Summary
- Jon Snow's resurrection in The Winds of Winter may involve warging into Ghost, offering more complexity.
- Stannis Baratheon's book arc likely differs from the show, with potential victory and ethical choices.
- Book-ASOIAF characters like Varys, Bran, Tyrion, and Dorne have deeper, untapped potentials compared to their simplified show counterparts.
The divisive The Winds of Winter over the years. In 2019, Game of Thrones concluded after eight seasons, with The Winds of Winter's delay and the lack of source material generally perceived as one of the main reasons for its shortcomings. This has only increased the pressure on the book.
While we wait for The Winds of Winter, House of the Dragon returns for season 2 on HBO in June!
Throughout the five current novels in the A Song of Ice & Fire series, George R.R. Martin has continuously expanded his world. A Storm of Swords is an extensive novel with several enormous climaxes. He followed that up by essentially splitting the next segment of his story into two novels, with A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons both adding new vital characters and plot lines. Martin has left himself with a ton of threads to wrap up, including narratives that have already proven ineffective in Game of Thrones.
10 Jon Snow's Rushed Resurrection
The Winds Of Winter Can See Jon Resurrected Through Other Means
Jon Snow's death is one of the most heartbreaking Game of Thrones moments, and the reaction to it caused a widespread cultural phenomenon. For months between seasons 5 & 6, all fans were talking about was if and how Jon Snow could return to life, as it was the first time the series had sured the books, and even readers were left clueless. Jon Snow is betrayed by the Night's Watch at the very end of A Dance with Dragons, making it one of the biggest questions leading into The Winds of Winter.
there are more elements at play, including Jon potentially warging into Ghost before his death
In the TV series, Jon Snow's return to life wasn't particularly complex. Melisandre worked her spell, and shortly after, he was back. In the book, there are more elements at play, including Jon potentially warging into Ghost before his death. Even more importantly than his return to life being intricate and meaningful, Jon's story following his resurrection has to bear some meaning to the overarching narrative. In Game of Thrones, Jon's storyline was criticized as he was sidelined for practically all of season 8.
9 Stannis Baratheon's Death
Stannis Won't Be Killed Off For No Reason In The Winds Of Winter
Stannis Baratheon is one of the many characters who dies in the show despite still being alive during the books. In Game of Thrones, his war in the North against the Boltons sees him at a sizable disadvantage, which isn't necessarily the case in A Song of Ice & Fire. Stannis' arc in the series was arguably ruined prior to his death, however, as burning his own daughter alive as a sacrifice is something that the book version wouldn't do. Like many characters on the show, he was simplified into a one-note villain for his final stretch.
In A Dance with Dragons, not only has Stannis not entirely sacrificed his integrity, he might actually win the battle he's set out for. There's a significant amount more going on in the North in A Song of Ice & Fire than there was in the TV series, with various houses having stakes in the conflict. Mance Rayder is also alive in Winterfell, and characters tied to Stannis are still at Castle Black, meaning there are options for how his story could progress.
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8 Samwell Tarly At The Citadel
Sam's Maester Training Narrative Can Serve A More Distinct Purpose
Similarly to how events play out in Game of Thrones, Jon sends Samwell to Oldtown to train as a Maester. In the show, this allows Sam to help cure Jorah Mormont and find some valuable information about Jon's parentage and the White Walkers. The Jorah storyline is different in A Song of Ice & Fire, and there's a lot more going on in the Reach in the books that's worth noting.
At the end of A Feast for Crows, Sam has only just reached Oldtown, so it's not exactly clear what he's going to be doing in the next book. However, given the density of A Song of Ice & Fire, the secrets he may uncover at the Citadel may be far richer, providing some exposition that could tie to events happening all around Martin's world. Not to mention, Euron Greyjoy is seen at the start of The Winds of Winter sailing to wage naval war against House Hightower, which could impact Sam's leisurely time in the Reach.
7 Varys' Diminished Role In Westerosi Politics
Varys Still Has His Own Hand To Play In The Winds Of Winter
For the first four seasons of Game of Thrones, Varys plays the role of a schemer in King's Landing, whom viewers aren't sure they can trust. He always seems a bit kinder than Littlefinger, but his motives are still in question. Then, unfortunately, in the back half of the show, Varys essentially has nothing going on, follows Tyrion, and briefly disputes Daenerys before being executed. It's fair to say he and Littlefinger were both underutilized, as the series didn't know how to factor scheming characters into the final seasons.
Varys will play a major role in a massive conflict between Aegon, Daenerys, and Cersei.
In A Song of Ice & Fire, Varys flees King's Landing with Tyrion, and more about his long-standing plan is revealed. During Robert's Rebellion, Varys had allegedly swapped Rhaegar's son Aegon out with another infant to be raised by Jon Connington, Rhaegar's friend. He's directly involved in a plot to plant the young Aegon on the Iron Throne and personally involves himself in preparing King's Landing for its fall by killing Pycelle and Kevan. In The Winds of Winter, Varys will play a major role in a massive conflict between Aegon, Daenerys, and Cersei.
6 Not Properly Explaining Bran & The Three-Eyed Raven
Bran's Powers Should Be More Defined In ASOIAF
Bran Stark ending up as king at the end of Game of Thrones came as a shock to many, as his character became difficult to watch as he began to distance himself from humanity. It's an issue that could've been fixed adequately by spending more time with the character, as he was entirely absent from season 5 before returning in 6 at a changed state. In that absence, he'd gained world-changing superpowers that were primarily used for exposition or to push the plot forward.
