We talk a lot about the worst changes... Why not the best?

[Reginald blackfield]

I like talking about the worst changes from the book, and how the show could have been better and more faithful, but do all changes have to be bad, what are in your opinion the best things cut/changed from/in the show, I would say:

The Arya/Tywin scenes

Sam and Ghosts inclusion in the battle of castle black

Walder said wife and not Jinglebell being killed at the red wedding

Theon making appearances in season 3

[Hand to King Davos]

I would agree that the Arya/Tywin scenes were a great change. Those scenes were so intense. I also liked how it was Walder's wife and not Jinglebell at the Red Wedding. Not sure that I care about the other two examples you gave though.

[~DarkHorse~]

There are allot of changes I dislike but I think the show does well with Arya. I liked the Tywin/Arya scenes in season 2, Arya witnessing Robb!Wind (most heart breaking moment ever...yes, I'm sick) and then killing the man responsible for it. Her added scenes with The Hound in season 4 were also brilliant.

I also liked Jon leading the attack on Caster's keep in Season 4 (not so much with Bran being there, though) because it built up his leadership skills, while giving him more action. They also had him learn a lesson- be dishonourable and spit on your opponents face.

[I_Might_Be_God]

Tywin and Arya scenes were fantastic.
Hound and Arya. Again, fantastic.
The Red Wedding was so well done on the show, every change and addition worked.
Honestly, I think Ned's death was way more powerful on the show. Brilliant scene.

Good call on the Theon scenes. Didn't even think about that. Theon is one of my favorite storylines and Alfie Allen has nailed the character so I've enjoyed his performances.
I liked the later addition of the Reeds. It just flowed better, in my opinion. I may be alone on that one.


Changes from this season I expect to enjoy:

I feel like Jaime going to Dorne could be awesome if it still shows his development as a more cerebral character.
And Hardhome looks dope.

[RuRo]

Tywin / Arya rather than Roose Bolton and Arya as already said.

Robb's wife being stabbed at the Red Wedding and Catelyn killing Walder Frey's wife, as well as the Greywind scene mentioned above.

Rearrangements of the order of events surrounding Tyrion's trial with Oberyn as his champion (as I recall Tyrion was already considering a trial by combat and shopping around for a champion before his trial, and had Oberyn lined up for it during the testimony of all the witnesses against him, which lasted multiple days in the show. Much more dramatic ro have him scrambling for a champion later, plus Oberyn telling the story about going to Casterly Rock before offering to be his champion rather than earlier).

Combining the attack on Castle B

Black from behind with the assault on the Wall into one battle (something I predicted they would do).

Lots of other changes and additions are very positive as well imo, and there are lots that while they may not necessarily be improvements are at least really good compromises for adapting into a TV show (e.g. not keeping Barristan's identity secret but leaving him off the Small Council, then having Jorah's informing revealed to him later).

[Arkash]

I also liked Jon leading the attack on Caster's keep in Season 4 (not so much with Bran being there, though) because it built up his leadership skills, while giving him more action. They also had him learn a lesson- be dishonourable and spit on your opponents face.

I truly liked the spitting part ! As soon as it happened in 405, I was convinced he'd use that technique during the Battle at the Wall, and it didnt miss !

[Alex Storm]

Really good change was Jon's reasoning for wanting to join the wildlings. I never liked the book version that he told Mance

[zaphodbrx]

Hoat -> Locke was a good change in season 3 ( not so much in season 4 )

[The Eunuch]

All the Varys/Littlefinger talks were brilliant!

[Ser Jackson Carlyle]

I dont know if i really like the change but in the show Ser Alliser Thorne is still a dickhead but kind of has an arc and redeeming quality's where as in the book he is a total POS. in the show he is one of my more liked characters specifically during the battle of the wall where he shows his respect for Jon (D&D gave Thorne, Donal Noyes Storyline kinda) So while i like the character Throne is i the show i dont really know whats better for the overall story

[Wendel Shoemaker]

Not sure what Jon's reason for joining the wildlings in the show was, but I really liked his book answer of being a bastard.

The whole sequence of events in the show for the trial was also well done. I like that Tyrion got to talk to Jaime before his trial by combat.

[Ser Jackson Carlyle]

^ his answer in the show was because he saw Craster sacrifice his son to the Others and when he told LC Mormont, LC Mormont already knew. and then he says to Mance "I want to fight for the side, that fights for the living... did i come to the right place?"

[Balerion the kitten]

I preferred the shows version of the wildilngs invasion of the wall. The whole episode was done really well.

[TheTowerOfJoy]

I actually enjoyed the Brienne/Hound scene. Actually liked it better than Brienne's journey in the books which bored me to tears.

[Lion_Eyes]

Best things cut/changed from the show

• Conversations between non POV characters (like Robert & Cersei in Season 1)
  
• As mentioned above Tywin/Arya scenes
  
• The increasing likelihood that Euron/Victorian won't feature
  
• All the bitching at Joffrey/Marg's wedding (even if it was pretty unnecessary!)
  
• Stannis being involved in the the thick of the fighting at Blackwater
  
• Cersei's almost filicide at Blackwater
  
• Limiting Bran's visions (I found them a struggle to get through in the books)
  

[stannisismyking]

Not so much changes but I like that the stuff that is alluded to "off page" with Stannis happens onscreen, like him getting to have scenes with characters when Davos is not around. I like Davos but biased as fup when it comes to certain characters yanno...

Shireen is much much better on the show.

Stannis leading the charge at BW was very..ummm..stirring.

I liked Melisandre going out on her own. Meeting Arya and her seeing resurrected!Beric was very intriguing.

Bronn is great (I also like him in the books but he's better on the show).

Also as mentioned above, Varys and Littlefinger scenes were always enjoyable and I will miss those!

EDIT: forgot to mention the "Night's King" scene with Craster's son...that was so haunting and shocking. Of course that mightn't necessarily be a change, more something that was brought forward.

Iron Bank scene, not to mention Stannis being the first one in the series to see the Titan (and look BORED by it)

(I've repeated myself on a few of these threads but there are so many negative topics that I jump at the chance to write about the stuff I love!)

[Stonehearted Snake]

I agree with everyone above (esp. Tywin/Arya and Jon's reason for joining Wildlings), only must add Lady Olenna. She's fantastic in the books but her increased presence in the show has been delightful.

(first post woo!)

[Prince Lou of House Reed]

Oberyn's conversation moved to Tyrion's cell was brilliant. Also Oberyn's "Who gave the command!?!" was awesome.

[Metheos]

I found the book version of the Purple Wedding to be somewhat disappointing compared to the show version. Too much description of food and celebrations, too much repetitive self-pity from Tyrion, none of the great side conversations, and a much less dramatic buildup to the finale. The show version of that scene is the definitive one for me.

[Nictarion]

If the pictures can be believed, then I like the earlier interaction of Daenerys and Tyrion. I can't wait for them to meet in the books!