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Lannister Bannermen, Retainers and Household

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House Clegane

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Ser Bronn of the Blackwater

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"You pay me to kill people who bother you. Evil notions come free."

Played By: Jerome Flynn

Tyrion Lannister: Just because I pay you for your services, doesn't diminish our friendship.
Bronn: Enhances it, really.

A mercenary who accompanies Catelyn and Tyrion to the Eyrie. Afterwards, begins to serve Tyrion as his personal bodyguard, enforcer, and general sword-for-hire. He is knighted after the Battle of the Blackwater. After Tyrion's departure for Essos, he starts to fill the same role for his brother Jaime.

Abusive Parents: Tyrion predicts that Bronn was beaten by his father. He concedes the point before adding wryly that his mother hit harder. He isn't joking; his mother once broke his nose when she was actually aiming for his brother, according to a story that he tells in "Blackwater".
The Ace: A great fighter, archer, commander, and Lovable Rogue. He even can sing!
Adaptational Expansion: Bronn appears much more in the show than the books, where he pretty much vanished after refusing to champion Tyrion against The Mountain, and his further actions (taking over House Stokeworth and naming his bastard stepson after Tyrion) happen offscreen. He played no part in the entire Dorne plot (then again, neither did Jaime), nor was he Jaime's new trainer (that was Ilyn Payne, who had to be written out due to his actor's illness).
Adaptational Heroism: While still very much Only in It for the Money, compared to the books he is friendlier towards Tyrion, even going as far as to ask Jaime to defend Tyrion when the latter is accused of murdering Joffrey. And while Bronn ultimately abandons Tyrion in both versions, he's more apologetic about it. He also has some genuine friendship with Podrick, which wouldn't be in character for the colder book counterpart. His moment of admitting he would kill a child, is also verbatim from the books, but it plays more as he needs a lot of money to agree to do it compared to the not very latent sadism of Bronn in the books. He even genuinely cares for Jaime, ultimately risking his life to save him from being incinerated by Drogon, and then dragging him off the bottom of a lake to safety. Implied in the series finale that now he's given a Lordship with one of the best positions a man of his stature could ever hope for, he seems to put his cutthroat ways behind him for good and is fully willing to help rebuild Westeros for the better.
Adaptational Intelligence: Unlike his book counterpart, Bronn can read.
Adaptational Badass: Bronn is a badass in the books, but he accomplishes far more impressive feats in the show. He is more gifted as a commander, as recognised by Jamie who pretty much makes him his second-in-command and most trusted confidant. He also fights and kills Dothraki, who are seen as one of the most deadly groups of fighters in the series, during the Battle of the Roseroad. During the same battle he even fires a ballista-shot at a dragon, being the only one to wound Drogon during the battle.
Adaptation Dye-Job: Book Bronn has black hair, while early show Bronn has Jerome Flynn's natural hair color. Later his hair is dyed black, though.
Adaptation Relationship Overhaul:
- In the books, he has virtually no relationship with Jaime Lannister, but the show makes them Vitriolic Best Buds from season 5 onwards.
- In the books, he marries Lollys Stokeworth. In the show, they're briefly betrothed, but she ends up marrying someone else.
Affably Evil: If he isn't being paid a slip a knife in your back, he really is a friendly drinking buddy.
- After Tyrion fulfills his promise to Bronn by promoting him to Lordship of the Reach and giving him a job on the Small Council in exchange for Bronn not killing him, Bronn is seemingly grateful enough towards Tyrion that he's let go of any hard feelings and is happy to be friends with Tyrion again.
Amazon Chaser: While he ships Jaime/Brienne himself, he also freely admits "I'd fuck her".
Armour-Piercing Question: To Tyrion: "When have you ever risked your life for me?"
At Least I Admit It: Bronn knows exactly who and what he is and makes absolutely no apologies or excuses for it. This has the effect of people trying to insult him only for him to agree with them.
Meryn: You're an upjumped cutthroat. Nothing more.
Bronn: That's exactly who I am.
- Also comes up when Sandor accuses him of loving killing, and pulls a "Not So Different" Remark (and a Badass Boast).
Sandor: You're just like me. Only smaller.
Bronn: And quicker.
Badass Boast: In response to Tyrion's statements about the Eyrie.
Tyrion: The Eyrie. They say it's impregnable.
Bronn: Give me ten good men and some climbing spikes, I'll impregnate the bitch.
- Gets a memorable Call-Back from Tyrion himself in Season 7, when he refers to Casterly Rock the same way.
- Subverted when he says he doesn't think he could take the Mountain. Even saying he might be able to is quite a claim.
Bait-and-Switch: After how many characters the show has inflicted with Death by Adaptation, Bronn's poisoning at the hands of Tyene Sand looks like the end of him for sure — right up until Tyene passes him the antidote after a brief bit of toying with him. Later, when confronted with the crime of striking Prince Trystane, the very man he attacked chooses to let him go free at the small price of returning the favor. Once again, Westeros' most audacious cockroach lives to fight another day.
Belligerent Sexual Tension: With Tyene Sand in Season 5, though it doesn't really go anywhere and then Tyene is given a Cruel and Unusual Death in Season 7.
Big Brother Instinct: The only person that Bronn likes and helps without having to be paid is Podrick Payne.
Big Damn Heroes: During the Battle of Blackwater, he shows up just in the nick of time to save The Hound when the latter freezes up at the sight of a man being burned alive.
Bling of War: Defied. Refuses to wear the shiny cape and attire of the City Watch because a cloak slows you down in a fight and the gold prevents concealment.
Boisterous Bruiser: Bronn loves singing, fighting, and fucking. He's very jolly, and very deadly.
Brutal Honesty: Bronn will tell you the truth, regardless of what you want to hear. After meeting him, Jaime is so surprised by the treatment that he has to ask Bronn if he talks to Tyrion in that way, too.
Butt-Monkey: Season 5-7 is hilariously unkind to poor Bronn.
- After rising up the feudal ladder from sellsword to Knight and inches away from becoming Lord Bronn of House Stokeworth, in the space of a few episodes, he has his marriage into nobility annulled, plays escort and chore boy to Jaime, ends up poisoned and subsequently humbled by Tyene Sand, and gets elbowed in the face by Areo Hotah and ends up more or less right back where he started, a tag along sidekick and bodyguard to a Lannister boy.
- By Season 6, Bronn is bitter about his predicament because Jaime has not delivered on his promises of a better castle and a better girl, and is accompanying him to a siege to boot. In Season 7, he has yet to be decently rewarded and is forced to fight dragons and whip peasants if he wants to be more than a cutthroat all his life, and even the pittance of gold Jaime offered him gets lost in the battle and he's risked his life for nothing.
Can't Get Away with Nuthin': He finally got a life on easy street set by Season 4 thanks to abandoning Tyrion. Comes next season, he is back to being a grunt thanks to Jaime annulling his marriage, forcing him to work even messier and more dangerous jobs than when he was under Tyrion. Almost seems to make him regret not trying his chance against the Mountain.^{From the Books...}
