“So power is a mummer’s trick?”
“A shadow on the wall,” Varys murmured, “yet shadows can kill. And ofttimes a very small man can cast a very large shadow.”
Tyrion smiled. “Lord Varys, I am growing strangely fond of you. I may kill you yet, but I think I’d feel sad about it.”
— A Clash of Kings, Tyrion II
In the second season of Game of Thrones, Lord Varys “the Spider” presented to Tyrion Lannister a parable on power. Varys described a scenario where a sellsword was commanded by three men – a septon, a king, and a man of great wealth – to slay the other two. The Spider’s example neatly represented three types of influence – spiritual, landed authority, and hard cash – but his list of petitioners for the sellsword could have included more. The sellsword could have also been commanded by his mother, his child, his best friend, the most beautiful woman in Westeros, etc. There are many possibilities that could have expanded the scenario.
But Varys, an accomplished mummer and showman, is employing the performance Rule of Threes. When setting something up, three items is enough to establish a non-coincidental pattern, and even though listing more than three could work, it’s not as concise or clever. It’s why comedy often works with three elements. “A northman, a dornishman, and a wildling walk into a bar…”
Narratively speaking, it’s instructive to look where a character has encountered two situations that imply a pattern, and consider that the Rule of Three could be in effect and another similar event is awaiting the character in the future. Like waiting for the other shoe to drop (if people had three legs.)
Tyrion Lannister’s story arc hasn’t been too compelling over the past several seasons. It can be argued that when Varys was lecturing Tyrion on power in the second season, the Lannister was enjoying the most amount of his personal agency on the show. It’s hoped that his role in Season Eight will turn up the narrative volume on some of the “oh yeah, Tyrion was there too” plotting for Tywin Lannister’s second son.
Looking at Tyrion’s storyline, there are three sets of paired events that might provide satisfying story elements in his final season, where a third element turns any of the established couplets into triplets. Significantly, Tyrion has been married twice, been personally involved (with a touch of betrayal) in two major battles, and has been put on trial twice for crimes he didn’t commit.
Tyrion: My life has been busy, yes. I get around.
WIVES
The books and the show have presented Tyrion’s second marriage to Sansa Stark, but both media also cover Tyrion Lannister’s first marriage. Tyrion confided that he’d been wed previously, a marriage that ended disastrously when diabolical dad Tywin Lannister discovered that his son had married beneath his station, and cruely punished Tyrion’s wife Tysha with a punitive gang-rape by the Lannister garrison.
Presumably, Tywin had the drunken septon who married Tyrion and Tysha officially annul the marriage (under threat if the septon did not) – although this would legally wash away the marriage as if it had never been, it set up a terrible wedge between the two Lannisters and was partly responsible for Tyrion stealthing into the Lord Hand’s chambers with murder on his mind. (Show watchers, you’ll have to trust me on this. Or read the books. Everyone should read the books to get a glimpse of characters’ internal unspoken motivations.)
Tywin’s forceful handling of Tyrion’s first marriage was echoed somewhat in reverse in Season Three, with Tywin forcing Tyrion to marry the captive and highborn Sansa Stark. In both cases, Tywin had little regard for his son’s wife. Tywin was insistent that Tyrion have sex with the child-bride immediately, to produce as soon as possible both an heir and a Lannister political lever that could be used with the North. This was an act that Tyrion steadfastly (if passive-aggressively) refused.
The lack of consummation of the marriage played into Lysa’s plans to annul Sansa’s marriage so she could marry her niece off to her son Robin, the sickly Lord Paramount of the Kingdom of Mountain and Vale. (And if we address the show’s storyline, the lack of consummation played into Roose Bolton marrying his son Ramsay to Sansa. But let’s not dwell on that.)
Since Tyrion has been married twice, once for love and once in a forced marriage for political gain, a reasonable speculation for Season Eight would be his getting married a third time. And for once, Tywin Lannister won’t be there to ruin it either way.
Tywin: Hmmm.
George RR Martin has said that he was inspired by the War of the Roses when he was envisioning A Song of Ice and Fire, and of course that doesn’t mean that the conflict between the Starks and the Lannisters will absolutely parallel the warfare and resolution between the Yorks and the Lancasters (who didn’t have either dragons or ice monsters to complicate their feuding) – but since a political marriage ended the War of the Roses with Henry Tudor marrying Princess Elizabeth of York, it’s possible that a political marriage will be a Westerosi social event in the final season.
