Let's dive straight into the main storyline of Game of Thrones. Since the series features a sprawling cast (and even more in George R. R. Martin's original books), some readers may not recall all the connections. This chapter serves as a reference, organized by the nine major noble houses, with additional important characters noted afterward.
1. House Targaryen (Dragons):
On the eastern continent of Essos, two Targaryens remain: Daenerys Targaryen (the Dragon Queen) and her older brother Viserys (mockingly dubbed "the Beggar King"). On Westeros, we have Maester Aemon of the Night's Watch and Jon Snow—who, though believed to be Ned Stark's bastard, is in fact Aegon Targaryen, son of Prince Rhaegar and Lyanna Stark.
Daenerys was married off to Khal Drogo, a Dothraki warlord, by Illyrio Mopatis, a wealthy and politically connected merchant in Pentos. Though referred to as a "magister," Illyrio is more a merchant prince than a political leader. This deal was part of Viserys' long-standing plan to reclaim the Iron Throne.
Daenerys recalls her childhood in Braavos fondly, particularly the time spent at the Red Door house with Ser Willem Darry. Back then, she and Viserys lived in relative peace with servants and a stable life. But that changed quickly. As they moved from city to city, rejected by rulers who wanted no trouble with the new regime in Westeros, Viserys became increasingly unstable. Though he once cared for Dany—sharing stories of the Seven Kingdoms and letting her sleep beside him for comfort—he grew obsessed with his "destiny" and delusions of grandeur.
Eventually, his madness led to his death in Vaes Dothrak at the hands of Khal Drogo, who crowned him with molten gold—a death ironically fitting for one obsessed with crowns.
From Daenerys's perspective, Viserys' downfall is painfully human. She remembers:
"He had been driven from city to city, begging for help, groveling before merchants and princes, enduring their contempt. No wonder he grew bitter, erratic, dangerous."
A tragic, though deeply flawed, figure.
As for Jon Snow, he is the secret child of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, raised by Eddard Stark to protect him from Robert's wrath. Though the world knows him as Ned's illegitimate son, he is actually the legitimate heir to the Iron Throne. Daenerys is Jon's paternal aunt.
Maester Aemon, blind and aged, serves at Castle Black. He is the great-uncle of the Mad King Aerys II and chose the Night's Watch over the crown when the Great Council elected Aegon V in 233 AC. Aegon, affectionately called "Egg" (popularized in the Dunk and Egg novellas), was Aemon's younger brother. Egg fathered Jaehaerys II, who then fathered Aerys II—Daenerys's father. That makes Jon Aemon's great-great-grandnephew.
2. House Stark (Wolves):
All Starks reside in Westeros: Eddard (Ned), Benjen, Robb, Rickon, Bran, Sansa, Arya, and their mother Catelyn Tully.
Ned Stark, Warden of the North and head of House Stark, needs no introduction. His wife Catelyn, daughter of Hoster Tully of Riverrun, shares a complicated past with Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish, who loved her obsessively. Though noble in appearance, Catelyn is at times stubborn and emotionally reactive, acting on impulse—like seizing Tyrion Lannister, which triggered war.
Ned's children include Robb (the heir), Bran (who was crippled after Jaime Lannister pushed him from a tower), and Rickon, the youngest (often called "the walnut king" by fans for his wild behavior). His daughters are Sansa and Arya.
Sansa, at first obsessed with courtly beauty and romance, falls for Ser Waymar Royce in the books—a young Night's Watch ranger from the Vale—not appearing in the show. She quickly becomes enchanted by life at King's Landing, only to realize its dangers. Naive in the early seasons, she matures into a political force. When war came to King's Landing, she clung to a doll Ned had made for her—a rare glimpse of her lost innocence.
Sandor Clegane, the Hound, had a sardonic rapport with her. His presence during that scene added unexpected emotional depth—and dark humor.
Arya, ever the rebel, embodies Stark independence. Fierce, curious, and driven, she trained with the Faceless Men and returned to exact justice on the Freys. Her slaying of Walder Frey and his sons was one of the series' most satisfying moments.
"The North remembers."
Robb declared war not to claim a crown, but to free his father and sisters. But when Joffrey beheaded Ned, the war escalated, and House Stark became the Lannisters' sworn enemy.
3. House Arryn (Eagles):
The smallest and most isolated of the Great Houses.
Jon Arryn's mysterious death sets the plot of the series in motion. As Hand of the King and mentor to both Ned and Robert, his passing brought Robert to Winterfell.
Jon married Lysa Tully to solidify an alliance between House Arryn, Stark, Tully, and Baratheon. This made him both Ned's foster father and brother-in-law. He's portrayed as a noble and kind man—more so in the books, where he's seen feeding tired horses apples and carrots.
His son, Robin (called Robert in the books), is sickly and spoiled. Lysa fled with him to the Eyrie before the show begins, isolating the Vale from the conflicts brewing across Westeros.
