In Defense of Writers Stuck with Sansa

Published August 25, 2017 · Updated July 6, 2022

Much has been written about Game of Thrones’ bad writing and adaptation of Lady Sansa Stark. In defense of the show’s writers, remember that, in The Song of Fire and Ice, George R.R. Martin handed them a decidedly flat character, more object than subject, not much to work with. Her story was like The Perils of Pauline. Stuff happened to her. Stuck in Kings’ Landing. Beaten by Joffrey. Married off to Tyrion. Kidnapped by Littlefinger and held prisoner as Elaine at the Eyrie.

In both the novels and the show, Sansa’s narrative arch mostly closely resembles Theon Greyjoy’s. They have a history of being powerless (read: impotent) hostages.

Sansa, like Theon, would be motivated to take unusual action to avoid recapture. When Arya threatens to undermine Sansa’s security within Winterfell with Jon Snow and the Northern lords, Sansa (in a solid characterization) would deprive Arya of her defender Brienne, break into Arya’s room, and attempt to steal the incriminating scroll. Sansa is a scared character who has historic reasons to be scared.

Lastly, the show writers crafted the scene near the wintery Wall where Littlefinder confesses to Sansa his long term objective to rule the Seven Kingdoms with her by his side. Since then, she has not put him out. Perhaps the show writers want the viewers to see her inaction as a decision” a decision to hedge her bets because Littlefinger is talented and this King of the North thing rarely lasts for long. Again, Sansa’s character is driven by fear and a need for security.

Sansa is not the most well drawn character on GoT, but the writers have done a passable job in establishing her internal motivations.

BTW – She is going to hurt Arya this week.

Circumspect Penelope from Cleveland, Ohio

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