Game of Thrones: Is Tyrion playing the best game?
Tyrion Lannister is to some the only lovable Lannister, but what if we’ve all been fooled – the viewers and the characters. Is he playing the game of thrones and none of us are seeing it?
Tyrion’s story’s always revolved around his need for acceptance from his father and, aside from Jaime, the rest of his family. Scorned and reviled for being a dwarf, Tyrion had to be smarter than the rest and played the Game of Thrones better than anyone. Still, he never received his father’s adoration.
Tywin’s Only True Son
But, other Lannisters took notice. In “A Feast for Crows,” Tyrion’s Aunt Genna Lannister says to Jaime, “Tyrion is Tywin’s son, not you. I said so once to your father’s face, and he would not speak to me for half a year.”
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Why does she say this? Easy, Tyrion’s the only child of Tywin who has shown the same aptitude for political maneuvering. Tyrion can outwit almost anyone. He even outsmarts his father when Tywin gives him the lowly task of sorting out the Casterly Rock sewers.
Tywin though refused to see his accomplishments. In his final moments, he maintains that Tyrion isn’t his son, but Tyrion rebuts with, “I am your son. I have always been your son.”
Tyrion then kills his father, which subsequently ends his quest for his father’s approval. But, does this plot point really end here?
Tyrion’s After Tywin’s Death
After killing Tywin, Tyrion becomes a different person. At times, he’s hateful toward Varys and always resentful. He resents that ultimately his father drove Tyrion from Westeros. Tywin has won removing the stain on the Lannister name. Tyrion can never go home again.
Until he meets Daenerys, she’s Tyrion’s way home, and he knows it. No one can blame Tyrion for wanting to believe in Daenerys. Even though, the symptoms of her madness started appearing for him in Game of Thrones Season 7.
However, around this time, Tyrion loses his ability to effectively strategize for with the Masters and his sister.
He’s known Cersei for his entire life, and now she’s more adept at war strategy than him? Unlikely.
It’s hard to believe that Tyrion’s astute understanding of his enemies and allies suddenly evaporated when he became Hand of the Queen. Jorah even tells Daenerys that Tyrion’s the right person for the job, but Tyrion’s done nothing to deserve it.
Playing Tywin’s Game
Is this all a calculated move by Tyrion, though? Does he know that Daenerys and her dragons will only spread fear, and people will always try to depose her? She’s a foreigner, whose motto is “Fire and Blood.” Westerosi lords know how this story ends; they seen it before.
A fierce dragon queen taking out his evil sister Cersei will solve all his problems. No one loves Cersei, and no one will love Daenerys after she burns the countryside.
Jaime is the only Lannister who Tyrion cares for, which is why he begs him to escape with Cersei through the secret tunnels. Tyrion understands that Jaime will never leave Cersei, and if Jaime can convince her to leave her death is immaterial. She’s no longer queen, and as an added bonus, she’s forced to live as an exile like him.
Either way, he eliminates opposition to the throne and doesn’t tarnish his image in the process.
His failures hide his true plan. He is behaving exactly like his father. Tywin Lannister let the mad king believe he came to save King’s Landing during Robert’s Rebellion, not to sack it. Tywin played both sides to reach his final position as Hand of the King and secure his daughter as the queen of the realm.
Perhaps, Tyrion’s playing the same game. Except, instead of putting Jon Snow on the throne, Tyrion’s endgame is the Iron Throne. He surpasses his father and does what Tywin never could. He becomes king and the true power in Westeros.
What to expect in the GoT finale?. dark. Next
Tyrion proves he is Tywin Lannister’s true son – a shrewd, calculating individual. He’s always been in control and plays the game of thrones better than anyone. He sits on the throne and triumphs over his father. He cements the Lannister dynasty. The lowest of the Lannisters becomes the greatest of them all.
Game of Thrones finale airs on Sunday at 9 p.m. EST. Don’t miss it!