All the ways Jaime’s fateful decision might play out on ‘Game of Thrones’

The ship that is Jaime Lannister and Brienne of Tarth hit some turbulent waters in this week’s Game of Thrones. It started with them finally getting it on and ended with Jaime leaving Winterfell, despite Brienne’s tearful pleas against it.

It’s a traumatic setback for both of them in different ways. 

Ser Brienne does not deserve to be left stranded like that, let alone beg the man to stay by her side. Unlike some, I honestly didn’t even mind that she showed us a full spectrum of her emotions in that scene where she was crying as he left because, yes, strong women are allowed to be emotional. 

What bothers me about it is how Jaime and Brienne, after years of simmering tension, got together because of an off-hand and unwarranted comment by Tyrion about Brienne being a virgin. Not to mention that their entire sex scene happened…off-screen. The years of waiting had absolutely no pay off. Again! 

Most importantly, the way Jaime ends things with her is what takes away from everything they’ve been through together. Why would he do this? Why would the Game of Thrones writers seemingly strip away at the years of development for a now beloved character? There are a few possibilities.

Jaime is going to King’s Landing to kill Cersei

This has been a popular Thrones theory for years, ever since we learned of the prophecy that Cersei will die by the hands of her valonqar a.k.a. younger brother. She’s assumed it would be Tyrion her whole life but now Jaime is a more obvious answer. He could be heading to the capital to do the deed himself but peacefully — like he handled Olenna Tyrell —  instead of letting Cersei burn agonizingly. 

He knows the importance of killing a ruler to save the city and the realm. He’s done it before with the Mad King. Maybe Jaime really believes he’s the best person to do the job again considering no one understands Cersei better than him. 

Jaime was probably further motivated to make this decision after learning of Dany’s losses and after learning from Bronn that Cersei wants her brothers dead. 

If this reason is true, it’s a cool thought and all but Jaime’s way of implementing it is all wrong. Even if he does kill Cersei and redeem himself yet again, how much will it really matter anymore because the damage has been done. 

Jaime won’t make it to King’s Landing at all 

Brienne is heartbroken but she’s a loyalist and a warrior. She’ll probably send a raven to inform Daenerys and Tyrion that Jaime might’ve just betrayed them. Will the remaining members of Dany’s army capture him before he even makes it to King’s Landing? 

Daenerys is seething right now because Cersei beheaded Missandei to make a point. Jaime would make a perfect hostage to infuriate her enemy in the same personal way.

It would be interesting to see Tyrion plead for Jaime’s life, much like he did in the second episode of this season. If he does, it won’t end well for him because Dany doesn’t trust him the same way anymore. This would also parallel the Season 4 finale when it was Tyrion who was captive and Jaime set him free.

The episode 5 promo begins with Tyrion cautiously approaching his chosen queen while a later shot shows him in the Dragonstone throne room, looking scared and possibly surrounded. This doesn’t bode well, does it?  

This is yet another badly executed bait-and-switch

Game of Thrones has always relied on tricking the audience. It worked for them in earlier seasons but more recently, the show hasn’t pulled it off well (like Arya and Sansa’s unnecessary pretend feuding last season). We’re probably being played again in the same vein. 

Jaime seemingly left to join Cersei but is actually setting a trap (for her and for us). He’ll lure her in, try to convince her to surrender, and then go for the kill when she doesn’t listen. For all we know, he’ll end up sacrificing himself and they’ll die in contempt side by side. 

It’s why he wanted to leave Brienne by making her think he’s choosing Cersei over her, so she can move on. It’s a predictable and shitty move. 

If Thrones really wanted to sell a bait-and-switch, I’d rather he discuss his plan with Brienne (and everyone else) so it doesn’t feel like he’s betraying the North. They lay a trap for Cersei together and that’s when things go wrong. The pay-off would be huge, like in Season 4 when Shae returned to publicly screw with Tyrion after he also lied about his reasons to end things with her. 

In conclusion, the Lannister men need to learn basic break-up etiquette. 

Jaime is really betraying the North (and his own character arc)

In the end, it probably is all about Cersei for him. 

Their toxic relationship has been all-consuming for Jaime. Cersei had other goals including protecting her children, the Lannister legacy, and maintaining the Iron Throne. As much as she loves Jaime, she’s found solace in other men including Lancel and Euron. Jaime kept hankering for twincest. 

He literally moved away from it, helped defeat the dead, knighted and found love with Brienne but couldn’t resist an old-fashioned dose of spiraling and self-doubt when things were working out. He has spent his entire life by Cersei’s side, he can’t fathom leaving her alone now. Cersei defines his self-worth so he doesn’t think he deserves the light Brienne brings. That’s why when she tells him he’s a better man now, he doesn’t believe it. 

It’s not all that surprising if you think about everything he’s done for Cersei right up until he left her to go fight the White Walkers. He even confesses some of it to Brienne. Maybe he will make it to Cersei in time, and fight for her against Euron and her enemies.

No matter which theory will come to life next Sunday, it’s tough to imagine a scenario which undos the damage he caused completely in “The Last of the Starks.” There really is no good way out for him. He’s not surviving the season, his actions ensured it. 

Jaime always said he wanted to die in the arms of the woman he loves. He doesn’t comprehend that it’s the wrong woman, but his wish is about to come true anyway.