George R. R. Martin is a master when it comes to creating elaborate worlds and intricate characters, but he is also a master manipulator when it comes to tugging at the heartstrings of his characters as well as his fans, especially when it comes toGame of Thrones. For more than a decade people have joked thatMartin loves a brutal killingand does not care how much his fans enjoy a certain character. For the sake of the overall storyline, this is a respectable way for a writer to look at the plot. However, there are plenty of fans who are left absolutely devastated when particular characters are killed off because of who they leave behind to mourn their deaths.
Much to fans' dismay, severalGame of Thronescouples do not get the happy endings they rightfully deserve because the death of one or both individuals helps move the story along. Then, there are other pairings who never get a chance to make something of their mutual interests or feelings. Between the ultimate fight for the throne and several wars going on, it seems silly to focus on the relationships that did not last, but fans cannot help but imagine “what if.”
Here are 10 relationships inGame of Thronesthat we really wished would’ve worked out.
10Brienne of Tarth and Tormund Giantsbane
As a child, Brienne (Gwendoline Christie) was always made fun of for her height. She even told Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) that young boys used to mock her every chance they got. Then, there is Tormund (Kristofer Hivju), a wildling that is looked at as a leader and righteous fighter due to his size. Tormund has always been used to being the biggest guy in the room (except for when the literal giants were around), but all of that changed when Brienne visited Castle Black.
When Tormund first spots Brienne, he is immediately smitten by her. Though he tries to strike up several conversations, he is constantly shot down. Brienne may not be fully aware of his intentions due to her mission to keep Sansa safe, but for the audience, Tormund’s advances and longing stares are not overlooked. We would’ve like to see them pair up, but alas, it never happened.
9Jon Snow and Ygritte
Jon Snow (played by Kit Harrington) had rarely been around girls besides his sisters while he was growing up, so when Ygritte (Rose Leslie), a wildling caught by the Crows, realized his disadvantage in talking to the opposite sex, she made her move. Ygritte mocked and belittled Jon because it was fun to get under his skin, but in all honesty, it brought the two closer together.
For a brief moment, they were a fan-favorite couple. However, the young Crow was more loyal to his duties than his heart. No one really blamed Ygritte for shooting Jon with an arrow after he betrayed her, but plenty of fans desperately wished they would have reconciled their differences after they met again at Castle Black.
8Missandei and Grey Worm
The relationship between Missandei (Nathalie Emmanuel) and Grey Worm (Jacob Anderson) wasa long-awaited one. At first, no one believed the Unsullied were capable of feelings, let alone romantic ones. Then, as fans witnessed Grey Worm’s lingering stare when he and Missandei were bathing in the river, we were excited to see what would come of the two.
It took several seasons for them to become comfortable with their relationship, and when they started planning a future while riding into battle, fans were excited. BothGrey Worm and Missandei had spent most of their time as a slave to someone else before Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) came into their lives. Now, as two promising young adults, everyone believed they deserved their happily ever after. Unfortunately, a certain tyrant queen thought otherwise.
7Theon Greyjoy and Sansa Stark
Though Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) and Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) were never romantically involved, fans have this idea that the two would have made a lovely pair. They were raised together at Winterfell, neither had ill intentions towards the other (after all secrets were out), and their personalities complemented one another.
After enduring nearly adecade of torture, Sansadeserved a gentleman in her life that understood the troubles she’d been through without having an actual conversation about it. Theon, in turn, needed companionship with a woman who would not judge him for the physical and psychological torture he has been put through. Both characters received justified endings in the series, but seeing them live out their days where they grew up would have been nice.
Related:Game of Thrones: Why Sophie Turner’s Time Playing Sansa Stark Was Difficult for the Actress
6Daenerys Targaryen and Khal Drogo
No one was initially excited about the relationship between Daenerys and Khal Drogo because she was essentially a pawn in her brother’s scheme. Daenerys was married off to Drogo in exchange for an army, but with her as the ruthless clan’s Khaleesi, she quickly learned that she actually held a certain amount of power.
