Game of Thrones: Hidden Secrets, Shocking Facts, and Lesser-Known Trivia
Game of Thrones: In-Depth Summary and Lesser-Known Trivia
Game of Thrones, an adaptation of George R.R. Martin's books, is a fantasy drama about power plays, betrayal, and grand battles for domination of the Iron Throne in the made-up world of Westeros. Here is a summary of the essential components, major events, and frequently misunderstood facts of the show.
7 Lesser-Known Game of Thrones Facts That Will Blow Your Mind
1. George R.R. Martin Originally Plotted a Time Jump (and Dropped It)
Early on while writing A Song of Ice and Fire, George R.R. Martin planned on having a time jump of five years after the third book, A Storm of Swords. It would have made it possible for younger characters such as Arya, Bran, and Sansa to grow and learn their things off-page. Martin, however, found that it was too hard to accomplish without using so many flashbacks. Eventually, he dropped the concept, which retarded the flow of the subsequent books while he attempted to bridge the gaps that he initially intended to omit.
Early on while writing A Song of Ice and Fire, George R.R. Martin planned on having a time jump of five years after the third book, A Storm of Swords. It would have made it possible for younger characters such as Arya, Bran, and Sansa to grow and learn their things off-page. Martin, however, found that it was too hard to accomplish without using so many flashbacks. Eventually, he dropped the concept, which retarded the flow of the subsequent books while he attempted to bridge the gaps that he initially intended to omit.
2. Tyrion Was Originally Conceived as a Villain
In George R.R. Martin's initial drafts, Tyrion Lannister was intended as a much more sinister character. He was first going to incinerate Winterfell out of spite and end up being the Starks' bitter foe. Yet as Martin was writing Tyrion's chapters, he liked the character so much that he revised him into a morally complex antihero rather than a villain.
In George R.R. Martin's initial drafts, Tyrion Lannister was intended as a much more sinister character. He was first going to incinerate Winterfell out of spite and end up being the Starks' bitter foe. Yet as Martin was writing Tyrion's chapters, he liked the character so much that he revised him into a morally complex antihero rather than a villain.
3.The Stark Direwolves Were Nearly Cut from the Show
Direwolves are central to the Starks' identity in the books, but were almost cut from HBO's series because of cost. The showrunners had thought of cutting them altogether because realistic CGI wolves were costly to produce. The fans campaigned for them to stay, and though the direwolves did remain, their screen time was reduced in subsequent seasons because it was so expensive—each scene costing tens of thousands of dollars to film.
Direwolves are central to the Starks' identity in the books, but were almost cut from HBO's series because of cost. The showrunners had thought of cutting them altogether because realistic CGI wolves were costly to produce. The fans campaigned for them to stay, and though the direwolves did remain, their screen time was reduced in subsequent seasons because it was so expensive—each scene costing tens of thousands of dollars to film.
4. The Hound's Fire Phobia Bears a Deeper Symbolism
While the television series attributes Sandor Clegane's (The Hound) phobia of fire to his brother Gregor having burned his face, the books imply something greater. Fire is associated with the Lord of Light (R'hllor) and the idea of "purging" by flame. Sandor's phobia represents his own inner conflict between morals, revenge, and redemption, reinforcing the overall themes of fire and ice throughout the series.
While the television series attributes Sandor Clegane's (The Hound) phobia of fire to his brother Gregor having burned his face, the books imply something greater. Fire is associated with the Lord of Light (R'hllor) and the idea of "purging" by flame. Sandor's phobia represents his own inner conflict between morals, revenge, and redemption, reinforcing the overall themes of fire and ice throughout the series.
5. The Iron Throne in the Books Is Far More Deadly
The Iron Throne of the books is a mess, a huge pile of cruel spikes and jagged swords. It is hugely uncomfortable and perilous—Aerys II Targaryen (the Mad King) was regularly cut by it, metaphor for the cost of being ruler. The show's take on the throne, though iconic, is much smaller and less intimidating, losing some of its symbolic threat.
The Iron Throne of the books is a mess, a huge pile of cruel spikes and jagged swords. It is hugely uncomfortable and perilous—Aerys II Targaryen (the Mad King) was regularly cut by it, metaphor for the cost of being ruler. The show's take on the throne, though iconic, is much smaller and less intimidating, losing some of its symbolic threat.
