April 2nd, 2012
The powerhouse Game of Thrones (based on the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George RR Martin) returned to HBO for a second season last night. It was a bloody and powerful return for the show that manages an admirable balancing act between sweeping epic and intimate detail.
Since the death of King Robert Baratheon in the first season many have come forward to claim the Iron Throne and dispute Joffrey Baratheon’s claim. Here’s a rundown of some the major players:
Joffrey Baratheon: Son of Queen Cersei but not the true son of Robert. Joffrey is actually the product of Cersei’s incestuous relationship with her twin brother, and current captive of Robb Stark, Jaime Lannister.
Cersei Lannister: Mother of Joffrey and widow of King Robert, Cersei is a beautiful and calculating woman who was not very fond of her late husband but loves her children fiercely. After King Robert’s death she was quick to install her son on the throne and arrange the arrest of Eddard Stark. She and her twin brother Jaime Lannister are also assumed responsible for the death of the King’s Hand before Eddard Stark accepted the position, Lord Jon Arryn.
Stannis Baratheon: Older brother of the late king and the one making sure everyone knows about Joffrey’s true parentage. His claim is pretty solid, but he is a stodgy and morose and has no love of the people or the ruling houses of Westeros.
Robb Stark: His father, the Hand of the King and Lord of Winterfell, Eddard Stark was murdered last season by one of the most unlikable characters around, Joffrey Baratheon, for revealing that he was not King Robert’s son. Robb has set out to dethrone Joffrey from the Iron Throne, but that may not be enough for the northern lords.
Jaime Lannister: Twin brother of Cersei and oldest son of Lord Tywin Lannister, he is called Kingslayer behind his back because he murdered the Targaryen king Aerys II during the revolt led by Eddard Stark, Robert Baratheon and Jon Arryn that resulted in Robert being crowned king. He was captured by Robb Stark in the riverlands at the end of the last season.
Tyrion Lannister: Known as the Imp due to his very short stature, Tyrion Lannister is the youngest of Lord Tywin’s children and possibly the most humane. Though he is still interested in protecting himself, he is not nearly as ruthless as his siblings and has a love of reading and learning. He is currently serving as the King’s Hand in his father’s stead.
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