A planned subplot for Sansa Stark in *Game of Thrones* was cut due to budget constraints and time. This storyline, hinted at in the Season 7 Blu-ray commentary, would have explored Sansa gaining more direct control over the Vale. Showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss envisioned Sansa manipulating the Lords Declarant, the group who ruled the Vale in young Robin Arryn’s stead, to consolidate her power. The exact nature of her machinations wasn’t revealed, but the storyline would have showcased Sansa’s growing political savvy and ruthlessness, adding another layer of complexity to her character arc. Ultimately, this plot thread was deemed too expensive and time-consuming to film alongside the many other storylines unfolding in the show’s final seasons.

Sansa Stark’s *Game of Thrones* journey almost took a different turn. A deleted subplot from Season 7 would have seen her solidifying her hold on the Vale, playing political games with the Lords Declarant. Imagine Sansa manipulating the noblemen, outsmarting them to become the true power behind Robin Arryn’s rule. This cut scene adds another layer to Sansa’s character, showing her growing ambition and willingness to play the game of thrones just as effectively as anyone else. It’s a glimpse into a more cunning and ruthless Sansa, but unfortunately, budget and time restrictions prevented this intriguing storyline from making it onto the screen.

Keywords: Game of Thrones, Sansa Stark, deleted scene, cut subplot, Season 7, the Vale, Lords Declarant, political intrigue, Robin Arryn, budget constraints, character development, power struggle, HBO, George R.R. Martin