The first four seasons of Game of Thrones adapt George R.R. Martin A Song of Ice and Fire books quite faithfully, but I will never forgive season 4 for changing one of the best moments of A Storm of Swords. There's a lot to cover Game of Thrones Season 4, with the Purple Wedding, Tyrion's trials, the Battle for the Wall, and Tywin Lannister's death being just some of the major developments. With so much going on in A Storm of Swords, It's not entirely shocking that the show chose to change or cut some elements from the source material.
However, I wish Game of Thrones I had the final scene of the bookbecause it's one of the best moments ever A Song of Ice and Fire series. It's a big part of the reason A Storm of Swords it's my favorite ASOIAF book, and it perfectly sets the stage for the second half of Martin's story – even if we're still waiting for The winds of winter and A spring dream. Changing small details of the Moon Door scene hurt its adaptation, and I'm still angry about it a decade later.
I'm still thinking about the moon door scene from A Storm Of Swords, 24 years after its release
It was a perfect way to end the third book (and season 4 of Game Of Thrones)
While A Storm of Swords is full of pivotal moments, the final scene of the third A Song of Ice and Fire book is one I'm still thinking about years later. The book ends with Petyr Baelish throwing Lysa Arryn out of the Moon Gate, a scene that takes place in Game of Thrones – but before the book and in a slightly different way. End A Storm of Swords With this shocking moment it was a very smart move on Martin's part, as it was an effective way to leave viewers stunned and build anticipation for the upcoming sequels.
Unfortunately, Game of Thrones does not treat the Moon Door scene with the same weight as the source materialopting to have Arya board a ship to Braavos in the final moment of season 4. And the Battle for the Wall is the season's climax, with Hound vs. Brienne, Tywin's death and Jojen's death defining the ending. There's too much going on in the last two episodes of season 4 to cover Lysa's death as well. However, it ends up being easy to ignore because it happens before all these big developments.
Game Of Thrones Changing The Moon Door Scene Was So Disappointing
The show removes dialogue and a key character
Game of Thrones not only does it change the positioning of the Moon Door scene in the narrative; it also changes important elements of the scene, which makes the iteration of Lysa Arryn's death that much more disappointing. The moment begins the same in the book and in the series: with Baelish kissing Sansa, then Lysa threatening to expel her from the Moon Door. However, Lysa is much more talkative in the source materialrevealing details about her past with Catelyn and Littlefinger – including the fact that Littlefinger once got her pregnant, but her father forced her to get rid of the baby.
All of this adds crucial context to the key relationships in Game of Thronesbut Lysa's most important revelation is that Littlefinger convinced her to kill Jon Arryn with Lys's tears. This is a big twist in the books, but we already know this during the Moon Door sequel series. Lysa Arryn lets this slip during Game of Thrones season 7, episode 5, making his explosion at the Moon Door much less crucial.
In the books, there is also another character present at Lysa Arryn's death: a musician named Marillion.
In the books, there is also another character present at Lysa Arryn's death: a musician named Marillion. Lysa makes him sing while she threatens Sansa, and he is present when Littlefinger pushes her to her death. This offers a cover story about how Lysa dies, something the show kind of glosses over. A Storm of Swords ends with Littlefinger framing Marillion for Lysa's murderwith Martin delivering this final paragraph bombshell:
“The guards shouted outside the door, banging the tips of their heavy spears. Lord Petyr hauled Sansa to her feet. 'Are you not hurt?' When she shook her head, he said, 'Run, let my guards in then, quickly, there's no time to waste.'
Obviously, things play out very differently in the show, as Marillion is not present in the Moon Door scene. While it may seem like a small detail to cut out, really hurts in this moment – and in Littlefinger's characterization – significantly.
Why this iconic Game of Thrones moment is so much better in the books
This establishes Littlefinger as a much greater threat
The Moon Door sequence is better in A Song of Ice and Fire for a few reasons, starting with the fact that it ends this part of Martin's story on a high note. The same can be said of Tyrion killing Tywin in Game of Thrones, so that's not a big loss in and of itself. However, the show's version of this scene fails to deliver the same revelations as the book, as much of the dialogue is cut. This undermines the portrayal of certain characters and makes Jon Arryn's twist less powerful and satisfying.
A Storm of Swords' The ending establishes Littlefinger as a greater threat – someone who is clearly willing to throw anyone under the bus (or out of the Moon Door) for his own interests.
Of course, the biggest reason the show's approach to this scene is underwhelming is that doesn't capture Littlefinger's ruthless nature as well as Martin's book. A Storm of Swords' The ending establishes Littlefinger as a greater threat – someone who is clearly willing to throw anyone under the bus (or out of the Moon Door) for his own interests. He barely thinks before incriminating Marillion, highlighting the speed and ruthlessness with which Littlefinger approaches his political schemes. Game of Thrones doesn't capture this, nor does it do justice to Littlefinger beyond this point.
While A Song of Ice and Fire hasn't revealed Littlefinger's fate yet, the character who pushes Lysa in the books doesn't seem to fall into the Starks' trap so easily. Littlefinger's death is satisfying in Game of Thronesbut Martin's source material shows him as smarter than that. This is especially true during the Moon Door scene, which suggests he could make even bigger moves before the series ends.