When it comes to the most cunning and calculating villains in Game of Thrones, Petyr Baelish, also known as Littlefinger, always holds a prominent place. A master manipulator and the man who ignited the War of the Five Kings, his role in both the books and the series is undeniable. However, in Season 5 of the show, he did something his book counterpart would never have allowed. Even George R.R. Martin himself couldn’t hide his disappointment.
A Broken Littlefinger
In Season 5 of Game of Thrones, the writers made Littlefinger hand Sansa Stark over to Ramsay Bolton. In the show, he assures her that this move will secure her position in Winterfell. In reality, it leads to one of the most brutal and hated plot twists — Sansa’s torture and humiliation.
The problem? This act is completely against the nature of Littlefinger in the books. According to Martin, his version of Petyr Baelish would never have given Sansa to someone she despises or who could harm her.
What Did Martin Say?
In an interview for the book Fire Cannot Kill a Dragon, George R.R. Martin stated outright:
"My Littlefinger would never have handed Sansa over to Ramsay. Never. He is obsessed with her. Half the time, he sees her as the daughter he never had. The other half, he sees her as Catelyn herself, and he wants her for himself. He would not have given her to someone who would hurt her."
This Won’t Happen in the Books!
In A Song of Ice and Fire, Sansa never leaves the Vale of Arryn, and Ramsay is married to Jeyne Poole, who is passed off as Arya. Martin has assured fans that in his version of the story, Sansa will not fall victim to Littlefinger’s political schemes in this manner.
Why Did the Showrunners Change the Plot?
The writers explained that in their version, Littlefinger prioritizes power above all else. However, this decision not only weakened the logic behind his motivations but also simplified his character, making him far less complex than his book counterpart.
