So I have a theory, which is basically that the show has ruined GRRM. He's a bit of a perfectionist, like. And he's said he likes to write in a way which rewards repeated readings, which I think he's been fabulously successful at.
But what the show has done is bring so much hyper-focused attention to the book series. Preston obviously isn't the only youtuber micro-analyzing every word GRRM has ever written. I just think the pressure and weight of expectations is impacting his ability to finish the series. If this had remained a bestselling -- but otherwise obscure among non-fantasy book fans -- series and not become the biggest series in television history, then he could more easily get away with taking seven years to write a book.
I have of course run into the ground on these pages my disdain for D&D for doing the exact same thing the writers for the LotR movies did -- presuming to rewrite one of the greatest writers in the history of the English language. Unfortunately the success of the show reinforces to everyone involved with it that they're doing the right thing despite how obviously bad at storytelling they are, as Preston broke down with painstaking details in the season six wrap.
So I guess what I'm saying is that, if you're right and lemon trees in Bravos are an error and not a fake out, that means that GRRM was misleading readers when he downplayed Jon's importance in Ned's internal dialogue. Why did he move heaven and earth and bring down his own house trying to help Danny, but only think of Jon when he thought of bastards? The B+A=J theory would have been the most subtle fake out I've ever read if that was how it played out. But if you're right, it probably means GRRM isn't as good as I thought he was.
PS on page 324 of this thread I'm prepared to admit that I care way too much
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