In truth, Lysa poisoned Jon at the bidding of Littlefinger, who orchestrated the chaos that would follow. She sent a letter to Catelyn blaming the Lannisters, thus drawing the Starks into conflict.
The Vale is split into two camps: the pro-war nobles led by Bronze Yohn Royce (father of Waymar Royce, the Night's Watch ranger seen in the show's opening), and the peace-favoring faction of minor lords and merchants who support Littlefinger.
Had Ned lived, the war-hungry faction might have sided with him. But Littlefinger sees the Vale as his personal stronghold. I'll delve into his manipulations in Ned's downfall later.
4. House Lannister (Lions):
The wealthiest family in Westeros, led by Tywin Lannister—ruthless, pragmatic, and feared. "He sh*ts gold," as the smallfolk say.
Tywin has three children: twins Cersei and Jaime, and Tyrion, the "Imp."
Cersei, manipulative and paranoid, bore three children by Jaime, passing them off as Robert Baratheon's heirs. Her obsession with power and prophecy led her down a path of destruction. Robert's death—caused by a drunken hunt and indirectly enabled by Cersei's manipulation—unleashed chaos.
Jaime, once the Kingsguard who slew the Mad King, earned the nickname "Kingslayer." Some fans speculate that the twins could be children of Aerys II due to the Targaryen tradition of incest and hints of Aerys's obsession with Tywin's wife Joanna. If true, Jaime may have killed his own father.
Cersei's greatest secret—her children's true parentage—was uncovered by Jon Arryn. While Cersei had motive to kill him, it was Littlefinger and Lysa who acted first, muddling the waters for their own ends.
Tyrion, sarcastic yet noble, is a fan favorite. His trial in King's Landing was a standout moment. His early abduction by Catelyn led to Tywin dispatching Ser Gregor "the Mountain" Clegane to raid the Riverlands, sparking war.
The show portrays some geographic confusion: the Mountain's raids supposedly occur near the God's Eye, far from where he would logically operate. In reality, he likely stayed near the Riverlands, and the Tully vassals like House Vance and House Piper were mobilized to block his movements.
I previously inferred that, based on the Targaryen tradition of sibling marriage and Cersei's unstable personality, the twins might be secret descendants of the Mad King. While the TV show doesn't confirm this theory, subtle hints—like Aerys's infatuation with Joanna Lannister and Cersei's descent into madness—keep it alive in fan speculation.
If that lineage were true, then Jaime's killing of the Mad King Aerys II would be patricide—an ironic twist on his Kingslayer reputation. Regardless of origin, Cersei's greatest secret in Season 1 is the true parentage of her three children: Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen, who are Jaime's, not Robert's. This was the secret Jon Arryn uncovered, leading to his suspicious death. In theory, Cersei had motive, but in the show, it's Littlefinger who manipulated Lysa into poisoning her husband, triggering the chain of chaos.
As for Lancel and Pycelle, their roles, while significant, are already implied in the layers of deception around Robert's death. Lancel helped Cersei drug Robert's wine before his fatal hunt, and Pycelle, ever loyal to the Lannisters, kept silent.
Tyrion Lannister—the "Little Devil"—remains a standout character. Clever, cynical, yet deeply principled, his trial in Season 4 is one of the show's most intense moments. His capture by Catelyn Stark early on was pivotal—it escalated tensions between the Starks and Lannisters, prompting Tywin to unleash Gregor "the Mountain" Clegane on the Riverlands.
Here the show introduces a geographical inconsistency. The Mountain's raids, according to dialogue and locations, seem to take place near the Riverlands, but in the books, the villages he pillages are oddly close to the God's Eye near King's Landing. In show logic, the Mountain must have acted on Tywin's orders from Harrenhal, not the Westerlands. It makes little sense for him to cross to the eastern shore of the Red Fork River just to burn a few hamlets and return.
Another point: How exactly did the Mountain cross the Red Fork? If he moved into the triangle formed by the Tumblestone, Red Fork, and Blue Fork rivers—where the main Stark army eventually gathers—he would risk being cut off. The Vance and Piper houses, loyal to House Tully, patrolled the southern bank and had around 4,000 men, deployed by Edmure Tully specifically to intercept Gregor. The show doesn't address this strategic issue, but it leaves fans wondering if the geography was fully considered—similar to inconsistencies in classic novels like Water Margin by Shi Naian.
House Tyrell (Roses):
Ser Loras, the Knight of Flowers, is introduced early, along with his sister Margaery. Loras is one of the most visually striking knights in King's Landing and openly involved with Renly Baratheon in the show. He's depicted as just, idealistic, and bold—volunteering to pursue the Mountain after the jousting incident.
Ned Stark, in a moment of rigidity, declines Loras's offer, opting instead for Beric Dondarrion. This political misstep allowed the Lannisters to avoid direct confrontation with the Tyrells. If the Tyrells had taken up arms then, the Westerlands would have found themselves at odds with the Reach, possibly averting the War of the Five Kings.
