Game Of Thrones: 5 Winners And 5 Losers In 'The Laws Of Gods And Men'
4. Cersei
Sometimes its satisfying to declare a character a loser simply by virtue of how much we want to strangle them and break all their limbs, but regrettably we aim to offer a little more substance in our reasoning than that. Cerseis unholy orchestration of Tyrions trial speaks volumes about her vindictive nature. Without any real proof other than a vague threat made two seasons ago, and what she interpreted as her son's accusing hand whilst he lay dying Cersei has no doubt in her mind that Tyrion is responsible for her sons murder, and whether just or not, she is going to see his head on a spike for this and every other wrong she believes he has done her in the past. The trial may appear to be about King Joffreys murder on the surface, but in truth it serves as a means to an end for Cersei, who has wanted Tyrion dead since the day he came into the world and killed their mother.
During the course of the trial, the crown, or prosecution (Cersei), summons forth a stream of bought witnesses to lay waste to Tyrions credibility. No real proof is offered as to his guilt of the crime in question, and there is certainly no physical evidence. This is more a series of testimonies to Tyrions nature as a spiteful and malicious schemer, all of which is designed to discredit the accused and leave no doubt as to a guilty verdict.
None of this casts Cersei as a loser however, as shes clearly succeeding in her goal until Tyrion opts for a trial by combat. Despite her intentions, and despite her careful organisation and selection of witnesses, the one thing Cersei has no control of during the trial is Tryion himself. She is using the trial as legal means by which to have him killed, so she is therefore powerless to contest his legal right to a trial by combat, the outcome of which may ruin her whole plan. The next setback for Cersei will be in choosing a champion to represent the crown. Her natural choice would have once been Jaime, but even if he still had his sword hand, Jaime is also Tyrions brother, and would refuse to fight on her behalf on those grounds alone, not to mention the current strains on their own relationship. Tyrions natural choice of champion would be Bronn who has already proven successful in similar circumstances so the question remains, who does Cersei have that she trusts will win against the talented sellsword?