Season 5 of Game of Thrones saw the acclaimed HBO series diverge from its source material in key places. The fifth season followed the foundations of George R.R. Martin's A Dance with Dragons, but unlike earlier seasons, the show started to tell its own story. Several characters were altered or omitted, while other characters pursued different journeys than their book counterparts.
The fifth installment of Game of Thrones is known for its divergence from the books, though many other important plotlines still made it to the small screen. Jon Snow, Cersei Lannister, Arya Stark, and others followed similar storylines. But despite its differences, the show still included several iconic moments from A Song of Ice and Fire.
Changed: Dorne & Myrcella's Fate
One of season 5's most significant changes from the source material was the Dornish subplot. The show's versions of Doran Martell, Ellaria Sand, and the Sand Snakes differ; Oberyn's daughters' scheme with Arianne Martell to crown Myrcella queen instead of killing her.
Myrcella is injured in A Feast for Crows by Ser Gerold Dayne, though is currently alive and returning to King's Landing. Doran reveals an impressive master plan to his daughter after the attack that includes an alliance with the Targaryens.
Stayed The Same: Cersei's Walk Of Atonement
Myrcella met a different fate in season 5, but her mother Cersei's storyline stayed largely faithful to the books. The Lannister queen assumes power in the wake of Tywin's death, but her schemes soon begin to unravel, resulting in a moment of humiliation for the disgraced monarch in "Mother's Mercy."
Cersei's crimes come back to haunt her in the books and the show. Her repertoire of misdeeds varies, but the murder of King Robert and her incestuous relationship with Jaime remain primary charges.
Changed: The Introduction Of Young Griff
Season 5 took inspiration from the fifth book A Dance with Dragons, though several new characters were omitted from the show. One important character who never made it to the small-screen is Young Griff, aka Aegon Targaryen, the supposed son of Rhaegar and Elia Martell.
In the books, Tyrion meets Aegon while traveling via poleboat to Volantis. Popular theories in the fandom speculate that Aegon is secretly Illyrio Mopatis' son and the last heir of House Blackfyre, a bastard branch of House Targaryen.
Stayed The Same: The High Sparrow's Rise To Power
A new antagonist rises to power during season 5. The High Sparrow and his followers flock to King's Landing after Tywin's death. Cersei seizes the opportunity to involve the High Sparrow in her schemes against the Tyrells, but her decision to revive the Faith Militant proves to be a drastic mistake.
A Feast for Crows depicts the High Sparrow's growing influence and the Lannister queen's arrest. His power continues to grow in A Dance with Dragons as the small council strives to make peace with him.
Changed: Tyrion Meets The Dragon Queen
Tyrion travels across Essos in both mediums, seeking Daenerys and her dragons. The lost Lannister joins forces with the Targaryen queen in season 5, but their meeting in "The Gift" doesn't take place in A Dance with Dragons.
Instead of journeying with Varys, Tyrion stays with Illyrio Mopatis at his manse in Pentos. He is taken prisoner alongside his new companion Penny before eventually arriving at Meereen as a slave in the Yunkish camps.
Stayed The Same: Jon Snow Becomes Lord Commander
Jon's arc follows a familiar path to the books throughout season 5. The secret Targaryen becomes Lord Commander when his Night's Watch brothers choose him to lead them. As Lord Commander, Jon hastens to prepare for war with the White Walkers by making peace with the wildlings.
Jon is elected Lord Commander at the end of A Storm of Swords after rejecting a tempting offer from Stannis. A Dance with Dragons sees him struggle with his new powerful position, leading to his probable death during the mutiny at Castle Black.
Changed: Hardhome
"Hardhome" remains one of the show's most epic, action-packed episodes. Jon Snow travels beyond the Wall once more to treat with the Free Folk. When the Night King and his army of wights attack, Jon and the survivors are forced to flee from the massacre.
The events at Hardhome happen off-page in the books. Jon sends Cotter Pyke in his place during A Dance with Dragons, before learning of the dire situation through multiple ravens.
Stayed The Same: Daenerys Becomes A Dragonrider
Daenerys' arc in Meereen is a pivotal part of her journey in the books and the show. The Targaryen queen struggles with rulership of the city in a parallel story to Jon's experiences as Lord Commander. Dany grows estranged from her dragons, though she reunites with Drogon for their first flight.
Drogon meets Daenerys again in Daznak's Pit during A Dance with Dragons. Her escape from Meereen is an epic moment that sees her become the first dragonrider in over a century.
Changed: Dany's Visions In The Dothraki Sea
Daenerys' experiences in the Dothraki Sea vary from the source material. The show excludes her harrowing journey as she struggles to return to Meereen. Lost and alone, the young queen becomes ill and sees a series of foreboding images, including Jorah Mormont and her brother Viserys.
What happens to Dany after she flies away on Drogon is another important moment in her arc. The Targaryen queen embraces her fire and blood heritage before confronting Khal Jhaqo alongside her dragon.
Stayed The Same: Arya Goes Blind
Arya Stark undergoes brutal training at the House of Black and White in her quest to become a Faceless Assassin. In both mediums, the youngest Stark sister loses her eyesight and is forced to acclimate to blindness as her part of her deadly education.
In A Feast for Crows, Arya is given a mixture that robs her eyesight after killing a deserter from the Night's Watch. A similar sequence occurs in season 5; Arya crosses a name off her list by killing Meryn Trant. .