My buddy pointed out why Margaery Tyrell is so different in the books vs the show

We were debating Game of Thrones while grabbing coffee last week and he said the show made her too nice just so people would feel bad when she died. That hit me because in the books she's way more calculating and political, she even smiles at Sansa after Renly dies. Has anyone else noticed a character getting softened up for the screen?

2 comments

2 Comments

mark_smith595d ago

I read an interview with GRRM where he said the showrunners told him they wanted viewers to love Margaery before her end. In A Clash of Kings, she knows exactly how to play the game, telling Sansa that Renly's death was "a shame" but then flashing her a knowing smile that shows she's already plotting ahead. The show turned her into this kindhearted queen who actually cared about the orphans in King's Landing, but book Margaery is more like Olenna's protege, focused on survival and power. They did the same thing with Tyrion in later seasons, making him a good guy instead of the morally gray character from the books. The show needed clear heroes and villains for TV audiences.

gonzalez.grant5d ago

Wait, she actually SMILES at Sansa right after Renly dies? I never caught that detail, that's cold blooded. The show turned her into this warm, caring person who blushes and talks about wanting to help the common folk, but book Margaery sounds like she's playing 4D chess from page one. They really did strip out all her sharp edges just to make sure everyone would sob when Cersei blew up the Sept. It's almost insulting to the audience, like they thought we couldn't handle a female character who's both charming and ruthless at the same time. Give me book Margaery any day, at least she feels like a real player in the game.