Tyrion could just be remarried to Sansa Stark – the show has their marriage interupted, and even though the Bolton marriage isn’t canon in the books (I mean with Sansa) since Sansa was not married to Tyrion in accordance with the Old Gods traditions (the northerners want there to be a heart-tree on hand to witness the vows) – if a Stark/Lannister marriage is reasonable to bring a new peace in the realm, the bride and groom would have to get married again proper and northern.
But I’m not sure Sansa is interested in that specific deal.
Sansa: I’m going to marry someone taller. With a nose. I’m Queen in the North! I have some standards.
From a strictly political perspective, Tyrion marrying Yara Greyjoy also has merit. The Iron Islands and the Kingdom of the West traditionally have issues getting along, so whomever ends up on the Iron Throne might want to try and foster some conciliation between those two regions. Imagining Tyrion and Yara as a wedded couple is a bit head scratching, although it might work out as long as proper duty is done to obtain an heir, and neither complains about their spouse’s mistresses.
Tyrion: My radiant wife, I wanted you to know that I’m thinking of going riding with Lady Alys tomorrow.
Yara: Suit yourself, my beloved. I think I’ll take her sister sailing.
Tyrion: Nice!
But before we start checking out Tyrion’s wedding registry, we should consider another angle on a third marriage. It’s also reasonable for the Rule of Three to include a third element that gets subverted. Tyrion married Tysha for love (which was a disaster thanks to Tywin), and was forced into a loveless marriage for political gain (again, by Tywin.) Tyrion might pursue matrimony with someone that he loves, while touting its political sense. And having his proposal rejected significantly.
I’m not talking about him proposing to Arya Stark (even though GRRM’s initial pitch letter for the series included an abandoned love triangle between Tyrion, Arya, and Jon.) I’m talking about Tyrion making his case to marry Daenerys Targaryen.
There’s enough information from actor statements (and uncovered script clues) to conclude that Tyrion Lannister is in love with the Mother of Dragons. And Tyrion might consider that her taking on a consort with his bona fides – presumably the heir to Casterly Rock by virtue of elimination (depending on Jaime’s interest in the Rock and if Jaime survives the war) – would be a shrewd political move. Tywin Lannister also thought that he could secure the Lannister legacy by proposing marriage between Cersei and Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. King Aerys rebuffed the proposal, which created a wedge between the Lannisters and the Targaryens, which culminated in the sack of King’s Landing during Robert’s Rebellion.
Daenerys is likely to rebuff Tyrion’s advances, honestly.
Dany: I mean, I’ve seen Jon Snow in the buff.
Tyrion: I’ve heard that he might be your nephew. Gross.
Dany: Well I’ve read on Reddit that you might be my brother.
Jaime: It’s not as much of a problem as you might first imagine.
Cersei: It really depends on the brother.
Regretfully, Tyrion might not take the rejection well, and end up as disgruntled as Tywin was in regards to Aerys.
Tywin: I can find a way to ruin everything, even in death.
WARS
In Season Two, Tyrion (with Varys’s assistance) was responsible for preparing King’s Landing for the imminent assault of Baratheon forces trying to usurp the Throne.
Stannis: Renly was trying to usurp the Throne. I was expressing my legal claim.
Renly: I was going to usurp the hell out of that Throne. It would have been awesome!
Tyrion ended up leading a sortie against the Baratheon troops who survived his wildfire trick, rallying the demoralized defenders in the city with a rousing battle speech. He was nearly killed when a kingsguard assigned to protect him turned out to be an assassin.
This was the second major battle in Tyrion’s martial career.
In the season before Blackwater, Tyrion was forced by Tywin to command irregular soldiers made up of savage Mountains of the Moon clansman in the vanguard of Lannister troops. The Lannisters were trying to prevent Robb Stark’s northern army from crossing the Green Fork river.
The show opted to save on their budget by having Tyrion, the viewers’ Point-of-View for these events, knocked unconscious by accident after rallying his rough but ready clansmen with a pre-battle speech. “Halfman! Halfman!” the wildlings shouted, before rushing into battle and knocking Tyrion out in the process.
In the books, Tyrion rode into battle with ill-fitting armor, and managed to survive the melee, even capturing a northern knight for ransom.
