Highlights
- Game of Thrones had a lackluster finale and poorly executed final seasons, but it remains a fan-favorite series with popular books.
- Not all characters were adapted well for the live-action series, including Ser Barristan Selmy, who was mistreated in the show.
- Ser Barristan is a highly skilled and respected knight who plays a significant role in the books, unlike his disappointing portrayal in the TV adaptation.
Game of Thrones ended with a lackluster finale along with several poorly executed final seasons, but it remains a fan-favorite series. The books also remain wildly popular despite George R.R. Martin not putting out a new book since 2011. Looking at the large number of characters in the HBO series, not every character was loyally adapted for live-action. The writers made some smart decisions with a few characters, questionable choices with others, and a good number of them either didn't appear or were done dirty.
Ser Barristan Selmy is one of the characters who had the poorest treatment done to them. This was a character feared by the likes of Jaime Lannister, and they failed to make that clear on the small screen. Sometimes things like that happen with adaptations. Continue reading to see just what went wrong.
Who is Ser Barristan Selmy?
Barristan Selmy, also known as Barristan the Bold, was a member of the Kingsguard who served under three different kings. He earned the "Bold" nickname when he was ten years old and borrowed a suit of armor to enter a tourney at Blackhaven. Prince Duncan Targaryen bested and unmasked the young boy, surprising everyone in attendance while also earning himself a modest amount of respect at a young age.
Ser Barristan first served under King Jaehaerys Targaryen II and Aerys Targaryen II as a member of the Kingsguard before King Robert Baratheon named him Lord Commander, putting him in charge of the entire Kingsguard. While skilled at subterfuge and politics, Barristan is no fan of tricks or scheming, making him more honorable and respectful than most he encounters. People all around the Seven Kingdoms consider Ser Barristan Selmy one of the most skilled and most respected knights.
Ser Barristan in the Books
Unlike the TV series on HBO, more of Ser Barristan's journey from Westeros to find the true King. After his dismissal from the Kingsguard, Ser Barristan disguised himself as a commoner in robes and a long beard. He used this disguise to sneak back into King's Landing and witnessed Eddard Stark's execution. He originally leaves to find Viserys Targaryen, believing him to be the true King. However, by the time Barristan arrives in Pentos, he learns of Viserys' death.
He continuously proved that he shouldn't be underestimated and that he was a worthy opponent, despite his old age. Furthermore, despite his distaste for subterfuge, Barristan kept his identity hidden from Danaerys at first, instead wanting to see that she was the ruler he wished to serve. This didn't sit well with Jorah Mormont. It wasn't until Mero, the Titan's Bastard, a mercenary, attacked Danaerys, forcing Barristan to defend her and easily defeat the mercenary, did he reveal his true identity. From that moment, Ser Barristan pledged his loyalty to Danaerys Targaryen.
Catching up with the books, readers find Ser Barristan defending the city of Meereen from insurgents called the Yunkish. They're a disrespectful group of people who resort to catapulting corpses over the walls of Meereen. Why catapult corpses over the walls? Those corpses carry a plague called the pale mare, which is essentially dysentery. Ser Barristan played The Oregon Trail enough times to know that he needed to be more proactive to survive the assault. He quickly organized a battalion, leaving The Winds of Winter to describe the events of the attack.
Ser Barristan in the Show
Nothing is more disappointing to a hardcore fan than when an adaptation doesn't get a character right. A Song of Ice and Fire fans will never forgive the Game of Thrones TV series for what it did to Ser Barristan. This is a man who became a knight at age 16, made several battlefield victories for the kings he served, struck fear into his opponents, became Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, and slayed all the Gold Cloaks who attempted to seize him after he insulted Joffrey Baratheon. He even bested The Hound in a jousting competition when he was 60 years old, proving his worth as a person and warrior.
After Joffrey relieved him of his duties, Ser Barristan fled Westeros and joined Daenerys Targaryen, becoming one of her top advisers. This is not a man easily bested in battle, yet somehow, the TV version of Barristan meets his demise at the hands of some untrained insurgents. As if that wasn't enough, Ser Barristan Selmy isn't dead in the novels. In fact, he's an even bigger hero in the books. Furthermore, George R.R. Martin confirmed that Ser Barristan Selmy is going to be a point of view character in the next novel The Winds of Winter.
Fans are rightfully upset about the rushed latter seasons of the show, but if they knew the extent to which the showrunners bastardized the characters, they'd be even more disappointed. There's not likely ever going to be a remake of the series as long as Warner Bros. has the rights, so go read the books for a thoroughly enjoyable experience.