The Cast Show Off: Former pop singer Jerome Flynn often gets to make use of his lovely singing voice.
Cavalry Refusal: When Tyrion needs Bronn to champion for him in a Trial by Combat against Gregor Clegane, Bronn refuses in favor of Cersei granting him a lordship and a marriage contract — though when Tyrion offers to match it, he admits the real reason he took Cersei's payment is because he doesn't think he can kill Clegane. Tyrion completely understands and the two end up parting as friends.
Bronn: I like you, pampered little shit that you are. I just like myself more.
Characterisation Marches On: A minor example. In the fourth season, Bronn, in a scene lifted from the books, dismisses the idea of fighting Ser Gregor Clegane on Tyrion's behalf because he knows his chances of victory are very risky at best. The scene reminds us that while Bronn is a very tough customer, he's not Arthur Dayne, Ser Barristan Selmy, both Clegane brothers, or prime Jaime Lannister. In the final season, Bronn arrogantly boasts to Jaime that he could have easily beaten him in his prime, a bit of an odd comment considering his earlier, more cautious behaviour.
Combat Pragmatist: He doesn't believe in fighting fair, because he realizes that winning a battle depends on killing your opponent, not making it look noble. This earns him the contempt of some more traditional people who believe he's just fighting dirty.
- When confronted with a big Knight in Shining Armor and a full-body shield, he David Versus Goliaths it, dodging continually away until his opponent gets tired.
  Lysa: You do not fight with honor!
  Bronn: No. [nods at dead foe] He did.
- When he tosses Jaime a blunted practice sword for their sparring, he smacks Jaime's hand when he stoops to pick it up. Jaime protests he attacked when he wasn't on his guard; Bronn retorts that's the best time to attack.
- His refusal to wear the customary uniform of the City Watch after being appointed as commander. His simple explanation: capes slow you down in a fight, and the gold cloak makes you easy to spot.
- Kills a Dothraki warrior who was fixated on killing him by using a ballista.
- Never wears anything heavier than leather. Which probably saves his life when he falls into the water during the battle against the Dothraki, while fully-armored Jaime is seen drowning before the screen fades to black.
Composite Character:
- Takes over some of Ser Jacelyn Bywater's role in Season 2 as the replacement Commander of the City Watch after Janos Slynt is dispatched to the Wall.
- Takes Ilyn Payne's place in training Jaime to fight left-handed in Season 4.
- Takes Addam Marbrand's role as the Lannister's go-fer PA starting and also borrows characteristics from Marbrand, namely his frustration of having his Hypercompetent Sidekick talents abused with work he doesn't like.
Country Matters: What he thinks of Joffrey.
"There's no cure for being a cunt."
Cutting the Knot: How does the Commander of the City Watch keep peace and order and prevent widespread looting on the eve of a major siege by a hostile power? By having the boys round up all the known thieves and killing them, of course. Tyrion and Varys give each other a glorious look that says, "It can't really be that simple." But yes. Yes, it is.
Dark Horse Victory: And how. At the end of the series, King Bran's court is staffed with noble men and women of good moral character... and this guy, former cutthroat and mercenary, who's become one of the richest and most powerful men in the realm through a combination of hedging the right bets and having a lot of steel in his balls.
Deadpan Snarker: Seems to have much the same sense of humor as Tyrion.
Tyrion: (about Shae) Where did you find one so pretty at this hour?
Bronn: I took her.
Tyrion: Took her? From whom?
Bronn: From, uh.. Ser — what's his name? I don't know. Ginger cunt three tents down.
Tyrion: And he didn't have anything to say about it?
Bronn: He said something.
Demoted to Extra: His appearances in the final season are limited to three scenes: One where he tells three prostitutes the fate of Ed Sheeran's character and Qyburn hands him a crossbow to use to kill Jaime and Tyrion, one where he negotiates (read: threatens) a higher price out of the brothers Lannister not to kill them, and finally at the very end where he is not only installed as Lord of Highgarden and Lord Paramount of The Reach, but is also sitting on the Small Council as Master Of Coin.
Did You Just Punch Out Cthulhu?: He manages to shoot a bolt into a dragon wing mid-flight with a scorpion.
The Dragon: Tyrion's. Jaime retains his services in Seasons 5-7.
Dual Wielding: Wields both his longsword and kukri-like dagger when he and Tyrion are accosted by the mountain clans.
Duel to the Death: When he decides to champion Tyrion.
Earn Your Happy Ending: As much as Bronn became a Butt-Monkey throughout seasons 5-7, losing much of what he'd stood to gain and being put into worse and worse situations for no real profit, he eventually makes good in the end, concluding the series as nothing less than the new Lord of Highgarden, Master of the Reach, and Master of Coin, even getting to retain his strained friendship with Tyrion. Pretty good for a low-born sellsword.
Establishing Character Moment: For three episodes, he is a nondescript mercenary. He reveals his true skills and intelligence when he sees greater profit in defending Tyrion at the Eyrie.
Everyone Has Standards: Although he is a hired killer, some things disgust even him. He recognizes Joffrey as a vicious sadist, is horrified by what Tywin did to Tyrion's first wife, calls out Ser Meryn Trant for brutalizing those who are weaker than him, and tends to show disdain in general for those who Would Hit a Girl (despite his first kill being a woman, albeit one who attacked him with an axe first). Played with when Tyrion asks him if he could kill a baby as Janos Slynt did; Bronn admits that he'd probably still do it depending on the payment—though to his credit it takes a Beat for him to think about it at first.
Evil Cannot Comprehend Good: Well, "Evil" is pushing it, but Bronn cannot wrap his head around the Unsullied fighting for Daenerys on their own free will because they believe in her and what she is trying to build. For a sellsword that fights for money, fame, and women, which are things that the Unsullied have no use for, their motivations are quite alien to him.
Evil Counterpart: Of Ned Stark's right-hand man, Jory Cassel.
- Also to both of Daenerys Targaryen's strongest fighters, Jorah Mormont and Daario Naharis.
- He becomes one to Syrio Forel when he starts training Jaime Lannister, what with their similar training methods of whacking their students when their guards are down.
Four-Star Badass: One of Jaime's principal generals in Season 7, and as of the end of that season, he has the highest kill tally of any character in the show so far: 246.
Fatal Flaw: Subverted with Greed: He nearly prioritises his gold over his survival during the Battle of the Goldroad but he ultimately puts that aside and survives. This guy has the Know When to Fold 'Em trope down to a tee.
Gold Digger: Bronn doesn't even pretend to care about his betrothed Lollys Stokeworth and prefers to stone skip while she talks. That he's all about status, money, and inheritance seems to fly over her clueless head. Jaime Lannister nullifies the arrangement and promises him a new, better girl with a better castle.
Guile Hero: Crossed with Action Hero. In his fight against Ser Vardis at the Eyrie, he declines a shield and constantly dodges out of Vardis' way until he's too tired to resist Bronn, who kills him.
- When he and Jaime are intercepted by some Dornish soldiers, he tries to avoid (or at least delay) a direct confrontation by coming up with a cover story about their being stranded. If Jaime hadn't ruined it, he might have succeeded.
