Kit Harington: Before getting sober, I couldn’t be proud
“Game Of Thrones” star Kit Harington says he is "lucky" to have kicked his addiction issues before becoming a father because he "hated himself" when he was drinking.
The eight seasons of Game of Thrones based on George RR Martin’s book series, A Song of Ice and Fire, have major differences between them. The fans of Game of Thrones and A Song of Ice and Fire novels are divided like two communities. While Martin fans regard the books as sacred text, the TV show followers worship the Benioff and Weiss’ (Game of Thrones creators) recreation. But we all agree that the man behind the existence of both, George Raymond Richard Martin, has presented us a gem.
Though the show creators work closely with Martin, the books’ treasure details were never unveiled in Game of Thrones. So, had the show been made by Martin, we would have witnessed something quite contrasting.
Advertisement
Let’s have a look at how the show would look if it extensively followed the books.
Advertisement
Caution: Spoilers ahead if you haven’t watched the show or read all the books.
Less mortality
View this post on Instagram
Just House Tyrell’s style… 💐💙 #gameofthrones #house #Tyrell #Margeary #olenna #rose #style
A post shared by House Tyrell (@house__tyrell) on
As per the books, many characters that have died in the show are still alive. Prince Aegon Targaryen, who was dashed against a wall as an infant, was revealed to be alive in the book, A Dance with Dragons. The Sons of Harpy never slaughtered Ser Barristan Selmy. In fact, he practically runs the city of Meereen in the absence of Daenerys. Cersei Lannister wiped out all the Tyrells in the show, but it isn’t the same in the books. The oldest Tyrell Sibling, Willas Tyrell, still rules the Highgarden and another sibling, Garlan Tyrell, and his wife are alive too.
Ghastlier death of Joffrey
The purple wedding, unlike the Red wedding, was never cried upon. Though it witnessed the death of a king, Joffrey Baratheon, the readers and viewers were never upset about it. However, Joffrey’s death is more horrible in the book. Here’s how it goes in the text: “Joffrey began to claw at his throat, his nails tearing bloody gouges in the flesh. Beneath the skin. The muscle stood out hard as stone.”
Catelyn Stark’s comeback
Catelyn Stark died in the Red wedding with his son Robb Stark, but in the books, she returns as Lady Stoneheart. The character was never introduced in the show. Catelyn is brought back to life by the Lord of the light in the book.
Fake Arya marries Ramsay Bolton
View this post on Instagram
Good old family Photos #ramsaybolton #roosebolton #fatwalda #Winterfell #sansastark #gameofthrones
A post shared by Ramsay Bolton (@ramsay_bolton) on
According to Martin’s books, Sansa Stark never marries Ramsay Bolton. In fact, she did not go back to Winterfell. Her friend from Winterfell, Jeyne Poole is posed as fake Arya Stark by the LOannisters and married off to Ramsay.
Robb Stark will make Jon Snow a Stark
Robb Stark makes Jon Snow a legitimate son on Ned Stark. He takes this step to leave a northern claim in case he dies. So, Jon is no more a Snow but a Stark in the books.
Lysa Arryn’s insanity is for a reason
Lysa Arryn, the widow of Jon Arryn, is presented as a crazy lady, obsessed with her young son. However, nothing about her character is much described in the show. There is a reason behind her insanity, though. Lysa wanted to marry Littlefinger and even carried her child but her father Lord Hoster Tully never approved. She is then forced to abort her child by drinking moon tea. Later, when she marries Jon Arryn, she gives birth to Robin Arryn, after five miscarriages and delivering two stillborn children.
Benjen Stark isn’t Coldhands
View this post on Instagram
Benjen… 💔💔 #gameofthrones #benjenstark #jonsnow #georgerrmartin #tvseries #hbo #got
A post shared by Legendary series (@legendary_series) on
Benjen Stark is often mistaken as Coldhands but it’s a totally different character in Martin’s books. He is a mysterious character who somewhat looks like the white walkers and believed to be the former brother of the Night’s Watch.
No chemistry between Missandei and Grey Worm
We witnessed a great chemistry between Missandei, and the leader of Unsullied, Grey Worm. Martin never imagined it like that because. When Daenerys freed her from slavery, she was just 10.
Mance Rayder would be kind of alive
Though we witnessed a heart-wrenching death of the king beyond the wall, Mance Rayder, the Red Woman saves him in the book. Well, more precisely, she saved his soul and transfers it into the Wildling general Rattleshirt.
Jorah Mormont wouldn’t have greyscales
Jorah Mormont gets the deadly Greyscales while saving Tyrion Lannister but the author never imagined it for him. Originally, Aegon Targaryen’s protector Jon Connington, who we haven’t seen in the show, saves Tyrion and also gets Greyscale.
Khal Drogo never raped Daenerys
The very first intimate scene between the newlywed on their wedding night, Khal Dogo, the Dothraki king, and Daenerys is seen to be forced by Drogo. But in Martin’s story, he never raped her. If we go by the books, he asks for permission to touch her.
Jon and Arya can warg too
Brandon Stark is a gifted warg in the show. Though it isn’t so rare in the book because Jon Snow and Arya Stark too warg into his wolf and an alley cat, respectively.
Doran Martell does a lot more than sitting on a chair
View this post on Instagram
Buraya zeki bir adam bırakayım. . . #martell #housemartell #doranmartell #oberynmartell #dorne
A post shared by @ lokinin_askeri on
The king of Drone, Doran Martell, had much more to do than sitting on the throne. He had a secret plan to get his second son, Quentyn Martell, married to Daenerys. He even sends him to the Mereen for that purpose but he eventually dies while trying to tame Dany’s dragon.
Robb’s wife didn’t die at the Red Wedding
Robb Stark marries Jeyne Westerling, who never went to the Red Wedding. Since Robb didn’t want a bastard son, he secretly marries Jeyne. However, later it comes to light that Jeyne was never pregnant because her mother used to poison her to prevent pregnancy.
Night King isn’t Night’s King
The Night’s King is believed to be the 13th Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch who is long dead. According to the myth, the Night’s King fell in love with a female white walker and ruled over the wall for 13 years until he was killed by the wildlings. However, the Night King as per the show, was the man turned into a white walker by the Children of the forest. He now rules over the white walkers and the army of wrights.
Advertisement
Related posts
‘House of the Dragon’ set to conclude with season 4, production for season 3 to start in 2025
HBO has announced that its 'Game of Thrones' prequel series, 'House of the Dragon,' will wrap up with its fourth season.
Ian Gelder, Game of Thrones actor, passes away at 74 after battle with cancer
Beloved Game of Thrones actor Ian Gelder, known for his role as Kevan Lannister, dies at 74 after bravely battling bile duct cancer. His husband shares heartfelt tribute.
