Game of Thrones season 5 is where the HBO show starts to significantly diverge from the books, and its premiere cuts a major part of Cersei Lannister’s prophecy from the source material. The first episode of season 5 contains a flashback to Cersei’s childhood, during which she and a friend visit a witch called Maggy the Frog. At Cersei’s behest, the witch answers three questions about her future. She rightfully predicts that Cersei will marry the king, become queen, and be cast out by someone “younger” and “more beautiful” than her.

Maggy the Frog also knows that Cersei won’t have kids with the king, and she predicts that all three golden-haired children Cersei does have will die. Game of Thrones proves everything she says correct, giving Cersei plenty of reason to fear Maggy’s words years later. However, Game of Thrones cuts one of the prophecy’s biggest revelations from A Song of Ice and Fire. It’s a shame, as it adds context to her character arc and her relationship with her siblings.

Game Of Thrones Leaves Out The “Valonqar” Part Of Cersei’s Prophecy From The Books

It Ignores A Huge Reason Cersei Despises Tyrion

In George R.R. Martin’s books, Maggy the Witch doesn’t just predict the deaths of Cersei’s children; she also tells Cersei how she’ll die. The prophecy in the source material states that “the valonqar shall wrap his hands about your pale white throat and choke the life from you.” In High Valyrian, “valonqar” means “little brother.” It’s surprising Game of Thrones leaves out such an important detail of Cersei’s conversation with Maggy. After all, it paints an even darker picture of her future, setting up her tragic end long before it happens.

But the “valonqar” part of the prophecy goes beyond that, informing her entire relationship with Tyrion in the main story. Cersei doesn’t just despise Tyrion because their mother died birthing him; she also suspects he’ll kill her one day. This context adds a crucial layer to their dynamic in A Song of Ice and Fire, but it’s left unaddressed in Game of Thrones. What’s more disappointing is that Tyrion’s support for Daenerys does lead to Cersei’s death — meaning Maggy the Frog is right about this, too, even if her wording isn’t literal.

Game Of Thrones Season 8 Debunks The Best Theory About Cersei’s Prophecy & Death

“The Bells” Proves Jaime Isn’t The Volonqar

 

Game of Thrones leaves out one of the biggest parts of Cersei’s prophecy, and season 8 also debunks one of the best interpretations of it. Although Martin’s books could approach Cersei’s fate differently than the show, the adaptation suggests that Tyrion is indeed the person Maggy the Frog is talking about. However, one of the best theories about the volonqar in A Song of Ice and Fire claims otherwise. With the books constantly reminding us that Cersei is the older twin, some readers believe Jaime will be the one to kill her.

Cersei would never expect Jaime to be responsible for her death, but there are a few ways it could happen.

This would be a devastating turn of events for Cersei and Jaime, but it would put a satisfying spin on Maggy’s words and Cersei’s interpretation of them. Cersei would never expect Jaime to be responsible for her death, but there are a few ways it could happen. For one, he could have a redemption arc similar to his show counterpart’s. If Jaime doesn’t regress like he does in Game of Thrones season 8, it’s possible he’ll turn on Cersei or be responsible for her downfall in some indirect way.

With the White Walker storyline likely to be resolved differently in the books, it’s also possible that Jaime could become a wight. This twist would lend itself to a more literal take on Maggy the Frog’s prophecy, with an undead Jaime potentially choking Cersei to death. It would be a fitting way to repay her if she abandons those fighting against the Others in the books, just as she does in Game of Thrones. Only time will tell how things play out. However, it’d be nice to see the source material pay off this prophecy tease in an interesting way, especially after the show ignored it.