While the show's early seasons are mostly faithful to the books, the later outings make significant cuts and changes, which continues until the changes Game of Thrones makes are for the best. However, Game of Thrones utterly fails House Martell, from downplaying the Great House's role to excluding critical characters and drastically changing others' personalities. Thankfully, A Song of Ice & Fire can still correct these changes.

Game Of Thrones Drastically Changes House Martell From The Books

House Martell's Prominent Characters Are Significantly Different Or Cut

Game of Thrones makes significant changes to House Martell's characters, and this hurts their portrayal. Although Oberyn and Ellaria's time in King's Landing is fairly accurate — including Oberyn's brutal death in Game of Thrones season 4 — the narrative deviates after Oberyn dies. For one, Ellaria does not seek vengeance for Oberyn's death; her primary concern is her daughters' safety, especially with the Lannister threat looming. Ellaria even scolds Obara, Nymeria, and Tyene for wanting more revenge, insisting that Gregor Clegane's head is insufficient. Game of Thrones also makes Tyene Ellaria's daughter, which is not the case in the books.

“Oberyn wanted vengeance for Elia. Now the three of you want vengeance for him. I have four daughters, I remind you. Your sisters. My Elia is fourteen, almost a woman. Obella is twelve, on the brink of maidenhood. They worship you, as Dorea and Loreza worship them. If you should die, must El and Obella seek vengeance for you, then Dorea and Loree for them? Is that how it goes, round and round forever? I ask again, where does it end?” Ellaria Sand laid her hand on the Mountain’s head. “I saw your father die. Here is his killer. Can I take a skull to bed with me, to give me comfort in the night? Will it make me laugh, write me songs, care for me when I am old and sick?”

– Ellaria to Obara, Nymeria, and Tyene in A Dance With Dragons Chapter 38, "The Watcher"

Despite preaching against it in the books, Ellaria Sand leads the quest to avenge Oberyn in Game of Thrones. She openly rebuffs the Lannisters' attempts at peace and even kills Cersei's daughter, Myrcella. However, A Dance With Dragons portrays how, although Oberyn's eldest daughters are just as vengeful as their show counterparts, Ellaria stifles them. Furthermore, Ellaria is invested in seizing power and even kills Doran to do so in Game of Thrones. Her book character is uninterested in power. In fact, Doran's book counterpart is more interested in power than Ellaria.

Doran is another member of House Martell that Game of Thrones wrongs, even if it is not as apparent. In Game of Thrones, Doran is uninterested in politics beyond Dorne. He is not ambitious and wants to keep the peace. While his book counterpart initially appears this way, Doran eventually reveals that he is playing a longer game. Doran tells his daughter, Arianne, that, ever since Tywin's forces brutally raped and murdered Elia and her children, he has been secretly working to take down Tywin Lannister. He wishes to absolve him of his influence and restore House Targaryen to power.

This plot twist in A Song of Ice & Fire makes Doran complex and one of the most dangerous characters, given his patience to execute his revenge. However, Game of Thrones reduces Doran to a meek and bland player. Doran even imprisons Oberyn's daughters in A Feast for Crows because Obara, Nymeria, and Tyene are obsessed with revenge. While he also does this in the show, it appears to be for a different reason. In the books, Doran is concerned about the threat they pose to his own long-standing plans for revenge.

In addition to changing major players' personalities, Game of Thrones excludes crucial House Martell characters. By excluding Arianne Martell, Game of Thrones' cuts one of its best female characters, and it also leaves out Quentyn Martell. Game of Thrones only gives Doran one child — Trystane — who dies at the hands of his cousins, the Sand Snakes. Not only is Trystane alive in the books, but he is also not Dorne's heir. Arianne is Doran's eldest child and a princess of Dorne, and Quentyn is Doran's second child, who plays a key role in securing additional power for House Martell.

