Curtain Call: Kate Dickie

Occasionally, a persona comes along that we don’t completely understand.  Even after being subjected to a series of psychoanalysis, some of the world’s best and brightest still can’t fully comprehend the complexity of the character.

This was the basis of my intrigue with Lysa Arryn; a woman seemingly possessing so many pent up emotions that she was often misunderstood and understandably labeled as “crazy”.

Indeed you were crazy, my dear.  But you were my kind of crazy, and this is my song, my letter, and my confession for our dearly departed Lysa and my respects for the actress that portrayed you… the talented Miss Kate Dickie.

Oh My Dear Lysa,

 I first met you on May 15, 2011, a date of which I will not soon forget.  Indeed we had heard  your name and that of your departed husband Jon Arryn, but we had not yet met you until that fated day of Season 1 when show viewers around the world cried out in unison, “What  the fuck?”

At first sight of you and the breastfeeding Robin, who could have been no younger than 6 or  7 at the time, even Ozzette justifiably stated, “What the hell are we watching?”

Regardless of how you chose to nourish Robin, it was obvious you were in pain and off-kilter from the onset.  You were mad at the Lannisters.  You trusted no one.  You were overzealously paranoid. And when we finally learned the truth of the conspiracy with the man you truly loved, it was only then that many recognized how well you sold the act that would alter the entire Game of Thrones storyline as we knew it, forever.

The death of Jon Arryn got a ball rolling through Westeros that has been out of control ever since, and has resulted in the death of many deserving and undeserving characters alike.  And while you were not the mastermind of it, it was your actions that helped perpetuate the whole damn thing.

The importance of your character cannot be overstated.  Although you only appeared in five episodes, your presence should be remembered from this day forward including the reviewing of episodes past, for now they all hold different meaning than before.

And it’s all because of you, little ol’ Lysa, hanging out at the impregnable Eyrie waiting on your mischievous Prince Charming to arrive instead of more wisely sending me a raven simply stating the obvious: that you were lonely, and misunderstood, and just wanted to be wanted.

But I would be remiss without including and honoring the woman that so effectively portrayed you, the lovely and talented Kate Dickie.

Up until that first encounter with Lysa, I was unaware of this fine actress born in East Kilbride, Scotland.  If you do some research on Kate, you will find that by all accounts she is a very lighthearted, unguarded person who is a joy to be around.

Yet she has a history of playing serious complex roles of women struggling in pain-filled scenarios.

Besides Game of Thrones, Kate is best known for her roles in Prometheus (2012), Filth (2013) and Red Road (2006) for which she won the BAFTA Scotland Award for Best Actress as well as the British Independent Film Award, also for best actress.

She’s had notable performances as a heroin addict in Wasted, a grieving mother in Donkeys, and as a guilt-ridden woman attempting to save her son from a curse in the horror film, Outcast.

But for many of us, her undeniable greatest accomplishment to date could be pulling off the incredibly difficult role of “Crazypants.”

Kate’s talent can easily be identified in her scene with Sansa in “First of His Name,” where the sweet, endearing Aunt Lysa serves Sansa lemon cakes only to quickly but naturally become enraged at the thought of Petyr ravaging the younger, more beautiful girl’s body.  The scene is only a little over three minutes in length and as a testament to her ability, somehow Kate seamlessly makes the transition from caring to cuckoo in seconds.

To me, this scene encompassed who you were, my dear Lysa.  Somewhere beneath the paranoid woman who lacked self-esteem was a sweet misunderstood person who longed to be loved.  For a small portion of Season 4, my fruitcake was back in the kitchen.  But now, thanks to a damn mockingbird, my cupboard is bare.

I held off on posting this Curtain Call in hopes of landing an interview with Miss Kate so we could discuss you at length, and the offer still stands.  But Lysa (and Kate) I want you to know this…

You will be missed.  Your volatility added a wonderful element to the series.  Please pardon the overused expression, but you truly were the Game of Thrones box of chocolates.

I have only loved one woman.  Only one, my entire life.  Her name is Ozzette.  But I would have never betrayed you, or misled you, or thrown you out a moon door (or a French door, or a storm door, or even the front door).

Keep up the good work elsewhere, Miss Kate.  It was an honor to have you.

I’m setting a bounty for Baelish, for his days are numbered.  I’m sending formula to Robin, for he is hungry.  Rest in peace, my dear Lysa.  Your impact in the world of Westeros and your unbalanced predisposition will not soon be forgotten.

And may there always be peace in your realm.  –Oz

I can be found forever mourning the loss on Twitter @ozofthrones.

• Published on 05/29/2014 at 12:00 PM CDT
• Last updated on 10/21/2016 at 12:41 PM CDT