The second season of HBO's Game of Thrones was a largely accurate adaptation from its source material. True to George R. R. Martin's A Clash of Kings, season 2 featured the escalating war between the Starks and the Lannisters, as well as Stannis Baratheon's attack on King's Landing and the distant adventures of the remaining Targaryen.
Season 2 followed the books like the other earlier seasons of Game of Thrones, but the series still made significant changes here and there. Most of the season derived its content from A Clash of Kings, but several scenes were show-only creations that never took place in A Song of Ice and Fire.
Changed: Daenerys' Visions In The House Of The Undying
A pivotal part of Daenerys' journey is her brief stay in Qarth and venture into the House of the Undying. This event varies from the book to the show. Dany willingly enters the warlocks' home with Drogon in A Clash of Kings, whereas she is forced to retrieve her kidnapped dragons in HBO's Game of Thrones.
The visions presented to the Mother of Dragons are different as well. In the book, Dany sees images from the past, present, and future, including her brother issuing a prophetic warning. In season 2, the Targaryen queen foresees the destruction of King's Landing before reuniting with Khal Drogo.
Stayed The Same: Sansa Saves Ser Dontos
The second season of Game of Thrones begins bleakly for Sansa Stark. The Northern princess is held hostage by the Lannisters in King's Landing and subjected to Joffrey's torment. Despite her situation, Sansa saves the life of Ser Dontos by convincing the cruel king to spare him.
This scene is a faithful adaptation from the book. Joffrey strips Dontos of his knighthood and declares him his new fool. The disgraced knight later helps smuggle Sansa out of King's Landing when Joffrey is killed during his wedding feast.
Changed: A New Love For Robb Stark
Robb Stark was given substantial screentime during the show's second season that impacted the depiction of his narrative. Instead of marrying Jeyne Westerling like his book counterpart, the King in the North marries Talisa, a woman from Volantis, breaking his pact with the Freys.
Robb's motives for marrying a different bride vary in both mediums. The Young Wolf falls in love with Talisa in the show. In the books, Robb marries Jeyne to preserve her honor in an effort to follow his father's example.
Stayed The Same: Theon Greyjoy Betrays The Starks
Despite his friendship with Robb, Theon Greyjoy betrays the Starks in season 2. The King in the North sends Theon to Pyke to negotiate an alliance with Balon. Instead, Theon gives in to his father's demands after reuniting with his family and turns on the Starks.
Theon manages to capture Winterfell with a small garrison of soldiers and pretends to murder Bran and Rickon Stark, killing two innocent boys in their place. This betrayal derives from A Clash of Kings, which depicts Theon's brief rise and imminent downfall.
Changed: Tyrion's Chain During The Battle Of The Blackwater
Tyrion organizes the defense of King's Landing when Stannis Baratheon's forces attempt to seize the Iron Throne from the Lannisters. The Hand of the King utilizes wildfire during the Battle of Blackwater Bay, issuing a huge blow to the Baratheon army.
Tyrion's plan is altered slightly from the books. In A Clash of Kings, Tyrion also commissions the blacksmiths to build a colossal chain that traps the Baratheon ships with the wildfire.
Stayed The Same: Stannis And Melisandre Join The Game Of Thrones
New players in the game of thrones are introduced during the show's second season. Viewers meet Robert's brother and rightful king, Stannis Baratheon, as he plots on Dragonstone with the Red Priestess Melisandre to claim his destiny as King of Westeros and Azor Ahai.
Stannis and Melisandre's scenes are largely faithful to their book counterparts. In A Clash of Kings, Melisandre converts Stannis' wife to the faith of R'hllor before convincing the Baratheon king he is a prophesied hero.
Changed: Arya Stark Meets Tywin Lannister
Arya Stark escapes from King's Landing following her father's execution, but her luck runs out while traveling to the North with Yoren and the Night's Watch recruits. Arya's group is attacked by Amory Lorch and the Lannister forces before being taken as captives to Harrenhal.
There, Arya meets Tywin Lannister during her time when the Lannister patriarch makes her his cupbearer. This unlikely pairing doesn't happen in the books; Arya never meets Tywin and becomes Roose Bolton's cupbearer instead.
Stayed The Same: The Tyrells Save The Lannisters
Despite Tyrion's clever plans, the Lannisters would have lost the Battle of the Blackwater if it weren't for House Tyrell. The Tyrells ally with Tywin following Renly's death and travel to King's Landing in time to beat back Stannis Baratheon's forces.
The Lannisters' alliance with House Tyrell is a crucial plot point in the books and the show. Joffrey breaks his betrothal to Sansa in order to marry Margaery instead, leading to his orchestrated death at the Purple Wedding.
Changed: A Bigger Role For Margaery
Like Robb Stark, Margaery Tyrell was also given a larger role for the HBO series. Throughout A Song of Ice and Fire, Margaery is a minor character without any POV chapters. Game of Thrones saw the Tyrell queen become a leading lady as she actively schemed with her brother and Renly Baratheon.
Margaery's character was a great addition to the show that gave Cersei a true rival following her engagement to Joffrey. Time will tell if the Tyrell lady will have her first POV chapter in The Winds of Winter.
Stayed The Same: Arya Saves Jaqen
Arya meets Jaqen H'ghar for the first time while traveling with the Night's Watch recruits in season 2. Like her book counterpart, the younger Stark sister saves the lives of Jaqen, Rorge, and Biter, leading to a new friendship with the Faceless assassin.
Jaqen proves to be an instrumental figure in Arya's arc. Arya later travels to Braavos with his coin and trains to become one of the Faceless Men at the House of Black and White. In the show, Arya's training allows her to defeat the White Walkers, a feat that could be similarly depicted in the books.