10 ways Game of Thrones improved on A Song of Ice and Fire

5. The Return of Jaqen H’ghar

Speaking of Arya and her mentors, the youngest Stark daughter’s decision to go to Braavos in both the show and books is fueled by the invitation she received from Jaqen H’ghar, the Faceless Man who she met shortly before her time at Harrenhal. But in the books, Jaqen never resurfaces (at least not yet; we’ll get to that momentarily). Arya’s training with the Faceless Men is conducted with other characters, some of whom, like the Waif, are also in the show.

The show’s writers made the choice to give Jaqen a more central role in Arya’s development. In the TV version, it’s Jaqen who ultimately welcomes her into the House of Black and White to take up the training of the Faceless Men.

The jury is still out on George R.R. Martin’s plans for Jaqen; there are some pretty solid clues that he’s kicking around Oldtown and impersonating a maester candidate named Pate, so it’s likely we’ll see more of him. Whatever the author has in store could totally blow the book’s rendition of Jaqen out of the water. But, if I’m being honest, I was always was a little disappointed that Jaqen never showed up during Arya’s time in Braavos. They had a very cool relationship in A Clash of Kings, and a lot of fans wanted to see more.

The show answered that call, and answered it well.