6. The Night King Does Not Exist in the Books
There is no character in the books like the Night King as he is presented in the television series. Rather, there's a mythical figure called the Night's King, a previous Lord Commander of the Night's Watch who became romantically involved with a White Walker. His history is presented as a legend, and nothing is said about him being the master of the White Walkers. The series created the Night King to give the White Walkers a primary villain.
7. Lady Stoneheart's Omission Was a Big Departure
One of the most surprising turns of events in the books is Catelyn Stark's return from the dead as Lady Stoneheart, a resurrected, bitter leader of the Brotherhood Without Banners. She is a pivotal character, trying to exact vengeance for the Red Wedding. The show chose not to include her at all, leaving many fans of the books frustrated. Her exclusion also impacted the trajectories of other characters such as Arya Stark and Brienne of Tarth.
There is no character in the books like the Night King as he is presented in the television series. Rather, there's a mythical figure called the Night's King, a previous Lord Commander of the Night's Watch who became romantically involved with a White Walker. His history is presented as a legend, and nothing is said about him being the master of the White Walkers. The series created the Night King to give the White Walkers a primary villain.
7. Lady Stoneheart's Omission Was a Big Departure
One of the most surprising turns of events in the books is Catelyn Stark's return from the dead as Lady Stoneheart, a resurrected, bitter leader of the Brotherhood Without Banners. She is a pivotal character, trying to exact vengeance for the Red Wedding. The show chose not to include her at all, leaving many fans of the books frustrated. Her exclusion also impacted the trajectories of other characters such as Arya Stark and Brienne of Tarth.
Bonus: Daenerys Was Meant to Die in the First Book
In George R.R. Martin's initial concept for A Song of Ice and Fire, Daenerys Targaryen was not to survive beyond the first book. Her plot would have been brought to a tragic end, which would have identified her as a character whose talent was snuffed out. But Martin saw the magnitude of her arc and redescribed her as one of the major players in the struggle for the Iron Throne. Her survival and emergence as a dragon-riding conqueror became one of the most legendary and crucial aspects of the series.
In George R.R. Martin's initial concept for A Song of Ice and Fire, Daenerys Targaryen was not to survive beyond the first book. Her plot would have been brought to a tragic end, which would have identified her as a character whose talent was snuffed out. But Martin saw the magnitude of her arc and redescribed her as one of the major players in the struggle for the Iron Throne. Her survival and emergence as a dragon-riding conqueror became one of the most legendary and crucial aspects of the series.
The Iron Throne
The focal point of the series is the war of control for Westeros, represented by the Iron Throne.
Main Families Entailed
1 House Stark (Direwolf)
Major Activities:
- War for justice and honor (Eddard Stark as Hand of the King).
- The Red Wedding: Killing of Stark members in the midst of a wedding ceremony.
- Jon Snow's enlistment with the Night's Watch and subsequent battles with White Walkers.
- Arya Stark's transformation as an assassin for the Faceless Men.
- Battle of the Bastards: Jon Snow kills Ramsay Bolton to take back Winterfell.
Why don’t Starks invest in the stock market?
Because every time they hear “buy low, sell high,” they think it’s another Red Wedding! 🩸🐺
2 House Lannister (Lion)
Key Activities:
Because Tywin always hides where the gold is, and Tyrion can never reach it!😭
Key Activities:
- Take the throne (Cersei Lannister as Queen).
- Tyrion Lannister as a wise Hand of the King.
- The Purple Wedding: King Joffrey poisoned on his wedding day.
- Rise of Cersei to power with wildfire to kill her enemies
Because Tywin always hides where the gold is, and Tyrion can never reach it!😭
3 House Targaryen (Dragon)
Key Activities:
- Exile and rise of Daenerys Targaryen to power.
- Birth of Dragons: Daenerys gives life to three dragons from petrified eggs.
- Conquering Slaver's Bay and liberating slaves.
- Invading Westeros to reclaim the Iron Throne.
- The tragedy of her downfall following attacking King's Landing.
Why did the Targaryen throw a housewarming party?
