The Game of Thrones hype is back since the airing of the first season of House Of The Dragon, the prequel that took place 180 years before Daenerys Targaryen based on the best-selling book of George R.R. Martin's Fire and Blood.
With many changes that were made to the show from the books, it’s interesting to take a look at the version of Jaime Lannister from the books versus his portrayal in the series by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. Jaime was the same in many ways such as his wits and charm. However, his journey drastically differed in the series from the one he was set on in the books.
Jaime’s Looks On The Show Differ From His Description In The Books
There is no doubt that Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is handsome; a tall and charming portrayal of Jaime Lannister. Nevertheless, in the books of George R.R. Martin, his physical description is quite different.
While Jaime Lannister of the series has the looks of a warrior with his height and muscular figure, the actor’s hair are darker, a dirty blonde shade, and his eyes are brown. Whereas when it comes to the books, Jaime has green eyes and is compared to a half-god of beauty, with curly golden hair and a smile that could have anyone faint.
Jaime Was A Great Swordsman On The Show, But A Prodigy In The Books
Before losing his right hand, Jaime’s attribute was always being great at fighting with a sword. Nevertheless, the show doesn’t put this forth nearly as much as the books do.
In fact, in the books, Jaime is a prodigy with a sword. The “best natural swordsman ever seen”. He was even the youngest Kingsguard ever named at the age of 15. He is a great swordsman in the show, but fans barely get to see him fight; once with Ned Stark, and then a couple of minutes with Brienne, which leaves many of his book skills off-screen.
Show Jaime Was Sly, But Not As Clever As He Was In The Books.
In both books and the show, Jaime has an astute side to him; he did manage to escape his captivity and stay alive until returning to King’s Landing. However, the books portray him as a more clever self-aware man.
In fact, in the books, Jaime Lannister’s redemption and self-improvement arc is mostly based on self-reflection and an inner dialogue revolving around his future, now that he was not the greatest swordsman anymore after losing his hand. A whole angle is completely inexistent in the show.
Show Jaime Versus Book Jaime At The Purple Wedding
One of the main differences between the show and the books by R.R. Martin was noticeably Joffrey Baratheon’s wedding, or what fans dubbed the episode “the purple wedding”.
In the show, a legendary sequence was when Jaime Lannister pushes everyone out of his way and, horrified, grabs Joffrey off the floor as he dies, choking by poison. Nevertheless, the books tell a different tale. Jaime isn’t present during the incident, as he was away from King’s Landing, only to return before the funeral.
Jaime’s Rape On The Show Versus Book Jaime’s Making Love To Cersei
The purple wedding difference between the show and the books brings this next dissimilarity between both of the events that came after the death of Jaime and Cersei’s eldest son.
In the show, standing at the feet of their dead son’s corpse in the Sept of Baelor, Cersei and Jaime weep about their loss, and Jaime’s anger drives him to rape Cersei while she keeps saying “not here”. In the books, however, R.R. Martin puts it in a different light; even though it was widely inappropriate, Cersei was in fact “as hungry for Jaime as he was for her”.
Jaime’s Expedition To Dorne On The Show Versus His Refusal In The Books
With their eldest son buried, Cersei orders Jaime to infiltrate Dorne and rescue their daughter Mircella before any harm befalls her by their latest enemies hosting her; the Martells.
In the show, Jaime is seen undertaking the journey with Bronn, rescuing his daughter after eventful happenings in Dorne, but still losing his daughters in his arms, poisoned on their way back to King’s Landing. In the books, however, none of this happens as Jaime refuses Cersei’s request, and becomes increasingly despised by his sister.
Show Jaime Travels with Bronn While Book Jaime Journeys With Ilyn Pane
Throughout part of season 6, fans follow Jaime as he travels with Bronn through the Riverlands, taking over Riverrun and coming face to face with Daenerys’ dragon for the first time.
While the show emphasizes Jaime’s newfound relationship with Bronn who is sort of a defender now that Jaime lost his fighting hand, the book tells a different story. It is Sir Ilyn Pane, the tongue-less executioner, who travels with Jaime. The silent assassin allows Jaime to train with his left hand without hearing any commentary about his inability to fight.
Jaime Arrogantly Taking The Riverrun On The Show Versus Book Jaime Respecting Blackfish
Before escaping Catelyn Stark’s captivity, Jaime Lannister swore an oath to find her daughters and see to their safe return, as well as not to take up arms against Starks and Tullys.
In the show, Jaime seems to have reiterated a breaking of oath as he specifically tells Edmure Tully “I will kill every Tully to get back to Cersei”. In the books, Jaime encounters the Blackfish, Catelyn’s uncle, to whom he holds respect. Even after Blackfish rejects him, Jaime offers a favorable deal to his nephew Edmure and holds his oath, as he harms no one in Riverrun.
Show Jaime’s Reaction To Cersei’s Walk Of Atonement And His Stance In The Books
Game of Thrones is no stranger to shocking scenes, one of which was Cersei’s walk of atonement, as she moved from the Sept of Baelor to the Red Keep, naked, humiliated, and shamed.
In the show, the following episode shows her, fresh out of her experience with short hair, reuniting with Jaime who is back, beaten, exhausted, and one-handed, but back to her nonetheless ready to unleash his wrath towards those who harmed her. In the books, however, Jaime takes his Kingsguard’s duty seriously and remains in the Riverlands to keep the realm’s peace.
Jaime's Blind Allegiance To Cersei On The Show While Book Jaime Self-Reexamines Himself
One of Game of Thrones central couple storylines is the one of Cersei and Jaime, after all the incestuous relationship was one of the first shock factors of the series when it first aired.
Despite some changes in Jaime and a promising redemption arc, the series finale shows him doing a complete 180 on his self-development and going back to Cersei, ultimately dying with her, both buried alive in the Red Keep. In the books however and so far, Jaime re-examines his whole life on his journey away from King’s Landing, and stays away from his sister and the capital until the last book so far.