The very troubling couples of Game of Thrones
7. Stannis and Selyse Baratheon: Selyse and Stannis might not be the most memorable couple on Game of Thrones, but they're certainly one of the most concerning. Desperate to put Stannis in the place of power they both believe he deserves, they go to great lengths to try and make him king. She's never able to give Stannis a male heir, which haunts her. Selyse is a big believer in the Lord of Light; she's the one who invites Melisandre to Dragonstone in the first place. She's very serious about the worship of R'hllor, believing Melisandre's claim that Stannis is the Prince That Was Promised and willing to do anything for his advancement.
Stannis and Selyse's delusions lead them to sacrifice their own daughter, the sweet and adorable Shireen, burning her at the stake in hopes that R'hllor will help them in their war effort. (Spoiler alert: it doesn't work out.) Though Selyse is regretful of their actions, it's too late. Their marriage ends when Selyse hangs herself.
6. Cersei and Jaime Lannister: There's so much analyzing you can do about Cersei and Jaime's relationship; let me highlight the basics. As twins, the siblings grow up together and begin an incestuous relationship at a young age, something they continue on and off until their deaths. They lose their mother when they're just four years old, and Cersei develops serious abandonment issues. As a woman in House Lannister, she feels incredibly alone but finds solace in her bond with her brother. Despite everything that happens between them throughout the seasons, Jaime doesn't ever truly leave her, and that co-dependence is both a curse and a form of comfort for both parties.
Jaime treats Cersei like his equal, and while I do believe Cersei truly loves him back, she also uses him to get what she wants. Jaime doesn't always agree with Cersei's corrupt ways and this drives them apart, though they find their way back to each other in the end. Their relationship is wrong on multiple levels, not just because they're related.
5. Tyrion Lannister and Shae: This relationship makes me angry because it didn't have to turn out the way it does, but like other couples on this list, Tyrion and Shae are star-crossed lovers. There was always just a slim chance of them actually ending up together, but I still wish their romance didn't have to turn so tragic. Though Tyrion and Shae come from different worlds, their lives aren't all that different when you really think about it. They're both outcasts and life is unfair to them for reasons they can't control. Tyrion wears his heart on his sleeve despite his rough exterior and falls in love easily, and he's able to charm Shae pretty quickly. Their romance must be kept a secret when Shae comes to work at King's Landing, but the growing tension between them leads to their end.
Shae believes Tyrion has feelings for Sansa, though Tyrion very explicitly explains that their marriage is only political. Logic can't always change matters of the heart, however, and their relationship gets messy fast. For her safety, Tyrion tries to send Shae away, which leads to her flipping on him and testifying against him in his trial. In the end, Tyrion discovers Shae in his father Tywin's bed and he kills them both. Not great.
4. Joffrey Baratheon and Sansa Stark: The fact that Sansa is on this list three times with her failed relationships speaks to how badly she's treated throughout Game of Thrones. The first time she's betrothed, it's to the sadistic child king-to-be, Joffrey, which is very unpleasant for both characters. Though Sansa longs to marry a prince when she first meets Joffrey, she faces reality once she's left alone in King's Landing and realizes how abusive he is. He's incredibly power-hungry and will tear down anyone in his way, including Sansa. Though Sansa is quiet and well-behaved, the fact that she's a Stark becomes increasingly unacceptable for Joffrey, until finally their marriage is called off.
Though not ideal, being married to Tyrion is a way better option for Sansa than to be married to Joffrey, that's for sure.
Finally, we get to the bottom of the romance barrel: