A Comprehensive Guide to the Game of Thrones Timeline: From Bran's Fall to the Series' Current Events
Welcome to our deep dive into the intricate timeline of Game of Thrones, focusing on the critical events that have shaped the story, particularly the fall of Bran Stark from the torch of Winterfell and the current status of his journey.
Understanding the Timeline: Book vs. Screen Adaptation
Creating a cohesive timeline for Game of Thrones is a complex endeavor due to the differing timelines between the books and the show adaptation. Let's explore how the timeline is constructed and how it has evolved over time.
Books Timeline: A Logical Framework
According to the books, the Game of Thrones timeline begins around 297 AC (After the Arrival of the Others) with the murder of Waymar Royce by these mysterious entities. The story progresses through various events and battles until the assassination of Jon Snow, located approximately in 300 AC. This brings the total timeline to slightly over three years from the start of the books to the current point.
Show Timeline: Accelerated Progression
The show's timeline is slightly ahead, possibly by about a year and a half, taking into account realistic timings for travel and military operations. This discrepancy can be attributed to the show's need to condense the story and age up certain characters to maintain viewer engagement and relevance.
Character Ages and Timeline Adjustments
Let's explore specific character ages and adjustments made in both the books and the show.
Bran Stark
Bran Stark fell from the torch of Winterfell during the spring of 298 AC, making him slightly over two years old at the time. In the show, Bran was aged up to around 11, making him roughly 17 or 18 years old in Season 8. This significant age difference helps to align his character development with the show's narrative.
Arya Stark
Arya Stark was 9 at the start of the books, becoming 11 in the show, making her 18 or 19 years old in the final season. This adjustment reflects the need to maintain coherent character development and storyline progression.
Sansa Stark
Sansa Stark started the books at 11, but in the show, she was made 16, aging her to 20 or 21 years old by the end. This was done to prevent ethical issues surrounding the depiction of a betrothal to Joffrey at an age considered too young in the books.
Other Characters
The show aged characters such as Jon Snow and Gendry up to 24 or 25, and Dany up to 23 or 24, reflecting the need for more mature characters to advance the plot and narrative.
Timeline Adjustments for Plot Coherence
One of the key reasons for these timeline adjustments is to ensure that the narrative remains coherent and engaging for the audience. For example, the character of Sansa Stark’s “flowering” event in the books, which was a critical moment for her character development, was made less significant in the show due to the characters’ age adjustments.
In conclusion, while the timeline of Game of Thrones is complex and subject to interpretation, understanding the differences between the books and the show can enhance one's appreciation of the story's depth and character development.