The first four seasons of Tywin Lannister's death being just a few of the major developments. With so much happening in A Storm of Swords, it's not entirely shocking that the show chose to change or cut a few elements of the source material.
However, I wish Game of Thrones had stuck with the book's ending scene, as it's one of the best moments of the entire Song of Ice and Fire series. It's a huge part of the reason A Storm of Swords is my favorite ASOIAF book, and it sets the stage for the back half of Martin's story perfectly — even if we're still waiting for The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring. Changing minor details of the Moon Door scene hurt its adaptation, and I'm still mad about it a decade later.
I'm Still Thinking About A Storm Of Swords' Moon Door Scene, 24 Years After Its Release
It Was A Perfect Way To End The 3rd Book (& Game Of Thrones Season 4)
While A Storm of Swords is full of pivotal moments, the final scene of the third Song of Ice and Fire book is one I'm still thinking about years later. The book concludes with Petyr Baelish throwing Lysa Arryn out of the Moon Door, a scene that does happen in Game of Thrones — but earlier than its book counterpart and a bit differently. Ending A Storm of Swords with this shocking moment was such a smart move on Martin's part, as it was an effective way to leave viewers stunned and build anticipation for the sequels.
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Unfortunately, Game of Thrones doesn't treat the Moon Door scene with the same weight as the source material, opting to make Arya boarding a ship to Braavos the final moment of season 4 instead. And the Battle for the Wall is the climax of the season, with the Hound vs. Brienne, Tywin's death, and Jojen's death defining the finale. There's too much going on in season 4's last two episodes to also cover Lysa's death, too. However, it ends up being easy to overlook it because it happens before all these huge developments.
Game Of Thrones Changing The Moon Door Scene Was So Disappointing
The Show Removes Dialogue & A Key Character
Game of Thrones doesn't just change the placement of the Moon Door scene in the narrative; it also alters important elements of the scene, which makes its iteration of Lysa Arryn's death so much more disappointing. The moment starts the same in the book and show: with Baelish kissing Sansa, then Lysa threatening to throw her out of the Moon Door. However, Lysa is much more talkative in the source material, revealing details about her past with Catelyn and Littlefinger — including the fact that Littlefinger once got her pregnant, but her father forced her to get rid of the baby.
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All of this adds crucial context to major relationships in Game of Thrones, but Lysa's most important revelation is that Littlefinger convinced her to kill Jon Arryn with the tears of Lys. This is a massive twist in the books, but we already know about it during the show's Moon Door sequence. Lysa Arryn lets this slip during Game of Thrones season 7, episode 5, rendering her Moon Door outburst far less pivotal.
In the books, there's also another character present for Lysa Arryn's death: a musician named Marillion.
In the books, there's also another character present for Lysa Arryn's death: a musician named Marillion. Lysa has him sing as she threatens Sansa, and he's present when Littlefinger pushes her to her death. This offers a cover story for how Lysa dies, something the show sort of glosses over. A Storm of Swords concludes with Littlefinger framing Marillion for Lysa's murder, with Martin delivering this bombshell of a final paragraph:
"The guards were shouting outside the door, pounding with the butts of their heavy spears. Lord Petyr pulled Sansa to her feet. 'You're not hurt?' When she shook her head, he said, 'Run let my guards in, then. Quick now, there's no time to lose. This singer's killed my lady wife.'"
Things obviously play out much differently in the show, as Marillion isn't around for the Moon Door scene. Although that may seem like a small detail to cut, it actually hurts this moment — and Littlefinger's characterization — significantly.
Why This Iconic Game Of Thrones Moment Is So Much Better In The Books
It Establishes Littlefinger As A Much Bigger Threat
The Moon Door sequence is better in A Song of Ice and Fire for a few reasons, starting with the fact that it ends this portion of Martin's story on a high note. The same can be said of Tyrion killing Tywin in Game of Thrones, so this isn't a huge loss on its own. However, the show's version of this scene fails to deliver the same reveals as the book, as much of the dialogue is cut. This takes away from the portrayals of certain characters, and it makes the Jon Arryn twist less powerful and satisfying.
A Storm of Swords' ending establishes Littlefinger as a bigger threat — one who's clearly willing to throw anyone under the bus (or out of the Moon Door) for his own interests.
Of course, the biggest reason the show's take on this scene is underwhelming is that it doesn't capture the ruthless nature of Littlefinger nearly as well as Martin's book. A Storm of Swords' ending establishes Littlefinger as a bigger threat — one who's clearly willing to throw anyone under the bus (or out of the Moon Door) for his own interests. He barely thinks before framing Marillion, highlighting how quickly and mercilessly Littlefinger approaches his political schemes. Game of Thrones doesn't capture that, nor does it do Littlefinger justice beyond this point.
While A Song of Ice and Fire has yet to reveal Littlefinger's fate, the character who pushes Lysa in the books doesn't seem likely to fall into the Starks' trap so easily. Littlefinger's death is satisfying in Game of Thrones, but Martin's source material paints him as smarter than that. This is especially true during the Moon Door scene, which suggests he could make even bigger plays before the series is through.
Game Of Thrones
- Release Date
- 2011 - 2019-00-00
- Showrunner
- David Benioff, D.B. Weiss
- Directors
- David Nutter, Alan Taylor, D.B. Weiss, David Benioff
Cast
Jon Snow
Isaac Hempstead WrightBrandon Bran Stark
WHERE TO WATCH
Based on George R. R. Martin's ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
- Writers
- D.B. Weiss, George R.R. Martin, David Benioff
- Franchise(s)
- Game of Thrones
- Seasons
- 8
- Streaming Service(s)
- MAX
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