Heh Heh, You Said "X": Doesn't even attempt to stop his laugh when he hears the name "Dickon" from the poor boy's own mouth.
Hidden Depths: Bronn is actually quite the talented singer. And it should be noted that he can read, historically a skill not restricted to royalty but astoundingly rare outside of it.
Hitman with a Heart: While he is mainly motivated by payment, he does have some pet the dog moments and genuine moments of friendship with Tyrion, Jamie and Podrick that shows he does have some real fondness for them. Still, Bronn's own life and advancing into high-society is still his main focus, at the end of the day.
Hypercompetent Sidekick: He is this to the Lannister brothers, though he gets more frustrated under Jaime for having his talents abused. Jaime admits that Bronn is a far more gifted general than anyone else in his retinue, and on arriving at Riverrun, immediately assigns Bronn as his Number Two in establishing a proper siege formation and perimeter. Bronn grumbles but does it, anyways.
Jaime: You have better instincts than any officer in the Lannister army.
Bronn: That's like saying I have a bigger cock than anyone in the Unsullied army.
I Am X, Son of Y: He's not really in to that whole "Who's your daddy" thing.
Tyrion: And here we have Bronn, son of...
Bronn: You wouldn't know him.
Indispensable Scoundrel: Bronn is a mercenary who works as Tyrion's bodyguard, and then later takes on the same role for Jaime. He has something of a sense of honor, is surprisingly intellectual, and will commit to doing 100% of the dirty work for whoever he's working for. At the same time, he's a Combat Pragmatist who never fights fair, is only working for Tyrion because the pay's good and later abandons Tyrion for Cersei when she makes him a better offer, and is unapologetic about his mercenary nature.
Insult Backfire: Meryn Trant tries to insult Bronn's new knighthood. It does not go well.
Meryn: You're no knight.
Bronn: Pod?
Podrick: Ser Bronn of the Blackwater was anointed by the King himself.
Meryn: You're an upjumped cutthroat. Nothing more.
Bronn: That's exactly who I am. And you're a grub, in fancy armor, who's better at beating little girls than fighting men. Now, I have an appointment with Lord Tyrion.
Interrupted Intimacy: His session with the prostitute Mirelle gets interrupted by Podrick.
Irony: In Season 2, Bronn admits that he's "not clear on all the rules" about money, to the point that Tyrion has to explain to him the basics on how a loan works. When all is said and done, he ends up as Master of Coin, in charge of the entire kingdom's finances and debts.
Jerk with a Heart of Gold: ZigZagged as Bronn is an amoral mercenary who doesn't lie about what he is, and makes it clear that his first loyalty is to himself. That being said, he does prove to form genuine friendships with Tyrion, Podrick, and Jaime, and when faced with killing Tyrion, he chooses not to do it. Though that might be because Tyrion promised Bronn Highgarden as much as it is that Bronn likes Tyrion.
Jerkass Has a Point:
- Call it cowardly or selfish, but his betrayal of Tyrion did make sense. As he pointed out, he was getting a lot more in helping Cersei out. Even if he did fight for Tyrion, he had a very slim chance of winning against the Mountain, and pointed out that it was unreasonable of Tyrion to demand him risk his life for him so many times when he never did the same for Bronn.
- Bronn has spent eight years serving the Lannister brothers, saving their lives several times, with nothing to show except a worthless knighthood. After being contracted to kill both of them by Cersei, Bronn has had enough of their Big, Screwed-Up Family and declares Jaime and Tyrion either double Cersei's offer or he kills them both.
- When Tyrion and Jaime point out that the Reach lords would never accept him as ruler of Highgarden, Bronn points out that you only need to kill enough people to get a high enough title. Strangely enough, that is pretty much how every real life great dynasty started.
Karma Houdini: Bronn receives zero comeuppance for his cutthroat actions and is given everything he wanted. He easily walks away from battles, going from lowly sellsword to Lord Paramount of Highgarden. This despite his mercenary service to the Lannisters, and also playing a personal role in sacking, raiding and despoiling the Reach (the very territory he is granted to govern). Being a fair-weather friend to Tyrion and Jaime allows him to threaten to kill both of them for the sake of money and power and get rewarded. He has also pointedly not become a better person, remaining the same corrupt, sleazy, and amoral asshole he always was, and essentially the new Littlefinger, the only difference being the relative lack of a chip on his shoulder from unrequited love and past trauma. His main saving graces are that he's a rather charming individual, and doesn't put on any airs about what he is. He fights for fortune, fame, and fornication, and never lets anyone forget it, no matter how close they may become.
Knight of Cerebus: Inverted. During his time offscreen, things got very dire for Tyrion, indeed. And then he shows up again, and makes everything hilarious.
Know When to Fold 'Em: Being selective about which fights to pick keeps his chances of death low. During a fight with a Dothraki screamer, his bag of Golden Dragons spills onto the floor. He gives it a longing look... before giving it up for lost and focusing his efforts on dispatching the Dothraki.
- He has no shame admitting to Tyrion he is afraid of the Mountain and decides unless Tyrion can offer a better deal he is not risking a fight with him.
- He later informs Jaime in no uncertain terms that he draws the line at defending King's Landing from dragons. Having seen first-hand what sort of devastation Drogon can wreak, he's acutely aware of the fact that that fight would likely involve his untimely death by fire, because it very nearly did already.
Kukris Are Kool: Uses a kukri in all but name as his knife of choice.
Laughably Evil: Bronn being a colossal asshole only serves to make him that much more entertaining, per contrast to most other evil characters on the show. Bronn wholeheartedly enjoys being a dick, and the victims of his harsher abuse generally tend to be even worse people than he is.
Leaning on the Furniture: When he's not kicking ass, he leans or sits (read: sprawls) on anything available. Walls, doorframes, pillars, tables, rocks...
Leave the Two Lovebirds Alone: He quickly excuses himself in "Baelor" when Tyrion and Shae begin to get busy while he's still there.
Limited Wardrobe: The only time we've ever seen Bronn out of his leather armor is when he's in the middle of having sex. He even wears it to a wedding. It's a surprise great enough to note when he greets Tyrion while wearing new luxurious clothes — the most obvious sign Cersei has bribed him.
Lovable Rogue: Via a combination of being hilarious and badass, Bronn is definitely this.
Lovable Sex Maniac: The only thing he enjoys more than fighting is fucking.
Lovable Traitor: Bronn makes no secret to anyone that his only real loyalty is to himself, but he remains on good terms with both Tyrion and Jaime. When Cersei offers him a bribe to refuse to fight for Tyrion against the Mountain in his Trial by Combat, Bronn visits Tyrion in his cell and tells him exactly why he's accepting Cersei's offer. The two part with a handshake and Bronn sincerely wishes Tyrion good luck.
Bronn: I like you, pampered little shit that you are. I just... like myself more.
Tyrion: ...I understand.
Bronn: I'm sorry it has to be this way.
Tyrion: Why are you sorry? Because you're an evil bastard with no conscience and no heart? That's what I liked about you in the first place.
Master Swordsman: Bronn is an extremely competent swordsman, due to a combination of honest skill and ruthless pragmatism.
Meaningful Name: He takes "of the Blackwater" as part of his name after the Battle of the Blackwater. Coincidentally, the private military company Academi was founded under the name "Blackwater", making it a pretty fitting name for a mercenary.
Money Is Not Power: Cersei is able to bribe him with a noble title and he already planned on making the castle of his future wife his. While gold is good for him, being able to drink his own wine in his own keep is a dream he can't afford with standard sellsword pay and he really wants his promised castle, and become part of the High Class of society, with his marriage, children, and a legacy of his own. In the finale, he becomes Lord Paramount of the Reach, and is ironically appointed Master of Coin, which he mostly seeks to use as a platform to becoming a pimp to build a harem of his own.
Mundane Solution: King's Landing is gonna have a thieving problem after Stannis' siege, and Tyrion orders him to prepare the city for that. So Bronn kills all the known thieves. Tyrion and Varys share a look of Why Didn't I Think of That? when they hear the news.
Nerves of Steel: When challenged by Sandor Clegane, it's less "Oh, Crap!" and more "oh well".
- It is very rare to see Bronn in distress. This is usually because he's so badass that things rarely turn against him to begin with, but even when they do he takes it in stride. The exceptions are in Season 5 when his engagement is annulled, costing him his imminent Lordship, and later on when Tyene has him poisoned and on the brink of death. Even in the latter scenario he's rotting in a dungeon with slim chance of getting out soon and is perfectly content to stay there singing to himself for as long as he has to. Season 7 also brings an exception with the Battle of the Blackwater Rush, which has him quite distressed at fighting a battle against the Dothraki khalasars and a damn dragon, and even then he still holds it together long enough to deal a ballista bolt to Drogon's wing and then saves Jaime's ass by tackling him before he is incinerated by dragonfire.
New Job as the Plot Demands: Across the series, Bronn has served as a dueling champion, a sellsword, a bodyguard, Commander of the City-Watch, household Knight, potential Lord and courtier, bodyguard again, siege organizer, commander, and during the battle, a ballista operator. This makes him similar to Ser Addam Marbrand of the books who was so versatile and experienced that Tywin and then Jaime, more or less moved him to fill different posts when they needed someone competent, and it annoyed Marbrand no less than it does Show Bronn. The main difference comes from the fact that Marbrand just wanted to go back to commanding cavalry, while Bronn just loves Bronn.
The Nicknamer: He apparently calls Littlefinger "Lord Twatbeard".
Nominal Hero: Bronn is a mercenary who fights for whichever side pays him best, including propping up oppressive monarchs like Joffrey and Cersei, resorts to dishonourable tactics in battle, and, in his time as Commander of the City Watch of King's Landing, uses extreme measures to keep the peace such as having every known thief in the city rounded up and summarily executed. Though he does have some standards, being clearly disgusted by Joffrey having Sansa Stark beaten by Meryn Trant in front of the Royal Court, the only reason he qualifies as a hero at all is because the characters he spends most of his time working for are Tyrion and Jaime, who the audience are generally inclined to sympathise with.
The Nondescript: He's grungy, unkempt, unshaven, and constantly wears the same black leather armour even when he can afford better clothes. That way, he stays blended into the background until it's too late for you to realise he's a lot more dangerous than you gave him credit for.
Noodle Incident: Much like the books, his past isn't spelled out, but many of his conversations has him give wild stories that suggest an interesting life. He has apparently worked beyond the Wall, saw a dead body at age 5, his first kill was a woman, was apparently involved in a siege sometime in the past (based on how he describes it to Tyrion), and possesses a variety of skills and talents that hint at a diverse range of experiences, and he's apparently been to Dorne before. Now, how much of this is Bronn boasting and exaggerating and then Becoming the Boast isn't clear and there's no way to verify his background. His story about being in a siege is interesting since before Season 1, the most recent sieges would have been in the Greyjoy Rebellion or during Robert's Rebellion. ^note
Number Two: Jaime names him second in command of Lannister forces during the siege of Riverrun.
Only in It for the Money: He's very clear to Tyrion that he's serving him solely for the riches, even though he does consider him a friend (the pay really "enhances" their friendship, he says). However, he still expects to get paid — not even friends get freebies. This later transfers onto Jaime. While Bronn becomes as close a friend with Jaime as he was with Tyrion, he still expects Jaime to pay him — in ever-larger amounts, given the increasing danger Jaime drags him into. ^{From the Books...}
Tyrion: I thought we were friends.
Bronn: We are, but I'm a sellsword. I sell my sword. I don't loan it out as a favor to a friend.
Odd Friendship: With Tyrion until they part ways in Season 4, then seems to be growing into one with Jaime in Season 5. In season 6 and 7 he and Jamie have become just as close as Bronn and Tyrion were, though Bronn is annoyed that he still has not gotten his castle and noble wife yet, despite his services.
Out of Focus: In Season 3. Even moreso in Season 6, where he doesn't appear until the seventh episode of the season. In Season 7, it takes him nearly 3 full episodes (almost half that season) and he doesn't have a line at first.
- This is likely because of the dislike between Jerome Flynn and Lena Headey. Seeing as they refuse to share screentime this means that Bronn only can appear when Tyrion or Jaime are at or going to a fight.
Pet the Dog:
- To Sansa, at her wedding. He's one of the only people present to visibly show her respect (he gives a little bow) as she makes her way through the wedding party.
- Takes the time to comfort Tyrion — even putting a hand on his shoulder — regarding Shae's departure from King's Landing.
- He's kind to his fiancee Lollys Stokeworth, albeit not particularly interested in her. He even comforts her when she complains about her sister's bullying. When he coyly implies he might kill her sister, it comes across as much as wanting to put an end to her tormenting of Lollys as it does trying to murder his way into inheriting the Stokeworth fortune.
- He is delighted to see Podrick again in the Riverlands, and even goes so far as to give him some advice on the art of Combat Pragmatism.
- He takes Pod with him to a tavern during the tense meeting between Daenerys and Cersei at the Dragonpit.
- After he explains his refusal to fight The Mountain on Tyrion's behalf, Tyrion makes a cynical comment about fighting the behemoth himself, and what kind of song would be sung if he actually won. Bronn sincerely remarks that he would love to hear it.
Promoted to Opening Titles: In Season 2.
Punch-Clock Villain: One of Bronn's most defining features is that he quite simply doesn't give a crap about anything. Kings, knights, maesters, thugs, and, as he notably points out, women and children. He really just doesn't care who he has to kill as long as Tyrion's paying him the money.
Rank Up: Bronn begins as a lowly sellsword, albeit a highly intelligent and skilled one. Over the course of the series, he:
