The death of Joffrey is one of those moments that everybody who is invested in this story has waited for. Those who have read the books couldnt wait to see how his death would be adapted on screen, while those who only watch the show just wanted him to die, whenever that might be. It must have been a shock for many, then, for Joffrey to kick the bucket this early in the season. Like Robb Stark, Joffrey is killed at a wedding, proving once and for all that weddings are an event to be feared in Westeros. Unlike the Red Wedding, however, Joffrey is killed in a less extravagant and explicit manner. After making everyone uncomfortable with his obnoxiously immature interpretation of the War of the Five Kings, Joffrey insists on tormenting Tyrion. The tension is drawn out for what feels like an eternity as we are forced to watch Tyrion be humiliated in front of the entire royal court. As we (and the characters) begin to question just how much more torment we can stomach, he takes a big gulp of delicious wine. Suddenly, he starts coughing. Cersei and Jaime run to help him, but it is too late. His face is purple and he is bleeding out of his eyes and nose. He accusingly points to Tyrion before suffocating to death. Thus ends the blessedly short reign of Joffrey Baratheon, the First of His Name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm. May you rot in all seven hells. This was a huge moment in the books, and it was nearly flawlessly adapted to the screen. Jack Gleeson owned the role of Joffrey all the way up to his demise, and the chemistry he and Peter Dinklage had with each other made the tension between the characters razor sharp. There was genuinely good filmmaking going on in this scene; the suspense grew more intense as the scene went on. At some point, like the Red Wedding, it becomes apparent that something bad is going to happen; it is only a matter of when. And in a twist typical of George R.R. Martin, we are robbed of an emotionally satisfying end to a character who deserved it more than anyone else. Instead, he dies suddenly and pitifully; a scared little boy clutching to his mother. Perhaps you felt a tad sorry for him Nah. Have a favorite moment from this episode? Let us know in the comments.
