Lost writers on confronting George R.R. Martin; "George, let’s have a conversation when you end your story. Because I don’t think you have the guts to do it."
There's this hilarious segment on the 2019 podcast Through the Looking Glass: A LOST Retrospective, where Damon Linderlof and Carlton Cuse talk about how George R.R. Martin hated the ending of LOST and described it publicly by saying "I felt so cheated when we got to the conclusion... I felt like someone dropped a turd on my doorstep."
I couldn't find a trannoscript online, so I transcribed the section of the interview:
>Cuse
I ran into George R.R. Martin at an event about a year after the show, and confronted him, because he had really trolled on the ending of the show. And I am like, “Hey, I am one of the two guys who did that, please tell me to my face--” and he kind of backed down immediately. And I said to him, “Wait until Game of Thrones ends, why don’t you see what it is going to be like.” I don’t like to say I was prophetic, but I was prophetic -- it’s kind of ironic that he’s kind of whining about how he’s been treated, when he, with that shield of anonymity, was lobbing bombs at us.
>Damon
Let me just throw a bit more context under what Carlton just said, particularly as it relates to George. Which is: A, when you told me that you did that, I was like, “You’re my hero,” because I would never. You know, it was devastating, what he said, especially because we were big fans of his.
>But the other part of it is, there is no part of us that wished, “Oh, you’ll see.” We wanted Game of Thrones to have a great ending. And we aren’t here to talk about Game of Thrones ending, but I watched that final season, and was like, whatever story quibbles you want to have with it -- as to why characters made certain decisions or whether it feels rushed -- those are all fair. But like, that show’s a miracle. I would just say, if you haven’t watched it, you need to watch the two-hour making-of the final season. Because when you see the people who made that show, there’s a dude who, like, makes the snow. The level of love and passion they put into that show is like, again, talk about the creative decision-making, but this is another thing that is sort of made with love.
>And what I would say to George R.R. Martin, with all due respect, is let’s separate what Dave and Dan did from what George did. Dave and Dan actually ended their show.
>George, let’s have a conversation when you end your story. Because I don’t think you have the guts to do it. That’s why you have had writer’s block for the last seven years.
>We didn’t have to end our show. Carlton and I could have walked away in season--
>Carlton
Yeah, the first conversation we had was Steve McPherson (ABC President) said--
>Damon
“Ten years.”
>Carlton
Yeah, come back to us after ten years. Like, we will talk about ending the show after ten years.
>Damon
The first conversation was, “You’re fired, we are going to get someone else to run the show, we are never going to end the show.” Then it was, “We will end it after ten years.” And we wanted to end it after four. We settled for six, because we felt it was better to end it.
>Carlton
They negotiated hard against it. People don’t remember, but in 2007, when we were having this conversation, TV shows never ended on a schedule. They were just like the Pony Express: you’d ride the horse until it dropped dead.
https://redd.it/1mt4gan
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There's this hilarious segment on the 2019 podcast Through the Looking Glass: A LOST Retrospective, where Damon Linderlof and Carlton Cuse talk about how George R.R. Martin hated the ending of LOST and described it publicly by saying "I felt so cheated when we got to the conclusion... I felt like someone dropped a turd on my doorstep."
I couldn't find a trannoscript online, so I transcribed the section of the interview:
>Cuse
I ran into George R.R. Martin at an event about a year after the show, and confronted him, because he had really trolled on the ending of the show. And I am like, “Hey, I am one of the two guys who did that, please tell me to my face--” and he kind of backed down immediately. And I said to him, “Wait until Game of Thrones ends, why don’t you see what it is going to be like.” I don’t like to say I was prophetic, but I was prophetic -- it’s kind of ironic that he’s kind of whining about how he’s been treated, when he, with that shield of anonymity, was lobbing bombs at us.
>Damon
Let me just throw a bit more context under what Carlton just said, particularly as it relates to George. Which is: A, when you told me that you did that, I was like, “You’re my hero,” because I would never. You know, it was devastating, what he said, especially because we were big fans of his.
>But the other part of it is, there is no part of us that wished, “Oh, you’ll see.” We wanted Game of Thrones to have a great ending. And we aren’t here to talk about Game of Thrones ending, but I watched that final season, and was like, whatever story quibbles you want to have with it -- as to why characters made certain decisions or whether it feels rushed -- those are all fair. But like, that show’s a miracle. I would just say, if you haven’t watched it, you need to watch the two-hour making-of the final season. Because when you see the people who made that show, there’s a dude who, like, makes the snow. The level of love and passion they put into that show is like, again, talk about the creative decision-making, but this is another thing that is sort of made with love.
>And what I would say to George R.R. Martin, with all due respect, is let’s separate what Dave and Dan did from what George did. Dave and Dan actually ended their show.
>George, let’s have a conversation when you end your story. Because I don’t think you have the guts to do it. That’s why you have had writer’s block for the last seven years.
>We didn’t have to end our show. Carlton and I could have walked away in season--
>Carlton
Yeah, the first conversation we had was Steve McPherson (ABC President) said--
>Damon
“Ten years.”