- Gets promoted to commander of the City Watch by Tyrion in Season 2, replacing Janos Slynt. It lasts until the end of the season, though, as he's dismissed by Tywin. He turns out to be almost as ruthless as Janos Slynt, though he never kills children. In anticipation of Stannis' siege, Bronn has his men round up and kill all the known thieves, because they steal all the food when a siege begins.
- Gets rewarded with a knighthood after the battle of Backwater.
- He was going to marry into nobility, but that was yanked under promise of, eventually, a better marriage. Jaime tells him in Season 7 that he'll have his pick of castles in Westeros when the Lannisters win the war.
- Becomes Master of Coin, lord of Highgarden and Lord Paramount of the Reach in the series finale.
Red Herring Shirt: When he is first introduced, he looks like just another sellsword. The camera doesn't linger on him very much, and he doesn't even have any features or costumes to distinguish him from a commoner other than a dry wit. Then he offers to be Tyrion's champion at the Eyrie, and proves to be more than just a mook.
Screw This, I'm Outta Here: Bronn ends his partnership with Tyrion when he is given a choice between fighting the Mountain and marrying a noblewoman. He also makes it clear to Jaime in Season 7 that going up against a mature dragon is where he draws the line, even when money and castles are involved.
Servile Snarker: Not afraid to speak his mind to Tyrion, which is one reason Tyrion keeps him around since he knows Bronn will tell him the truth.
Tyrion: Stannis has more infantry, more ships, more horses. What do we have?
Bronn: There's that mind of yours you keep going on about.
Tyrion: Well, I've never actually been able to kill people with it.
Bronn: Good thing. I'd be out of a job.
Sesquipedalian Loquaciousness: Tenaciously averted. While most characters use consistently use antiquated words or descriptions, Bronn is the only character in the show to always use common words people would use in the modern day: Crazy/ mad, dinner/ supper, birthday/ name day.
Shipper on Deck: Appears to be surprisingly onboard with Jaime/Brienne, judging by his comments to Podrick.
- Also one for Tyrion/Sansa, as he kept pointing out that Tyrion was interested in Sansa and that Shae, being a whore, was never going to be a viable option for him to marry.
Social Climber: He's quite open that he wants to move as high up in society as he possibly can. He really wants his retirement payday and that is being a Lord with a castle, a wife and kids, and grow old to see his kids squabble about who gets his property. Basically, Bronn may hang out with Jaime and Tyrion, but the Lannister he really wants to be is Tywin.
Sociopathic Hero: Bronn will pretty well murder anyone for the right price. In spite of that, he's firmly on Tyrion's and later, Jaime's side.
Stab the Scorpion: In Season 5, Bronn appears standing above Jaime Lannister with his kukri ready, seemingly to kill him, and a few moments later he kills a snake that was about to bite the Kingslayer.
Staring Down Cthulhu:
- At the beginning of "Blackwater", he stares down Sandor Clegane, who's intent is very much to murder him. He later ends up saving Clegane himself during the ensuing battle.
  Sandor: You like fucking, and drinking, and singing. But killing... that's the thing you love. You're just like me. Only smaller.
  Bronn: And quicker.
- He even snarks Lord Tywin with his "You wouldn't know him" comment. That's gotta count under this trope.
- In Season 7, he manages to one-up himself even further, operating a Scorpion with a fucking dragon bearing down on him. He not only survives, but manages to get in a hit on Drogon's wing, coming within a couple of feet of ending Daenerys Targaryen's bid for the Iron Throne then and there.
Straight Man: To Tyrion's more outlandish Deadpan Snarker-y tendencies.
Street Smart: Another facet of his unique, worldly wisdom. This makes him a very effective City Watch commander.
Suspiciously Similar Substitute: In the series finale, he has essentially become the new Littlefinger. A Master of Coin who is also a corrupt, social-climbing, Nouveau Riche noble and an aspiring pimp who pointedly espouses a belief that the strong thrive over the weak. His sleaziness also disgusts the more morally principled of the Small Council such as Davos and Brienne. Of course, the pivotal difference between them is that Bronn is quite content with what he has (while admittedly being far richer than Littlefinger was) and has no inclinations towards kicking off any more brutal nation-ruining civil wars.
Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: With Sandor during the Battle of Blackwater. Also in the finale, as the Token Evil Teammate in the post-series Small Council, it's clear that Davos, Brienne and Sam can't handle having him around as much as Tyrion does.
Trickster Mentor: Enjoys himself a lot while he teaches Jaime how to fight with his left hand. The unclean lessons involve kicking Jaime around thanks to Bronn's own set of pragmatic, dirty tricks.
Troll: He enjoys pushing people's buttons for no other reason than because he can, though he does tend to mostly use this on people who are utter assholes.
Try to Fit That on a Business Card: In the final episode, his name in full is "Ser Bronn of the Blackwater, Lord of Highgarden, Lord Paramount of the Reach, and Master of Coin".
Two Guys and a Girl: Has this dynamic very briefly with Tyrion and Shae.
Warrior Therapist: To Jaime in lieu of Ilyn Payne.
Why Don't You Just Shoot Him?: Prefers this philosophy when it comes to handling problems, and is rather blunt and unapologetic about it.
What the Hell, Hero?: Bronn, of all people, calls out Jaime for not visiting Tyrion right away after being (falsely) imprisoned for Joffrey's murder, pointing out the faith Tyrion had in him when he was also imprisoned in The Vale back in Season 1:
Bronn: He named you as his Champion because he knew you'd ride day and night to come fight for him. You gonna fight for him now?
Wisdom from the Gutter: Bronn in the show often presents a more down-to-earth, pragmatic look at fighting and soldiering and mocks the high lords and great knights for their limited and blinkered view. This counts greater in the show on account of it emphasizing Combat Pragmatist and Hollywood Tactics more often than the books, where much of Bronn's "wisdom" and advice is already known to the likes of Tyrion, Jaime and others.
The Worf Effect: After five seasons of taking names, dodging death, and shooting up the social ladder, Bronn is nearly killed by Tyene Sand, in a show of just how cunning and dangerous the girl is. In Season 7, to emphasize how deadly and terrifying Drogon is, Bronn drops his cool and spends most of the battle in mortal fear for his life.
- Also happens earlier when he refuses to fight he Mountain, in order to illustrate just how much trouble Tyrion really is in.
Would Hit a Girl: Bronn admits that the first person he killed was a woman, though it was self-defense—she attacked him with an axe. Shae still doesn't approve. Although, this trope only seems to apply in situations where it would be impractical not to do so (read: woman attacking you with a weapon.) He's noticeably disdainful of Ser Meryn Trant, which probably indicates that violence toward unarmed women isn't a hobby of his.
- He landed a few blows against Tyene Sand while attempting to rescue Myrcella from Dorne. Then again, she had twin blades at the time. He does seem a bit apologetic about it, and remarks later it's "against his code", meaning he'll do it if he has to, but unlike some, he doesn't enjoy it.
Would Hurt a Child: Depending on the price, of course. He does directly tell Tyrion that while he'd probably still do it, unlike Janos, he'd at least think about it for a moment.
Yank the Dog's Chain: At the end of Season 4, he is set up for a very nice retirement in Stokeworth castle. Second episode of Season 5, Cersei reneges on their deal to force him to join Jaime's mission.