Because they literally have dragons to bring the heat!🔥🐉
Major Activities:
- Robert Baratheon's reign following toppling the Targaryens.
- Stannis Baratheon's employment of the Red Priestess Melisandre and her mysticism (i.e., shadow assassin).
- Renly Baratheon's attempt at the throne but murdered by Stannis.
Why don’t Baratheons play cards?
Because you can never trust a stag not to buck the rules!💀
Because you can never trust a stag not to buck the rules!💀
The Night King (Icy Blue)
- Born by the Children of the Forest to battle humans.
- Turned against them, wanting to kill all life.
- Commanded the White Walkers and led an army of the dead.
The Long Night: A fight against humanity at Winterfell, where Arya Stark kills the Night King.
Symbolism: Symbolizes the impending threat of death and the repercussions of humanity's errors.
The Children of the Forest (Mystical Green)
- Original Westeros people with strong magical ties to the natural world.
- Used dragonglass to create the Night King but lost their hold on him.
- Assisted in making Bran Stark the Three-Eyed Raven.
Question: Were the Children of the Forest still alive during the events of Game of Thrones?
Answer: Yes, the Children of the Forest were alive during Game of Thrones times when Jon Snow was battling in the North. Though they were thought to have become extinct centuries before the series starts, it was discovered that some of them had managed to survive in secret, hidden in the very far North beyond the Wall.
The Children of the Forest also feature in a major role when Bran Stark goes beyond the Wall to meet the Three-Eyed Raven. He finds one group dwelling within the cave and the Three-Eyed Raven, and they assist him in learning more about his powers as well as about the past of Westeros.
Still, by the latter seasons, they are depicted to be eradicated during the attack of the cave by the White Walkers. Thus, they were present, alive, only during the earlier stages of the battle by Jon Snow against the White Walkers but ceased to exist by the time the concluding battles were raging.
The Children of the Forest also feature in a major role when Bran Stark goes beyond the Wall to meet the Three-Eyed Raven. He finds one group dwelling within the cave and the Three-Eyed Raven, and they assist him in learning more about his powers as well as about the past of Westeros.
Still, by the latter seasons, they are depicted to be eradicated during the attack of the cave by the White Walkers. Thus, they were present, alive, only during the earlier stages of the battle by Jon Snow against the White Walkers but ceased to exist by the time the concluding battles were raging.
Jon Snow's True Parentage
Parents
Mother: Lyanna Stark
- Younger sister of Eddard (Ned) Stark.
- Engaged to Robert Baratheon but loved Rhaegar Targaryen.
- Passed away giving birth to Jon in the Tower of Joy.
- Crown prince of the Targaryen house, son of King Aerys II (the Mad King).
- Married Lyanna in secret after falling in love.
Jon's Real Name
Aegon Targaryen: Representing his Targaryen heritage.
Brought up as Ned Stark's bastard son to keep him safe from Robert Baratheon.
Rhaegar Targaryen's Relationship with House of the Dragon
Connection to Major Players
- Rhaegar is a descendant of King Viserys I Targaryen, Rhaenyra Targaryen, and Daemon Targaryen.
- House of the Dragon happens ~170 years prior to his birth.
- Targaryen Customs
- Brother-sister marriages and fixations with prophecy persist in his line.
- Guided by Targaryen legend, including the prophecy of "The Prince That Was Promised."
Who Murdered the Mad King?
Killer:Jaime Lannister
Why He Did It
- The Mad King intended to burn King's Landing with wildfire.
- Jaime murdered Aerys II Targaryen during Robert's Rebellion to prevent him from setting the city on fire.
- This action brought Jaime the title "Kingslayer," although his motives were noble.
Why Bran Stark Became King- Selected because he had no ambition and could perceive the past, present, and potential futures as the Three-Eyed Raven.
- Tyrion's case: "Who has a better story than Bran the Broken?"
- Symbolized a departure from the cycle of violence and ambition.
Question: Does Bran Stark go back in time to meet the Children of the Forest or the Night King?
Answer: Yes, Bran Stark employs his greenseer powers to go back in time and see key events surrounding both the Children of the Forest and the Night King on Game of Thrones.