The hope for Bran in The Winds of Winter is that his time with the Three-Eyed Raven can have a more direct purpose, not only for the overarching narrative but also for his character. First and foremost, the exact parameters of his abilities should be explored to avoid confusion and Bran just being used as a vessel for plot information. It is still important, however, for Bran to help readers understand the Others and provide context for other Winds of Winter theories.
5 The Misuse Of Tyrion Lannister
Tyrion Will Remain A Complex, Dark Character
Tyrion Lannister is another character who's overly simplified and doesn't have much to offer the narrative in the final seasons. After delivering some of the most iconic Game of Thrones moments in season 4, Tyrion's arc began to suffer in season 5 when character changes from the books started kicking in. Given his popularity among TV audiences, Tyrion remained a more likable protagonist character.
In A Dance with Dragons, Tyrion is seen in the aftermath of killing his father, Tywin, and learning horrible news about his past partner Tysha. Tyrion spends much of the book depressed and angry with his family and the people of King's Landing, bitterly desiring vengeance against Cersei. It's possible that he'll still up with Daenerys, but he'll do so remaining a complex character with his own motivations to navigate in The Winds of Winter.
4 The Plot To Capture A Wight Leading To The Wall Coming Down
The Wall Will Come Down, But In A Way That Makes Sense
The season 7 episode "Beyond the Wall" is one of the more absurd creations of the HBO drama. The concept of taking a squad of beloved characters to go on a heist mission in dangerous territory seems fantastic in theory, but the whole plot is entirely antithetical to the grounded fantasy that made the first four Game of Thrones seasons so incredible. Of course, this leads to the Night King killing and resurrecting a dragon to bring down the Wall later.
The entire plot is ridiculous, and while some similar events may come to fruition, it's unlikely that anything like this will happen in The Winds of Winter. Given the book's title, it's long been speculated that the Others will launch their attack in the book, making it into the Seven Kingdoms at some point in the novel. The Horn of Winter can allegedly bring the Wall down if it's blown. There's been some speculation on where the horn is, with Sam in Oldtown or the crypts of Winterfell being possible answers.
3 Turning Euron Greyjoy Into A Terrible Villain
Euron And The Greyjoy Uncles Have Distinct Personalities And Motives
The entire Greyjoy plotline is simplified in Game of Thrones, with Euron being the only character to become an important character in the series. In the books, Aeron and Victarion Greyjoy are also POV characters, setting up The Winds of Winter for conflict between them. Victarion was sent with the Iron Fleet to Meereen armed with a dragon horn, planning to offer himself to Daenerys, creating friction in the Essos plotline.
He was an over-the-top villain without anything unique or intriguing about him, differing entirely from the fascinating book character.
As for Euron, the HBO show's adaptation felt like someone who didn't belong in the complex world of characters established in the early seasons. He was an over-the-top villain without anything unique or intriguing about him, differing entirely from the fascinating book character. As King of the Iron Islands, Euron poses an enormous threat in A Song of Ice & Fire as a character who's tied to worldly dark magic and vast naval power.
2 Dorne (All Of It)
ASOIAF Won't Forget About Dorne
The Dorne plotline is commonly considered one of Game of Thrones' biggest mistakes, as aside from Oberyn, practically every character was botched. Dornish characters like Arianne and Quentyn Martell were left out of the series entirely, and others like Doran and Areo Hotah were killed unnecessarily before they could have any impact. The arc where Jaime and Bronn go to extract Myrcella is also ridiculous and was one of the first indicators of the show's decline.
While the TV series disregarded most of the kingdoms and minor houses that comprise most of Westeros's population, they're still relevant in George R.R. Martin's novels. There are many potential monarchs left alive, vying for the Iron Throne in The Winds of Winter, and the Dornish will likely make a play to one of them. There are still rival factions within Dorne, adding complexity, but seeing the Martells Aegon in The Winds of Winter is a serious possibility.
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1 Daenerys Targaryen Burning King's Landing
ASOIAF Can Offer More Precedence For Dany's Eventual Madness
Daenerys is one of the most beloved Game of Thrones characters, adding to the shock when she goes mad and burns down King's Landing in "The Bells." There's certainly precedence for this narrative to occur, but like many season 8 issues, the problem with it is that it was rushed. The books have set up several options for Dany's descent to madness to feel more fluid and authentic.
If Aegon captures King's Landing, it seems more plausible Dany would arrive there in a similar state as she did in Game of Thrones
In The Winds of Winter, Dany could suffer terrible losses before reaching King's Landing. Victarion and the dragon horn could pose a serious threat to her, causing her to potentially lose a dragon. Not to mention, the reveal of another Targaryen male invalidates years of her effort, and she won't buy into the idea of peacefully marrying him. If Aegon captures King's Landing, it seems more plausible Dany would arrive there in a similar state as she did in Game of Thrones.
- Created by
- George R.R. Martin
- First TV Show
- Game Of Thrones
Game of Thrones is a multimedia franchise created by George R.R. Martin. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire is the basis for the award-winning HBO series Game of Thrones, which lasted for eight seasons. After the incredibly divisive final season of Game of Thrones, the series was followed up by the prequel series House of the Dragon, which also received critical acclaim.
- Cast
- Milly Alcock, Emily Carey