The Battle of the Green Fork and the Battle of the Blackwater aren’t the only skirmishes Tyrion has been part of: he was nearly killed by clansmen when being escorted as a prisoner to the Eyrie by Catelyn Stark, and he’s been an observer at the Battle of Fire where Daenerys and her dragons lift the siege of Meereen to the dismay of the slavers, but Green Fork and Blackwater were major military actions that Tyrion was an active part of. And ones where allied forces intended him harm.
Tyrion suspected that Tywin deployed his son and the undisciplined troops among the vanguard at the Green Fork in the hopes that Tyrion would die in battle. Tyrion usually is correct on these assessments.
At Blackwater Bay, either Cersei or Joffrey commanded kingsguard Mandon Moore to try and kill Tyrion (let’s not debate who was responsible – either way, Tyrion was betrayed.)
Following the Rule of Three, Tyrion should be majorly involved in a third military engagement in Season Eight, and treachery should be at hand.
This isn’t too crazy speculation. It’s a given that a major battle will be taking place soon. Daenerys and Jon’s combined forces are heading to Winterfell (including Tyrion as Dany’s Hand) and the army of the dead is marching south. Presumably there will be a big battle in the North. But it is not very likely that Tyrion will be leading troops in this particular battle. At least not under the circumstances that will sync with the Green Fork and the Blackwater. Treachery shouldn’t be on the table, since the stakes are so high in the face of the White Walkers and their wights.
And I’m not sure the Northmen, Vale Knights, Unsullied, and Dothraki would need to follow Tyrion into battle. Tywin had his reasons to force Tyrion into command, and at King’s Landing Tyrion was forced to act in the face of Joffrey’s failure to lead.
But there’s opportunity for more involvement from Tyrion in a battle expected to take place after military action has concluded at Winterfell.
At the end of Season Seven, Cersei promised Lannister support for the Starks and Targaryens in the expected northern campaign against the army of the dead. In actuality, Cersei made these promises so the enemies at her doorstep would withdraw, and march into the north unsupported. Perhaps they’d defeat the army of the dead, perhaps they’d fall to the undead horrors. But Cersei optimistically assumed that once that battle was done, her forces – supplemented by the employment of Golden Company sellswords – would be able to deal with the victors.
One way or another, the scenario Cersei expects will probably happen, with hostile troops coming south.
Maybe at the Trident river (if the interpretation of the recent Game of Thrones animated teaser trailer is correct) or maybe at King’s Landing itself, there will be a battle which will include Lannister troops.
Cersei and Tyrion had an extended diplomatic meeting when negotiations briefly broke down at the Dragonpit, and part of the Lannister sibling’s discussion is unknown to the viewers. With Lannister troops in the mix, it’s more likely for Tyrion to be called on to lead in some capacity, fulfilling much of the requirements for a Rule of Three third battle. The missing element would be betrayal.
Cersei could certainly betray Tyrion again, but that would be a stale element at this juncture in the story. A more interesting betrayal, one that subverts what’s been done before somewhat, would be Tyrion betraying his allies.
I don’t mean Tyrion will betray humanity to the White Walkers. Nothing so crazy as that, but more in line with when he was targeted for assassination by the kingsguard. One of Tyrion’s rivals might be endangered by Tyrion’s actions on the battlefield. But who might that be?
Before that question gets addressed, consider the last candidate for a triple in Tyrion’s storyline: Tyrion on trial.
WITNESSES
Tyrion Lannister should consider having a lawyer on retainer, based on his tendency to be accused of crimes he didn’t commit. In the first season, Tyrion was arrested by Lady Catelyn Stark on suspicion of sending an assassin to kill her bed-ridden son Bran. Presented to Lysa Arryn at the Eyrie, Lysa opted to levy murder charges on Tyrion as well, accusing him of poisoning her husband Jon Arryn.
Tyrion: Next you’ll say I killed my mother. Wait. I guess I did do that.
Tyrion avoided judgment by Robin “Make Them Fly” Arryn by insisting on a Trial By Combat to establish his guilt or innocence. With the timely volunteering spirit of sellsword Bronn, Tyrion was exonerated from both the murder and attempted murder charges, and so left the Eyrie a free man.
He was a free man for a few seasons at least. In Season Four he was charged with murdering his nephew King Joffrey Baratheon with poisoned wine.
