Every Deleted Scene From the Original Unaired Game of Thrones Pilot, Explained

Initially, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss underestimated the challenge of adapting George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novels for television, given the intricate plotlines and numerous characters from various houses. The pilot episode had a significant burden to meet expectations after four years of preparation. As first-time showrunners, they filmed the pilot between October 24th and November 19th, 2009, in Northern Ireland and Morocco, with Thomas McCarthy directing.

Initially, I found myself immersed in the production of an ambitious project, but as filming commenced, I began to sense that we were venturing into uncharted territory. Character dynamics became labyrinthine, the plotlines grew tangled, and the rhythm of the story seemed off-beat. The original pilot failed to live up to our aspirations for a captivating debut.

The Game of Thrones Pilot That Never Was

Following the completion of the initial pilot episode, the show creators organized a private viewing for their friends and peers. Regrettably, they discovered that their selected viewers found it difficult to follow the narrative and grasp the relationships among characters. Some were even puzzled about Jaime and Cersei being twins or recognizing Robert Baratheon as the King. Realizing the need for substantial adjustments, Weiss and Benioff decided to make changes.

Previously employed executives at HBO disclosed to Entertainment Weekly that they recognized the script needed modifications. What might surprise many fans is that certain scenes in the initial pilot were more aligned with George R. R. Martin’s “A Game of Thrones” novel, but they didn’t suit the TV adaptation well.

Scenes From the Original Pilot That Audiences Never Got to See

Opening Credits and Prologue

In the initial, unreleased pilot version, the opening credits showcased a completely different mechanical map compared to what we see now, which has become so recognizable. The original sequence started with a Maester affixing a message to a raven, then tracking the bird’s flight across Westeros, with the land transforming into a map beneath it. Additionally, the prologue scene featuring White Walkers attacking the Night’s Watch scouting party was originally part of the script. However, due to the recasting of Waymar Royce, much of this scene needed to be reshot.

Jon Arryn’s Last Stand

In a gripping opening scene, the initial episode originally showcased Lord Jon Arryn not yet deceased, struggling for breath amidst a fierce battle. Skilled actor John Standing was cast to depict the poisoned Hand of the King, frantically composing a warning letter exposing his conspiracy findings. This was while Cersei Lannister, portrayed by Lena Headey, coldly observed Standing’s character die, revealing her malicious nature to viewers instantly and setting up the central mystery more clearly than the final version did, which merely presented Jon Arryn’s lifeless body in repose.

The Original Pilot Didn’t Properly Introduce the Starks

Originally, the Stark children weren’t introduced in the initial pilot. Instead, a new scene was added during reshoots, featuring Sansa working on her needlework and Arya watching archery practice, which provided viewers with a more authentic introduction to the Stark siblings and their distinct characters. Additionally, a later-added scene of the Stark boys getting haircuts while standing shirtless was included, although the showrunners confessed they didn’t like it. They included this scene because others encouraged them to counterbalance the female nudity in other parts of the episode.

Cersei’s Petty Revenge

In a departure from the original script, the TV series expands upon Robert Baratheon’s gesture (a feather as a symbol) of eternal love. Instead of leaving it as a simple symbol, the show introduces an extended scene where Cersei Lannister finds the feather, keeps it, and eventually orders her handmaiden to incinerate it. This scene follows Cersei’s significant walk from the crypts across Winterfell’s courtyard all the way to the antechamber between the kitchens and the Great Hall. This seemingly minor action subtly conveyed Cersei’s ongoing resentment.

The Drunken Jon Snow & the Family Dynamics

In the final edit, book enthusiasts were disappointed not to witness Jon Snow getting extremely drunk, but the unbroadcast pilot adhered more closely to Martin’s original text. Due to concerns about offending royal guests, Jon is depicted drinking excessively among the common folk in the grand hall instead of with his legitimate siblings. This alteration results in a more genuine portrayal of his conversation with Uncle Benjen regarding joining the Night’s Watch, culminating in Jon angrily leaving and vowing never to father a bastard child himself.

Boys Will Be Boys (Until They’re Kings)

A delightful scene, ultimately omitted, depicted the young lads from each family receiving combat training. The recording reveals that they were filmed playing with wooden swords and safety gear, with seven-year-old Bran Stark repeatedly toppling the kind-hearted Tommen Baratheon. The initial script then proceeded to suggest that Ser Rodrik Cassel invited the older boys, Robb and Joffrey, to spar as well. Although this scene underscored the rivalry between the Starks and Lannisters, it was likely prudent to omit this sequence, considering on the series, Joffrey was significantly younger than Robb, making their sparring session an unfair matchup.

The Mad King in the Flesh

As a passionate fan, I found it incredibly intriguing when the showrunner decided to delve into the past, reenacting one of the most significant events in Westeros history—the execution of Rickard and Brandon Stark by the Mad King. This captivating scene was brought to life by actor Liam Burke, who masterfully portrayed the Mad King. Interestingly, a hazy glimpse of this sequence was even featured in initial promotional materials before being scrapped. The flashback was skillfully woven with an extended conversation between Jaime and Ned at the Winterfell feast. In this scene, they delved into the overthrow of the Targaryens and Jaime’s act of slaying the Mad King. This dialogue was later revised and relocated to the third episode, unfolding when Ned first arrives in King’s Landing.

Drastically Different Interpretations of the Sex Scenes

In the original unaired pilot, the significant intimate scenes between Daenerys and Drogo were significantly altered, showcasing changing perspectives on depicting such sensitive subjects: The wedding night scene of Daenerys and Drogo in the book adaptation was preserved faithfully for filming, with Tamzin Merchant portraying an early version of Daenerys gradually agreeing to the encounter. However, in the aired version featuring Emilia Clarke, the scene is portrayed differently: Instead of consenting, she displays fear and cries, as explicitly stated as “rape” by showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss in their Blu-ray commentary.

In the initial take, the setting was set under the cover of darkness, leading to a question about the cost of filming in Morocco. On the other hand, the revised version unfolds during broad daylight. Simultaneously, the interaction between Jaime and Cersei in the original was more raw and uncertain. A Cushing Library report indicates that in the original scene, Jaime physically pulls Cersei by her hair, compelling her to assume a position before engaging in aggressive lovemaking. Despite Cersei’s verbal refusal, her loud cries seemed to imply she may have consented willingly.

The White Walkers Could Talk & Had a Unique Language

In the original pilot, compared to later seasons, the supernatural entities, specifically the White Walkers, underwent noticeable transformations in appearance and behavior. Initially, they were portrayed as rougher and more violent than their depiction in Season 1. A remarkable difference lies in the language they used – a constructed one named “Skroth,” designed by linguist David J. Peterson. In the pilot, instead of remaining silent or using generic sounds, the White Walkers communicated using this harsh, guttural tongue. This conversation was overheard by Will while he was hiding in a tree.

By the time the series premiered, the creators had decided to replace this language with strange noises instead of spoken words for the White Walkers. Peterson’s work was discarded entirely, but later he shared a short audio sample of what Skroth might have sounded like – gruff and guttural, an uncanny language for unnatural beings.

For approximately four months, HBO decision-makers pondered the future of the series, eventually deciding to proceed and commission an entire season. However, they insisted on a fresh pilot episode as well. Later, Benioff and Weiss disclosed that around 90% of the original pilot was re-filmed, this time with Tim Van Patten, who had previously directed HBO shows apart from Game of Thrones, at the helm. This revamped pilot turned out to be far more successful in presenting the vast cast ensemble, establishing a foundation for a TV show that revolutionized television as we know it.

2025-05-05 06:13