Why Tywin Lannister is the BEST Villain in GoT 

What made Tywin great to me was that he never really felt like a villain half the time, he was just such a responsible and cunning character, it was hard not to respect him.

Loved his line “how is it more honorable killing thousands of men at battle than a dozen at dinner”

I always appreciated how Tywin used his brutality as a tool of necessity rather than for his own sick enjoyment like Ramsay or Joffrey.

I LOVED Charles Dance's portrayal of Tywin. He felt like the perfect embodiment of lawful evil; he acted as though he was this lone vanguard of the realm that kept it from falling into chaos and ruin and we, as the audience, sided with him based on all of the evidence pointing to this fact. I think his scenes with Tyrion were also brilliant because, going off of his tone and body language, you got the sense that deep down, past his hatred of the Imp, he saw Tyrion as the child that was the most like him and this clearly pissed him off to no end. In fact, I dare say he respected Tyrion to some degree but saw him as squandering his talents and ruining the Lannister name. If Tyrion had Jaime's good looks, "normal proportions" and charisma, as well as lacking a propensity for wine and whores, then he probably would've been Tywin's favorite.

Tywin might be the only "villain" in a story for which I was sad when he died, he was such a great character, GRRM's writing and Charles's acting (especially his voice) made him so iconic. I hated him but I also understood him, but I'm also happy that he died before D&D ran out of books and were able to ruin his character like they did with Tyrion and all the others.

Charles Dance and Peter Dinklage are basically the two best 'face actors' alive, so watching them together is an overload of joy at the apex of the craft.

Tywin also almost broke down when Cersei blackmailed him that she would reveal that her children are truly bastards. He didn't see that coming.

Charles Dance is one of the greatest character actors ever. And he's certainly one of the best of our time.

Great villains we should have gotten: - Lady Stoneheart. Would have helped nailed in the point that the Lord of Light' resurrections are not a pleasant experience. IMO it would have been a better use than keeping Beric around waiting for death, a better lesson to Arya about not to let revenge consume you, and in combining the two we could have seen Stoneheart be the one to save Arya at Winterfell, allowing Stoneheart to succeed at saving one of her children after failing to save the one during her first life. - Patchface. Technically not a villain in the books, but there's just something so creepy about him (i.e., the nonsensical prophecies that keep coming true) that he could easily become one if something sets him off (like say someone murdering his only friend). - Book accurate Euron Greyjoy. Instead of being the "Frat Bro in Florida For Spring Break" version of Ramsay, Euron in the books is a dangerously charismatic and is steeped in the Dark Arts, including having a Valyrian Dragon Horn that binds dragons to his will (thus making him a REAL danger to Dany). He won the Driftwood Throne using both of those and taking intelligent steps to remove opposition (bribing Victarion's captains to ensure their loyalty and then sending Victarion off on an implied suicide mission, kidnapping Aeron immediately after the Kingsmoot lest he turns the Ironborn against him and "marrying off" Asha to a loyal captain) instead of losing the Iron Fleet to his niece because he left the proverbial keys in the ignition. He's shaping up to be possibly the most dangerous antagonist south of the Wall instead of being psycho party animal obsessed with being Cersei's f**k-boy. - Book accurate Tyrion, post Trial By Combat. GRRM described Tyrion's ASOIAF story as a villain origin story and frankly its one you can sympathize with. Most of his (living) family despises him no matter what he does, the decadent aristocracy treat him like a monster/a scapegoat for their own crimes, and he finds out his beloved brother lied about Tyrion's first wife Tysha being a wh*re leading to Tysha's gang r*pe (which Tyrion was culpable in. The result is Tyrion snaps and begins to become the very monster society said he is but the reader is fully supportive of his fall from grace. The result is once in Essos Tyrion is becoming more venomous and ruthless, becoming an even better political chessmaster (ie convincing an entire mercenary army to defect back to Dany's side). Instead of becoming a pathetic and stupid loser like D&D portray him as, Tyrion in the books is becoming Tywin 2.0 but without any of Tywin's hypocrisy, which I find another fine "F**k You" to Tywin.

Tywin was a villain to the audience but a hero to/for his family. When he was Hand under Aerys, the realm was at peace and prospered for 20+ years.

