What can be said about King Joffrey Baratheon that hasn't been spat out with bile since his first appearance in Game Of Thrones? He was a coward, a weakling and hugely arrogant: an awful triumvirate considering that his toxicity leads to him to some despicable actions, starting early with his refusal to offer condolences for the near-death of Bran, and really cementing itself at the culmination of season one and the end of Ned. Joffrey was unlikable at the most sub-atomic of levels, his very being had become almost comically unbearable, but you have to suspect that now that he has met his wholly justified end, Game Of Thrones will be poorer for his absence. And that is in large part thanks to Jack Gleeson's snivelling, lofty performance that clawed its way under the audience's skin and grew like a cancer, brilliantly and without any hope of resistance.
Gem is a freelance writer, musician and librarian.
Her hobbies include: recreating movie death scenes from LEGO, concocting new types of bird suet cakes, walking on fresh snow and playing the glockenspiel - all at the same time.
