Game Of Thrones: 5 Times We Felt Bad For Jaime (& 5 Times We Hated Him)
Jaime Lannister was one of the most complex characters on Game of Thrones. At the beginning of the series, he was easily one of the most despised characters, but as more layers were revealed he became a beloved hero. Often times he would swing back and forth between someone audiences cheer for and someone who frustrates them.
Those complicated feelings helped make Jaime so fascinating. Now fans can look back on his entire arc, the good and the bad. Here are some examples of when we felt bad for Jaime Lannister on Game of Thrones and other times we hated him.
10 Felt Bad: The Loot Train Attack
One of the most shocking and thrilling battle sequences in the series was the so-called Loot Train Attack from the episode "Spoils of War." As Jaime is returning to King's Landing with the newly acquired Tyrell gold, Daenerys arrives with the Dothraki army and her dragon to devastate the Lannister forces.
It was an interesting battle as fans are likely cheering for characters on both sides. But in seeing Jaime's reaction to the carnage Daenerys' army inflicts on his men, it's hard not to sympathize with him.
9 Hated Him: Killing His Cousin
For most of season 2, Jaime is a captive of Robb Stark. Yet even in this vulnerable position, Jaime is able to show himself off as a threat and an evil man. At one point he finds himself sharing a cage with a distant cousin of his and he sees an opportunity.
After catching up with the man, Jaime beats his poor cousin to death in order to distract the guard, kill him and make his escape. One might argue that it was an act of desperation, but it's hard to justify killing your own cousin.
8 Felt Bad: Saying Goodbye To Tyrion
The Lannister family is dysfunctional to say the least, but two members of the family who genuinely seem to care for each other are Jaime and Tyrion. They have tried to help each other in various ways throughout the years and this continues with their final conversation.
Tyrion helps Jaime escape, replaying his brother's earlier rescue. As they prepare to go their separate ways and know it is the final time they'll see each other, Tyrion thanks Jaime for helping him survive. He tells his brother "You were all I had."
7 Hated Him: Attacking Ned Stark
The Lannisters and the Starks seem to hate each other from the very beginning. This rivalry is seen best with Jaime and Ned Stark. The men don't attempt to hide their disdain for each other whenever they talk so it's not surprising when Jaime attacks Ned and his men in the streets.
Ned is perhaps the noblest man in Westeros so anyone who attacks him instantly looks like a real jerk. The fact that Jaime also brutally kills Ned's ally Jory in the process is just one more strike against him.
6 Felt Bad: Leaving Cersei
When the forces of Westeros decide to form an alliance to fight the army of the dead, Cersei, of course, goes back on her word. This proves to be the last straw for Jaime who finally decides to leave her to fight for a good cause.
It's hard to feel bad for Jaime for leaving Cersei since he should have done that a long time ago. But when Cersei refuses the let him go and seems ready to kill him rather than let him walk away, the look of betrayal on his face is heartbreaking. Maybe he finally realized Cersei Lannister is a bad person.
5 Hated Him: Choosing Cersei Over Brienne
It was great to see Jaime finally get wise enough to leave Cersei, and it was even better when he and Brienne got together. However, fans should have known that happiness would not last long. Ultimately, Jaime decides to leave Brienne and return to Cersei.
Anyone with a brain could see that Brienne was the better choice, but Jaime has never been a smart man. However, he also can't help but be cruel to Brienne before leaving, making their last moment together such an ugly one.
4 Felt Bad: Losing His Hand
One positive thing Jaime Lannister was known for was being one of the most skilled fighters in Westeros. However, all that pride and confidence was taken away from him in one cruel moment.
When Jaime and Brienne are taken captive by some Bolton men, Jaime shows his noble side by convincing them not to assault Brienne. However, the men take offense to Jaime's arrogance and chop off his hand as punishment. Jaime is deeply affected by the attack and becomes a more vulnerable man.
3 Hated Him: Assaulting Cersei
The relationship between Jaime and Cersei is obviously unhealthy from the beginning. Though the show seemed to suggest these two flawed people belonged together in the end, it was especially hard to root for them after Jaime's disturbing assault of his sister.
After Joffrey's death, Jaime and Cersei are alone in the crypt, where he forces himself on her as they stand next to their son's dead body. Even with all the horrible things we've seen Jaime do, it was shocking that he was capable of such a horrific act.
2 Felt Bad: The Truth About The Mad King
Jaime Lannister's reputation in Westeros had long been tarnished thanks to his murder of King Aerys. Jaime was meant to be in the Kingsguard but he stabbed the Mad King in the back as the city was sacked, earning him the nickname Kingslayer.
However, in a vulnerable moment with Brienne, Jaime finally reveals the truth. He killed King Aerys to prevent him from burning all of King's Landing with wildfire. After years of being seen as a murdering coward, Jaime actually saved countless lives.
1 Hated Him: Pushing Bran
For much of the first episode of the series, Jaime comes off as an arrogant jerk. It isn't until the episode's final moments that we see how evil he really can be. After Bran Stark accidentally catches Jaime and Cersei having sex, Jaime throws the young Stark boy out the window.
Though one could argue this sent Bran on his journey which ended with his becoming king, that doesn't change the fact that Jaime tried to kill a little boy. And the fact that it was to cover up his affair with his own sister just makes it all the more repulsive.