Entertainment
'Game of Thrones' Characters In Season 1 Vs. Now
Macall B. Polay/courtesy of HBO
Game of Thrones is so close to returning, I can feel the dragon's breath on my back. For a show with so many Houses and so many names to remember, a surprising few have been with us since the very beginning. It's fascinating to see how Game of Thrones characters have changed since Season 1, and will give you more than one feel.
Not all of the Season 1 characters who may not be in Season 7 have died, surprisingly enough. I'm looking at you, Gendry Waters, rowing champion of Westeros. Plus, some surviving fan favorite characters who will appear in Season 7 like Davos Seaworth, Melisandre, Gilly, Brienne of Tarth, and Podrick were not introduced until Season 2. Meanwhile Tormund, Greyworm, Missandei, Meera Reed, and all of Dorne didn't show up until Season 3 or later. A lot has changed over seven years. That's for certain.
The following 17 characters are the real heroes and hangers-on of Game of Thrones, if you will. We've truly grown with them over the years. Follow me down memory lane.
1. Daenerys Targaryen, Season 1
She came into her power relatively quickly, but started out a little nervous, and more than a little shiny.
1. Daenerys Targaryen, Now
Not only has Dany grown into the Queen she was meant to become, but in Season 7 she's wearing long sleeves. Winter truly is here.
2. Arya Stark, Season 1
The youngest Stark daughter always had a penchant for violence, but used to be a lot more precocious.
2. Arya Stark, Now
She's gone through training, rejected and embraced her family, and is finally ready to wreak havoc and revenge.
3. Jaime Lannister, Season 1
His hair is so floppy and his motives so (mostly) pure.
3. Jaime Lannister, Now
At long last, Jaime is back at his sister's side. Unfortunately, he may have lost her forever.
4. Jon Snow, Season 1
Excuse me while I bawl over the Stark innocence here.
4. Jon Snow, Now
For better or for worse, Jon has taken Robb's place as "King of the North."
5. Jorah Mormont, Season 1
Oh, Jorah. Full of hope.
5. Jorah Mormont, Now
This image is from Season 6, the last time we saw him. Who knows how much the Greyscale has grown since that fateful day.
6. Petyr Baelish, Season 1
Ugh. Littlefinger was always slimy.
6. Petyr Baelish, Now
Still whispering in Sansa's ear — though I suspect his power is waning, even if he doesn't know it.
7. Cersei Lannister, Season 1
While she was always an unhappy Queen, Cersei wasn't quite as hardened in Season 1. She even dressed down to visit the North.
7. Cersei Lannister, Now
Not the woman I wanted in power, but I'm morbidly fascinated to witness her rule.
8. Sansa Stark, Season 1
I always liked Sansa, even when she was a preteen who only wanted to marry a prince and indulge in pretty things.
8. Sansa Stark, Now
A master observer, Sansa knows the game now better than anyone.
9. The Hound, Season 1
Tyrion's friend became an unwitting protector of House Stark.
9. The Hound, Now
Once presumed dead, the Hound is back — and fighting for the North?
10. Theon Greyjoy, Season 1
Ned Stark's ward was never the best, but didn't deserve everything that happened to him.
10. Theon Greyjoy, Now
The prince formerly known as Reek is back with his own family and fighting for House Targaryen.
11. Tyrion Lannister, Season 1
Remember in the early episodes, when Tyrion was blonde? Even in this picture from late Season 1, he looks so young and mirthful.
11. Tyrion Lannister, Now
I'm a fan of the beard, and still emotional about Daenerys' naming him Hand of the Queen.
12. Bran Stark, Season 1
The youngest surviving Stark was too cute.
12. Bran Stark, Now
The Three-Eyed Raven hasn't been able to walk since the pilot, but at least he got a haircut.
13. Samwell Tarly, Season 1
Back in the day, Sam wanted to become a wizard.
13. Samwell Tarly, Now
Now he's going to be a Maester. That's close.
14. Varys, Season 1
Thanks to his little birds, the former Master of Whispers has always known more than anybody else.
14. Varys, Now
He finally left King's Landing and started working on a plan.
15. The Mountain, Season 1
Gregor Clegane has been played by more than one actor on Game of Thrones but it's, uh, kind of hard to tell.
15. The Mountain, Now
See what I mean?
16. Bronn, Season 1
Tyrion picked up this charmer, and Bronn has had quite the Lannister adventure since.
16. Bronn, Now
Now, at Jaime's side, he'll likely figure prominently into the coming war.
17. Drogon, Season 1
Dany's most vicious dragon was positively precious then.
17. Drogon, Now
Oh, hello! Now the Mother of Dragons is on his shoulder. That kind of role reversal, or parallel, shows fans just how far we've come on Game of Thrones. It will be thrilling to see how much else has changed when Season 7 premieres.
