The Twilight Zone Has a Major Game of Thrones Connection

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Initially, a sprawling saga such as “Game of Thrones” might appear radically different from an enigmatic television series like “The Twilight Zone.” However, these two distinct shows share a significant creative bond. Before penning the epic “A Song of Ice and Fire,” George R.R. Martin honed his craft in both literature and screenwriting for television. Remarkably, his first TV writing gig was on the 1985 revival of “The Twilight Zone,” where he penned some of its most celebrated episodes. This role suited Martin’s distinctive blend of science fiction, fantasy, and horror, while also fostering his disenchantment with Hollywood. Without the influence of “The Twilight Zone,” it’s plausible that “Game of Thrones” may never have seen the light of day.

In 1948, Martin had already established himself as a successful author with multiple published short stories and two well-received novels under his belt when he joined ‘The Twilight Zone’. However, the release of his third novel, ‘The Armageddon Rag’, marked a turning point in his career. The book didn’t perform well financially, leading publishers to be wary about publishing more of Martin’s work. He feared that this might even bring an end to his writing journey. Fortunately, the only hope for ‘The Armageddon Rag’ to make money was through film producer Philip DeGuere Jr., who aimed to transform it into a movie.

I hadn’t seen that movie come to fruition, but it managed to open the door for me in Hollywood. DeGeure offered me a job as a writer for The Twilight Zone, and I grabbed the opportunity with both hands. From my home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, I made the journey to Los Angeles to accept this lucrative position. On-the-job training became my way of life, and within three seasons, I climbed up the ladder from staff writer to story editor to executive story consultant.

Television is often considered a team effort, yet Martin is recognized for penning the teleplay on seven episodes of “The Twilight Zone.” Upon examination, you can discern traces of Martin’s writing style and impact in these episodes. However, one episode that particularly showcases his influence is Season 1, Episode 24, titled “The Last Defender of Camelot.” This episode shares some resemblance with Martin’s future epic work, but it also played a significant role in encouraging Martin to return from TV constraints to the limitless realm of prose.

Return to Novels

In his book “Dreamsongs”, Martin shares an instance where “The Last Defender of Camelot” taught him the confines of television production. He drew inspiration for this episode from a short story penned by his colleague and writer, Roger Zelazny. This collaboration not only provided Martin with rich content to mold, but also generated income and recognition for Zelazny. Although Martin assumed he could maintain Zelazny’s story’s integrity on set, he soon discovered the strict financial limitations of the series. He was informed that either the horses or Stonehenge had to be removed from the scene to stay within budget. Martin contacted Zelazny to make this difficult choice, and the situation underscored for him the freedom offered by the novel format.

Initially, the appeal of “Game of Thrones” lay heavily in its emphasis on freedom. Fans often reminisced about George R.R. Martin’s reflections on this and other creative dissatisfactions in Hollywood, and how he sought refuge in writing novels to avoid collaborators, budget constraints, and deadlines. They found it amusing that the series he created, “A Song of Ice and Fire,” was later transformed into one of the most popular TV shows, retaining much of its original special effects spectacle – at least during its early stages.

Recently, supporters are once more raising this topic in a more thoughtful tone, as Martin expresses criticism towards HBO and certain creators involved in “House of the Dragon.” Some are perplexed as to why Martin is revisiting this matter, given that he appeared to resolve it as far back as 2007 – or even earlier. With a sense of disappointment, fans recall Martin’s conversation with Zelazny on the set of “The Twilight Zone” and believe he should empathize with the writers who are being compelled to cut episodes from “House of the Dragon” now.

Martin demonstrates his exceptional storytelling abilities in writing and film multiple times, suggesting even greater accomplishments lie ahead for him. You can delve into some of his most outstanding short stories and personal insights found in “Dreamsongs“, currently available in print, digital, and audiobook formats. The world of Westeros returns to screens next year, starting with “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms“, followed by “House of the Dragon” Season 3 on HBO and HBO Max.

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2025-07-23 23:40