Game of Thrones deleted scene would’ve helped clarify controversial subplot

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

I’ve said before how I’ve enjoyed this past season of GAME OF THRONES, possibly much more than most fans. Yes, it was fan-fiction-y. Yes, it was dumber than past seasons. Yes, people seemed to be able to teleport all over Westeros. But it had dragons fucking white walkers up, huge battles, and awesome pair ups (really, anytime The Hound met up with somebody to call them a “cunt”). So it was good television, even if it had some flaws.

Another big complaint of this season, however, was characters acting out-of-character, specifically the tension between the two Stark sisters, Arya and Sansa. Many people were annoyed at what felt like artificial conflict (I’d argue that you fall into old routines when you’re with family for long enough), but also because they had Bran at their disposal the whole time! Why not just ask him?

Well, according to the actor playing Bran – Isaac Hempstead – there was a scene like that in the finale, that for whatever reason was cut. Here’s how he described it to Variety:

We actually did a scene that clearly got cut, a short scene with Sansa where she knocks on Bran’s door and says, “I need your help,” or something along those lines. So basically, as far as I know, the story was that it suddenly occurred to Sansa that she had a huge CCTV department at her discretion and it might be a good idea to check with him first before she guts her own sister. So she goes to Bran, and Bran tells her everything she needs to know, and she’s like, “Oh, s—.”

I’m actually glad they didn’t do that. For one, I like to think that the Stark sisters had been playing Baelish for a lot longer than that scene would suggest (meaning Sansa might’ve actually believed the “Arya wants to be Lady of Winterfell”), and also – while a bit cheesy – that “oh shit” moment Hempstead was talking about was much better utilized in the trial scene. So,
while I understand some fans being annoyed by the ambiguity of just how long the sisters knew about Littlefinger and all that,
I think in context cutting it was the right choice. But what do you Schmoes think? Sound off below!

Meanwhile, GAME OF THRONES season 8 will premiere on HBO who the fuck knows.