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Game of Thrones vs. A Song of Ice and Fire: 10 Ways Daenerys Targaryen Was Different!
Daenerys Targaryen. She’s iconic, right? That powerful Game of Thrones character. But HBO made some SERIOUS changes! This article explores ten major differences between the show andGeorge R.R. Martin's books (A Song of Ice and Fire). This iconic character is vastly different; showcasing that certain books truly present details completely left out! It also discusses other plot aspects that completely shape how we might look at the whole thing!
Game of Thronestakes liberties with most characters; but Dany’s transformations remain amongst the biggest, particularly at those points where major choices radically diverge from those source materials; affecting some critical elements like backstories, personality, and those battles in Essos, those are just some key points to consider!
The biggest difference? Dany’s looks! The show ages her up for a variety of reasons; however inMartin'sbooks, she's a teenager early on— that significantly changes that early storyline! That whole scene with Khal Drogo becomes far more unsettling and intense as the sheer young age dramatically alters its impact for those readers. And those silver hair, purple eyes? This marks her majestic Valyrian beauty; which got largely downplayed in the show which lost some of that fantastical quality.
And those iconic fiery scenes inA Game of Thrones? The flames leaveDanywith totally burned hair. It doesn't grow back for pages.This adds yet another unique element of what exactly happens with her throughout those earlier scenes – completely contrasting with how that particular sequence proceeded during that corresponding TV episode. It leaves her with a distinctly altered look later; which should have greatly contributed toward the appearance later. The overall appearance in later plots gets affected as her looks in books significantly differ later in time.
The show briefly touchesDany'spast; those parts which explain that her family background in that scene when she arrives with her older brother in Season 1 are highlighted! ButMartingives us more mystery! She recalls a house with a red door, a lemon tree; creating more layers than typically displayed through her comments. This is critical; those memories conflict with that climate in Braavos – hinting towards a potentially alternate childhood, possibly raisingthe questionof whether she was from Dorne; raising so many intriguing ideas and theories surrounding the identity itself – leading to even more potential exploration! These were entirely unexplored.
Game of Throneschanged theHouse of the Undyingplot. It gets significantly improved in the books where Dany’s quest towards the unknown actually focuses on her attempts to actually seek and understand her own fate. Those amazing visions—she sees much more than just the Iron Throne in the books and also some specific future developments withinA Song of Ice and Fire, especially those very critical prophecy hints towards the legendary "Prince That Was Promised." This got simplified drastically! This resulted in one of those more mystically intriguing scenes; made to emphasize the unique fantasy elements and hints toward larger themes withinMartin’soverall design! Those critical missing details add significance.
Danyhas various loyal supporters that gets dramatically cut down for the show, one being that extremely critical and helpfulIrriwho gets bumped in season 2 – a massive deviation from her overall importance in Martin's work and those parts in which the impact for her could have significantly changed multiple plot events and also that ending as well, showing just how important some details are;othersgettotallyremovedfrom the narrative: one prominent character isStrong Belwas. He’sa crucial ally in the books. The lack of emphasis for his contribution entirely shifted several actions and characters into a different light! This important fighter helped greatly in protecting Dany’s interest in several battle sequences – highlighting another important ally never presented to the audiences.
TheMeereenchapters inA Dance with Dragonswere criticized! But there's this crazy cool mystery! An attempted murder plot concerning those poisonedlocustsatabanquetdesignedforDany; but thankfully stopped before she has the opportunity! This entire situation is a total mystery in the books, involving key players including those like Hizdahr,The Sons of the Harpy, Daario, andQuentyn, making a compelling narrative element missing completely from the show! It leaves so much potential for further exploration that the series could've completely taken advantage of;leaving major questions about who that potential killer really could be; highlighting important ideas that were completely abandoned!
Jon Snow'sTargaryen parentage hasn't appeared yet in the books; and many important characters remain almost entirely ignored and unaddressed in several major developments: a significant aspect for a pivotal change! Butthere’sYoung Griff! He’s introduced inA Dance with Dragons;claims to beAegon Targaryen—Rhaegar’s son (that was previously reported to have died, so, what's up?)! And that story adds a huge complication; affecting how the plot goes. It presentsAegon’sbetter claim to theIron Throne—that significantly affectsDany'sarc. His attempts to conquer completely changethepower dynamics; and changestheoverall atmosphere.This subplot, not present, changes how you viewDany'send in those novels!
RememberQuaithefromGame of Thrones?That masked woman’s hints didn't become important and disappeared; she totally gets expanded in those books! Appearing several times; further hinting that larger implications were intended; these additional interactions and developments become incredibly meaningful as she continued advisingDany—repeating key warnings. This enigmatic character, completely expanded and further elaborated creates something more mystical which were critical in developing Dany, further shaping her actions through her words and mysterious cryptic pronouncements that ultimately served to deepen the ongoing themes and mysticism and the lore; those missing details enhance that feeling for a greater unseen element entirely!
Game of Thrones’Dorneplotline was pretty widely criticized! They left many characters untouched, Quentyn Martellwas prominent; and a key player in Martin's book! He tries to forge an alliance withDany–proposing marriage – that is then replaced in the show withEllaria Sand'spower-grabbing schemes! This total departure changes how everything appears and removes important lore surrounding the Dornish influence upon Dany. Quentyn, trying to tame a dragon and nearly succeeding before a catastrophic fiery injury results in a dramatic ending to an otherwise insignificant character; this was lost; showcasing another great potential development entirely missing!
Game of Thronesexcludes this super critical character too: Victarion Greyjoy. He’s hugely important; becoming part ofEuron Greyjoy’spower grab! His attempted marriage proposal for Dany provides another significant event: Euronhas that famous dragon horn – an attempt to control Dany’s dragons! This plotline and the resulting narrative changes affect how audiences ultimately experience Daenerys and it was largely removed – entirely changed in a later stage oftheTV show, causing many problems!
Those major supporters –Jorah Mormont,Missandei,Grey Worm,andBarristan Selmy–were totally different inMartin’sbooks! Jorah’sgreyscale gets moved to Jon Connington – showing how such developments were largely unaffected! Missandeiin the books is actually a young child; not an adult woman and the story never really develops that kind of romance. Grey Wormgets downplayed. AndBarristandies WAY later, showcasing how these specific points are quite dramatically shifted to completely remove much of the plot around Daenerys' supporters, making significant and lasting impact to the viewers. Those differences create interesting impacts and totally different character perspectives! These were completely re-arranged and dramatically altered.
Those changes affect the very essence of theDaeneryscharacter. It completely altered much of those key events, shaping everything.Those mystical elements from the books—missing entirely! Those books show a deeperDaenerys; a much, much more layered individual – who goes through a unique descent into tyranny which is a fascinating part ofMartin’swriting and those characters who helped shapeDany’scharacter arc; these got left out; which might really change opinions toward her actions!