Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Game of Thrones is kicking off its penultimate season on Sunday, July 16. As we sprint towards the show’s finish line, time is running out for many of our favorite major characters in Westeros — but who should live and who should die? Decider’s own Meghan O’Keefe and Joe Reid will weigh in on all of your favorite leading lords and ladies, breaking down the reasons why they deserve to survive the brutal war ahead or should just get killed off already. [See previously: Arya Stark and Cersei Lannister] Next up on our list: Jaime Lannister.
First thing’s first: Do you think it is time for Jaime to die?
Joe: No. But I honestly don’t know how much longer he should last. I like Jaime. I don’t like Jaime as much as a lot of people like Jaime. That kind of swooning, sighing, shipping-him-and-Brienne-because-their-love-is-transgressive-for-its-time kind of thing that a lot of people have for Jaime Lannister. He’s a complicated guy, and I appreciate that. The reluctant-kingslayer thing works well for him; almost as much as the reluctant-sisterfucker thing. But at this stage of the game, with his sister-lover determined to burn down the entirety of the seven kingdoms if it means spiting her enemies, with the brother he loves long gone and now pledged to the woman who’s coming to invade them … what does he have left? It might not be time for Jaime to die, but I’m not sure what’s left for him at this point in the story.
But…yeah…it feels like Jaime’s story is winding down to its endgame. I think this is the season he makes his final move.
Let’s break this down. Where else can Jaime’s storyline go?
Meghan: Well, Jaime has to decide if he really is ride or die with his twin sister anymore. The season premiere suggested that he is frustrated with her bloodthirsty moves and is still reeling from the death of their son. Scratch that. He’s reeling from the death of all three of their kids, since he’s not quite been the same since Myrcella died in his arms. These Lannisters should look up a good grief counselor. Sheesh.
So Jaime’s story will probably wind up being about his final choice. Will he remain a dutiful lover and brother to Cersei (and potentially give his life in battle serving her) or will he, once again, turn on a dangerous ruler and kill them before they can do more harm? Or, there’s a third option: will he just walk away? I personally don’t see him frolicking with Brienne into the sunset, but that’s just me. What do you think?
Joe: I don’t think we’ve seen Jaime in a fight he’s wanted to be in since the series began. Not in the battle against Robb Stark where he got captured. Not against any of those foes in Dorne. The closest he came was saving Brienne from that bear. I can’t imagine Jaime summoning up the will to fight Tyrion on the battlefield. Cersei, yes, their passions run deep and complicated, and he likely blames her for the death of at least one of their children, if not more. But the man doesn’t really hold any hatred for anyone. That’s Cersei’s deal. He doesn’t seem to like Euron Greyjoy all that much, and I can’t imagine he’d think a whole lot of Jon Snow either. But he’s mostly checked out. The one thing that has ever given him fire on this show has been when he’s talked about killing the Mad King. His confession to Brienne remains one of the series’ best scenes, and if there’s one thing we want for Jaime, it has to be a way to redeem himself for becoming a kingslayer. The burden Jaime’s had to carry this whole time has been that nobody realizes that he killed the Mad King for the good of the people. Perhaps, as you suggest, killing Cersei in a way that proves he’s doing the right thing will ultimately do that for him.
If he is killed off, how does that affect the rest of the “gameboard”? (i.e. What are the military/political/personal repercussions? What loose narrative threads need to be tied off?)
Joe: I’m not sure it affects much, to be honest. Jaime is a major character on Game of Thrones, but he’s not a strategic player. Nobody sees him as a threat to the throne. Nobody’s worried he’s going to march an army past their gates and storm their castle. If Jaime goes, King’s Landing is as good as surrendered, sure, but aren’t we all expecting that to happen anyway?
Meghan: Yeah, and here’s why it feels like his time might be up. You have to think that the characters who will be left standing at the very end are ones who have a little bit of savvy up their sleeves. Jaime doesn’t really have a mind for politics, nor does he, as you say, really have any sort of burning inner fire propelling him forward at this point. He’s kind of just following Cersei’s lead like a lap dog. That’s why it does feel like he’s disposable at this point.
Then again, Euron made a point of reminding the audience that in his prime, when Jaime is firing on all cylinders, he’s an unstoppable force on the battlefield. That could just be the show reminding us that Jaime is a warrior and he’s got at least one splashy battle yet.
Can you make a case for him to survive until Season 8?
Meghan: I mean, it would be cool to see him join some “Avengers-like” team up of every major character in the realm in the final push against the White Walkers, but I really don’t see that happening. Maybe he makes it to Season 8, but if he does, it’s an example of how capricious the gods are in who they bless and who they curse.
Joe: I think the best-case scenario for Jaime is that he gets to slay a White Walker on his way out, and for that to happen, he’ll probably have to make it to Season 8, so yes.
Crazy bet: Do we think he’ll survive the whole series?
Joe: Those left standing at the end of Game of Thrones are going to be the future of Westeros. Jaime’s no decrepit old crone, but he’s not the future. I can’t see him making it to the end, no.
Meghan: Yeah, I don’t see him pulling through — though I do like the idea of watching him slay a White Walker. I mean, why else make a point of giving him Widow’s Wail (the sword Tywin forged for Joffrey out of Ned Stark’s Valyrian steel sword Ice)?
