Game of Thrones' Original Book Plan Would’ve Ruined Jaime In The Show - Screen Rant

mixdes.blogspot.com

Jaime Lannister is known for having an incredible arc in Game of Thrones, but George R.R. Martin’s original book idea would have completely changed his character. Back in 2015, UK bookseller Waterstones leaked pictures of George R.R. Martin’s first draft plan for his A Song of Ice and Fire books, revealing several jaw-dropping storylines that were abandoned in his final draft. Some plotlines that nearly made their way into the books and consequently Game of Thrones were Jon and Arya falling in love, Sansa and Joffrey having a son, and Jaime taking on a starkly different character trajectory.

Game of Thrones’ divisive series finale was heavily criticized by fans, with one of the most commonly stated faults being the resolution of Jaime Lannister. He began the show and books as an antagonistic and conceited knight in an illicit romance with Cersei, his twin sister, which led him to nonchalantly push young Bran Stark out of a window in hopes of killing him. After spending his early storyline fighting battles against Robb Stark and being escorted by Brienne of Tarth, Jaime’s distance from his family allowed him to grow into a better, more caring, and sympathetic person. Many believed his trajectory was leading to him possibly killing his villainous sister Cersei, which was why fans were so disappointed when Game of Thrones ended with him dying by trying to save her instead. This may not have been the way Game of Thrones viewers envisioned Jaime’s resolution, but George R.R. Martin’s original plan was even more disappointing.

Martin’s first synopsis of Game of Thrones’ books (via Insider) essentially characterized Jaime Lannister as a core villain. Following Joffrey’s ascension as King of Westeros, Jaime would have worked towards killing every heir ahead of him in line to the Iron Throne. It was not clear in Martin’s synopsis who exactly he had to kill among the Baratheons and Lannisters, but it could be assumed that Jaime killed Tywin instead of Tyrion. Once Tyrion plotted to remove Joffrey from the throne due to his overwhelming cruelty, Westeros paid allegiance to King Jaime Lannister. Game of Thrones’ eventual characterization of Jaime wasn’t conniving or unsympathetic, but the first season of the series and the first book did at times support this trajectory. For example, Ned Stark continually remembered finding Jaime Lannister sitting on the Iron Throne after killing Aerys Targaryen, suggesting Jaime always intended to become king.

Jaime soaking in bath/Jaime on horse in war camp in Game of Thrones

While Jaime had villainous tendencies at the beginning of his arc, his growth throughout Game of Thrones into a caring, sympathetic character with a clearer moral conscience was far more fulfilling. Many characters began in a positive, more optimistic light and grew into pessimists with a darker view of the world, but Jaime was one of the few that had a hopeful and satisfying development. By making Jaime Game of Thrones’ power-hungry villain, the books and series would have erased his compelling characterization as a loyal yet conflicted antihero. While Jaime’s personal growth would have been a poor sacrifice for this plan, the Game of Thrones storyline that would have suffered the worst is Jaime and Tyrion’s loving brotherly relationship.

Growing up, Tyrion was ostracized by both his family and society at large, with his older brother Jaime being the only kind and sympathetic person in his life. Their bond continues throughout adulthood as Jaime and Tyrion both betray their separate loyalties to save each other in the books and series. Martin’s original plan had Jaime blaming all of his murders on Tyrion, which led him to be exiled and form an alliance with the Starks instead. Tyrion and Jaime Lannister would become enemies instead of transformed, considerate allies, ruining the relationship that best underscored Jaime actually being a good person compared to Cersei. King Jaime may have actually made more sense in the beginning than King Bran, but it would have cost some of Game of Thrones’ most fulfilling character developments and relationships.

More: Game of Thrones: GRRM'S Original Plan Would've Made You Hate Tyrion

Hilary duff How i met your father has advantage over how i met your mother finale

How I Met Your Father Already Has An Advantage Over HIMYM’s Finale

Related Topics

About The Author

Jordan Williams (427 Articles Published)

Jordan Williams is a Movie/TV Feature Senior Staff Writer for Screen Rant. She graduated from the University of Oregon in 2020 with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Media Studies. Jordan is based in Seattle, Washington and enjoys exploring the natural beauty the PNW has to offer. She runs on coffee and classic movies, taking pride in having watched every film on AFI's 100 Greatest Films list and every Best Picture Oscar winner.