Game of Thrones: 11 Times the Lannister Brothers Stole the Show

Our first glimpse of the playful banter that often ensues between Tyrion and Jaime Lannister occurs in the first episode of the series, "Winter Is Coming." The Baratheons, Robert and Cersei, along with their children and her two brothers, travel to Winterfell to personally invite Ned Stark into the royal entourage as Hand of the King. Of course Tyrion, not one to stand on formality, forgoes their official arrival for a trip to the local brothel. Cersei sends Jaime to find his brother, and we witness the Kingslayer walk in on his brother cavorting with a prostitute. This scene sets the tone for the affection they have for each other and how they often work together to balance out each other's worse tendencies.

In the series' second episode, "The Kingsroad," Tyrion shares with Jaime and his sister that Bran Stark's fall isn't fatal. He's shrewd enough to know their reaction isn't what it should be. As the conversation continues, he reveals his desire to go to the Wall to feed his sense of adventure and "piss off the edge of the world." But when his sister leaves with her children, Jaime reopens the topic of Bran, stating that to have such a fall and become a cripple is "grotesque" and that a clean death is what he'd prefer.

Tyrion replies, "Speaking for the grotesques, I'd have to disagree. Death is so final. Whereas life, ah, life is full of possibilities. And if the boy does wake, I'd be very interested to hear what he'd have to say."

The statement makes Jaime wonder which side his brother is really on, which highlights what will always be their fundamental moral difference — fighting for the greater good vs. fighting for yourself.

The brothers then spend several seasons apart, both enduring capture by the Starks. Tyrion effectively survives his ordeal with a sharp mind and promises of Lannister gold. Jaime, however, doesn't fare as well. His argumentative nature gets him recaptured by the Boltons, whereupon he loses his hand. Once he returns to King's Landing, Tyrion is one of the few people to treat his brother with the same respect he'd held prior to the accident.

In "The Lion and the Rose," Jaime is the grotesque cripple he once mocked, and he doesn't understand how he can be useful to the family since the hand he lost is his dominate fighting hand. Tyrion rallies his brother's spirit by suggesting he train his left hand and offers Bronn the sellsword as Jaime's new teacher.

Later in the fourth season, when Tyrion stands trial for King Joffrey's murder, the brothers face another version of the moral dilemma that will haunt them throughout the series. Tyrion maintains the truth and his innocence even though he knows it will mean his life. Meanwhile, Jaime grapples with the opposing forces of duty and honour. Does he maintain his duty as the head of the Kingsguard or does he do the honourable thing of helping his brother?

It takes a nudge from Bronn for Jaime to gather the courage to visit his brother in the dungeons. Bronn tells Jaime that before Tyrion's trial by combat at the Eyrie for his crimes against the Starks, he'd initially named Jaime for his warrior until a twist of fate forced Bronn to take the mantle. According to the sellsword, Tyrion knew Jaime "would ride day and night to come fight for him," and Bronn encourages Jaime not to give up that fight when Tyrion needs him the most.

When Jaime finally visits Tyrion in his cell, he tries to comfort his little brother saying he had it much worse during his captivity. Jaime then questions his brother's innocence. Tyrion insists he played no part in King Joffrey's death. Then he laments that even if the real murderer confessed, Cersei would still want him dead.

The sentiment prompts Jaime to ask how he can help. Tyrion asks his brother to sneak him out of the city, but Jaime balks and insists that the truth will emerge at trial. They both know this isn't true, but each man remains bound by their position.

During Tyrion's trial recess, Jaime makes a deal with their father that Jaime will leave the Kingsguard and resume his place at Casterly Rock as the family's male heir if Tyrion stays alive. Their father agrees, saying that after Tyrion's trial, he will be sent to the Night's Watch.

Jaime shares the plan with Tyrion who remarks, "Ned Stark was promised the same thing, and we both know how that turned out." Jaime has no words and simply asks Tyrion to trust him.

The trial continues with Tyrion aligned with the deal, until Shae, Tyrion's mistress-turned-spy for their father, testifies to a story so egregious that Tyrion is unable to stomach the lies. He lashes out at everyone in attendance, sarcastically admitting to the murder, and demands a trial by combat — putting Jaime in difficult position.

