“Westworld” viewers last week might have caught an Easter egg cameo of Drogon, the infamous Targaryen dragon from “Game of Thrones.” The surprise appearance has kicked the internet fan theory machine into overdrive, leaving fans wondering if there is a Westeros/Delos connection. But George R.R. Martin thinks that in this case, a cameo should just be seen as a cameo.
“Some people loved the cameo, some hated it, and everybody, it seems to me, is making way too much of it,” Martin wrote on his website. “Hey, folks, c’mon. It was just a bit of fun. A sort of Easter Egg. You all like Easter Eggs in your video games, don’t you?”
The cameo came in a scene where Bernard infiltrates the all-but-bankrupt Delos, which has been brought to a standstill thanks to Dolores’ massacre of the giant theme park’s guests. Bernard passes by a slumped-over Drogon, who in “Westworld” is nothing more than an elaborate host developed for a fantasy-themed section of the park that is now on hold.
The two designers of the dragon, played by “Game of Thrones” showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss in another Easter egg, talk about how they may sell their creation to a buyer in Costa Rica. The scene has prompted some to wonder if the cameo was a hint that the two HBO shows are somehow connected.
Martin says that he didn’t know in advance that the Easter egg was coming, but noted that he did suggest to “Westworld” creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy during the show’s early development that Westeros could potentially exist as a Delos theme park.
“I never wanted a full crossover, never thought that ‘Westworld”s hosts should adventure in Westeros World as they have in Samurai World and War World,” he wrote. “But a brief scene or two could have been fun, and would have been in keeping with the Delos concept. And, hey, I even suggested that they could bring back actors from ‘GOT’, characters we had killed. The hosts die almost weekly, after all.”
While discussing cameos and crossovers, Martin pointed out how he almost had a cameo of his own in “Game of Thrones,” playing a guest at Daenerys and Khal Drogo’s wedding in the show’s pilot. However, that pilot never made it to air, as the wedding was reshot without Martin after the show was greenlit and Emilia Clarke was cast as Daenerys. Martin did, however, keep proof of his time on set: a picture of him in his Essos wedding attire.
“They gave me an enormous hat and really big balls, which might have been some sort of commentary,” he quipped. “A little later, I wanted to be a severed head on the walls of the Red Keep next to Ned Stark (and David & Dan, ideally), but our budget was not so robust first season, and those severed heads are damned expensive. I also campaigned to die horribly at the Red Wedding, which seemed only fair since I was responsible for it, but it was felt that my presence in that powerful, wrenching, bloody scene might have taken the viewers out of the moment. Fair enough. And not wrong.”
Like everyone else, Martin has been stuck at home due to the coronavirus pandemic. But he says that he’s putting his time in quarantine to good use by working on the long-awaited novel “The Winds of Winter,” which will continue the “Song of Ice & Fire” saga along a path much different than the one taken by “Game of Thrones.”
“Truth be told, I am spending more time in Westeros than in the real world, writing every day,” he wrote. “Things are pretty grim in the Seven Kingdoms… but maybe not as grim as they may become here.”
Isolation TV Guide: The Most Binge-Worthy Shows on Every Streaming Service (Photos)
Have you, like so many of us,found yourself doing an absurd amount of binge-watching during isolation? And yet, do you find yourself struggling to find a decent thing actually worth watching? Well, here is TheWrap’s list of the five most binge-worthy original series from the major streamers, including Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Disney+, Apple TV+, Showtime, and Amazon.
Netflix, Fox, HBO
Netflix: “Love Is Blind”
Little did we know that soon enough, we’d all be in the pods. Close your eyes and let the sweet, grating tones of Jessica’s voice carry you away.
Netflix
Netflix: “The Witcher”
Watch this while you pray that Henry Cavill didn’t come in contact with the infected “Game of Thrones” actor who was set to star in Season 2 of this monster-hunter drama.
Netflix
Netflix: “Sex Education”
Try not to think of all the sex you’re not having while cooped up in quarantine/isolation.
Netflix
Netflix: “Locke & Key”
This one dropped last month, but if you slept on it, it’s not too late to catch up on the first season of this strange, key-filled drama.
Netflix
Netflix: “You”
If we’re talking binge-worthiness, this one will have you sucked in faster than you can say Joe Goldberg.
Other honorable Netflix mentions: “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina,” “Russian Doll,” “Narcos,” “Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul,” “Mad Men,” “Sherlock,” “Mindhunter,” “Outlander,” “The Circle,” “Ozark”
Netflix
Amazon: “Carnival Row”
Escape from the terrors of reality by slipping into this magical world of fairies and beasts.
