Cutthroat Diversity

Game of Thrones

Thrones is back and thank the gods.  Ok.  That was a bluff.  I went all-in, and I folded.  Wasn’t my best poker play.  Throne’s presence at San Diego Comic-Con kicked off with a tribute to the many casualties of the beloved series:

Author George R.R. Martin is still writing The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring, the 6th and 7th installments of A Song of Ice and Fire, respectively.  The Winds of Winter is set for release December of this year, while Thrones Season 4 started location shooting last week in Nesjavellir, Iceland.  Several thespians have been cast for the season already including Pedro Pascal as Oberyn MartellIndira Varma as Ellaria Sand, and Mark Gatiss in an unspecified role.

Major potential  Season 4 characters that have NOT been cast yet include: Mace Tyrell; Lord of Highgarden, Styr; the Magnar of Thenn, Aeron “Damphair” Greyjoy; The Iron Captain, Victarion Greyjoy; Captain of the Iron fleet, Ser Arys OakheartThe Soiled Knight, Areo Hotah; The Captain of Guards, and finally Arianne Martell; daughter of Prince Doran.  Stay tuned for casting/shooting updates as they arrive.

UPDATE:

HBO parent company Time Warner has released their latest quarterly earnings report and within it are the latest viewer numbers for Game of Thrones. HBO is now reporting that Game of Thrones averaged 14.2 million viewers per episode last season. This is a 20% increase over season 2′s viewership number and is a significant jump from the last reported number of 13.6 million. (You can download the full report here.)

What does this mean? It means that even well into season 3 Thrones‘ viewership is still climbing. Which is pretty unprecedented for a drama like this. I suspect the Red Wedding may have had something to do with the late season jump as people got caught up on the show to see what all the fuss is about.

This also means that Game of Thrones is very, very close to becoming HBO’s most-watched show of all-time. The Sopranos is currently tops with an average of 14.4 million viewers per episode.Game of Thrones may very well break that next season.

ALSO:

British thespian Roger Ashton-Griffiths has been cast as Mace Tyrell; Lord of Highgarden.

Dutch actor Yorick Van Wageningen is rumored to have auditioned for Styr; the Magnar of Thenn.

Dean-Charles Chapman has reportedly been cast as King Tommen.

House Lannister of Casterly Rock is one of the Great Houses of Westeros, and arguably one of  its richest and most powerful families and oldest dynasties.  Their lands are in the far west of the continent, seated on a massive rocky promontory overlooking the Sunset Sea.  They are the Lords Paramount of the Westerlands and Wardens of the West.  House Lannister’s symbol is a golden lion on a crimson background, and their house motto is “Hear me roar!”.

Jayme Lannister 2

Quote1There are no men like me.  There’s only me.Quote2.png — Jaime Lannister

Quote1Artisan’s are primarily concerned with the acquisition of technique.  Indeed no matter what the cost, time, energy, hardship, peril, or expense; SP’s simply MUST perfect their repertoire of techniques.  Tireless optimists,  SP’s feel strongly that the next roll of the dice, the next move, the next shot, will be their “big score.”  And more often than not, they’re right.Quote2.pngPlease Understand Me II p. 45 

Ser Jaime Lannister is the eldest son of Tywin and Joanna Lannister born maternally with twin-sister Cersei.   The youngest knight to acquire a position on the Kingsguard, Ser Jaime was appointed to the position by the Mad King, Aerys II Targaryen.  Jaime is infamously known throughout the Seven Kingdoms as “the Kingslayer“, having shoved his sword through Aerys’ back during a military-coop propagated by his father.  Neglecting to explain his motivations and desire to save the city from Aerys’ pyromancer, Jaime embraced his new-found  reputation; perpetuating his facade as a talented swordsman and ruthless warrior.  Cynical, impulsive, audacious, and adaptable; Ser Jaime Lannister is an Artisan.