>Carlton
Yeah, come back to us after ten years. Like, we will talk about ending the show after ten years.
>Damon
The first conversation was, “You’re fired, we are going to get someone else to run the show, we are never going to end the show.” Then it was, “We will end it after ten years.” And we wanted to end it after four. We settled for six, because we felt it was better to end it.
>Carlton
They negotiated hard against it. People don’t remember, but in 2007, when we were having this conversation, TV shows never ended on a schedule. They were just like the Pony Express: you’d ride the horse until it dropped dead.
https://redd.it/1mt4gan
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ART19
Through the Looking Glass: A LOST Retrospective
A six-episode retrospective on the TV show Lost hosted by SYFY WIRE's Senior Producer, Tara Bennett, and renowned TV critic, Maureen Ryan. Fifteen-years ago, Lost changed the television landscape and its impact is still influencing what we watch today. For…
Dr. Linus
This episode is a contender for my favourite episode of the whole show, it’s easily in my top 3. At some point I intend to write essentially an essay about why this episode is so good, but after just watching it I can’t believe how perfect it is. And I mean perfect. I think it’s a perfect episode of lost. Michael Emerson is flawless as Ben, and I could go on and on about his character in this episode. It’s so fantastic. I know the temple plotline at the start of season 6 is usually disliked (personally I enjoy it on rewatches) but to be immediately followed by this absolutely impeccable episode makes it all the better. I know season 6 in general isn’t regarded highly but I am actually enjoying it a lot on my 5th rewatch, more so than I ever have. And it’s mainly down to this episode, man, it is perfect
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This episode is a contender for my favourite episode of the whole show, it’s easily in my top 3. At some point I intend to write essentially an essay about why this episode is so good, but after just watching it I can’t believe how perfect it is. And I mean perfect. I think it’s a perfect episode of lost. Michael Emerson is flawless as Ben, and I could go on and on about his character in this episode. It’s so fantastic. I know the temple plotline at the start of season 6 is usually disliked (personally I enjoy it on rewatches) but to be immediately followed by this absolutely impeccable episode makes it all the better. I know season 6 in general isn’t regarded highly but I am actually enjoying it a lot on my 5th rewatch, more so than I ever have. And it’s mainly down to this episode, man, it is perfect
https://redd.it/1mt7iv0
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I rewatched the season 1 episode “Do No Harm” and realized…
…that the same technique Boone suggested Jack use to try and save Rose’s life in episode 1 is the same technique Jack used on Boone to try and save him after he fell in the plane. I guess it kinda worked but, ya know...
https://redd.it/1mt8ufv
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…that the same technique Boone suggested Jack use to try and save Rose’s life in episode 1 is the same technique Jack used on Boone to try and save him after he fell in the plane. I guess it kinda worked but, ya know...
https://redd.it/1mt8ufv
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We’ve finished watching… not ready to move on
We don’t get emotional often when watching movies or shows but… Jack’s death on the island with Vincent by his side as well as entire Church epilogue… was very powerful.
I guess we grew very close to all characters (as an audience)… in the end, as ourselves, not being able to move on…
The thought that S06E18 was truly the last one…
How did the ending make you feel?
4
8
15
16
23
42
https://redd.it/1mtb6fb
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We don’t get emotional often when watching movies or shows but… Jack’s death on the island with Vincent by his side as well as entire Church epilogue… was very powerful.
I guess we grew very close to all characters (as an audience)… in the end, as ourselves, not being able to move on…
The thought that S06E18 was truly the last one…
How did the ending make you feel?
4
8
15
16
23
42
https://redd.it/1mtb6fb
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*spoilers for the whole show* People who theorized ___ early on were technically right
The theory that the Losties were part of a psychological/ sociological experiment was popular early on and especially after S2 started and we learn about Dharma.
Turns out Jacob and the MiB were in a seemingly eternal debate about how people would act when brought to the island, so yeah.
https://redd.it/1mtal3b
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The theory that the Losties were part of a psychological/ sociological experiment was popular early on and especially after S2 started and we learn about Dharma.
Turns out Jacob and the MiB were in a seemingly eternal debate about how people would act when brought to the island, so yeah.
https://redd.it/1mtal3b
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Best Ben Linus quote?
"I always have a plan, John."(Classic Ben—always scheming.)
https://redd.it/1mthles
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"I always have a plan, John."(Classic Ben—always scheming.)
https://redd.it/1mthles
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What Are Sawyer’s best one-Liners and comebacks in 'Lost'?
