It also changed the reason Robb Stark throws away his alliance with the Freys, which, as we know, leads to all sorts of trouble for him and others.
In “A Clash of Kings,” a wounded Robb learns of Theon’s purported execution of his younger brothers Bran and Rickon. In his anguish, Robb receives “comfort” (i.e. sex) from the young noblewoman tending his wounds at the castle he just conquered. This is perhaps an understandable lapse in judgment, because of his youth (he’s even younger in the books), his grief and his state of mind (he’s feverish and might have been given milk of the poppy). The problem is, Jeyne’s not a prostitute or a commoner — she’s a lord’s daughter. So Robb is honor-bound to marry her.
Robb faces an ethical dilemma. This is not a dating game, choosing between the possibly ugly Frey behind door No. 1 and the winsome Westerling behind door No. 2. It’s actually a choice between protecting his own honor or protecting someone else’s. Since he’s Ned Stark’s son, he tries to protect someone else, even though it could end in misery. And sure enough, book-Robb makes a tragic mistake that leads to many deaths, including his own.
TV Robb isn’t facing an ethical dilemma — he’s disregarding honor entirely. He actively pursues this young woman, whom he finds beautiful and intriguing, even though he’s already committed to an arranged marriage. He chooses to spend time with her when he could be sorting out troop movements, perusing battle plans or seeking counsel from his top lieutenant (a slight that Roose Bolton doesn’t forget, and which leads to his participation in the Red Wedding). Even after Catelyn warns her son away from battlefield hookups when he’s betrothed to another, Robb continues flirting with Talisa.
Because this is all presented as a love story, we’re supposed to root for the young lovers. And isn’t Talisa a great catch — smart, sassy, good with amputations? Best of all, she’s not taking sides in this ugly war.
Or is she?
In the books, Robb’s marriage to Jeyne was a little more suspicious — and, quite possibly, a setup. The Westerlings may not have been privy to the entirety of the Red Wedding plans, but they had some sort of an “understanding” with Tywin, which included making sure Robb did not conceive an heir with his new bride. Jeyne never got pregnant, did not attend the massacre and is still alive.
