4 Game of Thrones Characters Ruined by the Show

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The hit HBO series “Game of Thrones” encountered a formidable challenge in adapting George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire book series. These novels are truly epic, encompassing an extensive cast of characters, locations, and plots that can be mind-boggling to follow. To fit the small screen, the show necessarily had to make some adjustments, yet often managed to get many aspects right. While the series’ ending might have been contentious, by that point it had surpassed the books in its progression. When it was more closely aligned with Martin’s original work, it demonstrated a better grasp of things.

Although it’s often thought that the quality of Game of Thrones declined after it ran out of books to adapt, it’s important to remember that there were significant issues even before that point. Season 5 stands out as a particular red flag, as it condensed much of both A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons. While some characters were skillfully portrayed, others didn’t translate as well to the screen. Even before controversial moments like Daenerys Targaryen burning King’s Landing or Jaime Lannister returning to Cersei in Season 8 sparked criticism, the show had already made major missteps with certain characters, transforming them into almost unrecognizable caricatures that detracted from the original source material.

4) Loras Tyrell

Loras Tyrell may not be the central character in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, but he is a significant one, playing a pivotal role. He is exceptionally skilled with a sword, arrogant at times, and deeply in love with someone he cannot openly be with – mirroring Jaime Lannister, showing both his nature and the person he could have become. There’s a hint of tragedy throughout Loras’ storyline, even if his relationship with Renly Baratheon is not always the focus. A quote by Tyrion Lannister captures the essence of Loras’ love for Renly and the lingering pain of loss: “‘When the sun has set, no candle can replace it.’”

Loras Tyrell, though not the main character in A Song of Ice and Fire, is an important one. He shares similarities with Jaime Lannister, such as being skilled with a sword and having a tragic love story. His relationship with Renly Baratheon is hinted at, but not always the focus. Tyrion Lannister once said about Loras’ love for Renly: “‘When the sun has set, no candle can replace it.’

The original line, unfortunately, didn’t find its way into “Game of Thrones.” It’s hard to visualize Loras Tyrell, as portrayed in the series, uttering it due to his simplified characterization. His sexuality was essentially boiled down to one trait: he’s gay. While this could be seen as a step towards representation, it overlooked the richness of the character. The show failed to delve deeply into Loras’s sexuality and his relationship with Renly, which developed rather abruptly in comparison to the books.

In a subtle nod to his abilities, yet falling short of portraying the exemplary warrior and strategic mastermind we’re familiar with in A Song of Ice and Fire, the narrative lacks the intricate blend of noble courtesy, youthful arrogance, and raw talent that characterizes the knightly figure. Instead, it seems to forgo exploring his complex character, which is rather disappointing.

3) Stannis Baratheon

In A Song of Ice and Fire series, Stannis Baratheon stands out as an intriguing character, and while his portrayal in Game of Thrones isn’t entirely off-base, the television show fails to capture the rich complexity of his story, particularly towards the end. What sets Stannis apart is his unwavering devotion to duty: he doesn’t aspire to be king out of personal desire, but rather feels it is his sacred obligation to rule, viewing abdication as a grievous offense that would be just as detrimental as claiming the throne without rightful claim.

1) He’s rigid, firm, and insists on justice, yet he’s not cold-hearted; he cares deeply about his followers as well as his daughter. It’s intriguing to see how his faith in the Lord of Light coexists with his actions, often clashing and driving him forward, but never entirely supplanting his personal convictions. The television series, however, has reduced some of his more nuanced and compassionate aspects, portraying him more as an obsessed zealot, fixated on Melisandre and the throne.

Paraphrasing:
– He’s unyielding, serious, and vigorously pursues justice, but he’s not heartless – he values his followers and his daughter deeply. It’s captivating to observe how his faith in the Lord of Light intertwines with his actions, creating both friction and motivation, without fully eclipsing his individual beliefs. The TV show has simplified some of his complex and empathetic traits, presenting him as a fanatic who is defined by his connection with Melisandre and his thirst for the throne.

One significant difference is clearly depicted: Instead of Alister Florent being imprisoned for treason (and later executed) in the books, the TV series portrays Axell Florent as being killed due to his refusal to abandon the Faith of the Seven. While this alteration may seem insignificant regarding character development and the overall narrative, it does reflect a change in perspective and emphasis. Stannis Baratheon is expected to be a tragic figure in the books, serving as a cautionary tale for Daenerys Targaryen’s story arc, demonstrating how unyielding adherence to duty, personal conviction, and prophecy can lead someone down a dark path. However, most of this nuance is unfortunately lost in the show.

2) Doran Martell

To put it another way, the title for this piece could be “Characters from Dorne,” as the storyline on Game of Thrones was initially compelling, with Oberyn Martell played by Pedro Pascal being one of the series’ most memorable characters in a single season. However, following his death, the story took an unexpected turn and became a notable misstep in adaptation, as the main plot and figures such as the Sand Snakes were poorly developed. Nevertheless, it’s Doran that truly embodies this situation.

In George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire,” Doran is often viewed as a mild-mannered and passive individual. However, this perception is far from the truth. Instead, Doran has been meticulously orchestrating a complex, multi-faceted plan, aimed at avenging the tragic death of his sister, Elia, along with her two children, which occurred during Robert’s Rebellion at the hands of the Lannisters. This intricate strategy not only involves the Martells in the political landscape but also provides them with numerous paths to attain significant political power and even a route towards claiming the Iron Throne. Doran proves himself to be a man of profound intellect and strategic prowess through this elaborate scheme.

In a revised interpretation:

The TV series Game of Thrones accurately portrayed Doran Martell as weak, passive, and indecisive, but failed to explore his depth beyond that initial characterization. Regrettably, the writers seemed to cease delving into Dorne’s rich lore after this shallow representation. The series overlooked significant subplots, eliminated crucial characters completely, and in a tacit acknowledgment of their mismanagement of Dorne, they swiftly dispatched Doran in the opening scenes of Season 6, glossing over his potential contributions to the overall narrative.

1) Euron Greyjoy

For those unfamiliar with the novels, it might be challenging to persuade them about Euron Greyjoy’s extraordinary character. He stands out as one of the most enigmatic figures in the series, approaching The Winds of Winter, and his strategies and aspirations could significantly impact not just the Iron Throne battle but the whole of Westeros. Euron is a brutal, malicious individual, with ambitions that appear to transcend even the Iron Throne, and he’ll go to extremes to realize them.

In Euron, George R.R. Martin reveals some of his most chilling concepts, showing Lovecraftian influences throughout the series. His character delves deeper into dark magic, aiming to capture a dragon and not just rule Westeros, but assert a dominion far beyond it – essentially transforming himself into a deity by causing an eldritch catastrophe across the known world. While he may not accomplish all of this, his aspirations are both terrifying and fascinating, making for compelling reading.

Euron in “Game of Thrones” can be compared to a slightly exaggerated and unfaithful version of Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean, purchased from an online shopping site like Wish. His portrayal in the series deviated significantly from his character in the books, becoming almost a completely new character, with no trace of the original’s complexity or menace. In the latter seasons, Euron’s main motivation seemed to be pursuing sexual encounters with the queen, which was a far cry from the fearsome character he once was in the books. Even when the show still had material from A Song of Ice and Fire to work with, his depiction fell short, offering a shallow imitation of one of the series’ most terrifying characters.

All eight seasons of Game of Thrones are available to stream on HBO Max.

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2025-09-03 00:14