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

6. Catelyn's Royal Ambitions For Sansa

Game Of Thrones Catelyn Cersei
HBO

Not only was the original Catelyn Stark played by Jennifer Ehle instead of Michelle Fairley, but the character was pretty much completely different too. Whereas the finished version is very much opposed to her family going to King's Landing, this one was all for it. In the conversation between her and Ned, the characters are basically flipped:

Ned: "I'll refuse him. I'm a northman. I belong here, not down in that rats' nest they call a capital."Catelyn: "He would make our daughter Queen."Ned: "Is that what you want for her? A pretty crown to wear?"

The Catelyn we know, however, wants nothing more than for her husband to refuse Robert's offer and stay in Winterfell with her. That's a huge part of their relationship, and becomes a source of greater tragedy when Ned is killed and her daughters are lost to her. It's crucial to Catelyn's character, and this season would've recontextualised everything about her.

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NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.