(07-05-2016 04:49 PM)Artifice Wrote:  I think who is sitting on the throne at the end is not the point of the story, and if the show makes it that or gives it what I really fear - a Disney/Hollywood ending, I am going to be sick.

See this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxG03oBY5zU

Focus on the first 6 or so minutes. The story, among other things, is about how war is wrong (and many of our storytelling conventions are absolute crap); it destroys lives in the names of rich men who want power. GRRM was a conscientious objector to Vietnam. I think he has some very powerful themes that he wishes to express in an ultimate statement that will not be very satisfying to the public. I think he told D&D that, and if they try to go way away from his themes, they will suck the soul out of his story - which is the source of my angst over the show's ending. I hope their story is as thematically powerful as GRRM intends the books to be and not merely "who ends up on the throne", which is the antithesis to what GRRM intended.

I could just as easily see the iron throne destroyed in the coming battles against the Lannisters, fitting your theme pretty well, and end up with a kind of republic from the factions left standing, united against the WWs. That would be a pretty cool ending and the final battle would mean more as men fighting for themselves more than just securing yet another ruler's position on the throne. It would also bring out his recurring theme of free men, free to choose their own path. Hard to do that with a king/queen having the final say.