The 4 best (and 3 worst) character arcs in Game of Thrones

Worst Game of Thrones character arcs: Jaime Lannister

Okay, this is where it gets complicated. I don’t like blaming these weak character arcs on the final season of Game of Thrones, but that’s exactly how I feel regarding Jaime Lannister. Prior to the end of the show, he has a fantastic arc.

From starting off the show by pushing Bran out of the window, to showing his true colors by revealing the reason he killed the Mad King, to breaking his brother Tyrion out of imprisonment, Jaime absolutely transforms throughout the seasons and has so many great scenes. He goes from a villain to an unconventional hero of sorts, but all of that development is thrown out the window by the end.

Jaime and Cersei respond differently to losing their children. While Cersei seeks out power and becomes crueler, Jaime still holds onto his morals and is disappointed by Cersei’s choices, namely when she blows up the Great Sept. Eventually, after she conspires with Euron Greyjoy to take down the North, Jaime realizes he’s better off without her and heads to Winterfell. His inner conflict is so compelling and I love that he makes the decision to switch sides.

But things get a little rocky in season 8. Though I’m happy to see Jaime helping the good guys, the development of his relationship with Brienne feels forced and their intimate moment is purely fan service. And then right after that, he goes back to Cersei. What is the point? Sure, it’s not entirely surprising that he’d go back to her because he’s in love with her, but that doesn’t make it any less disappointing.

Jaime has an awesome storyline throughout the show…until he doesn’t. That’s why I feel so conflicted.

Best Game of Thrones character arcs: Jon Snow

From a bastard son who takes the black to the King in the North who’s resurrected from the dead and revealed to be a secret Targaryen? Yeah, Jon Snow has an epic character arc. Whether you love his honorable ways or find him to be whiny and annoying, you can’t deny that he undergoes a lot of change. And these changes always pay off, up until his ending. He deserves so much better than what the Game of Thrones writers did to him!

Not feeling welcome or loved by his stepmother Catelyn his whole life, Jon grows up feeling like an outsider. After he joins the Night’s Watch, his main priority is what really matters: saving Westeros from the White Walkers. His selflessness and determination make him a natural leader, whether he wants to be one or not.

Similar to Arya, Jon’s morals never change, but his strength, power, and influence do. He’s faced with so many ethical dilemmas and always does what’s best for the realm and those around him. He’s destined for greatness, and his arc continues to satisfy until the very last episode.

In the Game of Thrones finale, Jon is exiled to the Night’s Watch after killing Daenerys, which is a pretty underwhelming ending for the character. As with many elements of the final season, it’s a rushed conclusion to an otherwise awesome journey.

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