Goosebumps.
In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, Kit Harington (Jon Snow) was asked about who he wants to sit on the Iron Throne.
“It almost all started with Tyrion. He’s not the obvious choice – the obvious choice is Daenerys, possibly Jon Snow – but I almost view the world through Tyrion. Like, he seems to be separate from it. He seems to see it for what it is, a fantasy. He’s the person that’s the most ground and real. He also has the nous for it. I’ve always liked him as a character and the way Peter portrays him so brilliantly,” he said.
If you’re currently suffering from Game of Thrones withdrawal then Sky Atlantic have just the thing for you tonight because they’re showing one of the greatest episodes in the show’s history and it features an absolutely breathtaking scene with Tyrion (Peter Dinklage).
Cast your mind back to the events of Season 4. Joffrey has just been poisoned at his own wedding – how good was it to see the little shit die? – but as Sansa Stark flees the capital, all of Cersei’s rage following the death of her son has been directed at her younger brother.
In Joffrey’s last act on earth, he proceeded to torment, bully and humiliate his uncle. Without even a second thought, Tyrion has instantly been cast as Joffrey’s murderer and after being put on trial, he knows that he’ll get no justice from his family.
Truth be told, this scene is still the finest example of acting in the history of Game of Thrones because Peter Dinklage perfectly channels all the anger, hatred and contempt that his character has been building up for a lifetime.
Ever since birth, the youngest Lannister has been hated by his own family after Tywin’s wife died in childbirth.
Blamed for his mother’s death, ostracised by society for being a dwarf and labeled a degenerate due to his fondness for wine and brothels, you would be forgiven for thinking that Tyrion would have little bearing on the Iron Throne. Far from the truth.
As he told Jon Snow “Never forget what you are, the rest of the world will not. Wear it like armor and it can never be used to hurt you,” but what happens when a man gets pushed to the brink?
Despite his valiant and heroic defense of King’s Landing from Stannis Baratheon, Tyrion was once again discarded from the tables of power and in the ultimate act of betrayal, his girlfriend Shae turned on him – despite the fact that he tried his very best to protect her from danger.
Ian McShane (Septon Ray) once said that: ‘Game of Thrones is just tits and dragons,’ but in this one scene, Peter Dinklage provided one of the finest pieces of acting that you’re likely to see. A year later, Dinklage would win his second Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. This scene must have had a lot to do with that.
In fact, according to Game of Thrones writer Writer Bryan Cogman, Peter Dinklage’s incredible performance somehow gets better because the actor did multiple takes of this iconic scene.
“It’s an incredibly physical acting performance from Peter even before he launches into his speech. The thing about Peter is there’s probably 15 takes that we didn’t use that you could have slotted in and it’s equally incredible and an entirely different version of the same scene. I keep coming back to how piercing his gaze is throughout that speech, he’s just stabbing daggers into every person he’s talking to,” Cogman said.
Three years since it first aired and Game of Thrones fans still get goosebumps after watching it.
You can watch The Laws of Gods and Men at 10pm on Sky Atlantic.
https://twitter.com/DoctorNugu/status/912339503834005504
https://twitter.com/RebelGirl1323/status/911410726224273410
Tyrion's speech during his trial is still my best #GameOfThrones scene…
— Floki (@jabsils) August 31, 2017
Just rewatched Tyrion's "trial by combat" speech from season 4 just for shits and giggles. That acting still gives me chills. 👌🏼
— b r i t t a n y (@weensandthings) July 27, 2017
That speech before Tyrion Lannister demanded a trial by combat 🔥 🔥. Now that's an actor.
— African Boy (@_ngareh) December 14, 2015
