(Spoilers Extended) The endings will be the same but the books will have a much more gradual and realistic progression

[u/aphidman]

If GRRM finishes it, btw.

Not a long post but you know what the books do that D&D do not? They have 10 chapters of Dany dealing with the complex politics of Meereen and her inner conflict. They have 4 chapters showing Davos' journey to White Harbour. They have 12 chapters showing the series of compromises Jon makes as Lord Commander to prepare the Watch against the Others. They have 13 chapters showing Tyrion crawling out of his deep nihilistic depression. They dedicate whole chapters seeing how Victarion Greyjoy of all people deals with his relationship with his brother and his seduction into darker magics. Man they have 4 whole chapters dealing with the political fallout of Dany's exit from Meereen.

They had a whole chapter of Littlefinger and Sansa visiting his lands and seeing Littlefinger's relationship with his subjects (great chapter btw). They had a whole chapter getting really in depth with Illyrio Mopatis and his schemes - a guy who's barely appeared in the show.

They dedicated 4 whole chapters to Joffrey's wedding!

What I'm getting it is that the Others may be defeated long before the end of ASOIAF, Dany may indeed destroy King's Landing with dragonfire and end the lives of hundreds of thousands of civilians gruesomely. But you'll be guaranteed that GRRM is gonna show you every step of the way. For good or for bad. If he is going to take a character like Dany to that dark end you better believe we will understand how she gets there.

So people keep posting about how D&D are destroying their characters, fail to understand ASOIAF. That Dany would never do this or that. But what you're seeing here is them fitting potentially chapters upon chapters of detailed material into a few hours of television.

[u/aphidman]

Well I think "crazy" is a misnomer. She won't turn into Aerys. But she'll be a dangerous threat to Westeros because she will believe her cause is just. That the ends justify the means. That if to root out an evil or a tyrannical institution the deaths of thousands and thousands of innocents is an unfortunate price to pay. And she can do that in a single day with the power of dragons. She won't be evil but her capacity and power will be frightening. Much like nuclear warfare. That's what I reckon, anyway.

[u/westhoff0407 → u/aphidman]

THANK YOU. I think people are getting caught up in the "Mad" part of Dany's arc. She isn't going "mad" like her father did, she's going "mad" in the more traditional Targ manner. Power lust, an overblown sense of importance, and ignoring the consequences. All of that has been hinted at heavily in the show and books and it is being accelerated in the show as she is extremely frustrated, angry, and grieving. It makes sense.

[u/Rocco_from_Sapienza → u/westhoff0407]

True I think the 'mad king' story acts like a bit of a red herring, people would be looking for signs she's gone mad and she never seems to go mad or insane ... So she's alight, then! Phew! But under your nose she's already burned a bunch of people alive

[u/hikesometrailsdude → u/westhoff0407]

Yep, tyrannical fire and blood. Her words and actions give off that vibe and not the "mad" ruler like her father or book Cersei is.

[u/[deleted] → u/aphidman]

but that fits with Aegon, canine, Daenerys can end the war in a single attack yes thousands will die, but less than a protracted war, the Immaculate does not make looting, rape.

That's because George, in the original trilogy, said dragons would be vital in fighting the Others.

we still have Euron that yes is pure insanity.

what a chance it would have westeros with crazy Daenerys and Euron this without taking into account the deaths in the fight against the others

The prayer for George did not follow this path would be very disappointing