I don't think his actions in the Riverlands can be waivered like that "because it is war time". He deliberately sent his most vicious first like Gregor Clegane and the Brave Companions, who went on campaigns of rape, pillage, destruction -- if not genocide -- throughout the Riverlands during the War of the Five Kings. Tywin knew exactly who he was sending (he knew Clegane for decades at that point). His campaign there ravaged the whole region and caused death and suffering on an unprecedented scale, which triggered indirectly many of the events in Feast. This was not inevitable-- Rob, for example, never went down to that level (though Roose did). To say that Tywin didn't "go out of his way to cause harm" simply isn't true. Among the noble lords, Tywin was notorious for using excessive violence to crack down on any perceived slight to his house, which started with his extermination of Castamere.

Tywin is a perfect example of Machiavellism

My favorite thing about Tywin is Charles Dance's performance, but also, how he is written as "being busy" in almost every scene he is in. Talking to Jaime? Skinning a Buck. Talking to Cersei? Writing a letter. Head of the army. Hand of the King. Always in meetings. He is always shown as having his mind on something else other than the conversation he is having. Even in his death scene, he is trying to take a doody, and can't even do that in peace.

I honestly wish that we'd gotten an interaction between Ned Stark and Tywin Lannister. That conversation would've had me at the edge of my seat.

All his children have aspects of him too which makes it interesting. Cersi has his manipulation, Jamie is the Knight, and Tyrion has his wit and intelligence. Funny how his children drive him crazier than anyone else in the show.

I love that we didn’t have to see a decline of his character since he died at the end of season 4

charles dance deserved a golden globe for his performance, in the show, he was by far the one who shined the most, dinklage got the emmy or golden globe in S7 but wasn't really earned, even peter was baffled that he got the award and not niklolaj waldau

Charles Dance is also a wonderful voice actor. His short performance as Emhyr in The Witcher 3 is memorable

One theory i loved is that Tywin was already dead from poisoning (why he was stuck on a shitter for SO LONG, giving Tirion all the time he needed and some other signs like fast decay of his corpse mentioned in the books) by Oberyn. Oberyn knew that Tywin is dead, hence his playfullness and carelessness after he acheved his second goal - killing the mountain. So, in that sence, Oberyn's demise is kinda poetic. And, Tyrion perfectly gets in a way of said plans, unknowingly, but he does this often enough to become character's trait.

Can you imagine if Tywin loved and accepted Tyrion, who's basically his mirror image politically? The show probably would have been over after Season 1.

Just for the record: Tywin never faced Robb's army, Roose Bolton was the one who fought Tywin's army for most of the time during the war.

The thing about Euron Greyjoy. I know this is something everyone who’s read the books agrees with, he is a significantly more interesting and evil character. His ambitions are the greatest among any of the main villains. Tywin may want his house to be the most powerful in Westeros. But Euron is after cosmic, eldritch power in order to leave the world in silence. Literally to silence the song of ice and fire.

Yeah, Tywin MADE Game of Thrones for me. I can’t tell you how many times I rewound Tywins scenes because of how amazing Charles Dances performance was…an absolute…no holds bar…masterpiece….just a masterpiece by Dance

Tywin's my favorite character in all of GoT, not just as a villain.

it’s kinda crazy how the show really only uplifted 2 villains from the books imo. Tywin and Joffrey, which makes sense since they are the main antagonists of Rob Stark and are the reasons for the Red Wedding. Great representation of what it means to adapt a story from one medium to another. Post SoS is done better in the books because George understood what was important for the story and what could be skipped. The show did not :(

Tywin may not have been a sadist like Joffrey or Ramsay, but he is undeniably an evil character. His treatment of Tyrion’s wife, Tysha, is indefensible. Also, Tywin’s peace the Red Wedding bought was never going to last. With the sacred custom of guest right obliterated, Westeros will only become a more distrusting place, which will in turn lead to more chaos and violence.

Because you had to have respect for the man at all times. Like daymn, even in the books he is just commanding the whole room, not giving a single flying feck, and when you know his background its even better. He was a gift of a character and I believe that maybe charles dance gave him that charm because Tywin in the books doesn’t have that much presence. It was just…brilliant 🙏🏻

Every scene with Olenna and Tywin was a joy to watch. Impeccable writing and acting. Also when he put Geoffrey in place, walking slowly up next to him to the throne was such a great scene.

Charles Dance is always poggers in whatever role he's playing.

I would love to see you make a video of your favorite GoT actors. I imagine Charles Dance would be near if not at the very top

It’s always a delight when super cuts uploads , also a video on daddy Tywin is the cherry on top Also I don’t think Tywin is a bad guy or at least Trys ti be , but he’s been around and he knows how the world works and he does the clever things that keep him and his family safe , until he didn’t

Thank you for doing these videos still, GoT will always be a big thing in my life and videos like this keep that going x

"...like screwing over Rob Stark at the Red Wedding." That's one way to put it.