Shae

"Don't trust anybody. Life is safer that way."

Played By: Sibel Kekilli

"You think I'm here for money?... Fuck your money."

A camp follower that Tyrion takes a special interest in and brings with him to King's Landing, where she is later made Sansa Stark's handmaiden.

Abusive Parents: Her parents are a touchy subject for her, but she discloses to Varys that she "stopped being a child" when she was nine, because her mother made sure of that.
Adaptational Attractiveness: In the book, she is described as having more of an innocent, Girl Next Door appeal, whereas Sibel Kekilli goes with a much more overtly-sexual Monica Bellucci angle.
Adaptational Badass: TV Shae is not afraid of using a knife. In the books, she begs Tyrion not to kill her. In the show, she pulls a knife and tries to fight off Tyrion.
Adaptational Nationality: In the books, Shae's nationality is unknown, but nothing suggests she is from outside Westeros. In the show, she is Lorathi.
Adaptational Nice Guy: Usually more kind and compassionate compared to the character from the books.
Adaptational Villainy: In the books, she tries to apologize and cries while she tells Tyrion that the Queen made her lie in the trial, but she ends up saying the wrong thing and Tyrion kills her. In the series, she goes straight to the knife in an attempt to kill Tyrion, without any kind of conversation.
Adaptation Relationship Overhaul: She never had romantic feelings for Tyrion in the books and was just pretending to love him. She betrays him at his trial because it's more practical to not get on Cersei or Tywin's bad side. In the show, however, Shae was genuinely in love with Tyrion and betrayed him for seemingly rejecting her while trying to keep her safe.
Age Lift: Book Shae is described as probably being just eighteen or so, while Sibel Kekilli is in her 30s.
Ascended Extra: In the books, her scenes mostly consisted of interacting with Tyrion. In the show, particularly the second season, she interacts with a lot more characters, and becomes Sansa's handmaiden a lot earlier.
Asshole Victim: After betraying Tyrion at the trial, she is later found in Tywin's bed and tries to kill Tyrion when he discovers her. He strangles her to death in response.
Berserk Button: Does not like people talking about her parentage.
Break Her Heart to Save Her: When Shae's life is endangered after Cersei and Tywin find out about her relationship with Tyrion, Tyrion lies to her, says he never loved her, and delivers an absolutely brutal diatribe against her in order to get Shae to leave him and sail for Pentos. This backfires horrendously as it convinces her to testify against him at his regicide trial.
Camp Follower: To Tyrion.
Chastity Dagger: Carries one in her garter. She might not be chaste, but she's not going to be raped, either.
Clingy Jealous Girl: Has definitely become this as of Season 3, interrogating Tyrion brutally about his interest in and history with other women (Sansa and Ros, respectively). This is despite the fact that Tyrion has shown nothing but despair over his marriage to Sansa, viewing her more as someone he must protect, and now that Ros is dead.
Cluster F-Bomb: The way she overuses the F word may suggest that she's not familiar with more appropriate Common (English) words for "Have Sex". Then again, she's a whore...
The Confidant: To Sansa, after being made her handmaiden. To the point where HBO's website once listed her as part of the Stark household as opposed to the Lannisters. Particularly noticeable in "The Climb", where Shae is aware of Sansa's engagement to Ser Loras Tyrell, and apparently did not even tell Tyrion about it.
Damned by Faint Praise: Shae explains in "What Is Dead May Never Die" how every time she cooks for a man, they tell her how good of a whore she is.
Death by Irony: Tywin threatens her by proxy with hanging if he catches her in bed with Tyrion. Tyrion catches her in bed with Tywin and strangles her to death for it.
Did You Think I Can't Feel?: She gets really pissed when, after all they have been through, Tyrion assumes she's still only with him for the money.
Tyrion: I'm a monster, as well as a dwarf! You should charge me double.
Shae: You think I'm here for money?
Tyrion: That was the arrangement we made. I pay you and you lie to me.
Shae: Oh, I'm a poor little rich man and nobody loves me, so I make jokes all the time and pay them to laugh. Fuck your money.
Disproportionate Retribution: While Tyrion calling her a whore and saying he never loved her was brutal, not only was it only a ploy to Break Her Heart to Save Her, but he also set her up to live a life of comfort in Pentos. Her response? Provide false testimony that Tyrion and Sansa conspired to murder Joffrey while humiliating Tyrion by reciting twisted renditions of their most intimate moments. She does all of this despite knowing full well that her testimony would get both Tyrion and Sansa sentenced to death. When Tyrion finds her in Tywin's bed, she does not hesitate to pull a knife and try to kill him.
Et Tu, Brute?: After Tyrion tries to Shoo the Dog and get her to safety, she returns as Cersei's star witness at Tyrion's trial, in which she not only lies about Tyrion and Sansa murdering Joffrey, but twists the knife further by citing their most heartwarming moments together and twisting them to humiliate Tyrion in the most gutwrenching possible way. This is the testimony which utterly breaks Tyrion and launches him far past the Despair Event Horizon, causing the poor man to just fucking lose it and explode with several decades worth of bitterness and rage at his ungrateful family and the ungrateful nobles of King's Landing.
Green-Eyed Monster: Despite being genuinely protective of Sansa, she is still jealous of her being Tyrion's wife. This paranoia never really leaves, even when it becomes clear Tyrion did not consummate their marriage. Sansa is young, pretty, and (as far as King's Landing knows) heir to Winterfell. She's everything a low-born prostitute fears she cannot compete with in the long run.
Hooker with a Heart of Gold: In sharp contrast to the novels, where she's Only in It for the Money and has no particular loyalty or feelings to anyone. By the second season, she has very little in common with her pagebound counterpart.
- Ultimately completely subverted in "The Children", in which she's found in Tywin's bed, calling him "My Lion", the same nickname she gave Tyrion. She then tries to kill him. Her stupidity and pettiness despite Tyrion trying to save her got the best of her.
Jerk with a Heart of Jerk: Her final act is to have Tyrion sentenced to death... Via publically humiliating him, with mostly unnecessary lies. When Tyrion strangles her, it's not exactly a heartbreaking death.
Kill the Ones You Love: Is strangled to death by Tyrion in self-defense, even though Tyrion admits to his father that he still loved her.
Lethal Chef: Lampshades this when Tyrion tells her that he can hide her by giving her a job in the kitchens.
Shae: Every man who's ever tasted my cooking has told me what a good whore I am.
Mysterious Past: What is her background? Why did she leave Lorath when she was 13? Why (and how) did her mother "make sure" that she became "a woman" at 9?
Mysterious Woman: Even the very astute Tyrion incorrectly guesses at her past.
Ninja Maid: She chases down and threatens another handmaiden at knife-point to protect Sansa.
Only One Name: She's just Shae. Varys once contrasts himself and Shae with the highborn who have last names.
Varys: You have one name. As do I. Here, only the family name matters.
Promotion to Opening Titles: After Season 1.
Protectorate: Over Sansa.
Secret Relationship: Her relationship with Tyrion, and for vital reasons. Tywin warns Tyrion not to take her to court and has vowed to hang the next whore he finds in Tyrion's bed.
Selective Obliviousness: Her jealousy regarding Tyrion's marriage to Sansa despite Tyrion clearly acting as a protector and not consummating their marriage. The fact she feels Varys and Tyrion are exaggerating how precarious her position is, when any passing knowledge of Tywin and Cersei would inform most this is not the case, is very noticeable. Eventually, this refusal to accept how much danger she's in actually forces Tyrion to make a deliberately horrible speech to drive her away and she seemingly takes it at face value.
Shoo the Dog: What Tyrion ends up doing after finding out Cersei and Tywin know about her.
Stripperific: Well, she's a prostitute. It comes with the territory.
Toxic Friend Influence: Varys tries to buy her off because he believes that she's a dangerous liability to Tyrion, one of the few men who could make the country a better place.
The Un-Reveal: It's hinted early on that she's got a complicated (and probably tragic) past. In "Blackwater" it seems like she's finally going to reveal it, but she gets interrupted. She sticks around for two more seasons after that, but we never do get to find out what her story was.
What the Hell Is That Accent?: An in-universe example — Shae's accent is clearly out of place in English-accented Westeros. Lampshaded when Tyrion asks and she simply responds, "Foreign." In "Blackwater", Cersei pegs her accent as Lorathi. This seems to be a combination of a joke/fantasy Accent Adaptation, in that Jaqen is also supposed to be from Lorath, and is played by fellow German Tom Wlaschiha.
Woman Scorned: One possible explanation for Shae's betrayal of Tyrion. Unlike her book counterpart, show Shae really seems to care for Tyrion so it's harder to believe she'd just turn on him for money. She took his break up very hard so it's not too much of a stretch to think she's trying to get back at him. Well, that, and Tywin/Cersei probably threatened her...
Yandere: Another possible explanation for her betrayal of Tyrion. She may well have been of the "if I can't have you" variety at the end as Sansa's life was also threatened by her testimony.

Podrick "Pod" Payne

See Game of Thrones - House Stark Household

Ser Amory Lorch

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/amory_lorch.png

"This is your last chance. In the name of King Joffrey, drop your weapons."

Played By: Fintan McKeown

"I judged you might be good for something more than brutalizing peasants. I see I overestimated you."

— Tywin Lannister

A knight and brutal, stupid thug, sworn to House Lannister.

