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The Big Picture
Jon Snow’s character in the Game of Thrones TV series was oversimplified and inaccurately portrayed compared to the complex character in the books. In the books, Jon Snow is a relatable, flawed character who matures and learns from his mistakes, while the TV show depicted him as a bland physical fighter. The show failed to explore Jon Snow’s internal struggles and his importance to the larger narrative, resulting in wasted potential and disappointing character development.
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The Big Picture
Jon Snow’s portrayal in the Game of Thrones TV series was a mere simplification, falling short of capturing the complexity of the character depicted in the books. Unlike the relatable and flawed character in the books, the TV show depicted him as a one-dimensional physical fighter. The show missed the opportunity to delve into Jon Snow’s internal conflicts and his crucial role in the overall narrative, leading to a disappointing character development and untapped potential.
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The Big Picture
Jon Snow, the enigmatic character from the Game of Thrones TV series, did not receive the depth and complexity he truly deserved when compared to his portrayal in the books. In the books, Jon Snow is a relatable and flawed character who undergoes significant growth and learns from his past mistakes. However, in the TV series, he is depicted as a dull and purely physical fighter. This oversight prevents the exploration of Jon Snow’s internal struggles and his essential contribution to the broader storyline, resulting in a missed opportunity for compelling character development.
Oh, Jon Snow. The watchman of the Wall, the subject of countless memes, and the brooder of all brooders. Kit Harington rose to fame as the recalcitrant bastard son of Ned Stark, played brilliantly by Sean Bean. Jon Snow’s destined heritage intrigued fans more than anyone could have predicted, capturing the hearts of millions. With his resilience, temper, pretty boy angst, and courage on the battlefield, it was hard not to be drawn into Jon’s orbit. Even as a self-proclaimed “the books were better” snob, I cannot deny that Jon Snow is among my top five favorite characters in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire universe.
However, as a devoted reader of the books, I am compelled to include the inevitable “but” when it comes to HBO’s beloved, yet flawed, Game of Thrones series. The fantasy epic, despite its sometimes miraculous and often troubled journey, failed to fully capture the complexity and depth of Jon Snow’s character, leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of readers. It is only fair, to some extent, to acknowledge the challenges faced by showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss. Jon Snow is an inherently internalized character, and it is difficult for any television adaptation to truly replicate the inner thoughts and insights provided by the written word. However, true creative adaptations find ways to overcome this challenge.
Regrettably, Game of Thrones did not make the effort to overcome this hurdle, ultimately losing their way with a character who deserved so much more. The stark contrast between George R.R. Martin’s Jon Snow and the “Jon Show” presented on television is a grave disappointment.
How Is Jon Snow Different in the ‘Game of Thrones’ Books?
At the outset, there appears to be little difference between Jon Snow as depicted in the A Song of Ice and Fire novels and the “Jon Show” presented in HBO’s adaptation. The first season of Game of Thrones closely followed the events of the first book, with only minor deviations that left readers puzzled and disoriented. However, as the TV series gained popularity and ventured beyond Martin’s pre-written material, it began to veer further away from the source material. Unfortunately, the characters suffered the most from this departure.
Despite the undeniable charisma and moments of triumph brought to life by Kit Harington, the actor was given limited material that inaccurately represented Jon as a spoiled brat or perpetually melancholic individual with no substantial character growth. Admittedly, book Jon does have his fair share of personality hiccups; this is, in fact, an integral part of his character. The burden of being a bastard and the consequent social exclusion shapes him into a resentful and aloof character.
When Game of Thrones begins, Jon is merely 14 years old, and he behaves like any teenager would. He is scornful, aloof, sullen, and self-absorbed. However, he also displays moments of foolish stubbornness, purposeful arrogance, and sassiness. Yes, Jon Snow has a sense of humor! He often loses his temper when his fragile pride is wounded, which happens quite frequently. Being a reserved individual with poor communication skills and an inflated ego, he faces challenges in his leadership role, culminating in his assassination by his own once-loyal men at the end of the fifth book, A Dance with Dragons.
