What's next for 'Game of Thrones'? Fans weigh in as TV series diverges from books

Jon Snow lives. No, I haven't seen a sneak preview of "Game of Thrones' " highly anticipated Season 6 premiere — advance copies were not made available to the press — and fantasy master George R.R. Martin hasn't released a new novel to telegraph what happens next in a battle for the keys to this very nasty kingdom.

But spend an evening among the Twin Cities' most dedicated fantasy fans and you can't help but feel assured that the morally driven warrior will re-emerge from last June's cliffhanger, in which his own troops sliced him into croutons for a Caesar salad.

Most of the crowd last Friday at Level Up Games, located between a fitness center and tobacco shop in a South St. Paul strip mall, were focused on "Magic: The Gathering," a trading-card battle in which wizards trump all-star baseball players. But there was time between matches to ponder the future of the Emmy-winning series in which the producers, for the first time, are venturing forward without Martin's words as a blueprint.

I wasn't sure how such a knowledgeable Geek Squad would respond to a drop-in from an outsider whose experience with role playing is limited to a brisk game of charades. But the crowd of more than 100 players, mostly white males, couldn't have been more inviting, thoughtful and patient, no resemblance whatsoever to Comic Book Guy on "The Simpsons."

"I'm happy George isn't as involved this time around," said Level Up's marketing manager, Chad Divine, manning a concession stand that would rival any in a movie theater lobby. "That means he has more time to write."

Like the series, Martin's last effort, "A Dance With Dragons," the fifth of seven planned books, leaves Snow's fate in limbo. But astute followers think both the show, which premieres Sunday, and the novels leave plenty of room for Snow to be resurrected, perhaps by the Red Priestess, Melisandre, or reincarnated into the body of his pet direwolf, Ghost.

Press reports only serve to confirm these theories. Kit Harington, who plays Snow, was spotted on set near Belfast late last year and the actor is heavily featured in promotional material for the new season.

"I would like to see several of the houses come together," he said. "The way I see it, there's been enough conflict when they've been independent. They have to eventually see the bigger picture."

Of course, "Thrones" isn't above eliminating beloved characters.

Snow's father, Ned Stark, lost his head — literally — in the first season. And while his execution was a pivotal part of Martin's first novel, even die-hard fans were surprised that HBO went ahead and wiped out its lead character, especially as he was played by Sean Bean, the best-known cast member at the time the series premiered in 2011.

"It feels like, if there's a good reason, they'll do what's right for the story," said Peter Raway, who works at a Wal-Mart in Hastings.

But producers may want to be careful about putting certain characters on death row. Among the many players at Level Up, the hands-down fan favorite was Tyrion Lannister, the quick-witted dwarf who has survived one scrape after another, relying more on sarcasm than the sword. Self-proclaimed nerds identify with his outsider status.

The TV version of Tyrion isn't exactly a mirror image of Martin's original creation, who the author initially described as "for all the world like a gargoyle." On television, the role is inhabited by the dashing Peter Dinklage, who subsequently has won two Emmys, graced the cover of Rolling Stone and hosted "Saturday Night Live."

Being unfaithful to the book might irk fantasy fans, some of whom can go on a tirade when screen versions mess with an author's original intent. But those at Level Up are the forgiving type, completely understanding that sometimes it's important for interpreters to go their own way. As an example, Anderson cites "The Walking Dead," the only other cable show that can currently rival "Thrones" ' popularity.

"In the graphic novels, Carol dies early," he said, referring to the tougher-than-she-seems protagonist who was still breathing in the sixth season, which wrapped up earlier this month. "Now, most of my lady friends think she's the best part of the show."

Viewers also like how "Thrones" has added depth and drama to certain scenes. Anderson said he felt some sympathy for Queen Cersei Lannister when he read the chapter in which she is forced to do the "Walk of Shame" in the nude. On screen, actress Lena Headey added a little something extra.

"You got the sense that, 'They're going to pay,' " Anderson said. "I respected her more on TV."

"When have you had a character you hated so much and now love?" Leitner said.

Manager Anthony Maynard, eavesdropping from behind the counter, quickly countered, his voice raising in mock astonishment as if his boss had just declared his allegiance to the Dark Side.

"What do you know?" Leitner said. "You liked Season 2 of 'True Detective.' "

Give this round to Leitner.

njustin@startribune.com

Twitter: @nealjustin