One of the most enjoyable aspects of a show like Game of Thrones is its narrative complexity. Because so many storylines are always intersecting with one another and diverging on their own paths, it leaves open the question of what might have happened had things turned out slightly differently. One of the greatest “what ifs” of the show is the question of what would have happened between Margaery Tyrell and Tommen Baratheon, the doomed royal couple.
While in many ways they would have been the perfect power couple for Westeros, in some important ways they would also have proven to be a total disaster.
Would Have: They Could Have Brought Some Peace to Westeros
It’s pretty obvious that, unlike so many other members of the upper class, both Tommen and Margaery seem to actually care about what happens to the common people and to the kingdom as a whole. Had they not met their tragic fates (Margaery being burned to death in the Great Sept and Tommen throwing himself from a window), it’s very likely that they would have at least been able to bring some much-needed stability to the troubled realm of Westeros, if only because they were both willing to listen to advice.
Wouldn’t Have: It’s Unlikely Tommen Would Have Been Able To Be Independent From Cersei
On the other hand, there was one wrinkle that would have continued to cause this couple quite a lot of trouble, and that is Tommen’s mother Cersei.
While he does seem to show some signs of establishing his independence from her as the seasons go on, it’s hard to shake the feeling that, had the marriage continued, she still would have found a way to sink her claws into him, because Cersei is never one to take any infraction lying down.
Would Have: Margaery Could Have Brought Out the Best In Tommen
One thing that always stood out about Margaery was her seemingly innate ability to bring out the best in people. This was true even of the notoriously terrible Joffrey. Had she been allowed to stay with Tommen, it’s not hard to see the ways in which she would have coaxed and encouraged him to be a better king than either his brother or his “father” Robert Baratheon was. She might even have been able to help him overcome his Lannister instincts.
Wouldn’t Have: Tommen Would Have Ultimately Been Seen as Weak
Unfortunately, the reality about Tommen is that he is, when it comes right down to it, a pretty weak person. At first, this was a product of his youth, but even after he grew up somewhat he seemed to have an inability to take firm action. Thus, it would have been very easy indeed for Margaery to exert a powerful hold on him, and if there’s one thing that the powerful magnates of Westeros cannot stand, it’s a weak man who is seemingly controlled by his wife.
Would Have: They Could Have Probably Kept a Lid on the Faith Militant
One of Cersei’s most fateful missteps was her belief that she could control the Faith Militant, only for the High Sparrow to become far more powerful than she had anticipated. Had Margaery and Tommen lived, it’s entirely possible that they might have been able to find a way to, if not neutralize the Faith, at least reach some kind of accord with them that would have restored peace to King’s Landing without completely destroying one of its most important religious buildings.
Wouldn’t Have: The Tyrells Would Have Become Too Powerful
The thing about Westeros is that peace largely depends on whether the major families have decided whether or not they’re going to go to war with one another. When the Targaryens were in power, it was fairly easy to keep things under control, since the reigning monarchs married their siblings and thus largely avoided giving any one family too much power. Unfortunately, if Tommen and Margaery had continued in their marriage, it seems rather likely that this would have resulted in the Tyrells having too much power for the other families’ comfort.
Would Have: They Could Have Organized a Better Defense against Dany’s Invasion
One of Cersei’s most colossal failures as a ruler was her unwillingness to accept that Daenerys Targaryen was a potent challenge to her throne and her life. As a result, she consistently underestimated her, and she paid for her hubris with her life.
One can say many things about Margaery, but she’s not a fool, and it’s pretty likely that she would have encouraged Tommen to take a much more active defense against the Mother of Dragons and her hordes.
Wouldn’t Have: Margaery Would Have Always Been in Conflict with Cersei
Had Margaery not gone up in flames and stayed married to Tommen, it’s more likely than not that she would have continued to be in conflict with Cersei. After all, they are two very powerful women, both of whom recognize that the young king is their avenue to power. As a result, both the court and the kingdom as a whole would have continued to find itself split along to very powerful axes, with predictably disastrous results.
Would Have: Margaery Would Have Probably Acknowledged the Threat from the North
For a woman who seems determined to grab power for herself, Cersei seems to not know how to wield it very effectively. See, for example, her truly mind-blowing decision to let the North fend for itself against the invasion from the Night King. One would hope that Margaery, being a little more sensible and realistic than Cersei, would have been a little more proactive in helping to deal with this existential threat.
Wouldn’t Have: Tommen’s Weakness Would Have Led To Margaery Turning Into Another Cersei
Though a cursory glance might suggest that Cersei and Margaery are very different people, in fact they have a lot in common (which no doubt explains why they hate one another so much). This being the case, it’s likely that, as the years went by, Margaery would have become more and more like her mother-in-law, with results that would probably prove similarly destructive for Westeros. One could hope, though, that Margaery might be a bit more like Olenna that Cersei.