Daenerys was able to shift the dynamic between her and Drogo as she learned how to please him in the bedroom. Fans slowly watched their arranged marriage turn into a passionate relationship. Unfortunately, it would end all too soon as Khal Drogo and Daenerys' unborn child would die at the hands of a witch. When Daenerys was in the House of the Undying, her hallucination of Drogo and their child nearly shattered her and every fan watching because their little family never had a chance to be together.
5Shae and Tyrion Lannister
Since the very beginning, Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) has always been a ladies man. His father, siblings, and even Tyrion himself say that he is good at drinking and whoring, but all of that came to an end when he met Shae (Sibel Kekilli). Shae was different from other working women because instead of doing the deed and leaving, she matched Tyrion’s level of wit and sarcasm.
The two fell in love rather quickly, and even though Tyrion genuinely feared for Shae’s safety once in King’s Landing, Shae assured him that she could take care of herself. Unfortunately, given Tyrion’s title and duty as a Lannister, he was forced to send Shae away. He said some rather cruel things to her to get her to leave, but instead of sailing away, Shae was brought back and made to lie about Tyrion in court, condemning him to death.
4Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen
While neither Jon nor Daenerys were one another’s first love, they made a great couple — that is, if you may get past the fact thatthey are related; the Targaryens certainly didn’t mind kinship among their relationships back in the day. As Daenerys was feisty and eager to jump into action, Jon was more reserved and methodical when it came to planning out how things should be handled.
Like many others, their differing personalities complemented one another. Unfortunately, also like several others, they would not get to live out their days as a perfect couple. Daenerys' passion and eagerness would eventuallylead to her downfall, and Jon’s realization of what would become of the Seven Kingdoms if she was to rule led to his betrayal and her ultimate death.
Related:Game of Thrones: The Best of the Worst Characters, Ranked
3Brienne of Tarth and Jamie Lannister
It is understandable that Brienne and Tormund did not end up together because their feelings towards one another were not mutual, but sparks were certainly flying between Brienne and Jaime Lannister. After everything they had both been through and shared with one another, fans believed that they deserved to be happy together.
Jaime had come a long way since his days as the Golden Lion, and Brienne was worthy of someone who loved her for everything she stood for. When Jaime followed after Brienne when she chose to turn in for the night, fans were excited that something would actually happen between the two unlikely friends. Sadly, after a passionate night, Jaime chose to run back to his heinous sister to protect her from Daenerys' wrath.
2Robb Stark and Lady Talisa
While mostGame of Thronesmarriages are conducted out of duty, Robb Stark (Richard Madden) married Lady Talisa (Oona Chaplin) because of the passion the two shared. Though they did not know one another for long, Robb could tell Talisa had a good heart and a sharp mind. When Robb attempted to justify the amount of people his army slaughtered and harmed on the battlefield, Talisa challenged him in asking if the innocent people who were forced to fight truly deserved their fate.
She further pressed that Robb did not have a great plan for after the war concluded. While arguing, Robb realized he had met a woman like no other. They soon got together and privately married, but their happily-ever-after was lost the moment Robb’s ally turned into his enemy.
1Tommen Baratheon and Margaery Tyrell
After Joffrey’s reign, fans as well as practically every character inGame of Throneswas delighted to have his younger and kinder brother, Tommen (Dean-Charles Chapman), step up to take his place on the Iron Throne. When Margaery (Natalie Dormer) pursued a relationship with the young king, everyone was excited. Tommen was a bit timid, but he had potential.
Margaery, on the other hand, was very confident in her abilities to help others and potentially guide the king into making smart decisions that would benefit the Seven Kingdoms. Unfortunately, like many other relationships,a vengeful motherworked her way in between the two, and the young couple never had the chance to make something great of themselves.
