Cersei Lannister became Jaime’s replacement after George RR Martin scrapped the original plan to make him king of Westeros in Game Of Thrones

Cersei Lannister is not only Jaime Lannister’s twin (and, er, lover), but she apparently took parts of her original Game of Thrones history too. Cersei and Jaime are intertwined – even seeing themselves as having one soul in two bodies – but things were quite different in George R.R. Martin’s initial plans for the story, which would have seen Jaime become king of Westeros by murdering Joffrey’s son . Baratheon and Sansa Stark (among others).

Martin’s original plans for the A Song of Ice and Fire the books changed a lot from what was published and later adapted into the HBO TV series. Martin describes his writing style as that of a gardener, observing where things grow and how they develop rather than planning in detail. As the story expanded, things inevitably changed. However, certain elements can be seen from beginning to end, with some reverberating until the end. Game of Thrones‘ finishing. One of the biggest is what happens with Cersei and Jaime.

What was Cersei’s role in the original GRRM draft?

Her character wasn’t as defined as some of the others

Martin’s original outline for the series, which dates back to 1993 (three years before the first book was published), references several main characters. In what would have been just a trilogy, the story still contained a war between members of House Stark and House Lannister, and with that Tyrion, Jaime, Robert and Joffrey are all directly mentioned by name. Curiously, Cersei is not referenced in any way at this timeBut does that mean it didn’t exist?

Not exactly. For one thing, Robert was still king and Joffrey was (apparently) his son, so the idea of ​​a figure existing as Robert’s wife was probably in place. Likewise, Bran fell into a coma, so the events surrounding that were likely the same as well. It seems more likely that Cersei existed, but her character wasn’t as developednot so important. But as the story grew and things became more complex, so did his role.

How Cersei Lannister had a hand in Jaime’s original story

As Jaime’s story changed, so did Cersei’s

Jaime’s original story was not only notable for how he became king, but also for how he took the Iron Throne. As Martin noted, he fought his way to the top:

“Jaime Lannister will follow Joffrey on the throne of the Seven Kingdoms, by the simple expedient of killing everyone in front of him in the line of succession and blaming his brother Tyrion for the murders.”

This Jaime was much more ruthless, ambitious and power-hungry. While these attributes exist to some extent in the final version, he is not the more inherently villainous character he is initially introduced to (or at least not as the books progress). These characteristics, however, apply much more to Cersei, especially as her role has grown, as evidenced by her finally becoming a POV character in the books. A feast for crowsthe fourth novel in the series.

Cersei is someone who is willing to do absolutely whatever is necessary to achieve her own goals and increase her power base. For example, she orchestrates Robert’s death, leading to Joffrey, her son (whom she thinks she can control), ascending the Iron Throne. She later plots against Tyrion, who was taken straight out of the OG plan (until he was blamed for Joffrey’s murder). She also acted against Margaret Tyrell and many other enemies who stood in her way. She will use just about anyone, no matter the cost (except her own children).

Game of Thrones season 6 took this further, and more literally, than books like Cersei really became Queen by blowing up her enemies. It’s not exactly the same method as Jaime’s path to becoming king, but it’s essentially the same M.O., highlighting how she took on the darker parts of her story – becoming one of the TV show’s final villains even after the White Walkers were defeated – as their own arc morphed into something more complicated.

Jaime and Cersei got better thanks to GRRM’s changes

This led to two of Game Of Thrones’ best characters

Ultimately, Martin’s changes (and subsequently Game of Thrones) done to Jaime and Cersei were for the better. The narrative as a whole has expanded, and although this has caused some problems like waiting for The winds of winterThe release of continues also made the story, world and themes much richer. But Jaime and Cersei, specifically, benefited greatly from it.

Jaime is one of the most complex and tragic figures throughout the saga. His story is misunderstood, he fights for redemption, but is stopped by his love for his own sister, as well as his self-loathing. Cersei, meanwhile, is a charming villain: power-mad, cunning, and repulsive, but someone whose motivations and complexities are also fully understood. They are very in between Game of Thrones‘best characters, and Martin’s deviation from his initial plan is what allowed this to happen.