Varys's Book Fate: Why Game of Thrones' Ending Won't Happen in The Winds of Winter (And Why That's a Good Thing)
Years after the final episode aired, the echoes of disappointment surrounding the conclusion of HBO's Game of Thrones still reverberate. While many aspects drew criticism, the handling of some of its most complex characters remains a particularly sore point. Among these, the demise of Lord Varys, the enigmatic Master of Whisperers, stands out as profoundly unsatisfying. His abrupt execution felt like a betrayal not just of Daenerys Targaryen, but of the character himself. However, for readers eagerly awaiting George R.R. Martin's next installment in the *A Song of Ice and Fire* series, *The Winds of Winter*, there's a silver lining: the narrative path laid out in the books means Varys simply cannot meet the same end. This divergence isn't just a technicality; it's a fundamentally beneficial development for the story.
The Underwhelming End of a Master Schemer: Varys in Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones excelled, particularly in its earlier seasons, at showcasing the intricate dance of power politics. Characters like Varys and Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish were central to this appeal. They were the ultimate schemers, the puppeteers pulling strings from the shadows. The show even amplified their roles compared to the novels, giving audiences glimpses into their private machinations. These figures represented the unpredictable 'X-factors' in the sprawling conflict for the Iron Throne. Yet, as the series hurtled towards its conclusion, their intricate plotting seemed to dissolve, overshadowed by grand battles and rushed character arcs.
One of the major casualties of the final seasons' narrowing focus and perceived lack of nuance was Varys. The show positioned him, increasingly, as a protagonist of sorts – a schemer working not for personal gain, but "for the Realm." His support for Daenerys Targaryen was framed as a belief in her potential virtue and kindness. He, alongside Tyrion Lannister, aimed to be the steady hand guiding the Dragon Queen towards just rule. His spy network, built over decades, and his unparalleled ability to navigate the treacherous currents of court politics established him as a figure of immense intelligence and foresight.
However, the show depicted Daenerys's swift descent into perceived madness. True to his stated motivations *in the show*, Varys turned against her, attempting to conspire behind her back. This act of betrayal led directly to his execution by dragonfire in the controversial episode "The Bells." The disappointment stems not from his death itself – death is commonplace in Westeros – but from its execution. The man who thrived on information and secrecy, who navigated decades of peril through careful planning, was depicted as almost recklessly careless in his final moments. His death felt abrupt, anticlimactic, and unworthy of the character's established intellect. Occurring early in an episode packed with shocking events, Varys's demise was quickly overshadowed, almost as if the show was eager to "bury one of its best characters" before the fiery climax consumed King's Landing.
The Crucial Difference: Varys's True Allegiance in A Song of Ice and Fire
Here lies the critical divergence between the show and George R.R. Martin's source material. While Varys's ultimate goal in the *A Song of Ice and Fire* books is indeed the restoration of a Targaryen monarchy, his chosen candidate is fundamentally different. The show, simplifying the increasingly complex web of contenders, omitted a key player introduced in the later books: Aegon Targaryen, also known as Young Griff.
In the novels, particularly revealed in *A Dance with Dragons*, Varys clarifies his allegiance. While initially appearing aligned with Daenerys through his association with Illyrio Mopatis (who gifted Daenerys her dragon eggs), Varys reveals his true objective is to place Aegon/Young Griff on the Iron Throne. This character, presented as the supposedly surviving son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Elia Martell, represents Varys's long-term plan for Westeros. The showrunners reportedly chose to exclude Aegon, fearing the introduction of another Targaryen claimant so late in the story would overcomplicate the narrative for viewers.
This single difference – Varys backing Aegon, not Daenerys, as his primary horse in the race – fundamentally alters his motivations and potential endgame compared to his television counterpart.
Why George R.R. Martin Can't Repeat the Show's Ending for Varys
Because book-Varys has dedicated his machinations to seating Aegon on the Iron Throne, the scenario that led to his death in *Game of Thrones* is impossible to replicate faithfully. In the show, Varys died because he supported Daenerys, became disillusioned by her cruelty, and then betrayed *her* specifically. In the books, Varys's loyalty was never truly Daenerys's to lose in the first place. His actions are driven by his support for Aegon.
This necessity for divergence is ultimately beneficial to the literary narrative. It frees Martin from the constraints of a widely criticized ending and allows him to craft a fate for Varys that aligns with the character's complex, book-specific motivations. While Daenerys could still potentially capture and execute Varys in the books, the *reason* would have to be different – likely for actively supporting her rival, Aegon. Such an end, while tragic for Varys, would at least be rooted in his calculated political gamble. Choosing Aegon, potentially seen as a more stable option for the realm (as a male Targaryen with existing Westerosi support via figures like Jon Connington), and ultimately choosing wrong would be a death worthy of a master player who lost his final gambit, rather than one stemming from uncharacteristic carelessness.
Potential Paths for Varys in The Winds of Winter (And Beyond)
With the Game of Thrones ending off the table, how might the Spider meet his end in *The Winds of Winter* or the eventual *A Dream of Spring*? Only George R.R. Martin holds the definitive answer, but the possibilities align far better with the intricate world he has built.
Based on the established narrative threads and the nature of Martin's storytelling, several potential fates emerge:
- Execution for Treason (Against the 'Wrong' Targaryen): As mentioned, Daenerys could execute him for backing Aegon. This maintains the conflict with Daenerys but frames it around his primary book allegiance, making it a consequence of his grand plan.
- Victim of Chaos: In a typically subversive Martin twist, Varys could die not as a result of intricate plotting, but as collateral damage in the widespread violence engulfing Westeros. An errant wildfire explosion or indiscriminate dragon fire could ironically claim the life of a man who planned for every contingency, underscoring the brutal indifference of war.
- Betrayal from Within: The world of espionage is fraught with peril. Varys could be betrayed by those he seemingly trusts, perhaps his long-time collaborator Illyrio Mopatis, or even his chosen king, Aegon, should their interests diverge.
- Post-Conflict Justice (or Vengeance): Varys might survive the main conflict only to face judgment later, perhaps executed by a victorious Daenerys, Aegon, or even a Stark regime in King's Landing, mirroring historical moments of reckoning after power shifts.
A More Nuanced Future for the Spider
Whatever fate awaits Varys in the pages of Martin's novels, the fact that it *must* differ from the television show's portrayal is cause for optimism among book readers. The constraints that led to his disappointing on-screen demise – the omission of Aegon, the accelerated timeline, the shift in character motivation – do not exist in the source material. Martin now has the opportunity, informed perhaps by the six years of reflection since the show's conclusion, to provide Varys with an ending that carries weight, nuance, and thematic resonance.
Whether his death is ironic, tragic, politically charged, or brutally sudden, the hope remains that it will serve a "calculated, artistic purpose," either fulfilling or subverting the role we believe Varys plays in the grand tapestry of *A Song of Ice and Fire*. Free from the shadow of the show's ending, Varys's literary journey towards his final fate promises to be far more compelling and true to the master schemer readers have followed for decades.
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