Facing a legally unfair court, as biased as Robin Arryn’s, Tyrion one again called on Trial By Combat to decide his fate. Lucking into the amazing champion Prince Oberyn “the Red Viper” Martell, the trial was nearly a repeat of the one in the Eyrie. But Oberyn’s overconfidence allowed Ser Gregor Clegane to unambiguously win the match.
By the laws of Westeros and the Faith of the Seven, Tyrion Lannister was found guilty of regicide and sentenced to death (or possibly bound for the Wall, if Tywin was to be believed.)
So twice Tyrion has been brought up on serious charges, twice he’s relied on Trial By Combat, but has gotten differing verdicts. First innocent, then guilty.
To satisfy the Rule of Three, Season Eight should feature Tyrion once again called up on charges. To mix things up, this time it should be for crimes that he did commit.
Tyrion is already on the hook for being convicted of killing Joffrey, but both Cersei and Jaime know about Lady Olenna’s confession that she was the one responsible for the poisoning.
Tyrion did murder his father Tywin. (It’s not likely that Tyrion would ever be punished or even called to account for Shae’s death, unfortunately.) Tyrion might have had legitimate grievances in regards to his father, but probably none that excuse murder under the laws of Westeros. The northerners would have had no love for Tywin, but after reading Fire and Blood and how Cregan Stark ruthlessly pursued the conspirators who murdered Aegon II, Tyrion’s patricide might bring him face to face with justice.
Or Tyrion might be in legal trouble for something else that will be addressed in the next section. Please, be patient!
Tyrion’s future trial might feature some procedural changes. Trial By Combat was outlawed by King Tommen, in response to counsel by the High Sparrow who questioned the accuracy and fairness of the process. (The High Sparrow’s substitute of a tribunal of seven septons might not have necessarily guaranteed a fair court, though.) It’s to be seen if this ruling will be respected or ignored.
Regardless, after being found innocent in one trial, and fleeing punishment after a guilty verdict in the second trial, a natural consequence of justice for the third trial would be guilt plus the acceptance of punishment. Tyrion might get a second opportunity to pee off the edge of the world at the Wall.
TYING UP THE THREE THREADS
There’s no guarantee that any of these things would come to pass. After all, the Rule of Three is just a good storytelling lever, but it’s not a requirement. Tyrion’s two weddings, two fraught-with-peril battles, and two trials might just be pairs of things, and not necessarily stepping stones to triplet plot points.
But they do feel like elements that might resurface in Season Eight for Tyrion’s storyline. Even if only some of them resurface, there would be a sense of tying a bow on a narrative thread.
But it’s possible that all three elements might come to pass, if some wild speculation can be indulged. Imagine the following:
- Tyrion pitches a marriage proposal to Daenerys, one which she rejects.
- Stung by jealousy, Tyrion blames Jon Snow, that good looking bastard.
- In the campaign against whomever (the White Walkers, Golden Company who are now following Euron, or some other unexpected military action,) Tyrion is in command of a group of troops, whom Tyrion deliberately withholds from assisting his romantic rival Jon Snow, hard pressed in battle.
- Jon Snow is hard to kill. And isn’t interested in forgiving Tyrion or listening to his excuses.
- Tyrion is put on trial.
- Drama ensues and there’s not a dry eye in my house.
When Varys posed his parable about power to Tyrion in Season Two, Tyrion was in-between weddings, battles, and trials. He was Hand of the King, defanging his political rivals in the city and exercising power. After his second battle which provided physical scars, his second humiliating wedding which provided emotional turmoil in regards to his relationship with Shae, and his second trial which took everything away from him – Tyrion’s position was dramatically reversed. Each of these events was a lever point in his narrative arcs, so future similar events would serve to shift Tyrion into the end game of his story.
Tyrion: These are all interesting thoughts, but let me offer a counterpoint. Assume that I am dramatically victorious in a major military battle, something I’m due for storywise. My heroism on the battlefield endears the heart of Daenerys Targaryen to me, and she amiably agrees to my well-reasoned political match. But Sansa Stark, equally moved by my feats of derring-do and my past kindnesses towards her, insists that I honor our previous marriage. I resign myself to marry them both.
Me: Uh, uniting the North, the Crown, and the Westerlands. Wow. But that’s just two out of three of the events.