To Hurley: "What’s the matter, Chuck Norris?Do you get tired of roundhouse-kicking people in the face?"
https://redd.it/1mthwxi
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To Hurley: "What’s the matter, Chuck Norris?Do you get tired of roundhouse-kicking people in the face?"
https://redd.it/1mthwxi
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Unpopular Episodes you Like
Whatever The Case May Be( This seems to be the most unpopular Kate episode)
The Other Woman
Recon
https://redd.it/1mtls24
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Whatever The Case May Be( This seems to be the most unpopular Kate episode)
The Other Woman
Recon
https://redd.it/1mtls24
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Just when I thought this show was crazy, it got even crazier… and it will probably get even more crazier
https://redd.it/1mtw96d
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https://redd.it/1mtw96d
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Just finished watching lost for the first time about two weeks ago. Could not stop crying
https://redd.it/1mtxzuq
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https://redd.it/1mtxzuq
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This show means so much to me
I can’t imagine another show ever coming close to having the meaning to me this show has. This show has gotten me through severely bad depressive episodes, a divorce , and basically just life in general .
These incredibly flawed, complex characters make me more accepting of myself . If I can realize that Jack or Kate or Sawyer or whoever are decent , good , even heroic people no matter what mistakes they’ve made then maybe it means the same for me. Most of us could use a fresh start now and then .
I really do think we all have a purpose here and we might not know until even right before we die but it gives me comfort and helps me make sense of all the chaos and struggle . My life had been incredibly tragic but maybe there’s a reason and one day it all might fall together and click and I’ll think “oh that’s why…”
Sorry I’m so in my feels right now
https://redd.it/1mtxrhi
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I can’t imagine another show ever coming close to having the meaning to me this show has. This show has gotten me through severely bad depressive episodes, a divorce , and basically just life in general .
These incredibly flawed, complex characters make me more accepting of myself . If I can realize that Jack or Kate or Sawyer or whoever are decent , good , even heroic people no matter what mistakes they’ve made then maybe it means the same for me. Most of us could use a fresh start now and then .
I really do think we all have a purpose here and we might not know until even right before we die but it gives me comfort and helps me make sense of all the chaos and struggle . My life had been incredibly tragic but maybe there’s a reason and one day it all might fall together and click and I’ll think “oh that’s why…”
Sorry I’m so in my feels right now
https://redd.it/1mtxrhi
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Ending question
Hi, I just finished it… while at first I was really into it, by season 5 I had to force myself to finish it.
I just want to know if I got the ending right.
Jack dies, everybody else dies, the people on the plane escape, Hurley & Ben get to take care of the island, and they all meet in the after life, after they all died, so they can be together one more time. Right?
https://redd.it/1mu4gd8
@lostbackup
Hi, I just finished it… while at first I was really into it, by season 5 I had to force myself to finish it.
I just want to know if I got the ending right.
Jack dies, everybody else dies, the people on the plane escape, Hurley & Ben get to take care of the island, and they all meet in the after life, after they all died, so they can be together one more time. Right?
https://redd.it/1mu4gd8
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Finished the show yesterday, I have some questions
What about Walt was special and how was he "appearing in places he shouldn't be?"
Why could Hurley and Miles talk to dead people?
So after the bomb set off, in the "second timeline" was that a new reality that was created or were they dead right away from the bomb in that timeline?
In the epilogue why was Walt in the loony bin and why did they say his home is the island and he was offered a job was it setting up a spinoff that never happened?
What happened to the girl who woke up from the dead during the autopsy in Ecko's flashback storyline?
https://redd.it/1mu6n1i
@lostbackup
What about Walt was special and how was he "appearing in places he shouldn't be?"
Why could Hurley and Miles talk to dead people?
So after the bomb set off, in the "second timeline" was that a new reality that was created or were they dead right away from the bomb in that timeline?
In the epilogue why was Walt in the loony bin and why did they say his home is the island and he was offered a job was it setting up a spinoff that never happened?
What happened to the girl who woke up from the dead during the autopsy in Ecko's flashback storyline?
https://redd.it/1mu6n1i
@lostbackup
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Vincent! 💔
Watching for the 1st time and just got to this bit (no spoilers, IYKYK) why did Vincent break my heart more than the humans!? 💔 😭😂
https://redd.it/1muf0pp
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Watching for the 1st time and just got to this bit (no spoilers, IYKYK) why did Vincent break my heart more than the humans!? 💔 😭😂
https://redd.it/1muf0pp
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Friend is getting bored of lost
He really enjoyed season 1, but now he has “found out what’s in the hatch he finds it has no mystery anymore and calls them “filler episodes”. And i don’t wanna spoil anything later on so what do i say to keep him watching? He just says “they are just pressing a button now” And he doesn’t like how desmond has gone even tho he will be coming back soon.
https://redd.it/1muh0hr
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He really enjoyed season 1, but now he has “found out what’s in the hatch he finds it has no mystery anymore and calls them “filler episodes”. And i don’t wanna spoil anything later on so what do i say to keep him watching? He just says “they are just pressing a button now” And he doesn’t like how desmond has gone even tho he will be coming back soon.
https://redd.it/1muh0hr
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The Assassin
A fantastic Easter egg on this show if anyone has seen it on prime. Only our very own Charles Widmore offering up a glass of MacCutcheon
https://redd.it/1mul0cs
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A fantastic Easter egg on this show if anyone has seen it on prime. Only our very own Charles Widmore offering up a glass of MacCutcheon
https://redd.it/1mul0cs
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