Meeting the Children of the Forest (in the past):
- Bran travels back in time in one of his visions with the Three-Eyed Raven and observes the Children of the Forest making the Night King. He sees them stabbing a dragonglass blade into the chest of a man bound to a weirwood tree, making him the first White Walker. This was used as a last resort by the Children to protect themselves from the First Men, who were killing their holy weirwood trees and putting them under threat.
Watching the Night King (in the past and present):
Bran sees the Night King in his visions several times:
- In the past: Bran witnesses the Night King's creation during the said scene with the Children of the Forest.
In the - In the here and now: When Bran wargs into visions of the White Walkers, the Night King is aware of Bran's presence and even marks him in one vision. The mark enables the Night King to locate and attack the cave of the Three-Eyed Raven, causing the deaths of the remaining Children of the Forest and Hodor.
The Significance of the Spiral Symbols
- Left behind by the White Walkers, these spirals were never fully elaborated.
- Symbolism: They represent the magic of the Children of the Forest or the cyclical nature of history and violence.
Meeting the Children of the Forest (in the past):
- Bran travels back in time in one of his visions with the Three-Eyed Raven and observes the Children of the Forest making the Night King. He sees them stabbing a dragonglass blade into the chest of a man bound to a weirwood tree, making him the first White Walker. This was used as a last resort by the Children to protect themselves from the First Men, who were killing their holy weirwood trees and putting them under threat.
Watching the Night King (in the past and present):
Bran sees the Night King in his visions several times:
- In the past: Bran witnesses the Night King's creation during the said scene with the Children of the Forest.
In the - In the here and now: When Bran wargs into visions of the White Walkers, the Night King is aware of Bran's presence and even marks him in one vision. The mark enables the Night King to locate and attack the cave of the Three-Eyed Raven, causing the deaths of the remaining Children of the Forest and Hodor.
Daenerys Targaryen's Downfall
- Her abrupt deviation into madness puzzled many viewers.
- Foreshadowing: Her brutal actions during the series (e.g., crucifying the slavers, incinerating enemies).
- Loss of her most trusted friends (Jorah, Missandei) and her dragons.
- The Targaryen bloodline of madness, referred to as the "Targaryen coin flip.
The Prophecy of Azor Ahai
Predicted a hero to conquer the darkness with a burning sword and making a large sacrifice.
Unclear Fulfillment:
Arya used the catspaw dagger, which possessed a cryptic background.
Importance: Symbolized destiny and was instrumental in the survival of Bran and the fall of the White Walkers.
Predicted a hero to conquer the darkness with a burning sword and making a large sacrifice.
Unclear Fulfillment:
- Jon Snow appeared to be bound to carry it out but was more passive in the process.
- Arya Stark killed the Night King, contradicting what appeared to be the prophecy.
Arya used the catspaw dagger, which possessed a cryptic background.
Importance: Symbolized destiny and was instrumental in the survival of Bran and the fall of the White Walkers.
Varys' Letters
The Destruction of the Iron Throne
Drogon destroyed the throne upon Daenerys' death, representing the end of the power struggle that contributed to her demise.
The Red Priests and Melisandre's Role
Melisandre's prophecies were vague but played a crucial role in determining events.
She was a believer in the Prince That Was Promised but got it wrong about who he would be.
Cersei and Jaime's Deaths
Died together as the Red Keep fell, representing their indomitable bond and the demise of the Lannister family.
- Varys penned letters that disclosed Jon Snow's real parentage but it is not known if they were delivered.
- Executed for treason against Daenerys, thinking she would turn into a tyrant.
- Trained to take on other personas and kill targets but refused their philosophy of giving up personal identity.
- Applied these skills for her own purposes, such as avenging her family and eliminating the Night King.
The Destruction of the Iron Throne
Drogon destroyed the throne upon Daenerys' death, representing the end of the power struggle that contributed to her demise.
The Red Priests and Melisandre's Role
Melisandre's prophecies were vague but played a crucial role in determining events.
She was a believer in the Prince That Was Promised but got it wrong about who he would be.
Cersei and Jaime's Deaths
Died together as the Red Keep fell, representing their indomitable bond and the demise of the Lannister family.
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