HBO's Game of Thrones is one of the most popular TV shows of all time. Since it debuted on our screens in 2011, the adaption of George R.R. Martin's stellar book series A Song of Ice and Fire has gone on to introduce a whole new generation to the high fantasy genre, many of whom would have denied even enjoying the genre before GoT.
That being said, despite the cultural impact of the TV series, many were left incredibly disappointed by the final season of the show. However, some fans had been suggesting that GoT had been going downhill since it started meandering away from George R.R. Martin's blueprint in the time around Season 4.
This article will list 10 plot threads that were left unresolved in Game of Thrones.
Why Are The White Walkers Back?
This is one of the biggest mysteries in both the show and the book series, with fans speculating for years as to why the mysterious White Walkers had suddenly decided to return after not being seen in Westeros since their defeat at the end of the Long Night, 8000 years before the events of Game of Thrones.
Naturally, fans were left angered when the Others were defeated in the third episode of Season 8, without any answers as to how or why the White Walkers returned. While the showrunners did suggest that the Night King wanted to destroy Bran and kill humanity, this wasn't a satisfying explanation, and simply relegated the White Walkers into another dull fantasy villain race.
Dorne
Dorne has some of the most compelling characters in the Song of Ice and Fire book series. Aside from the obvious Oberyn Martell, we also had Arianne Martell, Doran Martell, and even Quentyn Martell, who meets his end via Dany's dragonfire in the books.
While characters such as Doran did appear in the show, they had very little impact on the main story. They just sort of disappeared, which is an incredible shame as the characters have a huge involvement in the book series.
Faceless Men
While we may have technically received an ending to the Faceless Men story after Arya left, it was hardly satisfying in answering several questions about why they were in Westeros in the early seasons. Rather, the show simply skirts over the fact that Jaqen H'ghar was in King's Landing.
In the books, it is hinted that the assassin is in the Citadel, searching for something in the home of the Maesters, though what they are looking for we don't know.
Lady Stoneheart
Some may argue that the show did not set up the Lady Stoneheart plot, but there were several elements that were included in the show that were pivotal to the return of Catelyn Stark as Lady Stoneheart in the a Song of Ice and Fire book series.
The inclusion Beric Dondarrion is the main hint toward Lady Stoneheart, with his existence almost solely necessary to resurrect Catelyn, and show the effects of bringing characters back from the dead.
The Communication Of The White Walkers
The messages left behind by the White Walkers in Game of Thrones were unique to the TV series. In the first episode of the show, we see the Others leave a terrifying symbol using the bodies of some Wildlings that they had just recently killed.
This led fans to speculate what the White Walkers were trying to communicate, with some fans suggesting that the spirals referenced the Gods Eye. However, we got no answer as to why the Others left behind these messages by the end of the series.
Young Griff
Young Griff is one of the most important plot points in the Song of Ice and Fire book series, with the character accompanying Tyrion on his journey to meet Daenerys. In the books, Young Griff claims to be Aegon Targaryen, son of Rhaegar Targaryen, and rightful heir to the Iron Throne. He is heading to Dany to ask for her support in taking back the Iron Throne.
While the Mountain was said to have killed Aegon Targaryen in the Sacking of King's Landing during Robert's Rebellion, Young Griff claims that he had been swapped with another baby by Varys. In the show, we see Varys and Illyrio talking in the Black Cells, but this ultimately goes nowhere. As the two are heavily involved in the Young Griff conspiracy, it stands to reason he was the topic of their discussion.
Quaithe
Quaithe is one of the most mysterious characters in both the TV series and the books. In the show, she appears to Dany in Season 2. However, the show doesn't use the character to the extent that she is utilized in the book series.
In the books, it is made clear that she is a Shadowbinder from Asshai, giving her a more sinister feeling than in the show. Furthermore, in the books, she appears to Dany in dreams, giving her cryptic riddles about her future in the process, warning the Khaleesi warnings about a pale mare and mummer's dragon. Perhaps her most famous riddle, however, is:
"To go north, you must journey south. To reach the west, you must go east. To go forward you must go back, and to touch the light you must pass beneath the shadow."
Horn Of Winter
In the books, the Horn of Winter, or Joramun's Horn, is a huge plot point. Mance Rayder is searching for it across the lands beyond the Wall, with the legendary horn said to wield the power to bring down the Wall. Rayder intended to use the horn to guarantee his people passage behind the Wall.
In both the books and the show, Jon comes into possession of a broken horn in a bundle of dragonglass weapons. While the show doesn't further this plot, the books make frequent mention of it, suggesting that it will be important in the future.
Craster's Sons
While mention is made in the books of Craster sacrificing his sons to the White Walkers, the series goes further in showing that they themselves are transformed into White Walkers. However, the questions raised by this are not answered.
For instance, do Craster's sons grow into full-sized White Walkers, or must they attend a White Walker training of some sort for several years? Many fans thought this would play into the endgame of the show, with Jon Snow agreeing on some kind of pact with the Others, potentially sacrificing himself in the process, though this was not to be the case.
Nymeria And Her Wolf Pack
In the books, Arya Stark's connection to her direwolf Nymeria is constantly mentioned. Despite being separated from her wolf by thousands of miles, Arya is still able to warg into the wolf, and has wolf dreams while she is training with the Faceless Men.
While this ultimately shows that Arya will remain a Stark despite the teachings of the Faceless Men, as the TV series showed, many fans thought the Nymeria's wolf pack would have a greater impact on the plot. As George RR Martin once said, “You don't hang a giant wolf pack on the wall unless you intend to use it.”