The press blitz for Game of Thrones season 7 continues. Let’s begin with The Hollywood Reporter, where several cast members teased the intensely personal conflicts that’ll be played out over the next several episodes. And let’s do it…with bullet points!
- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime) on the difficulties of being in a relationship with Cersei Lannister: “The thing is, he’s been with this woman since birth and they’ve been romantically involved for, like, 25 years. He’s addicted to this relationship. So what will he do?”
- Jerome Flynn on which Lannister brother Bronn would side with if he had to choose: “I think he has a soft spot for Tyrion, beyond even how much he knows. Even if the deal was slightly worse than what Jaime was offering him, he might be persuaded.” Still, Flynn pointed out that whatever bond Tyrion and Bronn share wasn’t enough to stop Bronn from walking away when the Mountain was looming, so who knows?
- Nathalie Emmanuel on how Missandei feels about Westeros: “She thinks it’s a very foreign and scary place … but she’s a tough cookie. She totally believes in Daenerys’ cause and believes in her queen. She’s very committed and very up for it, but it is cold, and that’s reflected in our costumes this year — which were fabulous.”
- Iain Glen on Jorah’s purpose in life: “In a way, the salvation was just having [Daenerys] look him in the eye and say, ‘I need you. I need you to find a cure.’ I think he had almost resigned himself to his own death, because he didn’t feel like he had the same motivation to live, because he didn’t have her love. In a way, whichever way it falls, I think he feels in a funny way more complete and content by the fact that he’s finally won her approval back.”
- John Bradley on Sam’s purpose at the Citadel: “When he appealed to Jon Snow and asked to be sent to the Citadel because it’s the place where he can do the most good, he really meant that. He wasn’t just trying to slack off…He wants to go down there because he wants to fight the same battle as Jon Snow, but he knows he can fight the battle best there, not on the battlefield…He’s going to want to find whatever piece of information he wants to find out, get out of there and apply it.”
Elsewhere, Kit Harington stopped by Us Weekly to tease Jon Snow’s demeanor, his issues with leadership, and his chance of ever finding love again. “He has to fight a lot of people within his own ranks,” Harington said. “Don’t expect to see skippy, fun-loving Jon.”
We would never expect to see that, even on a good day. The most Jon can hope for is contentment, if he gets what he wants. But what does he want, at the end of the day?
To find his siblings, save his friends and bring stability to the world. This is what makes Jon Snow genuinely good: If he could find out his identity or bring peace to the world, he’d choose peace. He wouldn’t even think about it. He’s very selfless. He’s a lover.
Sure, but will he be loving anyone new this season? “No, Ygritte is the only woman for Jon. Always. There will be no one else.”
Perhaps the most Jon can hope for is reforging his family bonds. He notes that, if Jon and Arya reunited, he expects that they’d pick up where they left off, and “be very caring toward each other.”
I think he would be worried about Bran, if I’m honest. He last saw Bran when he was a little kid and in a coma. Now, Bran’s seeing s–t. I think it would be intense.”
Finally, here’s a silly interview from IGN where Gwendoline Christie (Brienne) and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime) interview each other.
What’s Jaime’s high point as a character? “Just before he met Brienne of Tarth.” Oh, these two.
Game of Thrones season 7 premieres on July 16.
