Small Truths

By Gerald Fie

"It's not expensive," Tywin declared, "It's deer."


I've been rewatching the first series of Game Of Thrones. There's an extended scene in episode 7, "You Win Or You Die" that properly introduces the character of Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance).

I don't know the books and I see online that there is much to be made about the fact that Tywin is skinning a stag and that it is the sigil for House Baratheon, so there's plenty o' symbolism for those who want it, but I thought it was excellent for other reasons.

Doubtless my vegetarian and vegan friends will find the whole thing a turn off, doubtless anyone who has ever skinned a game animal would say Charles Dance was making a right hash of things, but showing Tywin doing something so ordinary with a connection to death was solid television story-telling.  

We often see hunting in fantasy/medieval drama, but rarely do we see the mundane and bloody result. To see Tywin just going at his task while lecturing his son Jaime was more or less the equivalent of showing 'Trevor' in his garage changing the oil and brake pads on his Camry while telling off his son 'Jayden'.  As with all who love this series, I am compelled by the truthful notes it strikes.

God and the Devil are in the details.

NOTE: And yes, eventually Season 8 happened and all bets were off

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