George R.R. Martin's Original Vision for Targaryen Power in Game of Thrones Was Far From Fire-Breathing Dragons.
In a surprising twist, it has come to light that George R.R. Martin, the mastermind behind A Song of Ice and Fire series, had initially considered a very different kind of power set for the enigmatic House of Targaryen. The author revealed during an interview at the Oxford Union that when he was conceptualizing the world of Game of Thrones, he was inspired by science fiction and experimented with various fantastical elements.
According to Martin, his original idea was to feature Targaryens as individuals with psionic powers, essentially telepaths or empaths. However, his friend and fellow writer Phyllis Eisenstein convinced him that this concept needed a more tangible twist, leading to the introduction of real dragons into the narrative.
Eisenstein's intervention had a profound impact on Martin's vision, convincing him to incorporate dragons as an integral part of the Targaryen family's symbol and power. The author reflected on this pivotal moment in his writing process, stating that he now couldn't imagine the book without the majestic creatures.
The influence of Eisenstein's suggestion can still be seen in the ongoing series, with hints of Targaryens possessing certain abilities, such as prophetic dreams and visions of the future. While these elements are present throughout the A Song of Ice and Fire saga, they do not approach the level of psionic powers Martin initially considered.
The inclusion of real dragons marked a significant departure from the original plan, ultimately shaping the world of Westeros into what we know today. As Martin has noted in previous interviews, he deliberately chose to introduce this unexpected twist to bring more complexity and unpredictability to his narrative.
As the third season of House of Dragon is set to premiere later this year, fans can look forward to witnessing the majesty of real dragons up close, a testament to Phyllis Eisenstein's lasting influence on Martin's creative process.
In a surprising twist, it has come to light that George R.R. Martin, the mastermind behind A Song of Ice and Fire series, had initially considered a very different kind of power set for the enigmatic House of Targaryen. The author revealed during an interview at the Oxford Union that when he was conceptualizing the world of Game of Thrones, he was inspired by science fiction and experimented with various fantastical elements.
According to Martin, his original idea was to feature Targaryens as individuals with psionic powers, essentially telepaths or empaths. However, his friend and fellow writer Phyllis Eisenstein convinced him that this concept needed a more tangible twist, leading to the introduction of real dragons into the narrative.
Eisenstein's intervention had a profound impact on Martin's vision, convincing him to incorporate dragons as an integral part of the Targaryen family's symbol and power. The author reflected on this pivotal moment in his writing process, stating that he now couldn't imagine the book without the majestic creatures.
The influence of Eisenstein's suggestion can still be seen in the ongoing series, with hints of Targaryens possessing certain abilities, such as prophetic dreams and visions of the future. While these elements are present throughout the A Song of Ice and Fire saga, they do not approach the level of psionic powers Martin initially considered.
The inclusion of real dragons marked a significant departure from the original plan, ultimately shaping the world of Westeros into what we know today. As Martin has noted in previous interviews, he deliberately chose to introduce this unexpected twist to bring more complexity and unpredictability to his narrative.
As the third season of House of Dragon is set to premiere later this year, fans can look forward to witnessing the majesty of real dragons up close, a testament to Phyllis Eisenstein's lasting influence on Martin's creative process.
Like, I'm all for the fire-breathing dragons now, but it's cool to see how different the story could've been! And Phyllis Eisenstein getting involved is kinda like when you're working on a project and someone suggests something that makes total sense - but also makes you question everything else. 
It's crazy how one idea can lead to so many others... I wonder what other "what ifs" Martin had floating around in his head back then 
. And let's not forget Phyllis Eisenstein, the unsung hero who convinced Martin to switch it up. You have to wonder what other plot twists could've happened if she hadn't intervened. It's like, what would've been if the Lannisters were actually telepathic? The whole show would be different 
. Anyway, looks like we're getting more dragons and less psionic powers soon, so I guess that's something 
.
It would've been super interesting to see how that played out. The inclusion of real dragons totally changed the game (pun intended) and added this whole new layer of complexity to the narrative. I'm glad Martin went with his gut (and Eisenstein's influence 
) on this one, because we got some of the most epic moments in Game of Thrones history.
but then his friend Phyllis Eisenstein came along and convinced him 2 add dragons instead! now we're livin in a world with real fire-breathing dragons 
it's wild how much impact she had on the show & it's cool 2 see how that twist has held up over time 
. But, you know, sometimes it's the unexpected twists that make a story truly unforgettable! Phyllis Eisenstein totally changed the game (pun intended) with her suggestion of real dragons 
!
. And can we talk about how awesome Phyllis Eisenstein is for convincing Martin to go with dragons? She's a total game-changer 
!
i mean psionic powers would've been so cool too! imagine da Targ's being like telepathic empaths or something 
. And Phyllis Eisenstein gets major props for convincing him that dragons would be a game-changer 
. Can't wait for the next season of House of Dragon!
) and I'm not sure we'd have the same level of excitement around Westeros without 'em. Phyllis Eisenstein's suggestion was pure genius and it's awesome to see how her idea still resonates today. Can't wait for House of Dragon to drop, it's gonna be epic!