After the trial, Jaime visits Tyrion in his cell, and the two fight over the stupidity of Tyrion's outburst. Jaime argues that he made a real sacrifice in initiating the deal with their father while Tyrion points out that in doing so he gave their father everything he ever wanted — the exile of his impish son and the potential grandchildren holding the Lannister name. "It felt good to take that from him," Tyrion says.

Tyrion then expresses his desire to have Jaime as his champion in the trial by combat, making a joke of the idea that their father wouldn't allow both of his sons to perish. "You're the golden son. You could kill a king, lose a hand, f*ck your own sister — you'll always be the golden son." Jaime bristles and responds he's unable to act as champion since he can't adequately fight with his left hand. Tyrion then asks if Bronn will once again undertake the task, but the sellsword's allegiance has been bought by Cersei. Fortunately for us all, Jaime hasn't given up on his little brother.

On the day of the trial by combat, Jaime returns to his brother's cell. They reminisce about their dead cousin Orson Lannister and his habit of crushing beetles with rocks. Tyrion says he could never fathom the reason for their cousin's actions, a clever acknowledgment that his pending death is just as senseless. Jaime's dumbfounded by the story, if not the subtext, and the bells toll overhead signaling the start of the ritual.

Jaime wishes Tyrion good luck and leaves. The royal guards take Tyrion up to the dueling grounds where his fighter, Oberyn Martell, puts on an excellent show. The first few strikes go so well that the brothers exchange hopeful glances. But when both champions wind up dead, Tyrion's earlier confession (albeit sarcastic) leaves the council no choice but to rule in favour of death as his Jaime stands watch.

Later that night, Jaime sneaks into his brother's cell and leads him to a secret passageway that leads out of the castle. Jaime tells Tyrion that Varys awaits him on the other end and that the eunuch made arrangements for escape to the Free Cities. The brothers embrace, believing they'll never see each other again, and Jaime kisses his Tyrion on the cheek: "Farewell, little brother."

Tyrion thanks his brother for his life, a subtle nod to Jaime finally embracing honour over duty.

The pair don't meet again until the seventh season after the Lannister defeat at the Battle of Goldroad. At this point in the series, Tyrion acts as Hand to Daenerys Targaryen while Jaime commands the Kingsguard for Queen Cersei Lannister. Bronn arranges a meeting for them in the catacombs of the Red Keep. The meeting is rife with tension because Tyrion killed their father during his escape from King's Landing, igniting his brother's distrust and Cersei's venom. Tyrion defends the move and explains his return comes on behalf of Daenerys, who requests a ceasefire so their combined forces can work together to defeat the White Walkers.

Jaime reluctantly agrees, and the Dragonpit armistice takes place in the weeks that follow. Naturally, Cersei remains unmoved by the tales of White Walkers and the wight demonstration that follows. Jaime attempts to convince his sister to provide aide to the Targaryen forces, but he fails to move her. When Tyrion arrives to make the same plea, the brothers share a moment of mutual admiration. They acknowledge that they trust each other despite the battles ahead and that past grievances no longer matter.

When Jaime arrives at Winterfell to help support Daenerys's fight against the Night King, Tyrion stands up for him: "He came here knowing full well how he'd be received. Why would he do that if he weren't telling the truth?" The statement, along with an endorsement from Brienne and Sansa, convince Daenerys of the Kingslayer's honour. Jaime helps the Northerners prepare for the Great War and lives up the expectations set upon him — even knighting Brienne after Tyrion points out she's never had the honour.

After the Night King's death, Tyrion and Jaime celebrate only to find themselves under threat of Bronn, who Cersei's sent to kill them both. They offer Bronn a lordship over Highgarden, which helps them leave the conversation with their lives.

In the days that follow, Jaime hears that Cersei has further fortified her position by killing a dragon and wiping out Daenerys's fleet. He tries to return to Cersei in King's Landing to warn her of the vengeance to come and to honour his promise that he'd stick with her until the end; however, Daenerys's Unsullied capture him before he can cross their defencive border.

When Tyrion learns of this, he goes to his big brother and frees him. The moment mirrors Tyrion's own unjust captivity in season four and that fact is not lost on him, as he provides the plan and the means for his brother to flee the country with Cersei.

Sadly, Jaime and Cersei never escape King's Landing, but the brothers' bond lives on.