- Can you tell us why you have made these choices?
To follow the myriad characters around for about 5000 pages of text and then a lot of hours on the show is an incredible experience. It's like being transported to a different time with different customs, different traditions, a different way of life.
As commentary, I think that is a fairly relevant. Especially considering things like Joffrey becoming king before his younger brother because of tradition even though Tommen is obviously a better ruler because of his quite demeanour and the way he doesn't like to torture people.
There might be more references in the commentary side if you really go searching for it, but I chose not to do that because I really want to enjoy ASOIAF as a work of fiction and art, rather than make it political.
- Is there one debate or controversy that has particularly stood out for you? What were your views on it?
I think the controversial choice of the show to inch ahead of the books was something that I didn't like. And obviously, the 6th season of the show was HORRIBLE, so that kind of justifies that their decision was bad and they shouldn't have done it. But at the same time, GRRM's unbelievably slow writing pace means that there aren't any other options for a show that is set on minting money while the hype still exists. A season 4 years after the last season? Even some hard core show-only fans might not watch.
- Can you tell us about an actual case where you particularly felt this?
I have never had any experience of mine spoiled, in the show or in the books. I achieved this by reducing the amount of time I spent talking about ASOIAF before I finished the books with anyone.
- What’s your preferred way to watch Game of Thrones? With others, or alone? One episode at a time, or several? The moment it’s available, or delayed until you are ready? Live broadcast, streamed, or DVD? And do you like to rewatch episodes?
Alone one episode at a time (savouring the plot that was revealed in one episode, understanding it, trying to think about where the story is going) Delayed until I am ready (this could be an hour, 4 hours, 2 days, whatever it takes for me to be totally rested and be able to watch it without distractions or in a hurry) Streamed I like to rewatch some episodes, but I am more of a book fan (mainly because of the show screwing up Jaime)
- Who has been your favourite character (whether or not they have managed to survive this far!)? Can you tell us why?
Jaime. Jaime, Jaime and Jaime all the way. His character goes through the phases that I think most people go through in life. Going from being a naive, rich guy whose only objectives in life were to be with the women he loved and fight everyone with the sword in his hand, he became a profoundly sad character who understood the difficulties of life, understanding his own problems, recognising how fucked Cersei was, realising how much she was influencing him, and finally redeeming himself for everything that he did.
In the books, the way he pulls himself up and helps out Brienne even though there is no obligation or requirement, that's something book 1 Jaime would never have done, but Book 3 Jaime felt he SHOULD DO IT, and I felt that with him. That he has skin in the game now, and can't back out anymore. That transformation through a few thousand words on a few hundred pages is what I read books for!
(Sidenote: The show REALLY fucked Jaime's character. Everyone who watches the show thinks that Jaime is an incestuous bastard, who has sex with his sister because he wants to. That inaccurate and totally skewed.)
- Is there another character you have most admired for the 'game' they have played (whether or not it paid off in the end!)? Again, can you tell us why?
Cersei. She has been playing the game consistently from the first chapter. There have been no pauses, there have been no re-runs or vacations. It's always been about her and her children, protecting them, feeding them, setting up a life for them. Everyone else in the "game" has strayed: for love, because of hatred, because of compassion, etc etc. But Cersei was the only one who kept on playing, no matter what.
- Game of Thrones is obviously based on an (unfinished) book series. Is that important to you in any way? Yes, it most certainly is. I have read all the books, I read them right before watching the fifth season, and I could definitely see the difference.
While watching the first four seasons, it was about the plot. While watching season 5, it wasn't about the plot anymore. It was about "HOW" they plan to show it, HOW would that look, HOW would the Battle on Greenwater Bay look, HOW green is wildfire. That kind of thing.
- Are there other films, books, TV series or games that you would compare with Game of Thrones? Can you tell us how?
Maybe Westworld. It's also set in a different time with a different way of life. It's not so radically different, but it is also inherently about the carnal cravings of mankind, and what men would do if there really were no consequences for their actions.
- Game of Thrones presents us with many different lands and kinds of people. Has there been one which has particularly intrigued you?
Wildlings. Wildlings are people too, they are exactly like the people in the mainland, but still they have been exiled. There's no apparent reason except for the fact that they used to loot and pillage. But don't people in the seven kingdoms loot and pillage? I think this shows that there are some biases in our life that we can NEVER get over. Also that these biases will manifest themselves as the proverbial "unfairness of life".
Wildlings. Wildlings are people too, they are exactly like the people in the mainland, but still they have been exiled. There's no apparent reason except for the fact that they used to loot and pillage. But don't people in the seven kingdoms loot and pillage? I think this shows that there are some biases in our life that we can NEVER get over. Also that these biases will manifest themselves as the proverbial "unfairness of life".
- Do you have a most memorable moment from the series, one that you like retelling to other people? Could you retell it to us?
The time Jaime spent in a basement prison when he was imprisoned by Catelyn. That was the typical Book 1 Jaime. Cocky despite the situation, arrogant inspite of the dire stuff that could happen to him. Steadfast about Lannisters, always plotting, killing people if that gave him even a SLIGHT chance of escaping. That whole chapter is the beginning of Jaime's redemption, his transformation from being a normal guy to someone who has redeemed himself for the things that he did in a life that's almost as distant as another one.
Of course, all of this culminates in the GRUESOME scene where he has his sword hand cut off. I WAS NOT expecting that, it was unexpected, it hit me with a shock that I couldn't comprehend. Just as Jaime for a second could not understand what had happened, I couldn't believe that GRRM had really done that to my most beloved character in the series.
- Has there been a scene which has made you particularly uncomfortable or angry? Can you tell us about it?
The scene where Tyrion is bullied by Joffrey right before dying made me really really angry. He was bullying and making fun of his own uncle and no one was doing anything about it!! Cersei should have taken him by his hand and given him a couple of hard slaps across his fat cheek to make him realise HOW careless and disrespectful he was being.
- Is there anything particular about you personally that would help us understand your feelings about Game of Thrones (whether as books or as TV series)?
I read a lot of books and watch a lot of TV series. Game of Thrones and ASOIAF has been similar to the stuff that I like in a lot of ways. I like Secret History (Donna Tartt), I like a few of Tana French's books. In general, I like fiction in which the characters have depth, they have internal struggles and despairs and anxieties that they can explain to the reader because to stay sane, THEY HAVE TO. That makes them real, and makes them relatable to who I am and the struggles and anxieties that I have in life.
- And finally: "Winter is coming" – surely the series' most famous saying. Ah, but what exactly is "Winter"? What does it make you think of?
In my life, in India, Winter is the coldest part of the year. It's not that cold, and actually it's one of the most pleasant times in the year (climate wise) for me. Probably because winters in India are like summers in Europe and they are extremely pleasant and make life so much easier!
In the show, I think winter stands for coldness, bleakness, necessity, less food, less resources, blander dinners. In one word: a period of hopelessness that feels like it is never going to end while you are in it, but HAS to end. a period of time to get through so that Summer can arrive and things can again look hopeful again.