The series began to fall apart after his death. He was my favorite character. There has never been such an intelligent, charismatic and complex antagonist after him. Thank you for your video, you said it all!

I really appreciate that you put Witcher music into your GoT videos, it fits so well, and it combines my favorite game with my favorite show. Very good job.

Everytime I read the books, even though I have my own image of Tywin’s physical appearance, I cannot help but hear Charles Dance’s voice. Perfect acting.

Charles Dance and Tywin is the pinnacle of Game of Thrones. If you stop watching when he dies, it's right at the top of the best television series of all time.

Great video and couldn't agree more. Some of my favourite dialogue scenes in the show involve Tywin. Charles Dance just absolutely kills it in the role and his screen presence is just off the charts. It's no surprise the best seasons of GoT (1-4) all have Tywin. I need to see more of Charles Dance's work. I think the only other movie/show I've seen him in, which he's amazing in as well, is Last Action Hero haha.

I consider Tywin easily my favorite character(not just villain) is mainly because he's just a man. He doesn't skin change, no magic and no dragons. When I think of everything this man managed to achieve it just screams "merit", and merit is one of the most beautiful words in the english language.

Charles Dance’s voice is so riveting to listen to. I would eagerly listen to him reading a manual out loud. There are only a few other people I that would have the same effect (probably David Attenborough, Christopher Lee and James Earl Jones).

Tywin and Arya actually only met because D&D wanted to see the two actors perform together In the book it's Roose Bolton and I don't think they even meet

Hey Supercuts, you're one of my favorite youtubers of all time. You really opened my eyes on how flawed Game of Thrones was after season 4. I legitimately didn't mind the ending the first time I watched it. I was a lesser mortal back then who just enjoyed spectacle. Keep up the awesome work.

The amount of people who don't understand that tywin IS A VILLAIN is fucking mind-blowing.

I so enjoy these longer vids. I'm a bit obsessed with ASOIAF and don't have anyone to discuss it with. Partly because, as you know, after that bungling disaster of a series end, everyone seems to have blocked the whole thing from memory. Please keep making these videos forever so I always have GOT related content to watch lol

-He really won the genetic lottery. Me: Indeed he did

good to see you back, ser

When it comes to many other franchises I like, I mostly rewatch epic fight scenes. When it comes to GoT, I mostly rewatch epic verbal fight scenes.

love the Vizima theme playing in the background hinting at Charles Dance playing Emhyr var Emris

I’m rewatching game of thrones(I won’t watch season 8. That’ll show hbo lol it won’t but let me think I’m doing something) and I loved Tywin originally obviously, but I truly forgot how amazing he was. Charles dance with an all time great performance.

Tywin, book and show, has always been one of my favorite characters. I may prefer the books more but Charles Dance was perfect for the role.

i both loved and hated Tywin, his character and the actor Charles Dance was beyond amazing, by far one the best characters i have ever seen, from what ive read its almost like his real personality, when he walks in a room everyone listens

The only performance of Charles Dance that was off was imo after he sent Joffrey to bed without his supper ;) in the books Tywin walks to the window to turn his face away from Tyrion, and Tyrion thinks this is because he doesn't want to show how shaken he is by Joffrey's actions. Because Joffrey's actions show that he is completely incapable as a ruler and that his dream of a 1000 year old Lannister dynasty is falling apart. In the show you don't see any of that, while Tywin freaking out a little after witnessing just how twisted Joffrey is would be completely in-character.

7:20 “explode, “release”, “build-up” the use of such words factoring the scene makes your writing also a masterpiece 😁

Great work bro

Great video. I would love to see a video analysis on more characters like Robb, Jon or even Alister Thorne

Every single scene from Tywin is such a delight…

Arya had plenty of space to kill Tywin once Jaquen the Death Genie came on the scene and offered her three deaths. Arya already had a list of people she wanted dead. She could've easily given him Tywin's name (and perhaps prevented the Red Wedding)... but she didn't. She didn't even offer up Cersei and Joffrey, who were long on her list.

I loved Tywin and I loved his emphasized importance and Charles Dance’s performance in the series. He made that character.

I high key would love to see you do a deep dive on Skyrim lore 🙌🏼

These vids are so GOOOOD!!!!!!!!!

My favorite scenes are when he talks to Tyrion and becomes very clear Tywin has learn how smart Tyrion truly is. And then the scene with tommen where he is teaching him what it is to be a good king, that scene showed a softer side of Tywin was well

I find it so interesting that in thebooks tywins feats are more complicated like the books normally are. But even the book narrator and vibe of tywin isn’t even close to the god like performance charlie’s gives even with the plot more thinned.charles portrayal is better than anything george could have hoped for. Love tywin second favorite character. First is jamie.

