Game Of Thrones: 10 Storylines From The Books The Show Ignored
3. Barristan Selmy Vs Hizdahr Zo Loraq
When Barristan Selmy was killed off in season five, actor Ian McElhinney was understandably annoyed. Having read the books himself, McElhinney was looking forward to portraying the much larger role Barristan the Bold has in A Dance With Dragons, but was ultimately never given the chance.
In the source material, when Drogon takes flight with Daenerys on his back, circumstances in Meereen are very different to the show. Tyrion has not yet met Daenerys face to face, Hizdahr zo Loraq survives to rule Meereen in the queen's absence, and Barristan the Bold is still very much alive.
The former Lord Commander of the kingsguard, along with others loyal to the Queen, uncovers Hizdahr's plot to kill the mother of dragons. During the opening of the fighting pits he urges his wife to eat from a bowl of honeyed locusts. When she refuses, a character named Strong Belwas eats the entire bowl, and is only saved from the deadly poison by his enormous size.
Barristan discovers the locusts were meant for his queen, and proceeds to arrest the King. This leaves Ser Grandfather, as he is dubbed by Daario Naharis, to rule Meereen as the Queen's Hand, praying everyday for Daenerys' return.