Tyrion: As for the trial – don’t be so literal. I’ll engage in a witty debate with the new High Septon that I, Tyrion Lannister, should be allowed to have two wives, as Aegon the Conqueror did with Visenya and Rhaenys. My trial of wits and logic – not of combat – wins the day. Even Jon Snow and Ser Jorah Mormont approve, and agree to act as Best Men at my wedding. As an added bonus, Daario Naharis tries to abduct Daenerys during the wedding, but he is eaten by a dragon. Doesn’t this sound like a more satisfying ending to my narrative storyline?
Me: I don’t know what to say.
Tyrion: Obviously.
HODOOOOOOOOOR
Interesting article. Thank you. Have to think about this some more though because I had a laugh at Arya marriage proposal and by the end of the sentence I was shocked!
EDIT: HODOR! I didn’t even realize I’m first 🎉☺️
TormundsWoman,
Welcome, First In Comments!
This is an intriguing analysis, and certainly makes as much sense as many other speculations (but more entertainingly, and thanks for that!) After Tyrion’s disastrous 6th and 7th seasons of (what I consider) bad writing, I really hope the little guy is due for a plotline worthy of his intelligence, wit, and courage. George RR always liked him, too.
S2 E10 – Valar Morghulis could have strong foreshadowing for Season 8. The first scene shows Tyrion’s eye reflecting fire and then Tyrion’s eye changes to blue reflecting a man standing over him and he wakes up to see Pycelle (who could represent the Night King). Tyrion looks like a Monster.
I think everything Melisandre says to Stannis Baratheon is about Tyrion Lannister… All the betrayals… Being the Son of Fire – the Lord of Light. I think Tyrion is a Targaryen and the bastard son of the Mad King Aerys II.
At the End of the episode Qhorin Halfhand starts a sword fight with Jon Snow … Qhorin insults Jon’s (the prince that promised) parents. Jon Snow (Azor Ahai) swore an oath to the Night’s Watch. “I am the sword in the Darkness – I am the light that brings the Dawn” Jon Snow stabs Qhorin right through his heart… then Ygritte says “Time to meet the king beyond the wall”… Jon looks back at Qhorin’s burning body…. foreshadowing for Jon? Maybe Jon is the Son of fire – the lord of light? but I don’t think Jon will betray his family.
In season 8 I predict Jon Snow will behead Tyrion – Qyburn will put Tyrion back together and somehow Tyrion becomes the Night King and Daenerys will be the Night Queen.
Also King Rob Stark marries Talisa Maegyr who are a couple that shouldn’t be together…. Night King Tyrion and Night Queen Daenerys… 2 Targaryens a brother and sister ruling over a city of ashes.
Patrick Sponaugle,
Ha, thank you 😊 it’s rare for me. Maybe now the show is returning and I’m visiting the site more often, I will be first again and not mess the HODOR up, and add it as an afterthought in EDIT.
zandru,
Thank you for your kind words! And I share your hope that Tyrion’s story ends strong. One way or another.
Just speaking for myself, I’d like to let Hodor rest in peace, if ya know what I mean…
firstone,
Wow, that’s a dark ending you are imagining!
The famous rule of three that Martin likes so much.
He might like it, but he usually talks about the threefold reveal – where he sets a mystery, seems to answer it, then really answers it.
I love these articles Patrick, please keep them coming.
Tyrion is behind only Jon and Arya as my favourite main character. It does feel a while (season 2-3) where he was on a high but I hope in S8 we can finally see him back to those heights after the lows of S4-S7.
Regarding the possibility of a third marriage I just don’t see it at all. I feel Tyrions role may be to save the realm from either Dany or Cersei. If he lives (and I expect him too) then he could make a good hand of the king. Sansa won’t want to marry him as you say and neither Dany or Jon (the most likely rulers) would push for it I suspect. Yara (if she survives and I think not) then she wouldn’t go for it either and I doubt the ruling powers would push for it. I also don’t see any disappointment or desire for Dany, he’s already starting to distrust her ‘tendencies’ and I feel he will be the one who brings her down. Tyrion doesn’t crave power but he does care about the people and that makes him one of the good characters in my view.
Patrick Sponaugle,
He hammered (at least into me) the 3 and 7 back in AGOT with the dream of the Tower of Joy. Seriously, how many times did he wrote seven and three?
Jon Snowed,
Thanks Jon, I hope to have a feature each month before the show (when I hope I can crank out features for each episode.)
