Jorah Mormont Survived The Battle of Winterfell in an Alternate 'Game of Thrones' Ending

It's fair to say that Jorah Mormont went through a lot for Daenerys in Game of Thrones. While he was originally sent to spy on the Targaryens to earn a pardon from King Robert, Jorah quickly became Daenerys' most trusted adviser and friend. Jorah doesn't hide his love for Daenerys throughout the series, so sacrificing himself to save her from a horde of wights during the Battle of Winterfell seemed like a suitable end for the knight. 

But the show's writers didn't always have this fate planned for Jorah. In fact, he was originally going to survive the finale. In a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, one of the HBO saga's writers revealed that in an ending they had planned our initially, Jorah lives to see Daenerys burn King's Landing to the ground. 

Game of Thrones writer Dave Hill revealed that Jorah was originally going to survive until the end of the show and join  Jon Snow and Tormund Giantsbane at The Wall. Jorah being banished to the Night's Watch indicates that he may have betrayed Daenerys after the events of Episode 5. 

Of course, betraying Daenerys would be totally out of character. And that's why Jorah ended up dying in Episode 3. Hill explained that the plot twist would have been impossible to pull off in just three already jam-packed episodes, which is why they decided to go with a simpler plan. 

"For a long time we wanted Ser Jorah to be there at The Wall in the end. The three coming out of the tunnel would be Jon and Jorah and Tormund. But the amount to logic we’d have to bend to get Jorah up to The Wall and get him to leave Dany’s side right before [the events in the finale] … there’s no way to do that blithely. And Jorah should have the noble death he craves defending the woman he loves."

Actor Iain Glen himself believes that Jorah's death in Episode 3 was fitting, and he's glad that his character wasn't around for the twists and turns of the second half of the season.

"There’s a sweetness in that because Jorah will never know what she did. That’s probably best. It’s a blessing for him that he never found out what happened to her. And from a pragmatic story point of view, his death served a greater purpose."

As a whole, the death that the writers went with was probably a better one for the character. 

Throughout the series, Ser Jorah made subtle hints that he saw Daenerys as more than just a good friend, and had developed romantic feelings for her as the show progressed. However, we know her heart belongs to Jon Snow, and she even confirms that notion in the episode, telling her nephew that she could never love Ser Jorah like she loves him. So, what were the last words Dany whispered to her savior? 

According to actor Iain Glen, who portrayed Jorah for the past eight seasons, what Emilia whispered into his ear during the heartbreaking scene was completely up to her as nothing was written in the script. 

"It’s something entirely sincere and true to the moment and something that I’ll never forget," he told Entertainment Weekly before revealing he intends to keep the words private. "I’ll always cherish it because it’s something no one will ever know but the two of us. And that’s a memory to hold onto." 

After Jorah's father, Jeor Mormont, left to become Lord Commander of the King's Landing, Jorah became Lord of his house. Jorah married Lynesse Hightower, but his new wife had expensive tastes that Jorah struggled to fund. Ultimately, he resorted to selling poachers into slavery, which has been illegal in the Seven Kingdoms.

He was stripped of his Lordship and fled to the Free Cities to avoid being executed by Eddard Stark. He served in mercenary companies like the Golden Company until he was offered a pradon by King Robert to spy on Daenerys and her brother, Viserys Targaryen. 

After Daenerys discovered that Jorah had originally been sent to spy on her, she banished him under threat of death. While in Volantis, Jorah spotted Tyrion, who had fled to the Free Cities after he was falsely accused of poising Joffrey Baratheon. Jorah captures Tyrion, believing that Daenerys would forgive him if he brought Tyrion to her. 

Eventually the two find Old Valyria, and passes through its ruins to find Meereen. While passing through, they are attacked by men infected with greyscale and Jorah is infected by a single touch to the wrist.