Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Game of Throneshad a rough start with the infamous scrapped pilot episode, in which everything seemed to have gone wrong, from the storyline to the casting. Even Jason Momoa felt he wasn’t truly present until they changed the actress playing Daenerys Targaryen.
Along with the recasting came the modification of a few significant details which made author George R.R. Martin infuriated. He didn’t like what they had done with the intimate scene between Daenerys and Khal Drogo.
Jason Momoa Wasn’t Feeling His Role As Khal Drogo Until Emilia Clarke JoinedGame Of Thrones
In the original version of the pilot episode ofGame of Thrones,Daenerys Targaryenwas played by actressTamzin Merchant. When they shot the intimate scene after her wedding withJason Momoa’s Khal Drogo, she was not actually abused but it was a consensual act. Even inGeorge R.R. Martin’s novel, the same followed suit.
However, when they recast the role of the future Mother of Dragons withEmilia Clarke, they changed their approach to that scene. What the audience witnessed was a night of terror for Daenerys after she was assaulted by her own husband.
While the producers found it heartbreaking to let go of Merchant, it was a blessing in disguise for theAquamanstar. Clearly, he didn’t have any chemistry with the first actress and their intimate scene wasn’t truly convincing. Momoa toldEntertainment Weeklythat “when Emilia got there that’s when everything clicked for me. I wasn’t really ‘there’ until she arrived.”
It was clear that the newcomer actress was born to play the part. Clarke was perfect for the role that she would end up playing for almost a decade. Her friendship with Momoa also seamlessly translated onto the screen, which made every scene with him that’s filled with tension more compelling.
“Dany is not a good person”: Kit Harington Was Worried Game of Thrones Would be Mauled by ‘Woke Fans’ Over 1 Decision That Featured Emilia Clarke’s Daenerys
Perhaps the change in the dynamics between Khal Drogo and Daenerys – from a consensual seduction to assault – on their first meeting also helped bring out the real personalities of both characters.
According to showrunnerDavid Benioff, he tried to show the pilot episode to his family and their facial expressions couldn’t hide the fact that they were bored. It was generous of the studio to giveGame of Thronesa second chance. Evidently, the entire production team worked hard not to repeat the same mistake.
George R.R. Martin Wasn’t Amused With Daenerys’ Wedding Night Scene
In James Hibberd’sFire Cannot Kill a Dragon, Martin expressed his annoyance at the alteration of the wedding night scene. Interestingly, they never discussed it. He only said, “It made it worse, not better”.
Benioff defended the change and said Daenerys should not be finding joy in her relationship with Drogo after she was thrown into his barbaric world. It defeats the purpose of her being terrified in the beginning.
“It’s hard to believe she changed so much in such a short span of time”: Emilia Clarke Can Breathe Easy Knowing House of the Dragon is Writing a Worse Character Than Her Daenerys in Game of Thrones
In the end, the change made sense for the viewers, and as the story progressed, she gained more agency for herself which is a good depiction of how she went from a fragile Targaryen bride to the fierce Mother of Dragons.
Game of Thronesis currently available to stream on HBO.
Ariane Cruz
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3532
Ariane Cruz is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on TV shows with over 3,000 articles published. Her love for pop culture and the creative arts fuels her passion to deliver engaging and informative stories. Her daily consumption of films, shows, and books keeps her energized for the day, along with her mission to serve as the bridge between fans and their favorite franchises.
