George R.R. Martin Initially Planned a Very Different Kind of Targaryen Power for 'Game of Thrones'
George R.R. Martin, the mastermind behind the hit series 'Game of Thrones,' has revealed that he initially envisioned a different kind of power set for his Targaryen characters. Inspired by his interest in science fiction, Martin had considered making them "pyro people" - individuals who could harness powers with their minds, specifically fire-based abilities.
This idea was first proposed when Martin was conceptualizing the world of Westeros and its ongoing saga. In an interview at the Oxford Union, Martin recalled how he initially pictured a narrative with the Lannisters, Starks, Daenerys, and dragons as the core elements. However, his focus on science fiction led him to explore alternative possibilities.
The "pyro people" concept involved Targaryens possessing telepathic abilities, such as reading minds or influencing emotions through their mental powers. Martin had already experimented with this idea in his science fiction stories, where characters wielded psionic powers like telepathy and empathy. The fantasy realm of Westeros seemed to be ripe for similar exploration.
However, Martin's friend Phyllis Eisenstein intervened when the author shared early drafts of his work. She convinced him that dragons should be real creatures rather than "pyro psychic dragons." This pivotal moment ultimately cemented the inclusion of fire-breathing dragons in the narrative.
Martin also discussed this alternate direction in a 2014 interview with Rolling Stone, mentioning that he initially considered abandoning all fantasy elements and writing 'Game of Thrones' as historical fiction. However, he eventually evolved his idea to incorporate more unexpected twists and turns, including the introduction of dragons as the Targaryens' symbol.
In hindsight, Martin believes that leaving out fantasy elements altogether would have resulted in a duller narrative. He credited Eisenstein with convincing him otherwise, stating, "Now that I'm deep into it, I can't imagine the book without the dragons."
The inclusion of fire-based powers has since become an integral aspect of the Targaryen saga, influencing characters like Helaena and Daemon, who exhibit prophetic abilities. The fantasy realm continues to evolve, with new seasons and adaptations of Martin's work, including 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' and 'House of the Dragon,' set to captivate audiences worldwide.
Martin's journey from a science fiction writer to a master of epic fantasy is a testament to his dedication to crafting immersive worlds. As he continues to shape the world of Westeros, it will be fascinating to see how fire-based powers evolve within his narrative.
George R.R. Martin, the mastermind behind the hit series 'Game of Thrones,' has revealed that he initially envisioned a different kind of power set for his Targaryen characters. Inspired by his interest in science fiction, Martin had considered making them "pyro people" - individuals who could harness powers with their minds, specifically fire-based abilities.
This idea was first proposed when Martin was conceptualizing the world of Westeros and its ongoing saga. In an interview at the Oxford Union, Martin recalled how he initially pictured a narrative with the Lannisters, Starks, Daenerys, and dragons as the core elements. However, his focus on science fiction led him to explore alternative possibilities.
The "pyro people" concept involved Targaryens possessing telepathic abilities, such as reading minds or influencing emotions through their mental powers. Martin had already experimented with this idea in his science fiction stories, where characters wielded psionic powers like telepathy and empathy. The fantasy realm of Westeros seemed to be ripe for similar exploration.
However, Martin's friend Phyllis Eisenstein intervened when the author shared early drafts of his work. She convinced him that dragons should be real creatures rather than "pyro psychic dragons." This pivotal moment ultimately cemented the inclusion of fire-breathing dragons in the narrative.
Martin also discussed this alternate direction in a 2014 interview with Rolling Stone, mentioning that he initially considered abandoning all fantasy elements and writing 'Game of Thrones' as historical fiction. However, he eventually evolved his idea to incorporate more unexpected twists and turns, including the introduction of dragons as the Targaryens' symbol.
In hindsight, Martin believes that leaving out fantasy elements altogether would have resulted in a duller narrative. He credited Eisenstein with convincing him otherwise, stating, "Now that I'm deep into it, I can't imagine the book without the dragons."
The inclusion of fire-based powers has since become an integral aspect of the Targaryen saga, influencing characters like Helaena and Daemon, who exhibit prophetic abilities. The fantasy realm continues to evolve, with new seasons and adaptations of Martin's work, including 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' and 'House of the Dragon,' set to captivate audiences worldwide.
Martin's journey from a science fiction writer to a master of epic fantasy is a testament to his dedication to crafting immersive worlds. As he continues to shape the world of Westeros, it will be fascinating to see how fire-based powers evolve within his narrative.
I mean, can you believe that George R.R. Martin initially thought of making Targaryens like telepathic pyromaniacs? 
Like, what's next? Having them control the minds of everyone in Westeros to get what they want? 
It's not like it would've been a better direction or anything... I'm sure it would've just led to more plot holes and confusing characters. And then his friend Phyllis Eisenstein comes along and is all like "Hey, let's make dragons real instead" 
Can you imagine Daenerys being a telepathic Targaryen? 
The show's darker tone would've definitely taken a different turn, and who knows, maybe the fate of Westeros would've played out differently too 
. It's crazy to think that Eisenstein's input was what kept dragons as actual fire-breathing creatures 
- Martin's gotta give her props for saving the franchise from a potentially bland narrative 
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can you believe this? George R.R. Martin was gonna make Targaryens "pyro people" with fire powers 
... who knew? I mean, can't imagine Daenerys having a telepathic connection with her dragons that's not just about breathing fire 
... this "pyro people" idea is actually kinda cool. Martin was trying to get all sci-fi on us before he even started writing GoT 
. I guess Phyllis Eisenstein saved him from a mental breakdown or something, convincing him that dragons should just be awesome creatures 
. Who knew having dragons would make the show so much more epic? 
It's crazy to think about how different the story would've been without them. Anyway, I'm super stoked for the new seasons and adaptations, especially "House of the Dragon" 
?! i think it would have been so boring. martin's decision to keep the fantasy elements was a lifesaver for the series. those pyro people powers sound kinda cool too, but i think they would've taken away from the mystique of the dragons. and who knows, maybe if eisenstein hadn't intervened, we'd be reading about telepathic targs instead of fire-breathing ones 
. anyway, it's always interesting to see how a story comes together, especially when it involves so many twists and turns.
Can you imagine Helaena and Daemon having those prophetic abilities? Mind blown, right? 
. Guess it's all for the best, though – fire-based powers are definitely a highlight of the series! 
and we are forever grateful for that decision 
. George R.R. Martin had a clear idea of what he wanted to explore with his "pyro people" concept, but it wasn't until someone pointed out the potential dullness of that approach that he was convinced to go in a different direction 
. I think this is especially relevant when it comes to our politicians, who often have to navigate complex issues and make tough decisions under pressure 
. It's not always easy to know what the right call is, but sometimes you just have to trust your instincts and go with it.
. I'm excited to see where Martin takes this narrative next and how he continues to evolve his world-building skills 
. The Targaryens already had a pretty big burden with the whole dragon thing, adding telepathic powers on top of that might've made them kinda...overpowered