HBO's insanely popular hit show Game of Thrones made its grand return last month, and the world rejoiced. Now in its seventh season, with just one more remaining, the program is hurtling toward a conclusion fans have been anticipating since it first premiered in 2011.
WARNING: The following will contain spoilers for Season 7 (and 1...?), so proceed at your own risk.
We're three episodes into the current season and we've already seen things we've been (im)patiently waiting for, like Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen meeting for the first time and Bran Stark's long-overdue return to Winterfell. We've also been witnesses to the brutality exhibited by Queen Cersei Lannister on a regular basis, as she strives to rule the Seven Kingdoms. On that note, back to season 1.
As pointed out by Redditor pnr32 in the r/gameofthrones subreddit on Monday, Robert Baratheon had a little chat with his then-wife Cersei in episode 5, about war strategy. The conversation starts with Cersei addressing Ned Stark, whom Robert requested to stand in as his right-hand man—literally, as the Hand of the King.
Cersei Lannister: [teasing] I'm sorry your marriage to Ned Stark didn't work out. You seemed so good together.
Reviewing the conversation now, as we watch Cersei do whatever it takes to become the ultimate ruler, and it's clear she didn't take Robert's advice to heart. Her strategy is ruling out of fear and power, not unity. But she does have her own personal monster of Frankenstein at her side, on top of ideal Westeros real estate, a ruthless army and, oh yeah—a bunch of fucking wildfire, which she's already proven she's not afraid to use. (Unless she's already used it all? Stay tuned for more on that, I guess.)
Whether she has a united front of many houses, or the one squad directly underneath her thumb, Cersei is going into battle like a certified G. And hey, you kind of have to respect her for it.
Episode 4 of season 7 drops Sunday, Aug. 6. An HBO hack was reported this week, so definitely beware of spoilers in the meantime.