I respect your skepticism on a third marriage, but I had to commit to my feature model. I think I differ with you a bit on Tyrion’s character, his time as Hand gave him a taste for power – I am not saying he’s driven by naked ambition. We’ll see if my take on him being romantically interested in Dany plays out – or not – it is certainly possible he isn’t interested. (Tyrion kind of lost his groove on the show after killing Shae, so that might still be the case.)
Thanks again for the feedback!
Oh, I didn’t mean to minimize what you are saying. You are right, of course. 3 kingsguard, 3 names to be given to the Many Faced God, 3 betrayals you will face, 3 heads of the dragon. Three shows up a lot.
Patrick Sponaugle,
Cersei’s three children. The three treasons. I see three everywhere!
Three leeches for three usurpers!
Very enlightening–and as always enjoyable–essay, Patrick. While the Rule of Three is not rock solid, I’ve come to assume it and usually it happens. Three heads has the Dragon…and the Lion, it seems. Tyrion is–appropriately–my third favorite character, after Arya and Sandor. All things being equal, I think he is the most capable person to rule Westeros after the wars. He probably thinks so too.
Alas, I don’t think he’ll get the chance, despite his being one of GRRM’s five designated survivors in the 1993 outline. Tyrion strikes me as being in a long line of intelligent, sympathetic, but misshapen villains and antiheroes destined to lose all in some final tragedy. Verdi’s Rigoletto is one, Richard III another. He is one of those highly conflicted characters whom GRRM tortures like Cousin Orson tortured beetles. But last season put Tyrion’s loyalties in doubt, and the Great Game is dangerous. Season 8 will probably be filled with betrayals, and as usual he’s likely to be blamed. History seldom repeats itself, it though often rhymes. Whether or not he’s guilty, I doubt his glibness is going to save his life in a third trial. He told Jaime, “Father droned on about the family legacy and I thought about Orson’s beetles.” I fear that whatever the reason, both he and the legacy will be obliterated like those beetles.
Eonwe,
“I see three everywhere!”
Once you start looking for confirmation bias, you’ll see it wherever you look! 😉
Patrick Sponaugle,
Hi, can you give me a few examples of this? A while since I last read the books.
Stark Raven’ Rad,
Thanks for the feedback. And the callbacks to Cousin Orson Lannister, and those beetles.
I’m not sure what you are referring to when you say “this” – were you responding to me talking about the threefold-reveal?
I thought about these beetles and Tyrion’s pondering about Orson’s reasons for killing them, too.
One day Tyrion will wake up and realize: Orson did it, because he could. Orson had the power to do it and so he did.
Give someone power and in the end he/she will use it for bad.
Yes, exactly.
This was kind of a wasteful article. The propositions were too corny, and grasping for a point.
I am sorry. I will do no better next time.
Here’s a few examples of the threefold reveal.
1) Someone killed Jon Arryn
2) Lysa blames the Lannister’s, and Ned kind of finds corroborating evidence
3) Lysa really killed Jon Arryn
1) Ned fathered a bastard
2) reasonable suggestions for Jon’s mother: Wylla, Ashara Dayne, some random girl from the Sister Isles
3) Rhaegar is actually Jon’s dad
1) someone tries to kill Bran
2) Littlefinger implicates Tyrion
3) it was Joffrey who sent the assassin
Stuff like that.
I better should say: Let someone find out, that he/she has power, he/she in the end will use it for bad.
Stark Raven’ Rad,
Perhaps AGOT, often in the business of subverting tired fantasy tropes, will upend the tired ableism of the “misshapen villain/antihero who loses everything” one.
Olli,
I didn’t read your full comment as it was too long.
Patrick Sponaugle,
Miss the jokes back in the ol days were people asked “what about Balon?”
It is still funny to me that Balon was the second of the Five Kings to die in the books, but the last of the Five Kings to die on the show.
Thank you, WotW and Patrick for what seems like a nice, long, meaty article. I haven’t had time to read it, yet; not got my teeth into it yet, and I won’t comment more before I actually read the thing, haha.
Just felt a bit compelled to stick my oar in and commend these longer analysis articles on WoTW. They’re the best thing during the off-season. Keep it up, even if you don’t get 139 or 529 or whatever crazed comments, just the two-score from the more measured site regulars. Your work is appreciated.