Despite their regret and remorse, Jon’s Night’s Watch brothers carry out his murder. This event marks a turning point for Jon, forcing him to confront his mistakes and paving the way for his growth as a mentor, teacher, and friend to his comrades. Through worldly experiences, Jon gradually matures, shedding his chip-on-the-shoulder attitude. Part of Jon’s allure as a character lies in the relatability of his desires – he yearns for purpose, identity, and a place to call home. Deep down, Jon Snow genuinely desires to be a good person and seeks validation for his worth. Throughout his childhood, he fantasized about becoming a legendary hero, fueled by the recognition and praise that accompanies such a role. At one point, he even desired to rule Winterfell, despite his love for his siblings.
In a 2017 interview with Meduza, George R.R. Martin himself confessed, “The character I’d want to be? Well, who wouldn’t want to be Jon Snow — the brooding, Byronic, romantic hero whom all the girls love.”
Jon Snow Is a Great Character, but He Isn’t the Hero
Jon Snow’s journey is that of an outsider, burdened by his last name, which is essentially a brand of condemnation. Joining the Night’s Watch challenges Jon’s self-image and prompts a profound self-discovery. His arc is a testament to the struggles of doing what is right despite frequently stumbling along the way. His character resonates with readers and viewers alike because of his relatable imperfections. Contrary to popular opinion following the seventh and eighth seasons of Game of Thrones, Jon Snow is anything but boring. There is an undeniable charisma embedded in Martin’s writing, subtly showcased through Jon’s intelligence, keen observations, and intuitive strategic thinking.
Jon earns the respect and loyalty of his Night’s Watch brothers by demonstrating genuine care for their well-being. Unlike many other characters, he possesses no extraordinary talents or adorable dragons to command. Jon’s constant conflict between his loyalty to the Night’s Watch and his love for his siblings, notably his perceived duty to protect them, leads to his ultimate demise. He is not the typical heroic archetype found in traditional fantasy literature—the ruling kind of the swords. Martin, known for his trope subversion, deliberately crafts Jon’s character to be more intellectually stimulating and ever-evolving, with his sharp mind serving as his greatest weapon.
As Maester Aemon wisely advises, “Kill the boy and let the man be born.”
How HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones’ Failed Jon Snow
Indeed, when we compare the “Jon Show” to the character Jon Snow found in the books, it becomes quite apparent that the TV adaptation fell short in delivering an accurate and compelling portrayal. Blame cannot be placed on Kit Harington, who brought his formidable talent to the role. Instead, the process of aging up the characters contributes to the downfall of Jon’s character growth, making it less believable. Even Jon’s resurrection in Season 6 is lackluster, failing to captivate the audience as effectively as it does in the novels.
David Benioff and D.B. Weiss openly admitted to stripping Martin’s series of its fantastical elements, aiming to expand the fan base beyond just fantasy enthusiasts. While this may have been their intention, it resulted in a disappointing departure from the mythology built by Martin. In the novels, the resurrection of characters has dire consequences and fundamentally changes them. Therefore, the revival of Jon Snow should have carried weight and brought about significant transformations. However, on Game of Thrones, Jon’s resurrection lacked the impact it deserved, rendering it as inconsequential as a sneeze.
Furthermore, Jon’s importance to the larger Game of Thrones narrative is exaggerated in the TV series, which is rather ironic. Fans have spent years dissecting Martin’s words, theorizing about the pivotal roles Jon and Daenerys Targaryen might play in saving Westeros from The Long Night. Yet, Jon eventually becomes the focal point of the series with no clear reason other than being a “fan favorite.” However, in the end, he plays no significant part in the Night King’s downfall. The showrunners’ decision to subvert expectations at the cost of delivering a foreshadowed narrative is a prime example of their misguided approach.
To add insult to injury, Jon’s character development takes a backseat in Seasons 7 and 8. His former personality disappears without a trace, leaving fans wondering about his true feelings regarding his parentage, his claim to the Iron Throne, and the countless other events that shape his journey. HBO’s failure to explore these essential aspects of Jon Snow’s character leaves a void for fans, forever robbing them of potential storylines and character growth.
The missed opportunities and mishandling of Jon Snow’s character add to the frustration of devoted fans who were eager to see his true potential realized. Despite the brilliance of George R.R. Martin’s creation, Game of Thrones failed to capture the essence of Jon Snow, resulting in an unsatisfying adaptation hinged on lost potential rather than faithful representation.
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Khushi Patel is a science fiction author who lives in Austin, Texas. She has published three novels, and her work has been praised for its originality and imagination. Khushi is a graduate of Rice University, and she has worked as a software engineer. She is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America, and her books have been nominated for several awards.
