One of Game of Thrones’ Most Powerful Characters Was Completely Wasted by the Show

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The television series, “Game of Thrones,” was all about power in its myriad manifestations. Be it through wisdom being equated with power, politics, wealth, military might, or even magic (like Daenerys Targaryen’s dragons and the Three-Eyed Raven’s foresight), the show followed those who clung to it fiercely and were ready to go to great lengths to keep it, as well as those who coveted it and would stop at nothing to attain their ambitions. Yet, much like many aspects throughout its eight seasons, some of “Game of Thrones'” powerful characters were more skillfully depicted than others.

A character akin to the Night King serves as an exemplar of both strengths and weaknesses in storytelling. His unique power over life and death, manifested through summoning an army from the dead bodies he himself created at Hardhome, presented one of the most chilling demonstrations of authority in the show. However, his antagonist arc ultimately fell short, ending abruptly and confusingly, leaving viewers yearning for a more satisfactory conclusion. Nevertheless, the character’s initial impactful moments remain noteworthy. Conversely, Euron Greyjoy, another formidable character in the series, was unfortunately mismanaged by Game of Thrones, causing widespread disappointment among viewers.

Game of Thrones Wasted Euron Greyjoy: How He Compares To The Books

Euron Greyjoy was a character known for wielding various forms of influence. He gained sovereignty over the Iron Islands, thereby ruling an entire realm. Born into one of Westeros’ influential families, he had political advantages. In the series A Song of Ice and Fire, it is implied that he became quite affluent – amassing wealth to a degree that allowed him to buy a Faceless Man assassin, presumably to eliminate his brother Balon, which is suggested to have been an expensive endeavor.

This individual possesses an extraordinarily vast and powerful navy in terms of both quantity and combat effectiveness at sea. There are suggestions of even more formidable abilities lurking in the shadows, foreshadowing potential future powers. He’s shown interest in commanding dragons as per the books, hinting at aspirations beyond ruling Westeros – to bring about a terrifying Eldritch catastrophe that would culminate in his resurrection as a deity. He is unsettlingly ruthless, unpredictable, and embodies genuine malevolence.

In a nutshell, how does the portrayal of that character in “Game of Thrones” differ from his book version? While the series did depict him as King of the Iron Islands and commander of the Iron Fleet, it significantly altered his character. The show’s version was more akin to Captain Jack Sparrow, with his primary motivation being an obsession with the Queen rather than the complex, malevolent figure from the books who could summon horrifying sea monsters and cause havoc. Despite still serving as a villain, his character seemed less menacing and more like a boisterous, drug-addled sailor with excessive makeup, contrasting sharply with the terrifying antagonist of the novels.

The Winds of Winter Is Already Doing Euron’s Story Better

George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series has given Euron a more substantial portrayal than Game of Thrones did, and there are indications that it will delve even deeper. One of the advance chapters from The Winds of Winter, which Martin previously shared, is titled “The Forsaken,” narrated from Aeron Greyjoy’s perspective, also known as Aeron Damphair, Euron’s brother. In this chapter, Aeron finds himself in captivity by Euron and endures various types of physical and psychological torment. He is compelled to consume shade of the evening, a potion preferred by the warlocks of Qarth, which triggers numerous visions.

In this part of Martin’s writing, we witness some of his most ominous creations; the chapter unfolds like a chilling Lovecraftian tale, showcasing Euron’s disturbing and treacherous nature. The images he paints suggest that Euron’s ambitions are far from human – he envisions his brother on the Iron Throne, but Euron has transformed into something monstrous, resembling more a giant squid than a man, with a face of writhing tentacles where a human face should be. This gives us a glimpse into Euron’s twisted intentions and purpose as penned by Martin.

In my perspective, Euron’s ambitions are intriguing and far-reaching, reaching as far as the Others beyond the Wall and even Daenerys in Meereen. It’s uncertain if he will be the ultimate antagonist in the series, but his character is captivating and influential nonetheless. Regardless of how things unfold, I can’t help but feel eager to witness his story (should a new book ever emerge). His portrayal as a formidable adversary is chilling, something that the world of Game of Thrones has yet to fully capture.

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

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2025-09-07 19:12