Game of Thrones 10th Anniversary Special
With a show like Game of Thrones, it is always a little difficult to pinpoint which characters are the most beloved by fans, since everyone has their opinions and perspectives about what makes a good character. It’s pretty universally agreed, however, that Tyrion Lannister is one of the better people in the show, in large part because he seems to have an actual moral compass that directs his actions.
Tyrion is mocked for being a dwarf, called derisive names such as "Imp" and "Halfman", which he tries to embrace to keep his self-esteem up. Had an infant with dwarfism like Tyrion been born a commoner, he'd have been left in the woods to die; luckily, his birthright as a Lannister afforded him significant wealth and power.
Though most Lannisters were portrayed negatively, Tyrion is different. He is practical and knows how to achieve his targets and while he isn’t noble per se, he is a man of conscience nonetheless. This was highlighted when he made a special saddle for the injured Bran Stark, saying
“I have a tender spot in my heart for cripples, bastards, and broken things”.
Tyrion spent a lot of time at court in King's Landing to avoid his father. He got on well with Jaime, his niece Myrcella and nephew Tommen, but had a colder relationship with Cersei and the psychopathic Joffrey. Tyrion is committed to the good of both his House, and since Cersei married King Robert Baratheon, his family's hold on the throne.
Tyrion: Let me give you some counsel, bastard. Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armor yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you.
Jon: What the hell do you know about being a bastard?
Tyrion: All dwarfs are bastards in their father's eyes.
Tyrion has lived a difficult life as he is a dwarf and his mother died while giving birth to him and for this, he is disliked by his entire family – particularly his sister Cersei, who is the queen, and wife of King Baratheon, the custodian of the IRON THRONE.
Peter Dinklage plays the lovable Tyrion and his performance is marvelous, to say the least. Tyrion’s shrewdness, intelligence, and witty comments make him very likable. But he is never respected by his family, even after all that he has done for them. Be it him saving his nephew, King Joffrey’s kingdom from an attack by Stannis Baratheon (one of the perspective kings) at the Battle of Blackwater or his wisdom in handling the affairs of the realm as Hand of the King, nothing is appreciated. To top it all, in season 4 he is labeled as a traitor and murderer (by his sister) and is arrested for Joffrey’s murder.
One of the most noteworthy aspects of Tyrion’s character is his compassion. From the very first episode, he made it clear that beneath that bitter and sarcastic exterior there was a heart that wanted to do the best for everyone. It’s precisely this compassion that made him such a good Hand and that might have even made him a good husband for Sansa. It’s one of those things that would have to stay the same if his character were to be in any way relatable.
Of all of the poor writing choices that the creators made in the later seasons, sidelining Tyrion, was one of the worst. It truly makes no sense why they would take this character that had already become quite beloved of fans and then give him almost nothing important to do once he got to the continent of Essos. Some of this can certainly be laid at Martin’s door since the books do the same thing, but surely the show’s writers could have found something better to do with his development.
The Game of Thrones finale was an exhibition of the power of Tyrion Lannister (and the acting mastery of Peter Dinklage, who brought the character to life so deftly). From inside a jail cell, Tyrion can convince Jon Snow to assassinate the queen Tyrion couldn’t control. Later, chained and facing execution yet again, Tyrion delivers a fine speech and picks his king. If the winner of Game of Thrones is the person who holds the greatest power at the end, Tyrion Lannister is our reluctant, diminutive victor.
Tyrion became a powerful player in the affairs of the Seven Kingdoms, and that included taking a seat on the Small Council, that group of advisers so essential to the good running of the kingdom. While on that council, he showed that he has a shrewd political mind and that he knows how to manipulate people into doing what he wants them to do. It’s precisely this success that makes his later sidelining so incredibly frustrating.