real plot ??

His going to the free citys with Tyrion not to Dorne !! So we can’t say they are making Yg to be Trystane,, why would Varys go to Pentos if his concern is in Dorne and “if he is taking over Jon or Allyrio’s rules // and how would Varys and Doran let Try fall in a love relationship with MARCYLLA ! Because you know why

Interesting – he is commenting negatively about the very fans they want to draw to their site? Strange strategy.

Robert Strong is in (the scene in 410 confirms it). I’m not sure if the Sorrows is in, though. It probably isn’t, even if Aegon makes the cut doing the whole river boat ride thing may be too complex and costly for the show.

I’m thinking the next season is going to start being noticeably different from the books/go beyond them. I’m not too fussed (although I’d prefer if they didn’t) about them changing things for the show but I can’t see how it’s not going to spoil/devalue the books. If a character/plotline isn’t in the show then I automatically have the sense they’re not important. The only way they can avoid spoiling plotlines is by changing the story but then you have the problem of getting too far away from the source material which is where most TV shows come unstuck.

It’s quite the connundrum and I am genuinely worried for both the show and books. Hope they pull it off.

They said that Tyrion fucked up his plans a bit and that we’ll see “what’s next” for Varys in season 5. Maybe Varys decides to back Dany in the show now that Tywin is dead.

I agree. This is the only thing I’m truly worried about. The Jeyne Poole stuff can go but the northern lords need to stay and I’ll become a ragey book purist if they’re cut entirely. I want to feast on a savory pie!

Veltigar: I agree 100% the Dornish ploy is tiresome and most of the things they’ll probably end up doing can be done by other parties. Greyjoy’s are a much more interesting bunch of characters with a much bigger impact.

Hear hear. It took my a while when reading the books to give a shit about what was going on down there. Looking at it from the big picture point of view it has minimal impact on any of the other stories. All you need to know is Dorne would support the Targaryens. The Sandsnakes are pretty irrelevant (what did they ACTUALLY do in the books?!) yet have somehow become fan favourites. The Greyjoy brothers were way more interesting and actually affected other storylines..

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