We’ve watched the Stark siblings grow up in front of our very eyes. Daenerys turned into the ultimate badass and Jamie lannister is now torn between his toxic devotion to his sister and his duty as a knight. Some of the most unexpected characters have transformed unimaginably yet seamlessly through the six seasons and we realised that what we think we know is everything we don’t know!
Now, as the highly awaited penultimate series of this season continues to keep everyone and everything under its captivity spell, here is a look at some key characters who have evolved over the seasons and what shaped their dispositions.
Meanwhile, the wait is coming to an end! Catch your breath and gear up for another season of twists and turns.
Jon Snow
Seeing Jon Snow become the man he is now has been one hell of a roller-coaster ride. We’ve watched his journey from being an illegitimate child of Eddard Stark to King of the North. The internal struggle for Jon, Ygritte versus his vows is one of the most defining moments in the epic series. He prepares to take on Ramsay’s mounted warriors by himself and refutes Stannis’ offer to have him become lord Commander and own the name Jon Stark. Jon Snow is a marvellous man of true grit and charisma, who has proven his honourable constitution time and again.
Sansa Stark
Sansa’s progression to being a sympathetic woman and consummate survivor, from being the girl who just wanted to get married to Joffrey and be queen, is incredibly gripping. Sansa transformed her shallow disposition into something more Stark-like when she is thrust into the murky race for the Iron Throne, mostly owing to lord Petyr Baelish and his meddling. From surviving abuse by a psychotic Ramsay Bolton to ordering him to be fed to his own hounds, she has indeed come a long way.
Arya Stark
She always differed from other girls her age. A spunky tomboy, she was taught swordsmanship by Syrio Forel. From being a captive of the Hound and leaving him to die a slow death toescaping to Braavos to train with the faceless men, Arya Stark abandons the guild to seek revenge against those who have wronged her family. Her mission for vengeance has strengthened her high ideals for justice and truth.
Jaime lannister
From being wrapped around Cersei’s fingers to being a man of honour, Jaime’s character has grown by leaps and bounds.There was a time when he’d do anything to make Cersei happy, he’d maim, even kill. But his journey from being a captive of Catelyn and Robb Stark to being a loyal companion to Brienne of Tarth has opened his eyes to his sister’s narcissism and irrationality. He goes to great lengths to save his daughter, Myrcella, only to have her die in his arms. Upon returning to King’s landing, he watches Cersei being coronated, confronted with the loss of another child, only to realise that Cersei has grown increasingly unstable and become a mad queen.
Cersei lannister
Cersei has always possessed a powerful personality though is dysfunctional and neurotic. Her phase of powerlessness, through her condemnation by the High Sparrow, led to her blowing up several city blocks and crowing herself Queen. With every loss, her thirst for revenge has hardened into a ruthless and cold blooded leader that Tywin would have loved.
Daenerys Targaryen
It is a no brainer that Daenerys is on her way to becoming one of the most powerful characters on the series. She began as a helpless woman, who was used as a pawn to secure the Dothraki horde in an attempt to win back the Iron Throne. Daenerys emerged from the Khal’s pyre unscathed with the baby dragons perched atop her naked body, freed the unsullied and moved across Esos, conquering several armies and kingdoms while staying true to herself. And now, she is headed to Westeros, with a fleet of one thousand ships, ready to conquer the Iron Throne with Houses Martell, Tyrell and Greyjoy by her side.
(Game of Thrones Season 7 makes its way to television screens in India on Star World and Star World HD on July 18 at 11 PM)