Navigating Lord Varys' Journeys: Logical Analysis and Plot Priorities in Game of Thrones
In the final season of Game of Thrones, Lord Varys' movements can indeed seem abrupt and somewhat confusing. After initially appearing in Dorne where he was trying to establish alliances and gather support, he quickly returns to Dragonstone to support Daenerys Targaryen. This article delves into the possible reasons for this sudden shift, examining the show's pacing, logistics, narrative focus, and the principles the showrunners have applied.
Plot Convenience and Narrative Focus
The show's pacing in the final season often prioritized moving the story forward quickly, sometimes at the expense of logical transitions. Varys' quick return can be interpreted as a narrative device to bring characters together for the climax. This is a common technique in storytelling, especially in a high-stakes, season finale format, where rapid character assembly is more important than meticulously detailed travel logistics.
Travel Time and Logistics
While the show does not always depict travel realistically, it is implied that Varys has access to fast ships and could have traveled quickly between locations. Dorne, while far from Dragonstone, is a realistic distance that can be covered by a well-prepared fleet. However, the showrunners have chosen to streamline this movement for the sake of the narrative, focusing on the urgency of bringing Varys back to aid Daenerys.
Plot Compression and Narrative Time
The compressed narrative also plays a significant role in Varys' return. Game of Thrones had to condense a vast amount of material from the books, The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring, into a mere thirteen episodes. This compression inherently leads to abrupt jumps in time and location. The showrunners had to make decisions to prioritize storylines and characters, often sacrificing the logistics of travel and detailed causality for the sake of plot progression and viewer engagement.
Example of Time Compression: The Arrival of the First Episode
During the first episode of the final season, we see the immediate impact of this time compression. Arya slaughters the men of House Frey in the cold open. However, when Jaime and Cersei discuss her imperial ambitions, their choice of words suggests that the Frey slaughter is a well-known event in the South. Meanwhile, King Jon and Sansa do not mention the Freys when discussing the 'enemy in the south,' implying that in their timeline, the Frey slaughter either hasn't occurred yet or is not widely known. This inconsistency suggests that the show portrays different regions in separate timeframes, further highlighting the showrunners' challenge in maintaining a linear narrative.
The need for this time compression is a Herculean task. To condense the expansive world of Westeros into a digestible 13 episodes is a monumental challenge. The showrunners often rely on temporal paradoxes and character insights to navigate these narrative jumps, creating a sense of continuity while acknowledging the compression of time.
Conclusion
While Lord Varys' transition from Dorne back to Daenerys seems rushed, it can be seen as part of the show's overall pacing and narrative focus, even if it lacks detailed explanation. The compressive nature of the storytelling required by the limited episode count means that some elements must be streamlined, and character movements are no exception.
As the final episodes draw to a close, audiences should continue to expect abrupt jumps in time and geographically separated regions being portrayed in their own timeframes. This approach is a necessary concession to the demands of the compressed narrative, allowing for a faster-paced and more engaging conclusion to the series.