Game Of Thrones: 20 Most Shocking Moments Ever

11. Jaime Loses His Hand

Game of Thrones Jaime Hand
HBO

In some ways, this feels a little low-key. After eight years of shocking deaths and betrayals, epic battles and fiery explosions, what’s losing a hand in comparison?

If you’re Jaime Lannister, it’s EVERYTHING.

It comes out of the blue, in just the third episode of the third season, in a nondescript location, without other major characters, and without any sense of pomp, or even real build-up. It just...happens, and the suddenness of it, the gradual dawning - upon us and Jaime himself - of what has happened, and what it means, is one of Game of Thrones’ greatest uses of shock factor.

This is the beginning of Jaime’s beautiful transformation. But it’s also a turning point in the ongoing war and those to come. Imagine how differently things might’ve played out had Jaime Lannister, arguably the finest swordsman in Westeros, had his sword hand. But he didn’t. So they didn’t. And it’s all because of this one quick cut.

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NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.