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Game of Thrones: How Bronn's Story Is Different (& Better) In The TV Show
Everyone loves Bronn of the Blackwater in Game of Thrones, and this is partly due to changes from the original books. HBO's Game of Thrones has never been a verbatim adaptation of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice & Fire novels, and it's generally accepted that the further the series deviated from its source material, the less popular it became. With that said, Game of Thrones does make some tweaks that actually improve upon Martin's already vivid and colorful characters. This can be the result of a stellar on-screen performance, or the TV series altering a character's arc.
In the case of Bronn, both could apply, so suited is Jerome Flynn to playing the refreshingly straightforward and dry-witted sellsword. However, D.B. Weiss and David Benioff mix up Bronn's story in a way Martin's books don't, and this ensures the character leaves a far greater legacy upon Game of Thrones. That isn't to say Bronn is boring or one-dimensional in print, but simply that the TV series takes him to even greater heights. The televised tales of Bronn begin faithfully enough. Both versions of the character debut under Stark employ by arresting Tyrion Lannister, but befriend him en-route to The Eyrie and represent the prisoner in trial by combat. Now working for Tyrion, Bronn is knighted for his efforts in the Battle of Blackwater Bay and becomes a presence in King's Landing. After Tyrion is accused of killing King Joffrey, Bronn refuses to fight for his master a second time as The Mountain would be his opponent, and Cersei tries to appease him with a marriage into nobility.
This is where Bronn's book and TV stories diverge. In Martin's story, Bronn takes his new wife, sees off Cersei's assassins and settles down as the Lord he always aspired to be. The character has since faded into the background, and while that could change in the final A Song of Ice and Fire novels, Bronn seems happy enough with his reward at present. With Game of Thrones, Weiss and Benioff obviously recognized Bronn's popularity and devised a new adventure for him to embark upon - serving Jaime Lannister. Bronn takes over Ilyn Payne's role in the books by helping the one-handed Jaime relearn how to fight. Payne appeared in season 1 played by Wilko Johnson, but after the actor was diagnosed with cancer, Payne was written out. Bronn accompanies Jaime to Dorne in season 5, and spends seasons 6 and 7 as Jaime's literal and figurative right hand.
While fans are often skeptical about significantly changing the source material, pairing Bronn and Jaime together was a stroke of genius on Game of Thrones' part. Flynn possessed excellent chemistry with Peter Dinklage's Tyrion and carries that same affable banter forward with Jaime. The resulting dynamic is fascinating. Since Tyrion was merely tolerated as a Lannister, Bronn could reasonably get away with disrespecting and talking back to his master. Jaime, on the other hand, is one of the most influential figures in Westeros, so seeing Bronn continue to dole out his brutal honesty and withering put-downs is even more comedic. Acting as a foil to Jaime also brings out more of Bronn's virtuous side. In the books, Jaime picks Ilyn Payne as his training partner because the knight is incapable of revealing Jaime's new weakness to others. With Bronn, however, Jaime can only pay his partner and hope for the best, which fosters a slither of trust between the duo.
Just as Jaime's presence brings kinder characteristics out of Bronn, the opposite is also true. Alongside his new companion, Jaime's qualities as a more sympathetic figure begin to shine brighter and its hard not to think the sellsword's influence might be rubbing off on him. This marks the most interesting period in Jaime Lannister's story.
By taking Bronn away from his bride-to-be and towards adventure in Dorne, Game of Thrones expands the character in ways the books don't, or least haven't yet. As anyone familiar with the work of Karl Pilkington can attest, putting a straight-talking working class hero with a unique philosophy on life into unfamiliar climes is a surefire recipe for success. Bronn shows more of his worldly cunning in Dorne and bonds further with Jaime, later striking up a unique sexual tension with Tyene Sand. These scenes take an already strong character and elevate him into a multi-faceted figure equally adept at comedy as he is drama.
