Game Of Thrones: 5 Ways Season 3 Changed From The Books (& 5 It Stayed The Same)

For the most part, season 3 of Game of Thrones adhered to the third book in George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, A Storm of Swords. The HBO show included many momentous scenes that altered the course of events: the fall of the Starks, the rise of Daenerys Targaryen, and a cold clash with the White Walkers beyond the Wall. Season 3 contained key moments from the books, though minor changes were made for the small screen.

Season 3’s diversions from the books started small and led to the widening path between both mediums’ narratives. Some storylines were condensed, whereas certain characters were altered or omitted from the series.

10 Changed: The Fate Of Robb Stark’s Wife

Robb Stark and his wife Talisa meet a shocking and tragic end during season 3’s “The Rains Of Castamere.” The young couple travels to the Twins to treat with Walder Frey, a decision they grow to regret when the Freys turn on their guests and slaughter the Starks.

Talisa dies at the Red Wedding in the show. Her book counterpart, Jeyne Westerling, remains at Riverrun instead. Queen Jeyne’s mother, Sybell Spicer, is revealed to have been working with Tywin Lannister during A Feast for Crows.

9 Stayed The Same: Daenerys Targaryen’s War Against Slavery

During season 3, Daenerys grows from a novice Khaleesi to a powerful conqueror. The Mother of Dragons visits Astapor, where she witnesses the brutal conditions for the city’s slaves. Dany tricks the masters and frees the Unsullied before spearheading a liberation in Slaver’s Bay.

Season 3 follows the Targaryen queen’s journey in the books. During A Storm of Swords, Daenerys sacks Astapor and amasses an army before setting her sights on Yunkai and Meereen.

8 Changed: Catelyn Stark’s Confession

The matriarch of House Stark makes a shocking confession in season 3’s “Dark Wings, Dark Words.” Grief-stricken for Bran and Rickon, Catelyn tells Talisa about a time Jon Snow was stricken with the pox as a child. She explains how she made a promise to the gods to spare his life but was unable to uphold her vows after his recovery.

Catelyn’s confession doesn’t occur in the books. Her character never expresses a secret fondness for Jon Snow; Catelyn resents her husband’s bastard until the end.

7 Stayed The Same: Jon Snow’s Romance With Ygritte

Jon Snow meets Ygritte in season 2, but the pair don’t act upon their feelings for each other until season 3’s “Kissed By Fire.” Ygritte seduces the secret Targaryen in a chemistry-filled cave scene. The two share a tender romance, though, in true Game of Thrones style, their relationship ends in tragedy.

Jon’s romance with Ygritte is another plotline that features in the source material. Like their show counterparts, Jon and Ygritte travel with the wildlings and climb the Wall, before Jon’s true allegiances are revealed.

6 Changed: The Fist Of The First Men

Season 3 features the aftermath of the wights’ devastating attack against the Night’s Watch. The Battle of the Fist of the First Men takes place off-screen; season 2 concludes with the grisly march of the zombie army, whereas season 3’s “Valar Dohaeris” shows the weary survivors of the massacre.

The battle at the Fist of the First Men is portrayed directly in the books. Through Samwell Tarly’s POV, readers witness the wights slaughter the Night’s Watch beyond the Wall in A Storm of Swords.

5 Stayed The Same: Tyrion Lannister Marries Sansa Stark

Sansa Stark undergoes a harrowing journey as a hostage in King’s Landing. The Stark princess’ circumstances seemingly worsen in season 3, when Tywin Lannister uncovers a plan to wed Sansa into House Tyrell. The Hand of the King takes measures to exploit Sansa’s connection to the North by making her marry Tyrion instead.

Sansa’s first marriage also takes place in the books. The couple is forced to take their nuptials in the Sept of Baelor, though their marriage remains unconsummated throughout the rest of the series.

4 Changed: Ser Barristan Selmy’s Alter-Ego

In season 3’s “Valar Dohaeris,” Daenerys meets Ser Barristan Selmy for the first time when the exiled knight saves her from an assassination attempt by the Qartheen warlocks. Barristan joins Team Targaryen and remains loyal to the Mother of Dragons throughout her conquest in Slaver’s Bay.

Barristan’s first meeting with Daenerys goes differently in the books. Disguising himself as Arstan Whitebeard, he meets Dany while preparing to leave Qarth. Barristan’s alter-ego allows him to observe Daenerys for a while; when he deems her free from Targaryen madness, he reveals his true identity.

3 Stayed The Same: The Red Wedding

The Red Wedding remains one of the most shocking and heartbreaking scenes in the series. The Starks are betrayed by House Frey and House Bolton, who turn on them during Edmure Tully’s wedding feast. Robb Stark is killed by his enemies alongside his mother, Catelyn, and his direwolf, Grey Wind.

The King in the North meets the same grisly end in A Storm of Swords. Roose Bolton delivers the final blow, before Robb’s body is further desecrated in mockery of the Starks.

2 Changed: The Brave Companions Capture Jaime And Brienne Instead Of Bolton Soldiers

Season 3 saw the show make minor adjustments to the source material while depicting a similar story. One change includes the omission of the Brave Companions. In the books, the Brave Companions are a sellsword company with a bad reputation, who are hired by Tywin to terrorize the Riverlands.

Vargo Hoat and his men were replaced by show-only characters in Game of Thrones. Instead of encountering the Brave Companions, Jaime and Brienne are captured by Locke and a retinue of Bolton soldiers instead.

1 Stayed The Same: Jaime Lannister Loses His Hand

Although it is Locke instead of Vargo Hoat who delivers the blow, Jaime’s right hand is cut off in another shocking scene from season 3’s “Walk Of Punishment.” The Kingslayer attempts to barter his way out of captivity but a less-than-amused Locke decides to teach him a different lesson instead.

Jaime struggles through many hardships in A Storm of Swords as he travels through the Riverlands with Brienne of Tarth. The loss of his hand is a sobering moment that sets him on a path to redemption. Season 3 made small changes to the third book in ASOIAF, though major events such as this remain mostly faithful to the books.

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