Game Of Thrones: Jaime Lannister's Road Not Taken – A Look at Martin's Original Plan!
Jaime Lannister: From Kingslayer to Would-Be King – A Game of Thrones Alternate History
We all know Jaime Lannister as the “Kingslayer” in Game of Thrones. But what if he'd become king himself? That's the crazy alternate reality envisioned by George R.R. Martin in his initial A Song of Ice and Fire outline back in 1993. This outline created a whole other storyline for the original Game of Thrones adaptation; changing aspects in surprising ways.
Jaime (played brilliantly by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), one of Game of Thrones’ most complex and interesting characters, had some totally different arcs compared to what we ultimately got. His ending in the series might seem unsatisfactory for fans. It involves a betrayal to an initially beloved character whose eventual fate changes as events unfold. And yet it doesn't detract from just how surprising and unexpected some of Martin’s original designs for the series actually were. Those initial plot choices which changed would greatly affect several major plot points, most importantly Jaime's own arc – which later becomes a story of tragic choices.
Martin's Original Vision: A Three-Book Epic with a Very Different Jaime
Martin originally planned a three-book series, which changed significantly through its actual production! It features several overarching story points that dramatically changed that main storyline, impacting almost every key moment, which later transformed how the narratives continued. One of the major storylines however always involved Jaime! That initial version's version cast Jaime as a ruthless player; he was originally envisioned as this deadly killer, all those elements portrayed with even more intense violence. A complete rogue; but more importantly; destined to be King, killing whoever stood in his way!
His initial plan was straightforward: Joffrey Baratheon becomes king after Robert Baratheon's death. Then Tyrion kills Joffrey. This all works exactly like it originally does. And then Jaime takes over; murdering every obstacle to the throne! Martin wrote this literally; "Jaime Lannister will follow Joffrey on the throne of the Seven Kingdoms, by the simple expedient of killing everyone ahead of him in the line of succession and blaming his brother Tyrion for the murders."
Jaime's Kill List: A Bloody Path to Power
That first sentence of the quotation leaves those readers with very important questions. And those questions highlight how different things truly are from what viewers eventually watched, as this is where some additional context needs to be added: The most obvious victim? Joffrey and Sansa Stark's son, and they apparently would have actually wed; maKing their child the legitimate heir to that most sought-after position!
But Jaime likely went far beyond that initial target and did murder several more! He likely killed Joffrey himself, blaming Tyrion, even creating further potential chaos in this storyline (as the show also highlighted how Tyrion would indeed be framed). There is no mention concerning Tommen and Myrcella, yet they presumably exist in this timeline, making them targets; although those specific moments would later matter in an intensely significant way later. And Stannis and Renly Baratheon? Likely targets, too!
That’s not all. Martin also suggests Robb Stark’s death played out somewhat similarly– yet even this initial point dramatically differed in an immensely crucial aspect. The plot suggested that the wars are very much a significant part of this struggle for that desired position! “Robb will win several splendid victories, and maim Joffrey Baratheon on the battlefield, but in the end he will not be able to stand against Jaime and Tyrion Lannister and their allies. Robb Stark will die in battle, and Tyrion Lannister will besiege and burn Winterfell.” These elements later change dramatically and these early war themes don’t really ever remain as core aspects in that story.
Why Martin Changed His Mind: A Gardener, Not an Architect
The original design totally changes! Martin’s style is to not plan entirely in advance. As he stated to The Guardian (2011): He's "much more of a gardener than an architect." He lets the story, his characters drive the plot itself! Those narratives grew so massively!
Those original themes get altered greatly: The straightforward Stark versus Lannister conflict in his original design developed into the more massive War of the Five Kings. And Jaime’s character got entirely transformed. His incredible redemption arc doesn't really match with that initial vision for this more cruel killer.
Hints of Martin’s Original Plan in Game of Thrones
While Jaime doesn’t become king, his initial actions highlight aspects in Game Of Thrones. Those key actions highlight his more ruthless side; most significantly and dramatically showing that intense ruthlessness in that early moment when he throws Bran Stark from the tower; he was shown as an antagonist, a true enemy to Ned Stark, that eventual key battle between them later is not unrelated to how the story evolves. He also contends against Robb Stark – even those encounters suggest the existence of the earlier outlines, showcasing elements never explicitly shown before those significant differences from that original plan.
There's some deeper storytelling, too. Ned Stark remembers Jaime seated on the Iron Throne after killing Aerys II Targaryen. That could be seen as foreshadowing! Later, Jon Snow observes Jaime and considers his suitability for being King! Those ideas involving that immense power Jaime gains in his position as Warden of the East, already making him influential–it demonstrates this ambition could ultimately drive that potential for him becoming King!
Cersei: A Mirror of Jaime's Original Ambitions?
It’s impossible to say exactly how the characters originally existed as part of Martin’s earliest plans, but this later storyline greatly changed. But one thing stands out. Cersei, particularly in the show, adopts those originally villainous qualities planned for Jaime: she seeks power relentlessly, showing immense brutality which drives her decision-making process. That becomes one key element impacting Cersei’s story and ultimate downfall; driving everything toward her position as Queen. While it isn't completely impossible in the book (she is less cunning), this storyline change completely recontextualizes her own ambitions which were shown to become the same in their essence, albeit different in specific expression and manner.
Conclusion: The Ever-Evolving Saga of A Song of Ice and Fire
That initial outline showcases a vastly different world, a world vastly different than the series we watched and those many stories later added in. Those initial ideas were only hinted at within Game of Thrones; even though that might have seemingly been impossible considering how significantly that world-building changed compared to those earliest creative notes, we know it's a tale with complex decisions – from both its author's side and through many creative production and creative story choices. The ambition, violence, and ruthlessness originally planned for Jaime find their echoes in Cersei's own ambitions.
Even with all those major alterations; those aspects are hinted throughout both the books and the TV show – showcasing just how brilliant and imaginative Martin's vision actually is! And those long-lasting questions and intense speculations for readers surrounding these creative ambiguities, are exactly the type of engagement Martin himself wanted! So while it might leave you frustrated due to those inevitable missed storytelling possibilities; the final storyline still provides immense possibilities and opportunities; further emphasizing the success of the creative plans which impacted such creative writing.