The Tyrells' ambitions are clear: marry Margaery to a king. First, Renly; then Joffrey; finally, Tommen. Margaery adapts to each, seeking power through charm and marriage. The Tyrells, relatively new to high nobility, resemble the Freys in their desire to marry into power and secure influence.
House Tully (Fish):
Members include Hoster, Catelyn, Lysa, Edmure, and Brynden "Blackfish." The family's political entanglement begins when Catelyn captures Tyrion, setting off Tywin's retaliation. This impulsive act dragged the Riverlands into a war they weren't ready for.
Edmure, the "archer god" of Three Rivers, is mocked for releasing the Mountain's forces after a skirmish, undermining Robb Stark's military plans. Despite his flaws, the family motto—"Family, Duty, Honor"—ironically fits Tywin better, who always places Lannister legacy above all else.
House Baratheon (Deer):
The house claiming the Iron Throne. Robert's death in a boar hunt—facilitated by Lancel's spiked wine—triggers the succession crisis. Joffrey, who is not Robert's son, ascends the throne, believing himself to be Robert's heir. In truth, there's no blood relation, but the tragic part is they both saw each other as father and son.
Stannis, Robert's younger brother, is the most lawful yet cold figure in Westeros. His famous line—"I am not without mercy"—says everything about his contradictions. His claim to the throne is based on legality and moral outrage over Jaime and Cersei's incest. His advisor, Ser Davos Seaworth, the Onion Knight, balances Stannis's rigidity with humor and grounded wisdom.
Renly, the youngest Baratheon, claims the throne with the support of the Reach. At one point, he commands the largest host in Westeros. But he is assassinated by a shadow creature birthed by Melisandre, making him arguably the first victim of magic warfare in the series.
Dorne:
Absent from early seasons, Dorne remains mysterious. Prince Oberyn "the Red Viper" appears later in Season 4, but is referenced beforehand. A master of combat and venom, he is charismatic and vengeful. The show portrays Dornish culture as distinct, sexually liberated, and proud of its independence.
Iron Islands:
House Greyjoy lost two sons during Balon's rebellion, and Theon, the third, was raised as a ward by Ned Stark. After being released to treat with his father, Theon betrays the Starks and seizes Winterfell, setting up his tragic fall. He undergoes the most brutal transformation in the show—tortured into "Reek" by Ramsay Bolton, then clawing his way back to redemption.
Theon is arguably the best-developed character in the show. He's one of the few who earns his arc, never losing emotional depth or narrative integrity.
The Small Council (King's Landing players):
Varys, the Master of Whisperers, claims loyalty to the realm—but his actions reveal a long game in support of House Targaryen. The show implies he's aiding Daenerys, working with Illyrio Mopatis to use the Golden Company and Drogo's forces as a return strike. Varys is not confirmed to be of Targaryen blood, but he clearly believes in their restoration. Arya overhears his plotting in the Red Keep's dungeons in Season 1.
Littlefinger, Petyr Baelish, is the true chaos engine. A master manipulator, he never tells the whole truth. If Ned Stark had lived, the North, Riverlands, and Vale might have aligned against the Lannisters. Baelish couldn't allow that. His orchestration of Lysa poisoning Jon Arryn removed the hand who would unite the kingdom.
If Joffrey hadn't killed Ned, Cersei's plan was to send him to the Wall. Jaqen H'ghar—who appears soon after—may have been a backup plan to eliminate Ned on the Wall. It's suspicious, given that Jaqen is a Faceless Man, and Littlefinger previously blocked Robert's plan to hire a Faceless Man to kill Daenerys. Coincidence? Unlikely.
Littlefinger's excuse about royal finances rings hollow. It's improbable that the crown, even deeply in debt, couldn't afford a single assassin. His personal motives—Catelyn being his first love—run deeper than fiscal constraints.
Grand Maester Pycelle, loyal to the Lannisters, played a role in the downfall of the Mad King, advising him to open the gates to Tywin's army. He remains a fixture on the council, subtly aiding Lannister dominance.
Finally, Jon Arryn's Death:
Poisoned by Lysa under Littlefinger's guidance. The show makes this clear through Lysa's confession to Sansa. What's strange, though, is the death of Ser Hugh of the Vale in the tournament. He wasn't directly linked to the poisoning, yet was killed in a joust by the Mountain—likely at Littlefinger's subtle prompting.
Why? Possibly because Hugh knew something. If he had learned of the poison plot or Jon Arryn's investigation, silencing him ensured the blame could shift to the Lannisters. The Mountain, conveniently violent, served as the perfect cover.
Cersei lacked the cunning for such a move, but Pycelle or even Littlefinger could have maneuvered it. The early show politics revolve around three players: the Lannisters, Varys, and Littlefinger. The others—Baratheons, Starks, Arryns, Tyrells—are pawns at this stage.
Everything hinges on Littlefinger's manipulations. His only miscalculation? Joffrey. The boy-king beheaded Ned unexpectedly, eliminating the need for Jaqen and creating chaos beyond control.
This also explains why Jaqen's presence at the Wall later feels abrupt—his mission, if it existed, became irrelevant.
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