Game of Thrones Season One Ultimate Unofficial Guide: The Game of Thrones Season 1

the scene control.
    Tywin Lannister is the head of the House. He holds firm to the family’s code and long-standing traditions. Tywin was Hand to Mad King Aerys for his entire twenty year reign, only resigning just before his son, Jaime, killed Aerys; most likely a Lannister scheme to end Targaryen reign. After Aerys’ death, Tywin ordered all remaining Targaryens to be killed. Jaime had the chance to take the throne, but gave it up. Instead, Robert Baratheon was allowed to claim the throne and an arrangement was made for Robert to marry Tywin’s daughter, Cersei. Despite the fact that Jaime broke his oath as a Kingsguard by killing the king, an offense punishable by death, he continued to serve as one under Robert; an obvious sign that the change in regime had been orchestrated by the Lannisters. Ruthless and manipulative when their control is at stake, they will stop at nothing to secure their position of power.
    Although a certain type of respectable behavior is expected from the Lannisters, each family member has created a personal moral code. Cersei Lannister became queen by marrying Robert after his usurpation of the throne. The one child she bore Robert died suddenly of a fever when he was still a baby. After viewers learn that her children belong to Jaime, not Robert, it is easy to assume she killed Robert’s son. If she had allowed him to live, he would have been Robert’s true heir, not her Lannister children. She truly feels that since she and Jaime shared a womb they belong together, but understands the consequences for her family if her secret were to be made public. The two men who were honorable enough to uncover her secret were killed, and two attempts were made to kill a third boy witness. Signs point to the likeliness that the Lannisters paid Jon Arryn’s squire with knighthood to poison Arryn. The new knight later died in a sorely mismatched jousting fight. Cersei Lannister convinced Robert to make her nephew his squire. This squire ensured Robert’s inebriation while on a hunt, leading to his injury and death. While the squire’s motives are left open to interpretation and imagination, it seems coincidental that Ned had told Cersei that upon Robert’s return from the hunt he would be informing Robert about his findings regarding Joffrey. All these occurrences prove the Lannisters are careful planners and willing to do whatever it takes to protect the family secrets.
    Jaime is a skilled swordsman and takes any action necessary to protect his reputation. Not as calculating as the rest of his family, he usually obeys the commands of his father and sister, willing to take part in their political game as long as he does not have to orchestrate it. He has the haughty nature of someone who has enjoyed wealth and status his entire life. He carries the nickname “Kingslayer” and seems slightly offended that people do not thank him for freeing them from Aerys’ terrible reign instead of using it against him. Pressured by his father to become the man he is meant to be, Jaime has to realize that he is heir to his father’s holdings and will be looked to for leadership when his father is gone. When his younger brother was taken prisoner by the Starks, he defended his brother’s honor by attacking Ned. One of Jaime’s guards interfered with the fight, wounding Ned. Jaime could have killed the vulnerable Ned, but doing so was not in accord with his personal code, so he walked away from the fight. He was later scolded by his father for not killing Ned. Tywin knew Ned was a threat and wanted him out of the way. Had Jaime killed him, it would have been an acceptable action since Jaime was defending his younger brother. Jaime walks a fine line between staying true to his personal code and acting on family obligations.
    Tyrion’s personal code is a bit looser than the rest of his family because he has had to endure life with the stigma of his dwarf stature. Wily and observant, Tyrion makes sure that people are aware of his intelligence. He has built a reputation as a drunken whore monger, but still commands respect because of his family lineage and personality. He is the person others do not want to admit liking. Tyrion has a solid moral compass and while loyal to his family, takes no part in the family politics, choosing instead to enjoy the freedom and spoils of his family’s elevated status. Being an outsider enables Tyrion to empathize with other disadvantaged individuals such as Jon Snow, Bran