Quote1So many vows…they make you swear and swear. Defend the king. Obey the king. Keep his secrets. Do his bidding. Your life for his. But obey your father. Love your sister. Protect the innocent. Defend the weak. Respect the gods. Obey the laws. It’s too much. No matter what you do, you’re forsaking one vow or the other.Quote2.png — Jaime Lannister

Cersei Lannister new new

Quote1She never forgets a slight, real or imagined.  She takes caution for cowardice and dissent for defiance.  And she is greedy.  Greedy for power, for honour, for love.Quote2.png ― George R.R. MartinA Song of Ice and Fire

Quote1Guardian’s have an inherently stoical outlook on life.  Indeed SJ’s know better than the rest what dangers lurk nearby.  Property can be lost or stolen, health can fail, relationships can fall apart.  The world can go to hell in a handbasket.  And no temperament is more aptly prepared for such events than the Guardian.Quote2.pngPlease Understand Me II p. 99

Queen reagent Cersei Lannister is the only daughter of Joanna Lannister and Lord Tywin Lannister.  Raised under the privilege of the family fortress Casterly Rock, Cersei is often noted for her extraordinary beauty.  Cersei’s mother died giving birth to her baby brother Tyrion, and much like her father; Cersei always blamed and resented Tyrion for her mother’s death.  Starting an incestuous relationship with her twin brother Jaime before marrying King Robert Baratheon, all three of Cersei’s children are incestuous.  Her son Joffrey Baratheon is currently the reigning king of the Seven Kingdoms and ruler of Westeros.  Stoical, authoritative, grounded, and  callous;  Cersei Lannister is a Guardian.

Quote1Anyone who isn’t us is the enemy.Quote2.png ― Cersei Lannister

Tywin Lannister

Quote1The Rational’s construe their immediate surroundings from a pragmatic perspective.  Pragmatism consists of having your mind’s-eye firmly fixated on the relationship between means and ends.  The practical consequences one must endure to achieve one’s long term goals.  It is here, that a Rational’s cognizance resides.Quote2.pngPlease Understand Me II p. 179

Tywin Lannister was born the son of Tytos Lannister, a man who ultimately besmirched the Lannister name.  Making a series of poor financial investments, and allowing himself to be mocked at court; Tytos created a looming perception of weakness for him and his family.  As a result, House Lannister’s vassals House Reyne of Castamere started an open rebellion.  Quelling the rebellion personally, Tywin re-established the fearsome reputation of House Lannister.  His ruthless military prowess gave darker meaning to the phrase “A Lannister always pays his debts” and was immortalized in the song “The Rains of Castamere“, a song that Tywin played while slaughtering the Reyne family.  Ascending to the throne of House Lannister, and becoming Lord Paramount of the Westerlands, Tywin quickly became the richest man in the Seven Kingdoms.  Lord of Casterly Rock, and Warden of the WestTywin is the true mastermind of many of the power-play events that take place in Westeros.  Pragmatic, resolute, ruthless, and commanding; Tywin Lannister is a Rational.

Quote1The greatest fools are ofttimes more clever than the men who laugh at them.Quote2.png — Tywin Lannister

Tyrion Lannister 4

Quote1I have a realistic grasp of my own strengths and weaknesses.  My mind is my weapon.  My brother has his sword, King Robert has his warhammer, and I have my mind… and a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.Quote2.png― George R.R. MartinA Song of Ice and Fire

Quote1Idealist’s trust their intuitive powers to read the intentions of others with astounding accuracy.  Indeed Idealist’s have an extraordinary ability to introject and empathize, giving them accurate insight into the thoughts and feelings of others. Quote2.pngPlease Understand Me II p. 141

Tyrion Lannister is the youngest son of Joanna Lannister and Lord Tywin Lannister.  His mother Joanna Lannister died giving birth to him, an event that Tyrion is still resented for mostly by his father Tywin and sister Cersei.  Tyrion is a dwarf (4’5″),  which causes him to be referred to derisively by various names, such as “the Imp” and “The Halfman”.  His size is compensated for and mitigated by his sharp wit, his superior intellect, and his families wealth and power.  Despite his family having put him through much turmoil, Tyrion remains loyal to the best interests of the Lannister organization.  Intuitive, diplomatic, altruistic, and powerfully introspective; Tyrion is an Idealist.

