Game of Thronesgot an important aspect of Robb Stark’s character wrong, but in doing so, it made its version of the Red Wedding more devastating. As fantasy adaptations go,Game of Throneswas fairly faithful toGeorge R.R. Martin’s books— at least when it was still following them. The show’s first few seasons gave fans little to complain about, though they did change a few key details.
Among them was Robb Stark’s marriage, which was different right down to his wife’s identity. Although Robb weds Jeyne Westerling in Martin’sSong of Ice and Firebooks,Game of Thronesalters this, introducing a healer named Talisa for him to marry instead.
To be fair,Talisa Stark is way better than her book counterpart; Jeyne receives barely any characterization, and her fate is left up in the air after Robb and Catelyn die. However, it’s not just identity of Robb’s wife that HBO’s adaptation changes.Game of Thronesalso alters his reasons for marrying her, fundamentally misinterpreting his book story.
Game Of Thrones Misunderstood Robb’s Decisions Before The Red Wedding
Robb’s Marriage Is Supposed To Be About Honor, Not Love
As @rhanialam discusses onTikTok,Game of Thronesmisunderstands the motivation behind Robb’s marriage to Jeyne Westerling in the books— and as such, it turns his relationship with Talisa into something else entirely. In the show, Robb and Talisa’s romance gets enough build-up to sell viewers on their feelings for each other. This fixes her character, but it hurts Robb’s.
Portraying the pair as smitten with each other makes it seem as though Robb is leading with his heart rather than his head, but in the books, this isn’t the case. The books emphasizethe harsh reality that Robb is following in Ned Stark’s footsteps. He and Jeyne Westerling are intimate, and he marries her because it’s the honorable thing to do, not because they’re in love.
It’s the same tragedy that befalls his father, who puts his entire house and daughters at risk by choosing honor and duty in book one.
In prioritizing his honor, Robb sacrifices his alliance with House Frey — and condemns himself and his people to the grim fates they meet at the Red Wedding. It’s the same tragedy that befalls his father, who puts his entire house and daughters at risk by choosing honor and duty in book one.
This parallel gets lost inGame of Thrones,with Robb’s choices seeming like the impulses of a young and naive lord. In both instances,Robb’s mistakes lead to the Red Wedding. However,his story in the show mirrors a different Stark’s instead of Ned’s.
Robb’s Choices In The Show Mirror Lyanna’s, Not Ned’s
Although Robb’s downfall is supposed to mirror Ned’s,his choices inGame of Thronesare actually more in line with Lyanna’s. Lyanna Stark also falls in love with someone who isn’t her betrothed — Rhaegar Targaryen — and chooses to run away with him because of it. This leads to Robert’s Rebellion and plenty of suffering for House Targayren and the realm.
LikeGame of Thrones’take on Robb, the decisions Lyanna makes for love have disastrous consequences — even if we can understand and sympathize with her. They both read like naive players in a much larger game, while book Robb comes off much closer to Ned’s honorable lord.
Altering Robb’s character in this way does have one benefit for the HBO series: it makes the Red Wedding more tragic and memorable.
And changing Robb in this way could lead viewers to respect him less; there are certainly people who don’t empathize with or approve of his choices inGame of Thrones.But altering Robb’s character in this way does have one benefit for the HBO series: it makes the Red Wedding more tragic and memorable.
Game Of Thrones Made The Red Wedding Sadder With Its Book Changes
The Show’s Take On The Incident Is Even More Gutting
By changing Robb Stark’s wife and marriage,Game of Throneschanges the meaning of his story. However,it does make the Red Wedding more devastating, and thus, even better. In the books, Jeyne isn’t even present for the Red Wedding — and despite many theories suggesting otherwise, she isn’t pregnant with Robb’s child.
In the show, the bond between Robb and Talisa ensures that viewers will be gutted when the former is killed by the Freys. And the fact that “The Rains of Castamere” makes the decision to include Talisa in the massacre only makes matters worse, especially as sheiscarrying Robb’s child.
Robb is forced to watch as the Freys take his family and house away from him before meeting his own grim end. This makesGame of Thrones' version of the Red Wedding far more emotional and shocking, even if it doesn’t fit with the books' take on his character. It also emphasizes the consequences of his actions, which are far more avoidable in the TV series.
And for a television show, making such an impact is important. It’s part of the reason theRed Wedding has become a moment every other seriestries to replicate. Needless to say,Game of Thrones' changes worked out in the series' favor, even if they might not sit well with diehard book fans. They’re far from the worst changes the series makes to the source material though.
