7 Ways Game Of Thrones' Unaired Pilot Episode Was Completely Different

7. Drunken Jon Snow

Jon Snow is typically a broody, serious type, but in the original pilot script he was allowed to cut loose - and get very drunk.

The moment comes in a conversation with his uncle Benjen, whom he tells a story of throwing a spear 70-yards. Benjen merely laughs it off and gives him a shove, realising he is drunk. He keeps on drinking, and eventually attempts to stand up, only to crash into a serving girl, sending wine all over the floor. It causes a massive scene, with the whole hall erupting into laughter, and Jon flees the feast in shame.

It's quite similar to how it's described in the books, but it distracts from the important part of Jon's time at the feast, which is his conversations with Benjen about joining the Night's Watch, and with Tyrion about how 'all dwarves are bastards in their father's eyes'. It's unclear if these made it into the original version at all, but they're so important, and so good, that it's worth losing Jon being drunk.

The finished version instead has Jon in the courtyard, barred from attending the feast by Catelyn, so not only does it give his moments with Benjen and Tyrion more clarity, but better builds the resentment held by Catelyn, which would then pay-off when she talks about being unable to love a motherless child in Season 3.