Nikolaj Coster-Waldau on Jaime’s feelings toward the Lannisters
We’ve watched Jaime Lannister continue to develop over the past few seasons, and in the latest episode we saw him truly question his family’s intentions, as it became apparent that there would be only one possible verdict in Tyrion’s trial. Realizing he may be the only Lannister who wants his brother to come out of this trial with his life, he struck a deal with Tywin, sacrificing his own desires to guarantee mercy for his brother.
In a new interview with Making Game of Thrones, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau talks about Jaime’s reaction to Cersei’s manipulation, Jaime’s relationship with his father, and how his character has changed thanks to his time with Brienne.
Cersei has manipulated every last detail of Tyrion’s trial. What’s Jaime’s reaction?
I don’t think he’s surprised. He’s horrified that she would go to that extent, but Cersei wants Tyrion dead and Jaime knows that. She wants revenge for all the pain she’s endured because of Joffrey’s death and Tyrion has become a symbol of all her hatred.
Why does Jaime decide to make the deal with Tywin?
He sees that Cersei’s clearly winning, and he knows his father well enough to know that Tywin’s willing to sacrifice Tyrion. Jaime doesn’t want to leave the Kingsguard, but he truly loves Tyrion. So if saving Tyrion’s life means giving up his own freedom, of course he’ll do that.
Does Jaime have that same type of love for his father?
No. But he’s been brought up to respect and honor his father. Love is irrelevant with Tywin. It’s all about politics and power. Jaime is more emotional. He doesn’t care about all that; he just wants to do the right thing in his world. I think that meeting Brienne has made him reconnect to that core of himself.
His journey with Brienne definitely changed him.
Yeah. You could actually see that in the scene with Charles. With Tyrion, although Jaime is different, their relationship at its core is the same. Of course things have changed with Cersei.
Jaime’s whole life has been planned out so he could be close to Cersei. Now he’s coming to the realization that the love he thought they had didn’t exist. That doesn’t mean he can just shut out his own feelings – because he can’t. But Jaime is becoming the man that he’s meant to be. It’s a constant struggle for him, but he’s trying to learn who he is. He knows that he cannot continue to live his life on Cersei’s terms or his father’s terms.
For more from Nikolaj on Jaime and Brienne’s relationship, what it’s like being back in King’s Landing, and how he’s handling his new hand, be sure to visit Making Game of Thrones!
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