Game of Thrones: Arya Stark and Jon Snow romance was George RR Martin's original plan
Fortunately, the author scrapped the idea
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Louise Thomas
Editor
Game of Thrones almost featured an incestuous relationship that’s impossible to comprehend.
While the series has featured the relationship of brother and sister Cersei and Jaime Lanniser as well as nephew and auntie Daenerys and Aegon Targaryen (otherwise known as Jon Snow), George RR Martin – author of the book series A Song of Ice and Fire - originally planned on Arya Stark falling for her half-brother Jon Snow, who is later revealed to be her cousin.
When Martin was prepping the outline for his book franchise, he described how the character, played in the HBO series by Maisie Williams, would have fallen for Snow (Kit Harington) after joining him on his journey to the wall alongside mother Catelyn and brother Bran.
It read: “Wounded by Lannister riders, they will seek refuge at the Wall, but the men of the Night’s Watch give up their families when they take the black, and Jon and Benjen will not be able to help, to Jon’s anguish. It will lead to a bitter estrangement between Jon and Bran. Arya will be more forgiving… until she realises, with terror, that she has fallen in love with Jon, who is not only her half-brother but a man of the Night’s Watch, sworn to celibacy.
“Their passion will continue to torment Jon and Arya throughout the trilogy, until the secret of Jon’s true parentage is finally revealed in the last book.”
Instead, Arya and Snow have a strong familial bond. Going by how well Williams and Kit Harington play that in the series, viewing their relationship in a romantic light is a very strange prospect.
Last week’’s season eight opener included a hilarious reference to last season’s controversial Ed Sheeran cameo as well as a terrifying death at the hands of the Night King that has people theorising over his true identity (no, not Bran Stark).
Viewers in China were left furious after six minutes of the episode – which broke HBO records – was censored by tech corporation Tencent.
The final season of Game of Thrones continues every Sunday and you can watch the brand new season eight opening title sequence here.
You can find our extensive ranking of every character – from worst to best – here
.The show will be available on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in the UK.
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