When you hear the words “game of thrones” you may think blood, death, and betrayal; but there’s so much more beneath the surface. Friendship (and sometimes even familial love) are a lot more prevalent than you may think at first, and the Westerosi bromances are proof that good relations do exist in Westeros.
Jaime and Tyrion
Tyrion has not had it easy in life, what with his father’s rejection and his sister’s contempt. But real-life bro Jaime has always had his back, defending him to Cersei. And of course there’s that minor little matter of breaking him out of prison in Season 4 and preventing his execution. Unfortunately, with the brothers choosing separate sides in the war for the Seven Kingdoms, their bromance has become a little strained.
Jaime and Bronn
Bronn’s initial bromance was with Tyrion, but the former is not known for being the most honourable of men. Always in search of gold, and with the gold-giving Tyrion leaving Westeros, Bronn changed his bromantic allegiance to another gold-giving Lannister. In Season 5, Bronn travelled to Dorne with Jaime, and even helped the one-handed knight learn to wield a sword with his remaining hand. Despite Bronn’s thirst for gold, lands, and ladies, you can’t ignore how he's helped the Lannister brothers. Bronn also had a bold part to play during the loot train attack, culminating in the rescue of Jaime.
Tyrion and Varys
While Jamie and Bronn capered about Dorne, Tyrion found a new friend in the form of Varys, who helped him escape King’s Landing. Since Season 5 they’ve worked together to place the Mother of Dragons on the Iron throne, as they shared a cup of wine or two or three.
Tyrion and Jon
Tyrion’s a monster and Jon’s a bastard: that’s how these two figures have been cut by Westerosi society. Being ostracised from the latter, the two men found a common bond, which they’re finally getting the chance to strengthen in Season 7, having last seen each other in Season 1.
Jon and Gendry
Fans roared with approval when Robert Baratheon’s bastard son Gendry (last seen rowing into oblivion in Season 3) made his comeback in Season 7, hoisting a hammer that would make Thor green with envy. Dismissing Davos’ advice he immediately tells Jon exactly who is, deducing they should be besties because their fathers (Robert Baratheon and Ned Stark – technically Jon’s uncle, but let’s not go there) were. With a jibe and smile the two become instant BFFs.
The Magnificent Seven
With that we come to the biggest bromance of them all: the coming together of Jon Snow, Gendry, Ser Jorah Mormont, Thoros of Myr, Sandor “The Hound” Clegane, and Berric Dondarrion – indubitably inspired by Seven Samurai, The Magnificent Seven and Westeros’ main religion, The Faith of the Seven. The seven men (or bros if you prefer) are all very disparate characters (some of them don’t even like each other), but they’re willing to put aside their differences to fight a common cause - defeating the Night King.
How will the seven fare beyond the wall? Watch the Season 7 Episode 6 promo here to catch a glimpse of the horrors they will face and tune into the episode Monday 21 August simulcast at 03:00 and in prime time at 21:30, on M-Net.
You can also watch it on DStv Now or on DStv Catch Up.
For more on Season 7, click here.