A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, the first novel in the book series A Song of Ice and Fire, was first published on August 1, 1996. Over a decade later, the first episode of Game of Thrones premiered on April 17, 2011, on HBO. Since then, this worldwide phenomenon has catapulted acting careers, sparked outrage, and broken hearts.
With an amazing cast, breathtaking locations, beautiful costuming, detailed props, and perfect music, it is not hard to believe that this show won so many awards. Excluding some questionable choices from the last season, this fantasy world has brought us a wide variety of great characters and storylines.
The Night King, played by Richard Brake, is the show’s big bad that nobody really knows about south of the wall. His White Walkers terrorize Wildlings and brothers of the Night’s Watch that venture beyond the wall. None have been seen for hundreds of years and are thought to be a myth or boogeymen to some degree.
Though almost unstoppable, the Night King and his horde don’t really present a serious threat to everyone on the other side of the wall. Until Cersei refuses to believe stories, and he gets his hands on a dragon that helps burn a hole in the only thing separating the zombies from the living.
Jaime, played by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, is Cersei’s twin brother and lover, a member of the Kingsguard, and one of the best swordsmen in Westeros. At the beginning of the show, he’s quite an arrogant, spoiled man who becomes a prisoner of war, and is later held hostage and maimed which humbles him.
Though his character is introduced in season 1 and his character arc was one of the best on the show, Jaime was more of an instrument for others’ bidding. His actions do affect the storyline a bit, but when he finally makes his own decisions, it happens near the end.
Brienne of Tarth, portrayed by Gwendoline Christie, becomes part of Renly Baratheon’s Kingsguard before his death when she’s first introduced in season 2. She then swears fealty to Catelyn Stark and goes all over Westeros trying to keep Sansa and Arya Stark safe.
Brienne is steadfastly loyal to whomever she swears allegiance to, and she is a very skilled warrior. Though she doesn’t directly affect bigger plot points, Brienne finds herself in the middle of many turning points for other characters.
Previously Ramsay Snow, perfectly portrayed by Iwan Rheon, until his father legitimizes him, Ramsay is introduced in season 3 after Theon Greyjoy loses control of Winterfell. He disguises himself as a friendly servant, gaining Theon’s trust, only to show him and the audience his true identity. From then until his death, Ramsay’s psychopathic tendencies wreak havoc on Theon, Sansa Stark, and his father’s enemies.
Ramsay is cunning, manipulative, ruthless, and sadistic, and perhaps a glimpse into the evil man Joffrey Baratheon could have become. As effectively brutal as he is, had Ramsay been given leave to go beyond Winterfell, he would’ve been quite a formidable adversary.
Lord Baelish, portrayed by Aidan Gillen, known as Littlefinger is King Robert Baratheon’s master of coin at the beginning of the show. Though the book character’s motives are a mystery, the show’s Littlefinger wants one thing: the Iron Throne. His thirst for power drives every decision and manipulation without a second thought about who gets killed in the process.
From Jon Arryn’s death to Sansa marrying Ramsay, Petyr sets many things into motion from behind the scenes. Though his strategic choices affected key characters with heavy blows, there were others whose work made bigger ripples in the storyline.
Arya, played beautifully by Maisie Williams, is introduced as a little girl who wishes to learn how to fight and wield weapons like her brothers. After witnessing her father’s death, she goes on a journey to try and reunite with the rest of her family. When that proves fruitless after even more family member deaths, she decides to train as one of the Faceless Men in order to fulfill her kill list.
Once fully trained, Arya decimates the Frey line to avenge her family. She battles against White Walkers during the Battle of Winterfell before killing the Night King herself. Had Arya been able to finish her training faster, she would have been able to finish off everyone on her kill list and still had time to head back to Winterfell before the White Walkers made it past the wall.
Cersei, portrayed by the inimitable Lena Headey, is introduced as King Robert Baratheon’s wife. She learns to wield the power her role gives her and seems to love her children without really rearing or knowing them. Cersei is one of the few characters who really knows how to play the Game of Thrones. Once she’s childless, her reckless vindictiveness and thirst for power come out in full force.
Although her shortsighted plans usually backfire, they sometimes cause widespread destruction. From her revenge against the Tyrells and Faith Militant to her refusal to help fight the White Walkers, her victories aren’t victories for long.
Tyrion, superbly played by Peter Dinklage, has quite a tragic backstory before he even comes into the picture. Made to feel lesser by most including his own father and older sister, Tyrion uses his sharp intellect to even the playing field. After escaping death from being falsely accused of killing his nephew, he kills his father and aligns himself with Daenerys Targaryen in hopes of helping someone more worthy of the Iron Throne.
The skill with which he maneuvers through his hard life and survives while keeping his kind heart and genuine loyalty is admirable. Had he wanted the Iron Throne for himself, there wouldn’t have been much to stop him from coming up with a successful strategy to obtain it.
Jon Snow, played by Kit Harrington, is thought to be Ned Stark’s bastard child by all and for most of his life. However, he is actually Aegon Targaryen, the child of Lyanna Stark and Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. Lyanna made her brother promise to keep his name secret since the Targaryens were being hunted down.
He’s thought to be the one to finally fulfill the Prince That Was Promised prophecy, though Arya ultimately killed the Night King. However, Jon is a key piece in uniting the Wildlings, spreading the word about White Walkers, asking for dragon glass to fight against the White Walkers, and reminding arguing clans that there’s a bigger threat to fight.
Queen Daenerys I Targaryen, portrayed perfectly by Emilia Clarke, was born on Dragonstone before she and her older brother Viserys fled to the Free Cities. Daenerys is married off to Khal Drogo and during their union, her confidence grows. After his death, Dany slowly begins to amass an army while freeing slaves in order to cross the Narrow Sea and take back the Iron Throne.
Daenerys affected change directly and indirectly throughout the whole show. From King Robert Baratheon ordering her death and the consequences that followed, the birthing of her three dragons, the taking over of cities and freeing slaves, and taking over the Unsullied and the entire Khalasar. She was born to be queen, a force to be reckoned with, and a strong, brave woman to the end. Perhaps Drogon took her to a red priestess to be brought back the same way Jon was. Either way, Dany was a true Targaryen and leader.
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