Why Tywin Lannister’s Intro Was PERFECT

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Let's not let slip the detail that Tywin is introduced skinning a stag, the symbol of House Baratheon

The saddest part of the back half of this show is how much D and D clearly cared in the beginning. Scenes like this and the scene between Robert and Cersei are proof.

Tywin is easily my favorite character in all of Game of Thrones, and his introduction is a big part of what makes episode 7 'You Win or You Die' one of the best episodes of the show. I know most would probably say Baelor or Fire and Blood is their favorite episode from season 1, but no, for me this episode really set the tone for Lannisters' dominance over the seven kingdoms for the rest of the show. Even before his introduction, he was already being built up, and this scene brings him in fully in such a fantastic way as you've laid out. There's no doubt, for the peak of the show, the true king of the seven kingdoms was Tywin Lannister.

He literally is the king without the title.. smart.

I never get tired of watching breakdowns of this scene. Might be my favorite scene in the entire show.

Charles Dance was just great as Tywin Lannister. I could rewatch his scenes over and over again and still not get tired of it.

Charles Dance's interview discussing this scene was pretty great. Especially in it giving you certain insight such as Dance never skinning any sort of game before and having to learn to prepare for the set.

It’s no mistake he’s skinning a stag too.

Theres quite a difference between someones opinion of your personality, and someones fear/respect for you. It isn't praise tywin demands, it's fear of retribution.

Charles Dance is an absolute perfect cast in this role. Possibly the best casting and that’s saying a lot. Show started downhill once he died, so… 🤔

You should do Tywin putting Cersei in her place! “I don’t distrust you because you’re a woman, I distrust you because you’re not as smart as you think you are” & Tyrion when he asked for Casterly Rock. Also Oberyn & Tyrion, either outside their 1st convo outside the brothel that perfectly establishes prince Oberyn or when Oberyn decides to be his champion!

Tywin was not only a man, he was an institution. When he fell, jis house fell with him

I still find it hard to believe that Dan and Dave wrote ✍️ this scene because it's one of my favorites I'm glad you're covering it 😎

Skinning the boar while confronting his son was actually borrowed from a book-only scene in which Randall Tarly (skinning a deer) tells Sam that he’s going to the Wall, and if he doesn’t agree, there will be a hunt in which Sam will be killed in an “accident.” I thought the show did a great job in taking this setting and its sense of menace and using it to introduce Tywin and how he relates to Jamie.

I think the line with the sheep means that if you justify yourself to others they will start to feel entitled to it. Which will definitely make you weaker. And if you really want to, you could even find a justification for the "whore" situation, because Tywin does have legitimate offspring, whereas his children (his sons, as far as he knows) put this off indefinitely. Which puts his house at risk (especially during war).

Solid breakdown of the power dynamic. The acting and writing of the early show, wish I could watch it again for the first time. Instead we know where it ended.

My favourite character in the GoT show, who's death basically rung the beginning of the end for the series imo. Every scene he got, you could be sure would be well written. Charles Dance did an amazing job

Tywin's point is correct though. He is saying that a Lion(an individual member of House Lannister) should not concern themselves with the opinions of the sheep(the masses) However if someone can prove the House Lannister is not a house to be feared then they have less control among the other houses due to them being shown to be vulnerable and therefore they are opening themselves up to attacks. His full logic would play out as: "A Lion does not concern themselves with the Opinion of the Sheep as long as the Sheep fear the Pride"

Tywin did not sentence Tyrion to death, Tyrion sentenced Tyrion to death. A Trial by combat can only end in an execution if found guilt. Tywin's plan was to find Tyrion guilty and send him to the wall, using it as leverage to put Jamie in control of House Lannister and assuming that Tyrion's smarts and high status would grant him a high station on the wall.