7 Game of Thrones Moments That Were Better Than the Books

The television series “Game of Thrones” doesn’t hold a candle to the quality of the book series it was adapted from, “A Song of Ice and Fire.” Yet, it’s no secret why this show became a worldwide phenomenon – it has its own charm. It’s often the case that certain scenes translate better for the screen than they do on paper. Here are seven instances where the “Game of Thrones” adaptation excelled compared to George R.R. Martin’s original writings.

To clear up any confusion, I’d like to point out that I’m not going to compare the ending of “Game of Thrones” to “A Song of Ice and Fire,” as the latter is yet to publish its final two books. I maintain hope that George R.R. Martin will complete his series, allowing it the conclusion it truly deserves. Moreover, I still believe that no ending can surpass what we received from “Thrones,” in my opinion. It’s worth noting that most of the significant victories mentioned below stem from the early seasons of “Game of Thrones.” Here are the show’s notable achievements for your reading pleasure.

King Robert and Queen Cersei

In the initial season and first novel, King Robert Baratheon governs Westeros with assistance from his wife, Queen Cersei Lannister, whose family is the most affluent in the kingdom. Despite their obvious animosity towards one another, their interactions, as opposed to their descriptions alone, make their relationship more relatable and real. A key moment that underscores this is a private dialogue between the king and queen in Season 1, Episode 5 – a conversation that was exclusive to the series and not included in the books.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I found myself engrossed in a captivating conversation between two characters, reminiscent of Ned Stark’s resignation as Hand of the King, triggered by the plot to assassinate Daenerys Targaryen. Their interactions were marked by palpable disdain, yet tinged with a familiarity that suggested they had once sought harmony in their relationship. There was an air of wistfulness and contemplation about them, as if they were reminiscing about lost opportunities. In the midst of this somber discussion, Robert expressed his concerns about Westeros’ readiness for war against the Dothraki: “We haven’t experienced a true battle in nine years. Treachery doesn’t prepare you for a fight, and that’s all the realm seems to be now — treachery and maneuvering… Sometimes I wonder what keeps it together.

In a sarcastic tone, Cersei mentions our marriage, which prompts a sincere chuckle from Robert. They both laugh, and Cersei then pours wine for them both. The scene is strikingly authentic, but it carries an additional weight when considering that later in the story, Cersei orchestrates Robert’s death.

Time with Robb Stark

In the television adaptation of “Game of Thrones,” we spent more time delving into the character of King in the North, Robb Stark, than the books did. This is because author George R.R. Martin chose not to make any of his kings direct points-of-view characters. As a result, our understanding of Robb was largely shaped by his mother Catelyn’s perspective, and we often heard about his exploits through the whispers that traveled across the Seven Kingdoms. The series had the opportunity to explore Robb more extensively than even the author himself acknowledged.

Critics often argue that the show could have done a better job developing Robb Stark’s wife character. In the series, Robb makes a vow to marry a Frey girl to solidify their allegiance, but he ultimately fails to keep this promise. However, in the books, Robb is injured in Lannister territory and is cared for by the daughter of a local lord. He develops feelings for her and feels honor-bound to wed her, possibly due to his half-brother Jon Snow’s experiences with bastardy. The novels hint that Robb may have been bewitched with some sort of love potion or that House Westerling intentionally set him up with the daughter as part of a plot orchestrated by Tywin Lannister to weaken Robb’s alliance with the Freys.

Instead of the storyline, the series depicts Robb getting smitten by a healer due to her courageous personality and useful abilities. This change is appealing to certain viewers given that Robb’s character in the show is developed more deeply. However, I personally lean towards the book version because it offers additional depth and potentially includes supernatural aspects.

