Which Game of Thrones Characters Would Be More Despised or Loved on TV Versus the Books?
The hit series Game of Thrones has brought to life the complex and often controversial characters from George R.R. Martin’s books. However, some characterizations were altered for the show, leading to different perceivings of the characters from their original book versions. Let's delve into a few characters whose portrayals significantly differed between the TV series and the books, and how these changes affected their audience reception.
Characters that Differed on TV and in the Books
Arya
Arya Stark remains a fan favorite in the books, but her portrayal in the TV series takes a darker turn. In the books, Arya’s murders are often driven by her whims and sadistic desires rather than revenge for House Stark. This makes her a full-blown psychotic figure. In the TV series, she retains her mischievous and feisty side but is less explicitly portrayed as a murdering narrative.
Alliser Thorne
Thorne’s character in the show is a dutiful but shortsighted soldier. However, in the books, Thorne is more of a villain because of his bitterness over his exile. This portrayal difference has made him less sympathetic to viewers who might have felt more aligned with his character in the books.
Shae
In the show, Shae’s relationship with Tyrion is portrayed as more passionate and romantic. In the books, Shae never owed Tyrion loyalty, and her service was purely for financial gain. Her lack of loyalty in the books might make her less sympathetic, but in the show, her character is more romantic and easier to relate to.
Barristan Selmy
Barristan is a likable character in both iterations, but in the books, he is portrayed as a political dolt who survives due to his ignorance. This makes him a character that is endearingly oblivious, which leads to sympathy. In the TV series, his character is more balanced and less one-dimensional, which aligns better with his comedic role without being entirely oblivious.
Varys
Varys is a complex character in both the books and the show, but his portrayal diverges. In the show, he is depicted as a straightforward partisan, while in the books, he is revealed to have his own agenda and manipulate others. This difference makes him more complex and enigmatic in the books, keeping viewers guessing about his true motives.
Ellaria Sand
In the books, Ellaria Sand is the only sane character in the Dornish plot. She is portrayed as a warmongering but rational figure. In the TV series, her character is more nuanced and involves more compassion and diplomacy, making her a more dynamic and relatable character to viewers.
Joffrey and Ramsay
In the books, both Joffrey and Ramsay are even more despicable. Joffrey randomly shoots citizens with his crossbow, and Ramsay treats women as playthings for his amusement. Their portrayal in the TV series softens them to some extent but still maintains their cruel traits, making them more relatable to viewers who do not want to see their characters as entirely evil.
Tyrion Lannister
Tyrion is a character whose portrayal was significantly softened in the TV series. In the books, Shae is a character who loves him, and Sansa is portrayed as friendly with him. This makes Tyrion’s actions, such as the murder of Shae, more justifiable and less pedophilic. Tyrion’s scenes with Arya are dramatic and entertaining, but they also incorrectly paint him as an old, suffering patriarch instead of a sociopathic monster for whom his children are tools. Tywin's portrayal is also whitewashed to look more heroic, overlooking his aggressive and ruthless nature.
Danaerys Targaryen
Danaerys is a compelling character who faces difficult moral dilemmas in the books. Her dilemma between peace and conquest is relatable and can be seen as a moral victory in the books. However, in the show, she is portrayed as a pillaging monster who pillages Meereen. Her use of slaves without proof of their status as masters and her marriage under coercion are more sinister. The show attempts to present her actions as empowering, but viewers in the books will find her actions more morally reprehensible. Her burning of a sacred Dothraki temple and the lack of a mindless bowing down to her are key differences that highlight the divergence in the portrayal of her character.
Tywin Lannister
Tywin’s portrayal in the TV series presents him as a great military general, softer than his book counterpart. This whitewashing of Tywin has led to viewers having a more positive view of Tywin, but it also misses the mark on his true nature. The scene after the Red Wedding, where Tyrion points out Tywin's cruel actions, highlights the stark contrast between the two versions. Tywin's willingness to kill thousands of soldiers unprepared and execute dozens of dinner guests is a tragic flaw that the show glosses over.
Conclusion
The differences between the TV series and the books can significantly affect how characters are perceived by viewers. These alterations can make characters more endearing or more despicable, depending on the narrative goals of the show and the intentions of the readers. Whether a character is more despised or loved often depends on the nuanced portrayal that aligns with the book version or the more dramatized television version.