House Martell's Role In Game Of Thrones' Story Is Significantly Diminished

House Martell Is Much More Central To The Plot Of A Song Of Ice & Fire

House Martell's role in Game of Thrones is significantly diminished, largely because the show cut Arianne and Quentyn. In A Feast for Crows, Arianne believes her father attempts to usurp her birthright in favor of her younger brother, Quentyn. However, Doran tells Arianne the truth behind his plans. Doran initially betrothed Arianne to Viserys, establishing another Martell-Targaryen alliance for the Iron Throne. However, Doran had to strategize again once Viserys died. He sends Quentyn to Meereen to woo Daenerys and hopefully secure the same alliance that Arianne and Viserys would have had.

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Although Quentyn ultimately fails his quest — and even dies attempting to free Rhaegal and Viserion — he still plays a crucial part in helping his father achieve power and avenge Elia, all while demonstrating a dragon's selectivity in people with Valryian blood. Young Griff is another character Game of Thrones cuts, and while it makes sense for the show, Young Griff's existence expands House Martell's role in the overall narrative. If Young Griff turns out to be Elia's son, he is also a Martell through his mother, which might change Doran's plan regarding the Iron Throne.

Regardless, A Song of Ice & Fire clearly establishes House Martell as a key component in Westeros' future. However, Game of Thrones does not illustrate this idea whatsoever. In fact, Game of Thrones arguably changes House Martell's purpose to suit the dramatic part of the narrative, focusing on the aftermath of Oberyn's death. Game of Thrones is more invested in creating chaos and drama among the of House Martell than in how these characters contribute to the main storyline. As a result, House Martell's role in Game of Thrones is disappointing.

The Song Of Ice & Fire Books Have A Chance To Make Up For Game Of Thrones' House Martell Problem

The Winds Of Winter & A Dream Of Spring Have Not Been Released Yet

Although Game of Thrones ultimately fails House Martell, there is still hope for these characters in A Song of Ice & Fire. George R. R. Martin's latest update confirms he is still working on the next book. Furthermore, A Song of Ice & Fire will have another installment after The Winds of Winter, titled A Dream of Spring. Martin is clearly setting up a bigger ending for Dorne, so the final books can do House Martell justice.

How The Last Two ASOIAF Books Can Do Right By House Martell After Game Of Thrones Failed It

Arianne Will Likely Be At The Center Of House Martell's Storyline

There are many possibilities for how The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring will execute House Martell's narrative. First, it is unlikely all the characters will survive. Quentyn has already died, and Trystane is highly vulnerable because of Cersei's plans to kill him. Therefore, there is a good possibility that Arianne will be the future of House Martell. There is no reason for Ellaria or her daughters to die, but the elder Sand Snakes — Obara, Nymeria, and Tyene — are vulnerable because of their thirst for revenge. Doran is still actively planning for House Martell to acquire power through House Targaryen's restoration.

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There is also the climactic event that has yet to occur in A Song of Ice & Fire: the Long Night and the battle against the White Walkers. It is unknown what kind of role House Martell will have in the Long Night, if any — but Daenerys is poised to play a significant part. Therefore, if Arianne and House Martell stand behind Daenerys, they may participate in the fight against the Others, which doesn't happen in Game of Thrones. Arianne firmly believes in feminine power and a woman's ability to rule, so she will likely stand by Daenerys' side.

However, House Martell's fate is not dependent on Daenerys Targaryen. Daenerys might still perish in A Song of Ice & Fire, as she does in Game of Thrones. If this happens, it will be interesting to see how Daenerys' fate will affect House Martell. Regardless, it is highly likely that Arianne Martell will live and carry on House Martell's legacy in Dorne. If that is the case, then House Martell was always doomed in Game of Thrones because Arianne does not exist in the show.

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2011 - 2019-00-00

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David Benioff, D.B. Weiss

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David Nutter, Alan Taylor, D.B. Weiss, David Benioff

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D.B. Weiss, George R.R. Martin, David Benioff

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David Benioff, D.B. Weiss

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