The King Is Dead …

but nearly anybody would be better.

Game of Thrones Main Theme Official Soundtrack Version 

“Everyone is mine to torment! You’d do well to remember that … ”
King Joffrey / Game of Thrones

My favorite TV mini series, Game of Thrones, has lost it’s King – the most evil, vile and despicable villain on TV: young King Joffrey – played brilliantly by 21 year old Irish born actor Jack Gleeson.

And that’s saying a mouth full considering the legions of evil folks that people this hard edged series – now into it’s 4th season.

Having not read the books I have to admit Joffrey’s death was a surprise/shocker at this moment. Most of us figured he’d get it eventually (though there’s never any such guarantees in George R. R. Martin’s writing) but felt he’d hang around for while longer – and perform even more dastardly deeds. And I’m sure many people also felt he deserved a more extreme end than poisoning – which only took about 20 seconds to kill him. The Fiend!

But as an actor you have to feel for Gleeson a bit – for 3 reasons:
1. He’s outta work.
2. You’d be surprised how many people think that the actor is like the character he is portraying. So if you’ve been portraying a particularly evil character- and doing a great job of it – you might want to be a bit cautious walking down the street.
3. There is also the problem of becoming Typecast to such roles.

And he didn’t exit easily – as the main protagonist of the series – the amazing Peter Dinklage who plays Tyrion Lannister – is getting fingered for the assassination.

Now everyone is speculating who actually did perform the deed? of which but there is no end of suspects because nearly anybody/everybody has a just motive. I’m betting it was the knight who was demoted by Joffrey to be the King’s fool …

But unfortunately, in Game of Thrones being innocent doesn’t mean Tyrion won’t get executed for it – as writer Martin routinely bumps off your favorite characters.

We’ll see …