The humanizing of the Lannisters – Beyond the Wall

The second season of Game of Thrones is flying by with only three episodes left before we are left to sit around and wait to see what happens next. Unless, of course, you’ve read all the books like we have, then you pretty much know what’s going to happen next.

This week we’re going to take a close look at how the series has been treating some of the more villainous characters on the show. As always, we are book readers, so spoilerphobes should turn back now.

Bob:

What struck me most about this week’s episode was the continued effort to humanize the Lannisters. Specifically, I am speaking about Cersei and Tywin, two of the least sympathetic characters in the books (for the most part). I have to say that the scenes between Tywin and Arya have been some of my favorite of the entire season. The old man still comes off as a bit dangerous, a bit cruel, and certainly no one to get too comfortable around. At the same time, though, there is a huge likability to the man. Charles Dance is a big reason for that, but the writers are adding things to Tywin as well. Seeing the amusement that he gets from his cupbearer and the small kindnesses that he shows her has been a lot of fun, and gosh darn it, I may just like Tywin Lannister. I shuddered while typing that.

This week also featured a big scene between Cersei and Tyrion discussing her children, the Targaryen custom of incest, and the uncontrollable monster that Joffrey has become. It was refreshing. Again, I think the actor, in this case Lena Heady, has brought a softness to Cersei that I never got from the character in the books. With scenes like this, and the one between Cersei and Robert in season one, the queen is becoming much more relatable. It’s nice to see some of the bigger “villains” from the novels come across a little more human on screen.

How do you feel about it?

Ivey:

I’m enjoying the hell out of the Tywin and Arya dynamic. Most of what we know and hate about Tywin in the books comes from Tyrion (mostly) and there’s been little chance for us to learn that from the Imp this season as his story has been so focused on King’s Landing. Giving the opportunity for the audience to get to know him better — and even like him some — through Arya is a brilliant idea. In the end, though, Tywin is still Tywin. He’s still the guy who orchestrates what he will next season, so we’re going to hate him eventually. I think these moments with Arya are just setting the audience up for him to do something especially cruel to his cupbearer soon, which will make hating him all the more easy.

As far as Cersei goes, I don’t really get it. I don’t want to like her. As great as the scene she shared with Robert last season was, I’ve come to like it less because it humanizes her. From my perspective, Cersei is one of the truly irredeemable characters in A Song of Ice and Fire.

Bob:

Interesting, because in my mind, she is a much more redeemable character in the novels than Tywin ever was. There’s not a lot good about Cersei, I’ll give you that, but I’ve always felt that she and Catelyn were two sides of the same coin. They are both incredibly strong women with near pathological dedication to their families. I believe that Cersei loves her children every bit as much as Cat loves hers. They are both willing to do just about anything for their children, and we will see Cat make some very, very poor decisions in their name as we move forward in the story. So, yes, Cersei does some horrible things to get her family into power and to keep her family there, but I always felt that there was enough motivation that her story made sense.

Ivey:

And she’s also raised a monster. Series-Joffrey is arguably worse than Book-Joffrey, but they’re both pretty much bastards (pun unfortunately intended). I’m sure Aerys loved his children too, but that doesn’t excuse his actions either. You can spin Tywin’s motivations in a positive light too: he’s just trying to do best by his family and legacy — save the child he blames for the death of his wife. By all accounts, he was a pretty good leader and only seemingly cruel when it comes to battle. He didn’t, as an example, relish in the acts of the Mountain that Rides in the sack of Harrenhal; he saw quick, decisive action as the necessary course. It was Clegane that was overly cruel.

I do find it interesting that while Tywin and Cersei seem to be getting a little positive spin, in the same episode Jaime became even more of a monster. Knowing where his character arc goes in the next book, it wouldn’t have surprised me to see him see a little bit of that positivity here. I think, once the full story is out, that it is easy to forgive him for his betrayal of Aerys — which truly was an act of conscience even if there were other motivations at play. But we’ve heard time and time again during ASOIF that the most cursed man is a kinslayer, and now Jaime can add that to his resume. So, he’s now killed a king, tossed a child out a window and killed a cousin in a foolish escape attempt. That’s a heck of a lot to redeem.

Bob:

First, Aerys was completely and undeniably insane, the result of generations of inbreeding. Second, I think Tywin is thinking more about his own legacy. I believe that there is a little bit of selflessness in Cersei’s actions, but it’s not a point that I can defend whole-heartedly. I’ll give you that much.

I can totally see why Jaime isn’t getting the same treatment as Cersei or Tywin in the show, and you’re exactly right, it’s because of where his story is heading. There is also a purity in Jaime’s honesty. He doesn’t really ever pretend to be something he isn’t, which seems to be the only thing Cersei does. While his actions are indeed pretty cruel, he at least knows they are. I also think a lot of his personality comes from his past. The entire population knows what he did to Aerys and most people hate him for it. I believe that he considers himself damned already, so why apologize for anything? He already broke his oath and literally stabbed the king in the back, he’s got to be wondering what’s so bad about killing a cousin?

Clacked by Bob Degon
on May 16, 2012 @ 10:00 EST5EDT