Very interesting and well-written points you make! It took me a long time to realize /accept GRRM intends Tyrion as a villain. I still struggle with it. Do you think any of these things are due to happen in the books? Seems easier to flesh out in text. As for the him being tried for killing Tywin, I’d say that’s a hard no as Dany has already pardoned him for that (could he be her hand otherwise? Not sure about the politics here). Maybe the trial will have something to do with his seemingly inevitable betrayal of Dany
talvikorppi,
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
I really appreciate your comment. I hope to hear from you again after you’ve had a chance to read the whole thing.
Dalyce,
Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you. Friedrich Nietzsche
That´s Tyrion book character from the moment Jaime tells the truth about Tysha. Book Tyrion has been called a villain by Martin in interviews. So a tragic or fall arc in the books can be executed more easily.
As for him being pardoned by Daenerys for killing Tywin. Kinslaying has been downplayed in the show (Ramsay killing Roose with witnesses and nobody cared. At least show Euron did it “privately”). It´s the worst crime one can commit in Westeros and the reason that Maegor´s reign, The Dance of Dragons or the First Blackfyre Rebellion are so tragic.
Rule of three. Now that I think about it. Will we see another Stark having the chance of taking the IT but refusing and going back north? First Cregan. Then Eddard. Jon Snow?
Dalyce,
That’s a great point on Daenerys probably granting Tyrion a pardon for any previous misdeeds (including his technical guilt of regicide.)
Thank you for your kind words
Whoa, that is a great point. I like the idea of Jon following in post-Dance Cregan’s steps, and end of rebellion Ned’s steps.
Patrick Sponaugle,
Another interesting parallel between Cregan and Eddard. Both wanted justice for the betrayals of their enemies by their own men.
Cregan judged and executed the suspects of poisoning Aegon II.
Eddard wanted Jaime sent to the Wall for killing Aerys.
Both Corlys Velaryon and Jaime Lannister eluded being punished because politics.
Eonwe,
This is good stuff.
Patrick Sponaugle,
There is plenty of good stuff in Martin’s works. Specially in the little details. They show his gardener writing method.
“Or Tyrion might be in legal trouble for something else that will be addressed in the next section. Please, be patient!”
———
I’ve always felt that Tyrion should’ve been in legal trouble for orchestrating the bogus Kingslsyer-for-Arya & Sansa hostage exchange – which Tyrion himself described (to LF) as a “deception.” The Lannisters didn’t have Arya in KL, but Tyrion (with LF as his emissary) convinced Catelyn they did to induce her to release the Kingslayer, and thereby betray her son King Robb.
Sure, Tyrion came up with this scheme to get his brother back. Yet, he knew when Jaime arrived in KL for the hostage exchange, the Lannisters could not honor their end of the bargain.
Can we give Tyrion points for not forcing Sansa to consummate their marriage? Maybe. Still, in my book his “deception” of Catelyn started a foreseeable chain reaction of events that began with the loss of the Stark’s most valuable bargaining chip and ultimately led to the decimation of Robb’s army.
Tyrion never suffered any consequences for this scam he cooked up.
Olli,
Isn’t there a popular two word slogan among the GoT fandom? Something with an expletive before the name of Lord Commander Jon Snow’s sourpuss steward…
Patrick Sponaugle,
Patrick. Before I forget – and I know I speak for many of us – I appreciate it that you respond to our comments and join in our conversations.
Wow, didn’t think of this one but it would totally make sense and it may actually happen. I can see him taking KL and the IT and tired and honorable like those Starks just wanting to leave it behind and go North. For whatever weird reason, even knowing his parentage and always suspecting it before the reveal, I always saw Jon as a Stark. Never as a Targ. I saw a bit Cregan and lots of Ned/ Bejen.
Though I’m a show-only fan, this is an apt description of my [ultra tinfoil] theory about the identity of Maggy the Frog’s prophesied Valonqar: the “little brother” who will strangle Cersei.
Cersei thinks it’s going to be Tyrion. The reader may seem to suspect it will turn out to be Jaime. But the real answer is likely to be….
Jon Snow nka Aegon Targaryen.
That’s very kind of you Ten Bears. It’s only fair to join in, since you all read the feature and were good enough to post comments about it. I get a great deal of enjoyment from the feedback. We have months to go before the show returns, so the engagement is like therapy or something, while we wait.
That would be another solid example.
Great write-up!
Thanks so much for this effective & extensive Tyrion therapy 🍻
Much needed & appreciated
Thank you so much! I appreciate the feedback. 🙂
🍻
Tyrion is my favorite character. I’ve always hoped he would play a big role in saving humanity. I realize though that GRRM may have other ideas.