Amazon
Amazon: “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
Come along with Midge on her quest to become a stand-up comedian.
Amazon
Amazon: “Fleabag”
Can we offer you a hot priest in this trying time?
Amazon
Amazon: “Good Omens”
In this David Tennant and Michael Sheen-led series, an angel and a demon partner up to save the world from the apocalypse. Wonder if they have any free time these days?
Amazon
Amazon: “Jack Ryan”
Look into John Krasinski’s glistening green eyes and be soothed.
Other honorable Amazon mentions: “Bosch,” “Modern Love,” “Goliath,” “The Man in the High Castle” and “The Expanse”
Amazon
Hulu: “Handmaid’s Tale”
If you need a distraction from the dystopian society we’re currently living in, rest assured this series will convince you it could always be worse.
Hulu
Hulu: “The Act”
Joey King and Patricia Arquette star as Gypsey Rose Blanchard and her mother in this Munchausen-by-proxy drama based on a true story.
Hulu
Hulu: “11.22.63.”
James Franco is masterful in this Stephen King imagining of what would happen if one man tried to go back in time to stop the JFK assassination.
Hulu
Hulu: “Castle Rock”
A psychological-horror series, also from Stephen King.
Hulu
Hulu: “Ramy”
Because we all need some laughs right about now.
Hulu
Disney+: “The Simpsons”
This obviously isn’t a Disney+ original, but since Fox and Disney are one now, we had to count this classic cartoon.
Fox
Disney+: “The Mandalorian”
It’s not too late to get on board the Baby Yoda train.
Disney
Disney+: “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series”
For those who loved the original, or for their children.
Disney
Disney+: Early 2000s Live-Action Disney Channel Classics
“Even Stevens,” “Lizzie McGuire,” “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody,” “Hannah Montana,” and “That’s So Raven,” to name a few.
Disney
Disney+: Early 2000s Animated Disney Channel Classics
Get you some “Kim Possible,” “Doug,” “The Proud Family,” and “Phineas and Ferb.”
Disney
HBO: “Game of Thrones”
Winter may have come and gone, but if there ever was a time to binge the entirety of this series, it’s now.
HBO
HBO: “Succession”
Money. Power. Glory. Crying into your father’s arms.
HBO
HBO: “Westworld”
Season 3 only just premiered, which means it’s not too late to catch up on the first two seasons.
HBO
HBO: “McMillions”
McDonald’s may be closed because of coronavirus, but HBO will never leave us.
HBO
HBO: “Curb Your Enthusiasm”
Who doesn’t smile when they hear that theme song?
Honorable mentions: “Euphoria,” “Chernobyl,” “The Outsider,” “Avenue 5,” “Gentleman Jack”
HBO
Showtime: “On Becoming a God in Central Florida”
Why not use this downtime to learn about pyramid schemes?
Showtime
Showtime: “Murder in the Bayou”
Not only can you binge-watch this extremely sad and yet-unsolved true crime murder story, but you can also read the book by Ethan Brown when you’re done.
Showtime
Showtime: “Homeland”
This series may be coming to an end next month, but the good news is, now you have plenty of time to catch up on all seven seasons prior to the eighth and final one.
Showtime
Showtime: “Shameless”
Because we’re all feeling a bit like William H. Macy in the above picture right now.
Showtime
Showtime: “Kidding”
Let Jim Carrey make you laugh. It’s what he does.
Showtime
Apple TV+: “The Morning Show”
Watch Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Steve Carell star as television journalists during the #MeToo era.
Apple
Apple TV+: “See”
Who couldn’t use a little shirtless Jason Momoa in times like these?
Apple
Apple TV+: “Dickinson”
Watch Hailee Steinfeld as a sassy, young Emily Dickinson.
Apple
Apple TV+: “Little America”
Watch the heartwarming stories of immigrants unfold in this series from executive producer Kumail Nanjiani.
Apple
Apple TV+: “Servant”
Two words: Baby doll.
Apple
From “Love Is Blind” to “Westworld”
Have you, like so many of us,found yourself doing an absurd amount of binge-watching during isolation? And yet, do you find yourself struggling to find a decent thing actually worth watching? Well, here is TheWrap’s list of the five most binge-worthy original series from the major streamers, including Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Disney+, Apple TV+, Showtime, and Amazon.
Emily Carey delivered a remarkable performance, truly embodying the character of a young Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon. Her performance was applauded...
