George R.R. Martin's original vision for Targaryen power was a far cry from the dragon-riding, fire-breathing rulers we know today. The author revealed in an interview at the Oxford Union that when he first conceptualized the world of Game of Thrones and its accompanying series A Song of Ice and Fire, he had considered a different narrative altogether.
Inspired by his love of science fiction, Martin initially envisioned a power set for the Targaryens that was more grounded in reality. He explored the idea of telepathic abilities, where characters with psychic powers could read minds or manipulate the emotions of those around them. This concept was inspired by his own successful science fiction stories featuring people with psionic powers.
In this alternate vision, Martin's Targaryens would have had a unique connection to fire and pyrokinesis, allowing them to wield flames with their minds. This idea, however, never quite made it into the books or the screen. Instead, Martin ultimately decided to stick with his original plan for dragons as part of the narrative.
However, there is evidence that this initial concept did find its way into some early drafts and even a friend's comments on them. Phyllis Eisenstein, a fellow writer who had read these early drafts, convinced Martin that the Targaryens' powers needed to be more tangible and real – that is, dragons.
This intervention seems to have been a turning point in the development of the series, as Martin later reflected on how this decision "was the right choice." The inclusion of dragons has become an integral part of Game of Thrones lore, serving as a symbol of power and legacy for the Targaryen family.
Despite this evolution, there are still hints of psychic powers within the narrative. Characters like Helaena and Daemon Targaryen exhibit prophetic abilities in House of the Dragon, foreshadowing events to come. Similarly, HBO's Westeros-set series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms includes similar themes.
The story serves as a reminder that even the most well-planned narratives can undergo significant changes throughout development, ultimately giving birth to something entirely new and unexpected – much like Martin's Targaryens themselves.
Inspired by his love of science fiction, Martin initially envisioned a power set for the Targaryens that was more grounded in reality. He explored the idea of telepathic abilities, where characters with psychic powers could read minds or manipulate the emotions of those around them. This concept was inspired by his own successful science fiction stories featuring people with psionic powers.
In this alternate vision, Martin's Targaryens would have had a unique connection to fire and pyrokinesis, allowing them to wield flames with their minds. This idea, however, never quite made it into the books or the screen. Instead, Martin ultimately decided to stick with his original plan for dragons as part of the narrative.
However, there is evidence that this initial concept did find its way into some early drafts and even a friend's comments on them. Phyllis Eisenstein, a fellow writer who had read these early drafts, convinced Martin that the Targaryens' powers needed to be more tangible and real – that is, dragons.
This intervention seems to have been a turning point in the development of the series, as Martin later reflected on how this decision "was the right choice." The inclusion of dragons has become an integral part of Game of Thrones lore, serving as a symbol of power and legacy for the Targaryen family.
Despite this evolution, there are still hints of psychic powers within the narrative. Characters like Helaena and Daemon Targaryen exhibit prophetic abilities in House of the Dragon, foreshadowing events to come. Similarly, HBO's Westeros-set series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms includes similar themes.
The story serves as a reminder that even the most well-planned narratives can undergo significant changes throughout development, ultimately giving birth to something entirely new and unexpected – much like Martin's Targaryens themselves.
It would've been so trippy! But I guess it's also kinda cool how the show has taken this "dragon thing" and run with it. Like, who would've thought that fire-breathing beasts would become these iconic symbols of power?
. It would be so cool to see some psychic battles between characters, like a mental showdown instead of just flames and swords 
. But I guess sometimes it's those unexpected twists that make stories even better, right? 
The way the show evolved with dragons is iconic, but it’s also interesting to think about how different the entire world-building would be without them 
. But, I guess it's good that Martin found a way to make it work with dragons – they're just so iconic and epic 
. I'm also loving how some of the other characters are showing off their own psychic powers 
... it's like Martin was trying to balance out the show with different abilities 
!
. Now, we know and love those epic dragon rides and battles. But it's also cool to see the remnants of psychic powers still lingering around, like Helaena and Daemon's prophetic abilities 
. It just goes to show that even the most brilliant storytellers can make changes on the fly and end up creating something entirely new and amazing 
. I mean, what if that wasn't just a coincidence? What if someone really did want to steer the narrative in a different direction? You can't just dismiss it as chance, you know?
. It just goes to show that even when we think we know what's gonna happen, surprises can come from the most unexpected places 
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. It's mind-blowing to think that the Targaryen powers could've been something entirely different, like telepathic abilities or pyrokinesis 
It's interesting to see how Phyllis Eisenstein convinced Martin that dragons were the way to go – it's a great example of how feedback and collaboration can shape a story.
. Martin's willingness to adapt and change is definitely what makes Game of Thrones so beloved – and complex 
I think its so cool how George R.R. Martin's original idea for the Targaryens was totally different from what we know now. Like, who wouldn't want psychics with telepathic powers? It would've been insane to see Daenerys or Jon Snow using their minds to control others 
. And I love how even though that initial idea didn't make it, some hints of psychic powers are still in there. Its like the universe was trying to tell us something 
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. I think its awesome that Martin listened to her feedback and went with his original plan. And now, we have one of the most epic fantasy series ever made 
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), and it ended up working out in a big way. I love how the show evolved over time, incorporating elements from different drafts and ideas – it just goes to show that sometimes you gotta let go of your original plan to create something truly amazing 
. And hey, who knows what other surprises are hiding in the books or spin-offs? 
! But what's crazy is thinking about how different it could've been if George R.R. Martin had gone with the telepathic powers thing instead of dragons 
. But hey, even though the narrative changed, I love how there are still hints of psychic powers in the show. It just goes to show that sometimes these changes can lead to something even better