'Game of Thrones' vs. the books: Why the TV version just won

Warning: This post contains spoilers for everything up to and including Season 5, episode 2 of Game of Thrones as well as for the book series.

For years, we readers of George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire books have lorded it over viewers of HBO's Game of Thrones. The show is based on the books, so by and large, we knew what was coming

We couldn't wait to watch your reaction to Ned Stark's surprise execution, to the battle of the Blackwater, to the Red Wedding, to Joffrey's poisoning or the Red Viper's eye-opening defeat. In our heightened anticipation, we may even have let a spoiler or two slip here and there. Sorry about that Read more...