Brienne's 'Real' Age in Game of Thrones Makes Jamie's Arc Even More Problematic
Forget the Iron Throne, Jamie should have been behind a set of iron bars.
Summary
- Their unlikely relationship felt sweet on screen, but it seems far less innocent in the books.
- Brienne feels too young to have a role in Jamie's journey.
- They were brought closer in age for the show.
In 2011, the world practically shook after the release of a violent new fantasy series with an all-encompassing storyline with no shortage of shocking moments, major character deaths and stunning visual effects. Game of Thrones, adapted from George R. R. Martin's novel series A Song of Fire and Ice, focuses on the battle for the Iron Throne, with many complex characters and storylines woven together.
One storyline that captured the hearts of fans was the unlikely bond between two very different characters. But in retrospect, their relationship on the show feels very different from the original novels, and it all comes down to their ages.
Brienne and Jamie, an ever complicated combination
Brienne of Tarth, with a reputation as one of Westeros' greatest fighters, was also one of the characters who experienced the biggest age jumps between the books and the show. Played by Gwendoline Christie, who was 34 years old when she first appeared on the HBO fantasy drama, the Brienne we see is apparently much closer in age to the actress than the book character.
In the show, Brienne is almost double the age of her character in the books, first appearing on Game of Thrones at the age of 32. In the first novel, Brienne is only 17, not yet at the age of full physical or mental maturity.
This makes her character all the more impressive, but also brings out the darker side of one of the most complex relationships in the series.
Let’s talk about this age gap
Ser Jamie Lannister, son of Lord Tywin Lannister and twin brother of Queen Cersei Lannister, is a respected and loathed figure in the series. Dishonorable, arrogant, and selfish, he is arguably one of the greatest swordsmen alive, until he loses his sword hand.
Jamie begins his journey to redemption with Brienne by his side. It is through her that the knighthood within him is rekindled, leaving behind his greed and desperation for power to embrace honor and compassion.
Initially tasked with transporting Jamie, Brienne goes above and beyond as his protector. She never leaves his side and becomes a person Jamie cares about other than himself and his sister, even as his progress and arc allows him to be vulnerable with Brienne, and we see the emotionally damaged young man within the complicated character.
It is truly a touching story when both characters are the same age, but when we go back to the books, everything changes.
Brienne is too young to play a part in Jamie's arc
Going back to the original story as set up in the books, Jamie is 31 and Brienne is 17. Not only is the age difference awkward, there's also the issue that the relationship would not be legal in many parts of the world, and for good reason.
One of the biggest attractions of their relationship on the show was how unusual it was, with Brienne a virgin at 32 and Jamie having only ever slept with his sister. In the novels, instead of two broken people finding comfort in each other, the relationship feels manipulative and exploitative on Jamie's part. He's a full adult who has already had a sexual relationship with his sister, showing a lack of acceptance of boundaries.
Brienne finds her self-worth in serving and protecting Jamie, and their dynamic felt more than acceptable on screen, but knowing her age in the books, all of her interactions with Jamie are viewed differently. Their fleeting moments, all the times they protected each other and Jamie knighting Brienne to fulfill her lifelong dream, now feel off-putting.
Was she committed to Jamie because of her views on honor and chivalry, or was she young and infatuated with a man she idolized and who gave her his attention? At 17, it's all too easy to make irrational decisions guided not by the head but by the heart, and that seems to be the case with Brienne.
Undeniably, there are bigger issues in Westeros and bigger age gaps within the show, but it was a good decision by the showrunners to cast Jamie and Brienne as close in age, rather than an ambitious 17-year-old fighter and a broken 30-something man seeking comfort and friendship in her.