It seems possible, maybe even likely that Melisandre’s shadows could make another appearance.
Could Melisandre create a monster shadow baby with Tyrion?
1 . The last shadow killed a brother for a brother. Both brothers are younger siblings
2. Varys mentions shadows to Tyrion. “A small man can cast a big shadow.”
3. What will Tyrion do with his shadow (‘real’ or metaphorical)?
He could take down Dany or Jon, Cersei or …wait for it, the Night King? 🌝 🍻
“A small man can cast a very large shadow”… we’re still waiting to see what this is in reference to- and I agree Tyrion’s arc has been pretty stale since S4.
I do wonder what his ultimate endgame will be- surely it’s more than a lusty sidekick to Dany or Sansa?
Dare we talk about potential… kingsblood? Oh no he didn’t 🙈😋
MaesterMercy,
Interesting. I hadn’t thought about Tyrion and Melisandre having sex, to produce a shadow-baby.
Tyrion: I’m up for it, if she is.
Me: I didn’t know you were attracted to older ladies, m’lord.
Tyrion: ?
Since the show hasn’t done any of the groundwork that people use to frame the Tyrion is a Secret Targaryen argument, I don’t know if we’ll get any shadow babies from the Imp. (Also, it’s less likely that Melisandre will suggest burning Tyrion to unleash all that good blood magic.)
“I hadn’t thought about Tyrion and Melisandre having sex, to produce a shadow-baby.”
Here we sit, with 92% of the story told (by episode count, 67/73 = 0.917), and still the tale could end in so many ways. That is one of the best things about this series!
I always enjoy your posts. Any chance you (or other posters here) will do a “pieces remaining” or “possible endings” post (or series of posts) as we approach the final season? Here are some suggestions:
— The Hound wielding Heartsbane, aka “a big f*cking sword”;
— Red Priesthood leads followers across the Narrow Sea in support of their Savior, Dany;
— Dragonrider Arya;
— Green-seer battle(s) between 3ER and NK (messing with each other’s visions);
— Dragon vs. Wight Dragon
Tensor the Mage, Knowing That The End Is Near,
Tensor, these are all great suggestions. I have some ideas for features… but I don’t know if I’ll tackle the things on your list.
Wow, Hound with Heartsbane would be awesome though.
Clegane: I need a Valyrian sword to fight these things.
Sam: You can borrow mine. It’s called Heartsbane.
Clegane: You named your sword? You know who gives their swords names?
Arya: SEVEN HELLS JUST ACCEPT THE SWORD GRACIOUSLY YOU ASS!
Hopefully, you’ll like what things we have left to publish, but I really appreciate this feedback and your engagement as a reader.
Great analysis, I have said this before and I’ll say it again, a Jon Snow betrayal is very likely. Tyrion possibly betraying Jon would make sense to me if he really is so deep in love with Daenerys. Tyrion is one of the smartest people in Westeros but every time he lets someone in, against his better judgement, he falls for that person and it’s usually disastrous for him and that person.
His betrayal could lead to Jon being captured and imprisoned by Cersei in KL. And when sh*t hits the fan and something happens to Jon, Tyrion is definitely getting “Dracarys” by Dany at the end of the show.
River,
I like to think that Tyrion would survive long enough to write his memoir, so 300 years in the future, historians will be arguing over differing accounts: if Samwell Tarly is to be believed, or Tyrion Lannister.
(Of course, Tyrion could write his details while awaiting execution did, like Grandmaester Orwyle did…)
Patrick Sponaugle,
That would also be a beautiful ending to Tyrion’s story and he might live, I’m just preparing myself for the worse as I’ve read a lot of theories that leads to his death, and Jon’s and some say also Dany.
Ah, River, I sympathize. We need to toughen up for tragedy, as well out triumph.
Our skin must turn to porcelain, to ivory, to steel.
Patrick Sponaugle,
Just to throw a couple ideas into the mix…
Arya kills Cersei. Witnessed by Jaime. Sentenced to death Arya chooses trial by combat. Cleganebowl anyone?
Gendry returns as rightful heir. Davos as hand of the King. Remember ‘The Book’ that got Ned his head lopped off? With a maester did he have chance to update it? Where is it now? Ned knew, and he was loyal to Robert.