Game of Thrones is a show of many storylines. Some of them good, some of them not so good. But what about the storylines that never were? What about the storylines that either didn't make it from the books or were changed beyond recognition?  What about the storylines that just changed from the show writers' original vision? Some of those storylines might have improved the show a lot, while others would have hurt it. Some examples of storylines that would have saved the show are a different, more like the books, Dorne storyline, Lady Stoneheart's storyline, and Arya and Jon's warging storylines. Storylines that would have hurt the show include Aegon Targaryen/Young Griff's storyline, Quentyn Martell's storyline with Daenerys, and a fake Arya Stark (Jeyne Poole) marrying Ramsay Bolton.

We'll get into the reasons for why certain storylines would have saved or hurt the show later. But there are some clear patterns that emerge when you look at the storylines. Some book storylines, such as the Dorne storyline, could have been better adapted in the show. While others, such as Aegon Targaryen/Young Griff's storyline are better left for the books alone. Unfortunately for the show writers, some of their original visions for certain storylines such as Myrcella and Hodor's ings were not the best. Though to their credit, they did realize that and change their original idea to something that fit the show better. In general, Game of Thrones is a great show. And while there is always room for improvement, as you will see in this article, it's also important to appreciate a good thing when you have it.

Would Have Saved: A Different Dorne Storyline

In the books that Game of Thrones is based on, the A Song of Ice and Fire series, the Dorne storyline is compelling and exciting. In the show, it's a mess. unpopular the show storyline was with fans and decided to end it as quickly as possible.

Just to give non-book readers a bit of an idea, the book storyline includes way more players such as Arianne Martell— who is, in the books, heiress to Dorne- and more well-written and developed Sand Snakes, the daughters of Oberyn Martell. Doran is also still alive in the books and plans to help House Targaryen reclaim the Iron Throne as revenge for what happened to his sister Elia and her children.

Would Have Hurt: Aegon Targaryen/Young Griff's Storyline

For those of you who haven't read the books, Aegon Targaryen— who calls himself "Young Griff" and dies his hair blue— is the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Elia Martell. Thought to have been eliminated during the Sack of King's Landing along with his mother and sister, it turns out he survived. (If he is indeed who he claims to be. Some fans have doubts about that.)

He was raised by Jon Connington, an old friend of his father's. Now some fans might be wondering why this storyline would have hurt the show. Well, in the books, we don't meet "Young Griff" or Aegon until A Dance with Dragons. Imagine if the writers introduced a new character with a claim to the throne during season six. It wouldn't have worked very well for the show audience.

Would Have Saved: Lady Stoneheart's Storyline

The Red Wedding isn't the last we see of Catelyn Stark in the books. Or at least a part of her. Lady Stoneheart, though, is different from the Catelyn Stark we all knew and loved. She is consumed by the desire for revenge against those who harmed her family such as the Freys, Boltons, and Lannisters. Or anyone who is in any way associated with them. She also can't speak in a way that can be easily understood. In order to speak at all, she has to cover the wound on her throat. And she has lost part of her hair, with the rest as white as an old woman's. Her skin also looks different, the color of curdled milk.  The show would have benefited from this storyline because it is an exciting and interesting one.

Would Have Hurt: Quentyn Martell's Storyline With Daenerys

Quentyn Martell is from Dorne, though his storyline is not as interesting as the other players in Dorne. He is sent by his father, Doran Martell, to offer a proposal to the Mother of Dragons. There are just a few problems. First of all, Daenerys is set to marry Hizdahr zo Loraq. Secondly, she disappears on Drogon soon after Quentyn arrives. Finally, Quentyn attempts to tame one of Daenerys' dragons, Viserion, and gets destroyed by dragon fire from Rhaegal. So, in general, this storyline does not go well for Quentyn and does not really add a lot to Daenerys' story. It would have been a waste of time on the show, so we're glad it didn't appear on Game of Thrones. 

Would Have Saved: Victarion And Euron Greyjoy's Storylines

While Euron Greyjoy is present in the show, his brother Victarion isn't. Victarion is a  powerful warrior and a good commander. He tries to become the ruler of the Iron Islands but ultimately Euron wins the title. However, Euron sends his brother Victarion to Meereen to propose to Daenerys Targaryen on his behalf. Victarion, though, plans on courting the Mother of Dragons himself. Sounds like an interesting storyline to us! Also, in the books, Euron is not allied with Cersei Lannister and is somewhat of a different character. He is cunning and is a powerful warrior and a skilled manipulator. This version of Euron would have been interesting to see on the show.

Would Have Hurt: Fake Arya (Jeyne Poole) Marrying Ramsay Bolton

Jeyne Poole is Sansa's best friend in the books and in the first season of the show. In the books, she is sent by Tywin Lannister to marry Ramsay Bolton. Tywin knows that she is not Arya Stark and Jaime later claims that the Boltons know too. Theon is present for her wedding to Ramsay Bolton and is finally convinced to help her escape by "Abel" (Mance Rayder) and the washerwomen (spearwives.) When they finally make their escape from Winterfell, they are found by Mors Umber and taken to Stannis' camp.

While this storyline may sound like an interesting one to some fans, it's not very exciting in the books. Especially since we only know Jeyne as the obnoxious young girl who used to make fun of Arya Stark. The show opted to give this storyline to Sansa instead, which we think worked a lot better. Though of course we wouldn't wish Ramsay on anyone.

Would Have Saved: Arya And Jon Warging

In the books, Bran is not the only one who wargs. Jon and Arya do too. Arya even feels connected to her direwolf, Nymeria, when she is in Essos. Both Jon and Arya have dreams where they see through the eyes of their direwolves, which is a sign of the ability of warging. We think that the show would have benefited from these storylines. It would have shown the connection that both characters have to their direwolves and to House Stark. Even though Jon is an illegitimate child in both the books and the show, he has a deep connection to the Starks. Though at this point in the show, it has been revealed that he is the legitimate child of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark.

Would Have Hurt: Patchface's Storyline

In the books, Patchface is a jester who lives with Stannis Baratheon and his family on Dragonstone. He keeps Shireen Baratheon company since he makes her laugh. He has been in the service of House Baratheon since Stannis was younger. After Steffon Baratheon's ship broke up, Patchface washed ashore three days later. After that he was never the same. He wasn't as witty and is mostly incoherent now. Though some of Patchface's ramblings are interesting, and many fans have theories about them,  we think that his presence wouldn't have added much to the show and would have distracted from the main plot.

Would Have Saved: Robb Stark And Jeyne Westerling's Storyline

That's right, Jeyne Westerling. While her role is given to Talisa Maegyr in the show, we think that it would have been interesting to see this romance play out on screen. In the books, the relationship mostly happens offscreen. Jeyne nurses Robb back to health after he is wounded in battle. The two of them then get married and attempt to conceive a child. Jeyne tries her best to be a good wife to Robb, and Robb seems to truly love her. He is able to smile and temporarily forget his worries when around her.

Would Have Hurt: The Tournament Of The Hand Lasting Longer

In the books, the Tournament of the Hand lasts several days. The jousting alone takes two days. There are also other events, such as an archery contest and a melee. However, there would not have been time for this in the show. In books, it is more acceptable to have a few scenes that don't contribute to the overall plot that much. In TV shows, on the other hand, mostly everything that happens should contribute to the plot in some fashion. The writers of the show did well in shortening this tournament, because a longer version would not have suited a TV format.