No, Game of Thrones Fans, George R.R. Martin Didn't Die

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuH3tJPiP-U

Fans of the television series Game of Thrones, and the book series on which it is based, did a double take at the news of Sir George Martin’s death on Tuesday. They feared that George R.R. Martin, author of “A Song of Ice and Fire,” the book series on which Game of Thrones is based, had perished. Fans of the author “had a slight heart attack” at the news.

This fear caused distress because book readers are anxious for the sixth installment of the series, Winds of Winter, and its sequel, which Martin intends to be the final work, A Dream of Spring. The most recent book, A Dance with Dragons, ended on a rather huge cliffhanger — something the show featured on Season 5. The next season will premiere on April 8, and is rumored to “spoil” the plot of the forthcoming book. The show has departed from the storyline of the books, but as the show’s producers know the book author’s intent, both will likely end with the same result.

Game of Thrones fans expressed relief that the author had not died, and felt slightly ashamed of being so relieved. “The fifth Beatle” George Martin’s loss is keenly felt, just not as much among them. Here are some examples:

RIP George Martin…. Is it bad that I got really paranoid and thought it was in fact George RR Martin and he hasn’t finished GoT yet ?

— Leon Hunter ☠ (@ARogueRenegade) March 9, 2016

#GeorgeMartin For one second, I thought it was George RR Martin, and thought I’d never be able to read Winds of winter.

— PS (@Poongkundran_s) March 9, 2016

George RR Martin, you aren’t getting away before you finish the books. — Abhay (@sfwarriorsfan) March 9, 2016

There are more on the next page, and many more not included here.

Is it bad that I was relieved when I realised it was George Martin who had died and not George RR Martin? I need to know the end! — Jakespeare (@jakeyt23) March 9, 2016

Ok people talking about the death of George Martin and I thought they meant George RR Martin and got really panicky.

— C-GPO (@Auriga__) March 9, 2016

Saw that George Martin died had a slight heart attack cause I thought it was George RR Martin

— Banandon Grigsby (@aspIoded) March 9, 2016

Worst thing about the “RIP George Martin” stuff is the sudden panic texts I got from my friend who thinks it’s about George RR Martin. — The Villain’s Story (@GeekFurious) March 9, 2016

Is it bad that a) I thought George RR Martin had died b) I wasn’t sad, just angry because he didn’t finish the next GOT book? #GeorgeMartin — Jermaine Rowe (@JermaineRowe) March 9, 2016