Game of Thrones Season 6 Discussion [SPOILERS WITHIN]

[Aegon]

Canon can't mean anything else but GRRM's books in this context, no matter what the differences between the show and the books, unless I'm missing something here. What exactly do you guys mean by canon?

Whether you like or not, the show has taken an authority because there are people who haven't and won't read the books. I agree that the books, in my mind, will always be canon. But if some majorly important plot difference takes place between the two mediums (like who is the ruler at the end), then there will be a debate. Whether or not the debate is settled in your head makes no difference. The debate will take place, and I, for one can see good arguments on both sides.

This issue comes up every time there's a widely-followed adaptation of something. With Harry Potter I think Rowling said the films are canon unless they contradict the books. For GoT, however, GRRM has said time and time again that the books and the show are two different stories heading in a similar direction. I'd argue that there exists two separate and distinct canons; the books and the show. They cannot be one because certain characters don't exist, the map/lands contradict, etc. They're two different versions of a story. Canon for the show is anything in the show or anything the producers say. Canon for the books is anything in GRRM's novels or other ASOIAF works approved by GRRM, and anything GRRM says.