Adaptational Attractiveness: In the books, he's described as fat and pig-like, and had a history of being unnecessarily cruel and very stupid. In the TV series he looks a lot more badass, but his stupidity becomes pretty apparent in later episodes of Season 2. See Never Learned to Read below.
Adaptational Heroism: He's still an asshole, but at least he didn't stab a little girl to death as his book counterpart did; his murder of Rhaenys Targaryen is instead committed by Gregor Clegane.
Beard of Evil: He has a full, dark beard.
The Brute: To Tywin Lannister's Big Bad and Ser Jaime and Ser Gregor's Co-Dragons.
Death by Adaptation: Of the "died earlier than in the source material" type. ^{From the books...}
Dies Differently in Adaptation: In the books he is torn apart by a bear. Here he is shot with a poisoned dart and is killed instantly.
Dirty Coward: Waits until Yoren is subdued with spears before striking the killing blow.
Dumb Muscle: Lorch is a competent warrior and certainly has his uses...relying on his brain is not one of those uses.
For the Evulz: Seems to have graduated in the same knight school as Ser Gregor — i.e. be as much of a jerk as you can as long as you are still loyal to House Lannister.
Hero Killer: Murders Yoren of the Night's Watch once he is subdued by other Lannister soldiers.
Just in Time: Arya has Jaqen kill him when he tries to report to Tywin that she stole one of his missives. He drops dead in Tywin's doorway.
Mook Lieutenant: Lorch has authority over the other Lannister men, as he leads the group of Lannister soldiers that attack the party of Night's Watch recruits headed by Yoren.
Never Learned to Read: He sent a letter regarding the Lannister plans to the wrong House, a House that is loyal to the Starks.
Tywin: My cupbearer can read better than you.
Too Clever by Half: He can read just enough to realize that someone has information they shouldn't, and it gets him killed.

Rorge

"Where is your stick now, bitch? I promised to fuck you with it."

Played By: Andy Beckwith

Another violent criminal caged with Jaqen H'ghar. He also joins the Lannister army alongside Jaqen.

Adaptational Attractiveness: In the books, his nose has been cut off. On the TV show, though, he merely has a couple of scars on his forehead and face.
Adaptational Heroism: Not "heroism" so much since he is still a creepy and brutal thug, but this depiction of Rorge is still infinitely less monstrous and despicable than his book counterpart, whose crimes are comparable only to Ramsay Snow, Gregor Clegane and Euron Greyjoy.
Adaptational Wimp: Book Rorge is actually a fairly competent fighter and shows a degree of intelligence, acting, and wit at Harrenhal. Here, he has none of these traits.
Back for the Dead: Along with Biter, in the Season 4 episode, "Mockingbird".
Beard of Evil: A stubbly beard, but still.
The Brute: Within the Lannister army. He doesn't appear especially intelligent, prone to aggressive threats uttered in a vicious snarl.
Depraved Bisexual: If his threats towards "Arry" are anything to go by, whom he threatens to molest with a wooden sword both when he thinks she's a boy and after he finds out that she's a girl.
Dropped a Bridge on Him: He was never the most important character, either in the books or the show, but his death in the show is almost impressive in how abrupt and anti-climactic it is.
Good Scars, Evil Scars: He's a sadistic criminal who enjoys a spot of rape, so his nasty facial scars fall firmly on the 'evil' side.
Karmic Death: Rorge is stabbed through the heart by the young girl he repeatedly threatened to brutally rape, and she does so using the 'stick' he'd threatened to 'fuck her bloody' with.
No Name Given: Played for Black Comedy when Arya says that as she'd never heard his name, she can't put Rorge on her death list (the names she recites before going to sleep of those she intends to kill). Rorge introduces himself, and Arya promptly kills him with a single stab in the heart.
Put on a Bus: In Season 3, whereas in the books he has joined the Brave Companions and is present when Jaime is captured.
Psycho for Hire: Joined the Lannister army... with the likes of the Mountain and Polliver he fits right in.
Too Dumb to Live: Rorge is seemingly too stupid to not run away the second the Hound kills Biter with barely any effort. Arya then says she can't kill him because she doesn't know his name, at which point he helpfully tells her his name.
Ungrateful Bastard: One of the three criminals Arya saved from burning to death. He responds by threatening to rape her afterwards.

Biter

Played By: Gerard Jordan

Yet another criminal caged with Jaqen H'ghar and Rorge. Joins the Lannister army with Rorge.

Ax-Crazy: There's a reason they call him 'Biter', after all.
Adaptational Attractiveness: He's more animalistic in the books.
Back for the Dead: After being missing for almost two seasons, gets less than 5 seconds of screentime before being killed.
Demoted to Extra: One of his major scenes in the books is cut.
Man Bites Man: He puts his filed teeth to good use by savagely biting people.
Neck Snap: When Biter attacks Sandor Clegane, the Hound retaliates by snapping Biter's neck almost instantly.
Psycho for Hire: Joined the Lannister army along with Rorge.
Put on a Bus: In Season 3.
Scary Teeth: Filed teeth.
Slasher Smile: He has a very frightening and sadistic smile.
Small Role, Big Impact: He gives the Hound a very bad neck wound, which gets infected and softens him up to be beaten by Brienne of Tarth, leaving the Hound incapacitated for almost two seasons.
The Unintelligible: He merely growls. ^{From the books...}

Polliver

"These are the king's colours. No one's standing in his way now...which means no one's standing in ours."

Played By: Andy Kellegher

"That's a fine little blade. Maybe I'll pick my teeth with it."

A man-at-arms under the command of Ser Amory Lorch, and Ser Gregor Clegane's right-hand man.

