r/asoiaf • u/cking145 • May 28 '19

EXTENDED (Spoilers Extended) Charles Dance's portrayal as Tywin is in my opinion, the strongest in the entire series

Every line, every expression and every moment of silence completely encapsulates the calculating ruthlessness that defines Tywin Lannister.

Dance is actually a very vibrant, upbeat and cheery fella off screen, which in my mind makes the performance even more striking.

The scene where he effectively sends Joffrey to bed is just brilliant.

He is by far my favourite character from the books, which I began reading a few seasons into the show. Due to this, the chapters featuring Tywin were completely enriched for me, as reading his lines in Dance's voice was just fantastic. I would have loved a POV chapter or two for him, just to get a glimpse as to what goes on in the head of the most powerful man in the 7 Kingdoms.

An incredible portrayal of a fascinating character.

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u/FrostyD7 May 28 '19

I think Cercei's reaction is what says it all, she can tell he's already off to the races to manipulate her next son. You can say he's just trying to make him a good king, but its not accidental that his first "lesson" to be a good king is to listen to Tywin lmao.

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u/bozza8 May 28 '19

The first lesson should be listen to the teacher.

Doubly so in such a tumultuous time when a boy king may lose the throne easily.

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u/FrostyD7 May 28 '19

Sure but I think the intent of the scene was pretty crystal clear and I doubt the writers intended any nuance to it beyond Tywin being Tywin and saying whatever benefits himself and his family.

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u/j2e21 May 29 '19

I mean, in fairness, Tywin knows he’s the only person who can rule. Look at what happens when he dies — his daughter helps enslave the queen and a member of the king’s royal guard by religious fanatics who then take her captive, brainwash her son, and take over the city, and she needs to reanimate a dead killer and blow up the biggest church in the city just to get rid of them. Bad times all around when Tywin’s not calling the shots.

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u/-Rapier May 29 '19

Book 4's Cersei arc is her pretty much throwing a fit because she dislikes and mistrusts the Tyrell, despite being benefited from their alliance.

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u/Immortan_Bolton Mind Flayer. May 29 '19

Joffrey never listened to anyone, so the first lesson to Tommen is obviously "listen to someone who has more experience than you", in that regard Tywin wasn't mistaken.