Tyrion and Shae

Martin himself has expressed his preference for the show’s interpretation of Tyrion and Shae over the one presented in the books. The books depict Shae as a self-centered, immature young woman who doesn’t grasp the peril she’s in. In the series conclusion, it seems that Shae betrays Tyrion wholeheartedly. However, the show gives their love story and its tragic ending more depth and ambiguity. It remains unclear whether Shae truly betrayed Tyrion or if she was coerced into Tywin’s bed during her final scene in the series.

In both adaptations, Tyrion kills Shae, but in the books, this act pushes him towards villainy. The television series, on the other hand, worked hard to maintain Tyrion’s likability and didn’t make him confront his crimes as deeply. This difference became more pronounced over time, leading to a Tyrion at the end who seemed almost unrecognizable compared to his book counterpart.

Varys and Littlefinger

The television adaptation of the series surpasses the books by being a show instead of a book, as it allows for engaging dialogues between characters like Varys and Littlefinger which were absent from the novels. These two characters are always trying to outsmart each other on TV, and their private conversations add an extra layer of enjoyment.

Tyrion’s Trial

Revisiting our beloved Lannister, his trial for King Joffrey’s murder in both the books and Season 4, Episode 6, “The Laws of Gods and Men,” stands out exceptionally well. This statement might be considered “even better” than the book version due to the outstanding performance by the cast. Peter Dinklage, in his role, speaks the identical lines as his written counterpart, yet his delivery surpasses my reader’s imagination with a power that is simply astounding: “I wish I was the monster you think I am. I wish I had enough poison for the whole lot of you. I would gladly give my life to watch you all swallow it.

Tywin and Arya

On my epic trek northward through the war-torn landscape of Westeros, I found myself detained at Harrenhal temporarily. There, I served as a cupbearer under the command of a high-ranking noble, and in the books, it was Roose Bolton who held that position, but on screen, it was Tywin Lannister himself who took charge. Each choice has its own appeal, yet spending time with Tywin seemed to have a more profound impact on my storyline.

It’s intriguing that Arya is with Roose since he seems to be an ally of her brother. Yet, she keeps her identity hidden from him, demonstrating lingering doubts about his trustworthiness – a smart move reflecting Arya’s maturity. Spending time near Roose helps Arya comprehend the minds of wicked men, but Tywin amplifies this lesson with a more profound impact.

During this period, positioning Arya near Tywin was akin to keeping her amidst the calm center of a tempest; she seemed safer by associating with her family’s foremost adversary. An intriguing dialogue and mutual understanding between them emerged, creating an atmosphere that was both tense and captivating within this relentlessly brutal conflict. The series seized upon this opportunity to portray Tywin Lannister in a more human light, despite numerous other instances where it could have depicted the cruelty of House Bolton.

Brienne vs. The Hound

In summary, one significant alteration the show made compared to the books is the battle between Brienne of Tarth and Sandor “The Hound” Clegane. In George R.R. Martin’s original storyline, The Hound sustains an ordinary wound in a bar brawl that gradually weakens him over several days, allowing Arya to escape on a ship. However, in the show, Brienne encounters them and engages in a fierce duel for control of young Arya Stark. This intense fight devolves into a brutal fistfight that leaves Sandor severely injured, while Arya manages to slip away due to her reluctance to trust strangers at this point in her journey.

One aspect of this battle that is frequently underestimated is the significance it holds for Brienne. While it undeniably saves Sandor from succumbing to a minor infection, it additionally rescues Brienne from her harrowing confrontation with Rorge, Biter, and the Brave Companions. This encounter symbolizes Brienne grappling with the grim realities of war and its impact on those who engage in it, as well as the emptiness of knights’ vows and chivalry in the face of such despair. Nevertheless, The Hound embodies these themes just as effectively as the Brave Companions do, and he carries more weight with the viewers during this pivotal moment.

Currently, you can stream “Game of Thrones” and its prequel, “House of the Dragon,” on Max. Additionally, another prequel titled “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight” is set to premiere later this year. George R.R. Martin’s books are accessible now in print, e-book, and audiobook formats.

2025-01-15 03:10