Adaptational Attractiveness: A bit. His book counterpart is described as being more outwardly unappealing, while this Polliver looks completely normal.
Adaptational Villainy: While Polliver was not the nicest person in the books, he never sadistically murders Lommy after letting him think he'll carry him purely For the Evulz (that was Raff). He's more of a Punch-Clock Villain in contrast to the more actively sadistic members of the Mountain's men, with Arya even saying he's the least cruel of them (besides Shitmouth). There is no mention of him being a pedophile in the books either.
Adaptational Wimp: In the books he is a highly skilled man-at-arms (basically a knight in all but name) who briefly holds his own against Sandor solo and, with help from one other person, nearly kills hiim during their fight in the inn, the Hound is actually in such a bad shape after his crew's attack that he seemingly dies from infection. He's also described as very tall and strong, only slightly shorter than the Hound. On top of this, he's left as castellan of Harrenhal in Gregor's absence, showing he has some command chops as well. In the show, Polliver is a mook in every way.
Asshole Victim: Absolutely no one shed a tear when Arya gave Meryn Trant 2.0 here a violent tracheotomy.
Back for the Dead: He isn't seen for the entirety of the third season, but returns for a brief appearance and subsequent Karmic Death in the fourth.
Bald of Evil: He's as bald as he is depraved, which is 'very'.
Bait the Dog: Seems quite compassionate towards Lommy and even offers to carry him, only to then sadistically kill him.
Blood from the Mouth: Just like Lommy, Polliver dies puking blood as his murderer drives Needle slowly through his neck.
But for Me, It Was Tuesday: When he meets Arya again, he doesn't recognize her as the prisoner he threatened before Tywin stopped him. He even gets several long, good looks at her but it doesn't dawn on him until the second before she puts Needle through his throat.
Composite Character: Of the books' Polliver (name, role as Mook Lieutenant, some of his scenes) and Raff the Sweetling (sadism, pedophilia, Faux Affably Evil personality, unremarkable appearance). Also, his death scene is a combination of how Raff, Polliver and the Tickler meet their ends in the books: he dies in the scenario of Polliver and the Tickler; at the hands of Arya like the latter (with her repeating his own words as an Ironic Echo); and in the manner of Raff, by having his tendons cut so that he's as helpless as Lommy was before Arya kills him. ^{From the books...}
Curb Stomp Cushion: He and one of his men are able to get Sandor Clegane on the ground but are otherwise slaughtered by him and Arya.
Death by Irony: Arya kills him in exactly the same way he kills Lommy.
Dumb Muscle: Tywin was spot-on when he called him an idiot.
Faux Affably Evil: Polliver acts like quite the charming fellow, but one musn't forget that he's a depraved child murderer, rapist, and paedophile. In "Two Swords", Polliver has a nice chat with the Hound, but his polite veneer is instantly tossed aside when Sandor insults the king.
For the Evulz: Polliver will kill even when he doesn't need to, for the sheer joy of it.
Hate Sink: There's nothing to like about Polliver - he's a child raping/murdering sociopath who only sides with the king so he can keep commiting his heinous crimes without legal consequences. On the flip side, his demise is easily one of the most karmic and satisfying in the series.
I Lied: Tells the injured Lommy that he'll carry him, then sinks a sword in Lommy's throat.
Jerkass: To describe him politely. His treatment of his prisoners is among his tamer moments.
Karmic Death: In perhaps the most karmic death in the series, Polliver dies in exactly the same way as the child that he killed during his Moral Event Horizon, with the exact same sword, with Arya repeating the exact same words to him.
Kick the Dog: Every appearance of his is yet another Kick the Dog moment.
- His needlessly sadistic murder of Lommy.
- His behavior while guarding prisoners is hardly better.
- And if you needed a reminder, his offhand comment that serving The Mountain is cool, but after constant repetition, torture gets "boring" after a while; his declared goal is to use "The King's Colours" as a licence to keep on stealing and raping throughout the Seven Kingdoms even after peacetime comes.
Mook Lieutenant: While seemingly not a full-on man-at-arms, he does at least have enough authority to order around a few other goons at times.
Oh, Crap!: Already a touch panicky upon seeing Arya looming over him with Needle in hand, upon hearing his own words thrown back in his face, Polliver delivers a magnificent look of horror as he realizes what's about to happen to him next... right before Arya stabs him through the throat.
Psycho for Hire: Makes it very clear that his loyalties to the Lannisters and the King are only maintained because they allow him carte blanche to murder, torture, rape and thieve his way across Westeros.
Would Hurt a Child: And let the child think he'll survive, just For the Evulz, right before putting a sword straight through the boy's throat. In addition, Polliver is a paedophile (even by the lax age requirements of Westeros).

Lord Leo Lefford

Played By: Vinnie McCabe

The Lord of Golden Tooth.

Alliterative Name: Leo Lefford.
All There in the Manual: His name. He can be recognized because the Lefford colors are blue and yellow.
Composite Character: Some of his lines come from Ser Harys Swyft, another Lannister bannerman.
Demoted to Extra: Many of his lines are given to Kevan. Though he gets an (uncredited) appearance in "Baelor", which is more than Marbrand can say.
Spared by the Adaptation: It's tough to say which one it is — the Battle of the Fords (in which he dies by drowning) was Adapted Out from the series to save detail and the corresponding Battle of the Mills was a much smaller affair (with no notable casualties on the Lannister side). This doesn't mean he survived in the series per se, but it does increase his chances at least

Ser Addam Marbrand

Played By: B.J. Hogg

The heir of Damon Marbrand, Lord of Ashemark.

Age Lift: In the books, he is the same age as Jaime Lannister, whereas in the series, he looks older (for reference, his actor was about 55 when filming Season 1)... Unless, that is, his role from the books was replaced by that of his father, Damon (who never appeared in person and would thus qualify as a minor case of ascended extra).
All There in the Manual: His name.
Demoted to Extra: As a friend of Jaime Lannister and a distinguished warrior in his own right, he has much more to do in the book as opposed to his one-episode appearance in the show. He happens to be one of the best Lannister commanders available in the books, as he is known for his military might and strategic capabilities, known mainly as their Token Good Teammate.
- Of course, this could be a case of a Hero of Another Story. His existence in the show was mentioned previously as the commander of the Lannister outriders during the early stages of the war. Since the conflict in the Riverlands was entirely offscreen from Season 4 up to midway through Season 6, it could be assumed that Addam stayed there to keep the peace after both the Red Wedding and the massacre of the Freys, and the Lannister soldiers seen conversing with Arya in Season 7 may have been under his command.

Ser Harys Swyft

Played By: Unknown

The head of the knightly House Cornfield — known as the Knight of Cornfield. His daughter, Dorna, is married to Ser Kevan Lannister and bore him three sons — Lancel, Martyn, and Willem Lannister — thus making him in-laws with Tywin Lannister.

All There in the Manual: In the books, there are four notable bannermen at the strategy meeting — along with the above-identified Marbrand and Lefford, there is also Ser Harys Swyft and Ser Flement Brax. With Brax being a younger character — the second son of Lord Andros Brax — it is most likely that the rather elderly bannerman sitting next to Kevan Lannister is intended to be Ser Harys (notably, Swyft's daughter is married to Kevan).
Demoted to Extra: His actor is not even identified and he has no dialogue — all his lines from the strategy meeting are distributed between Kevan and Leo in the show. In sharp contrast, he appears in some capacity in every book of the series so far (even if it's just one scene or two), serving as an important supporting character in his own right. In Season 5, it's Mace Tyrell who's sent off to treat with the Iron Bank of Braavos in person instead of Swyft as in A Dance with Dragons.
The Quiet One: Compared to the contributions of the other bannermen Tywin is discussing strategy with; he makes not a peep during the whole time he is one-screen.

Melara Hetherspoon

Played By: Isabella Steinbarth

A member of House Hetherspoon, a vassal house of House Lannister, and a childhood friend and companion of Cersei Lannister.

Composite Character: Of Cersei's two friends, Melara Hetherspoon and Jeyne Farman. She's Melara in that she goes with Cersei to see Maggy the Frog and does not run away scared, and Jeyne in that she is apprehensive about doing so and from what we can see, does not suffer the death that Maggy foretold.
Shrinking Violet: She's very deferential to Cersei and is afraid of Tywin. Wisely so.
Spared by the Adaptation: Unlike in the book, here Melara's fate isn't revealed one way or the other.

Characters / Game of Thrones - House Lannister Household

Lannister Bannermen, Retainers and Household

Ser Bronn of the Blackwater

Played By: Jerome Flynn

Shae

Played By: Sibel Kekilli

Ser Amory Lorch

Played By: Fintan McKeown

Rorge

Played By: Andy Beckwith

Biter

Played By: Gerard Jordan

Polliver

Played By: Andy Kellegher

Lord Leo Lefford

Played By: Vinnie McCabe

Ser Addam Marbrand

Played By: B.J. Hogg

Ser Harys Swyft

Played By: Unknown

Melara Hetherspoon

Played By: Isabella Steinbarth

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Characters / Game of Thrones - House Lannister Household

Edit Locked

Lannister Bannermen, Retainers and Household

Ser Bronn of the Blackwater

Played By: Jerome Flynn

Shae

Played By: Sibel Kekilli

Ser Amory Lorch

Played By: Fintan McKeown

Rorge

Played By: Andy Beckwith

Biter

Played By: Gerard Jordan

Polliver

Played By: Andy Kellegher

Lord Leo Lefford

Played By: Vinnie McCabe

Ser Addam Marbrand

Played By: B.J. Hogg

Ser Harys Swyft

Played By: Unknown

Melara Hetherspoon

Played By: Isabella Steinbarth

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Index

Next