Curtain Call: Iain Glen

Among the many victims of the Night King’s assault on Winterfell was none other than Ser Jorah Mormont, one of the longest running characters on Game of Thrones and Daenerys Targaryen’s loyal right hand. Portrayed by veteran Scottish actor Iain Glen, Ser Jorah was put through the ringer in service to the queen he loved, and although that love was never returned in quite the way he wanted, Jorah appeared to die a happy man, having found redemption serving a woman he felt worthy of the Iron Throne. Like his character, Glen’s steady performance never wavered in quality, and for that, we thank him.

Appearing in the very first episode of the show, Jorah quickly ensconced himself at Daenerys’ side, providing a friendly bridge between her homeland of Westeros and her adopted land of Essos. Glen’s weathered but trustworthy face put audience members and Daenerys at ease, but unfortunately, he wasn’t always the loyal knight he would become. At the start, Jorah was informing on Dany for King Robert Baratheon.

But Jorah would soon come to love Daenerys and abandon any work for the Iron Throne, even defending Dany from an assassination attempt midway through the first season. Likewise, it was Jorah, and Jorah alone, who would defend Dany when Khal Drogo died of an infected wound. Glen’s cool and collected confrontation with one of Drogo’s bloodriders was a lesson in staying calm in the face of danger.

Season 2 saw Jorah confess his feelings for Daenerys while helping her navigate the viper pit that was Qarth, feelings that were never reciprocated. Glen’s steady performance, now mixed with an awkward longing for Daenerys, was one of the few highlights of that storyline. Glen and Emilia Clarke worked very well together, and the often unspoken tension between the characters made even their mundane conversations worth watching. Jorah’s interactions with the mysterious Quaithe were also a highlight.

Things would pick up for Ser Jorah in season 3, as Dany set about liberating Slaver’s Bay. Suddenly, Glen got to play off two new additions to Daenerys’ inner circle: Ser Barristan Selmy and Daario Naharis. Both were rivals of sorts for Jorah, Barristan because he could tell Dany about Westeros and Daario because Dany was enamored of him. Through it all, Glen projected confidence, but still made sure we could see the insecurity gnawing at his insides.

But Jorah was always Dany’s most trusted adviser, at least until she found out about his early spying and exiled him from her presence. Their confrontation in the throne room of Meereen was painful to watch, as Jorah is clearly desperate beyond measure to stay by Dany’s side. Glen shines here, as does Clarke, and Jorah’s subsequent exile left us all saddened for the aging knight.

Jorah rebounded in season 5, capturing Tyrion in Volantis before returning to Meereen to present his gift to Dany. In the process, Jorah would contract greyscale, a seemingly incurable skin disease, that would drive him for the next couple of seasons. He comes before Dany again and is once again banished, but like any good

stalker

hopeless romantic, Jorah never takes no for an answer. Battling in the gladiator games of Meereen, Jorah is in a perfect spot to protect Dany when the Sons of the Harpy attack. Glen’s glare switches from hopeful to furious at the sight of someone attacking Daenerys. Him launching a spear into the gallery is a highlight of a very exciting sequence.

Season 6 saw Jorah set off alongside Daario to rescue Daenerys, and while their adventures are fun, it’s his reunion with Daenerys, and her subsequent decree that he find a cure for his greyscale, that is the high point of Jorah’s season 6 arc. Finally, he and his queen are reconciled. Likewise, while his interactions with Samwell Tarly at the Citadel in season 7 were enjoyable, as was his expedition north of the Wall, it’s Glen’s scenes with Clarke that are again outstanding, particularly when Jorah arrives on Dragonstone cured of greyscale.

Season 8 wasn’t heavy on the Jorah front; his conversation with Daenerys regarding Tyrion and Sansa was essentially a signal that his character would not be long for Westeros. Before he went however, Glen would deliver one last epic performance, defending Clarke from the army of the dead, refusing to die himself until his beloved khaleesi was safe from harm.

Glen’s performance is never better than when he’s acting opposite Clarke, and much the same could be said of her. The pair had a chemistry rare on Thrones in that it lasted virtually the entire series.

Jorah final moment came in “The Last of the Starks,” where he was one body of many set alight following the Battle of Winterfell. Daenerys whispered something into his ear. The script was left blank, allowing Clarke to come up with the dialogue herself. Glen was mum on what she said, telling Entertainment Weekly only that, “It’s something entirely sincere and true to the moment and something that I’ll never forget.”

RELATED PRODUCT

New York Yankees Game Of Thrones Ice Dragon Bobblehead

Buy Now!

Buy Now!

Considering their longstanding relationship onscreen, we love that Glen has chosen to keep that moment private. We can think of no better way for Ser Jorah to go, even if we were sad to see Glen depart the series. We will miss his even-keeled and devoted performance.

Glen can next be seen as Bruce Wayne on the television series Titans, as well as the upcoming film, The Flood.

To stay up to date on everything Game of Thrones, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and sign up for our exclusive newsletter.

Watch Game of Thrones for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels.