The Kingslayer’s Arc

Published August 7, 2017 · Updated July 6, 2022

Jaime Lannister’s arc in the show and books is one of the most compelling developed by GRRM.

His relationship with Cersei is almost wholly unwound already in the books, as Jaime has abandoned a call to return to King’s Landing to be Cersei’s champion.

As we see in the show, Jaime is still very much committed to his twin and true love.

However, I think this last episode changed that for Jaime.

First, Jaime found out that his brother did not kill Joffrey. He never believed this but he now has a confession from Olenna Tyrell that she did and he will confront Cersei with that information.

Second, Jaime witnessed a horrific event – the Field of Fire 2 – which gave him flashbacks to the Mad King. He saw his men incinerated into ash by Daenerys and Drogon.

Third, Jaime made the rash decision to charge at Daenerys, hoping to end the war in one moment, like he did with the Mad King. This wasn’t a dumb choice if you think about it, but he failed and either died for it (he didn’t) or will make his way back to King’s Landing defeated.

It is when Jaime returns to Cersei and tells her all this that their relationship will change.He will see the odds that are stacked against them and beg Cersei to surrender for the good of the realm. She will refuse that and say that they will go down fighting.

Jaime will be confronted by two scenarios – both of which will see victories for Mad Queens, in his opinion. And when Cersei continues to demand Tyrion’s death for Joffrey’s poisoning, Jaime will have finally had enough. I think this a fitting internal duel created for the Kingslayer.

Keep doing what you do!
Travis M.
Morgantown, WV

Subscribe Now