Jaime Lannister – “By What Right Does the Wolf Judge the Lion?”
Holy Hell! Jaime “Fookin” Lannister has truly come full-circle since we first met him in Season 1.01 pushing a young Bran Stark out of a tower at Winterfell. In what was arguably Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s second best scene of the series (right behind the “confession to Brienne” bathtub scene in season three), Jaime becomes the honorable man he was always meant to be by knighting Brienne of Tarth. In this symbolic and powerful episode Jaime completely atones for his sins by standing alone, head held high, in judgement in front of a room full of people who want him dead. Sansa, through Brienne’s testimony, judges Jaime worthy to fight amongst the living in the battle against the dead.
From jeered and despised to cheered and respected, it’s rare to see this level of character development in modern television. Jaime won’t make it out of season eight alive, but it’s satisfying that he goes out with his honor intact and at peace with himself while taking his place beside his younger brother as the Pride of the Lannisters.
Expectations for 8.03: Carnage, with at least 60% of our beloved characters falling to the Army of the Dead.
What to watch for next episode: Theon’s Redemption; Winter Falls
Hand of the Queen
Dylan Sterling
Tyrion of House Lannister of Casterly Rock. With his wit, humor, and cunning he has become one of my favorite characters in the show. Which is why I am praying to the old Gods and the new that he somehow survives the white walkers. Tyrion did not have the best outlook after Jamie reported that Cersei would not send her armies to fight against the white walkers. Daenerys was furious that he had made another costly mistake and considered replacing him as Hand of the Queen. Now that Jorah has convinced Daenerys that Tyrion is still the smartest man in the kingdom, it would seem that his place as Hand of the Queen is secure for now.
In episode two of season eight, all the characters were united and we managed to catch a glimpse of the old drunk Tyrion, which was great to see. We are all predicting that the battle with the Night King will kill off many of our favorite characters, but I am thinking Tyrion will survive. He has more allies than ever, reunited with his brother, and his still Hand of the Queen. If Tyrion manages to survive, he can finally take Cersei off the Iron Throne.