Quote1Let them see that their words can cut you and you’ll never be free of their mockery.  If they want to give you a name take it and make it your own.  Wear it like armor.  Then it can never be used to hurt you.Quote2.png― Tyrion Lannister —  George R.R. MartinA Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones 2

Dany Targaryen 3

10 thoughts on “Cutthroat Diversity”

  1. I respectfully agree with everything, except — Tyrion an Idealist? How?!
    A definite Rational, no doubt.

    1. Sure enough he is an extremely deep and complicated character but the assumption is that he developed a strong rational side as a result of his conflicts with Tywin/Cersei. However, given his perseverance and spirit, we came to the conclusion that he is an Idealist that has dealt with tragedy and misfortune in a more rational manner because of his emotionally tumultuous upbringing.

      1. It would still seem to reason that each archtype would deal with their “stress” in a different way. The Guardian would cling to their duties, the Artisan to play, the Idealist to spirit and the Rational to logic. It seems that Tyrion has done the latter, where instead of become a clown or advocate he has become much of an adviser or logician using his brains and wits to get himself out of sticky situations.

        He seems very much like an ENTP (the issue has been debated on many forums) with his Ne playing a primary role and Ti being his sidekick. The emotional and cordial side we see in him is most probably the result OF his lesser conscious functions of Fe and finally Si.

        We know that characters in film and TV are often too diverse to type but everything about Tyrion yells Rational.

    2. I agree that Tyrion exhibits rational in many ways, and the best way to see his idealist side is actually to compare him to the other rational in the family; Tywin. Whenever Tyrion argues with Tywin, it is not due to logical arguements, but morality (i.e. Red Wedding, Deflowering Sansa, etc.)
      Tyrion, unlike most rationals, feels closest to those who he feels have an emotional, rather than intellectual, communion with him (i.e. Jon Snow, Shae).
      Also, Tyrion was completely fine with Tywin trolling him all the way into prison and an execution sentence, with no thoughts of revenge until one of his primary principles was violated; the principle of love. As soon as he heard that Tywin had violated him where love was concerned, he popped that bitch.
      On the note of the violation of his love, Tyrion was scarred as a rational would not have been by his experience with Tysha, as you will note that he feels he cannot and should not have sexual relations with anything but a whore from that point onward.

  2. My question as follows: Ser Jaime Lannister is the eldest son of Tywin and Joanna Lannister born maternally with twin-sister Cersei. Is there another way to be born? I honestly had never seen this expression before and googling is not yielding anything.

    Also, you’ve made me think about Tyrion. He is very rational but what about Shae? And his history with indulgences of various types? It could be a calculated risk, since he would assumed his family would protect him from any real consequences and he only stands to gain, but it might be classical idealist impulsivity.

    1. Reconcile what, exactly?

      I’m kind of an extreme rational and I like idealists but I keep seeing them do stuff that I would never do. Obviously I make mistakes but not ones born of impulsivity/spontaneity. I’m not sure what the deal is with Shae. Not necessarily impulsive to keep around a girl who seems to like you, even if it is dangerous, he knows his life will never stop being dangerous and he obviously feels he is allowed to enjoy himself. (So do I). The wife, oth, who gets married after one night? Maybe I just missed teenagehood.

  3. This is great! Even within the supposed “Guardian” House Lannister, the four types exist.
    The only thing I think is really missing here is, um: King Jeoffry. He’s such a tyrranical, whiney, spoiled brat, but there has got to be a method to his madness. For example, why is Cersei so soft on him? Or, why is Tyrion the only one who can stand up to him? Why does Margaery Tyrell steal his heart? I can’t help but think it’s got to do with who he is and what he wants at heart.
    So guys, what do you think? What personality type is King Jeoffry?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *