George R.R. Martin posted the ‘least spicy storytelling critique’ in his blog criticizing House of the Dragon, says Xiran Jay Zhao

George R.R. Martin recently made headlines after he criticized some changes made in HBO’s House of the Dragon. Though the blog post where he aired his grievances was taken down, his comments sparked a discussion among fans. Canadian author Xiran Jay Zhao, who has spent time with Martin, spoke up, suggesting that Martin’s remarks were quite restrained compared to his actual thoughts. Zhao’s defense of Martin provides a glimpse into the author’s views of the adaptation and the level of influence he has in the decision making process behind it.

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11/22/2024 02:07 pm GMT

Zhao’s response to the controversy

Credit: Liza Trombi

After Martin’s post was taken down, Zhao took to social media to defend him. They explained that Martin’s role in the adaptation process is limited, as HBO has control over the creative direction of House of the Dragon. Zhao mentioned that Martin’s blog post was far milder than what he could have said, based on their private conversations. They believe Martin used the post strategically, not to fully criticize the show, but to make it clear that he could speak out further if necessary.

Zhao also pointed out that Martin’s criticism was not directed at the show’s writers in a personal way. Instead, Martin was frustrated by the larger decisions made by HBO, which he felt could negatively impact the story of the Targaryen civil war. Zhao said, via Tumblr:

“He’s not complaining for complaining’s sake. I hung out with him a few weeks ago and heard his full scope of opinions on HOTD and what he said in the post was VERY mild. Probably the least spicy storytelling critique he could’ve brought up. And I do believe this was on purpose and strategic. He’s not going full scorched earth on HBO, but he’s showing them that he COULD. He did this as a warning shot to get them to listen to him because clearly he saw some very upsetting plans for upcoming HOTD seasons. If he just wanted to complain there’s way spicier shit he could’ve said.

For those who think he’s disrespecting the show’s writers…How do you think he felt when they have dismissed his feedback in private and driven him to the point of risking legal action to make his point to them?”

What did George R.R. Martin say about the changes?

Credit: Amy Sussman

In his blog post, Martin expressed disappointment over changes in House of the Dragon, specifically the decision to cut Maelor Targaryen, a minor character from his book Fire and Blood. He hinted that other, more significant changes could be in store for the upcoming seasons. While Martin’s post was surprisingly direct, especially considering he is an executive producer on the show, Zhao suggests that it was mild compared to his true feelings.

Martin has a long history of working with adaptations of his work, beginning with Game of Thrones. He has often stayed quiet about the creative choices made by the showrunners, but Zhao’s comments imply that Martin felt strongly enough to speak out this time. According to Zhao, Martin’s blog post may have been a “warning shot” to HBO, indicating his dissatisfaction with the direction of the series.

Who is Xiran Jay Zhao?

Credit: Xiran Jay Zhao

Xiran Jay Zhao is a Canadian author known for their debut novel Iron Widow, which became a New York Times Best Seller. They are also a prominent internet personality and cosplayer. Zhao grew up in China and later moved to British Columbia, Canada. They gained popularity for their critiques of cultural inaccuracies in the live-action Mulan movie and for their presence on social media, where they share memes about Chinese history.

Zhao’s writing blends their love for anime and Chinese history, leading to the creation of Iron Widow, which reimagines the rise of the Chinese Empress Wu in a mecha-inspired world. Their second series, Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor, follows similar themes of blending Chinese history with contemporary fantasy. Zhao has quickly risen as a fresh voice in young adult fiction, with their work recognized globally.

Read More: Fans React to George R.R. Martin’s Comments on House of the Dragon’s Changes from Source Material

How are Xiran Jay Zhao and George R.R. Martin connected?

Credit: Xiran Jay Zhao

Zhao and Martin seem to have developed a friendship during a book tour. Zhao shared photos of themselves with Martin, teaching him how to make the popular “finger heart” sign and posting pictures of them hanging out together. Their interactions have been lighthearted, with Zhao even joking about them partying instead of writing. However, it’s clear the two have bonded over their shared experiences as authors in the fantasy genre.

According to Zhao, they had long conversations with Martin about House of the Dragon and discussed the changes made in the show. Zhao has defended Martin’s views, indicating that Martin’s concerns about the show go deeper than what was publicly stated in his now-deleted blog post.

Read More: Ewan Mitchell on whether House of the Dragon Season 2 needed more than 8 episodes

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