Joffrey Baratheon is one of the most hateable television characters in recent years. It's one moment in the show's second season truly cemented how far he was willing to go. When he is stopped by his uncle Tyrion at the last moment from ordering a beating on Sansa Stark, it becomes clear that Joffrey's rage and sadism is set to become a problem. Tyrion hopes to use sex to release some of his nephew's frustrations and organises some time for him with a pair of prostitutes - Ros and Daisy. However, Joffrey is not interested in sex. Armed with a crossbow, he instructs Ros to beat Daisy with increasing ferocity and using increasingly painful implements. This earns its place as one of the more uncomfortable and upsetting scenes in the show's history thanks to the pleasure Joffrey is shown to take in the violence. Whilst there are far more brutal depictions of violence in the show, it is the sadistic pleasure portrayed brilliantly by actor Jack Gleeson that makes this scene something truly disgusting.
Freelance film journalist and fan of professional wrestling. Usually found in a darkened screening room looking for an aisle seat and telling people to put away their mobile phones. Also known to do a bit of stand-up comedy, so I'm used to the occasional heckle.