My favorite part specific to the books is the final line in the paragraph that details Tywins demise. “He did not in fact, shit gold.” (may be paraphrasing)

This is why I think Tywin's actor be a great Mr. Beeston (from "Emily Windsnap"). He does some pretty bad things, but for logical reasons and arguably good reasons from his perspective. And he does have some soft spot for the young female protagonist. Like Tywin and Arya.

From an acting stand point, some of the best characters in Game of Thrones are played by actors who have incredibly expressive eyes, often large eyes in relation to their face. This allows a lot of subtly and subtext to be delivered without dialogue. All actors learn to emote with their eyes, but some are more naturally gifted than others. Charles Dance, Lena Heady, Emilia Clarke, Gwendoline Christie, Maisie Smith, Peter Dinklage, Diana Rigg, Natalie Dormer, Jack Gleeson etc, all have large eyes, often piercing ones, that express far more than any other facial feature or expression.

I didn’t know about Charles Dance before but he embodied this character like noone could have done better… Paddy Considine sure, both just took the parts so brilliantly and made them better than the books. I still would’ve loved to see a scene between Robert and Tywin in GoT… priceless and reckon Tywin would have the last say $$$

My personal favorite was always Roose Bolton and House Bolton. I love everything about them, whether in the books or the show (where Michael McElhatton played Roose ice cold and perfect). I like the idea of a Dark North ruled by dark people.

Love the witcher soundtrack in the background 👍

The real Game of Thrones ended with Tywin Lannister's death. Rest in peace, my Lord.

Tywin was my favorite character. Patient, calculating, hyper intelligent, and ruthless. His only flaw (which led to his death) was his hatred for Tyrion.

I absolutely agree. Reading got I didn't think much of Tywin. But Dance's performance remade him in my mind. He was more sympathetic and much more intimidating. I ended up loving him even though his best scenes are with Aryia.and those belonged to Roose Bolton.

I Honestly Agree with you. Tywin Lanister is My All Time Favorite Antagonist’s in Game of Thrones and My All Time Favorite Role for Charles Dance.

Tywin wasn’t a Villain. Anyone who thinks so lost the big picture. The conflict between him and the Starks, was because of little finger. Tywin was simply defending his family.

What I like even more about Tywin is how he is the perfect representation of motivations of those in power during Feudal society. Family name, dynasty were the only things that mattered. Everything else was second to it. Though, I believe given more time and more stable times. Tywin would've either himself modernised Seven Kingdoms into empire crushing remains of feudal society. Or raised a future emperor.

I agree that the episodes with Tywin and Arya are fascinating. I love to see the interaction between them. It's so different from the rest of the show.

Man why do you need to remind us how good this show was?! Just let us forget it happened

supercut video?... about tywin?... and witcher 3 music sign me up!

i meant to say that on every other point i'm in agreement. excellent vid and analysis

When Tywin died, the best of GOT died with him... That's proof of what an iconic villain he was.

Definitely the GOAT. From the moment he made his first appearance on screen in season 1 to when Tyrion killed him, you knew he was the true ruler of Westeros.

Most of my favourite characters from this series were the lannisters, every actor did such a good job season 1-4

"7 kingdoms united in fear of Tywin Lannister" - Tyrion Lannister

You did great by choosing Kaer morhen theme!

Twyin and Joffery are both my favorite villains in the show, for two completly different reasons. The actors for these two characters does their roles perfectly

I haven´t watched yet, but i know you are right.

The tension in Tywins deathscene is so high it is as if a crossbow was loaded

He was not a villian, He was just ahead of his enemies who won’t take half measures protecting his family- and was a brilliant tactician

Tywin is probably my favorite character in the books and the show, he is a villian although more complex than most, and he is repsonible for likely 100ks of deaths and several atrocities, but at least he dosen't do cruel things just to be cruel and usally has a reason behind most of the things he does. He's such a great villian that it's hard to dislike him even after everything he does.

You should do a iceberg vid for GOT, that would be 🔥

I first saw Dance in Alien 3. Since then he's been my favorite actor of all time.

Damn this music and a Tywin video. What is this December 25th? Also we need a damn Westeros open world RPG

he’s back

I adore the scene between him and Arya too!

A spin-off show based on Tywin Lannister 's life with his point of view, that would be great 🤔 To an antagonist, to be the main character and the others Houses his antagonists, his ennemies. Sorry for my mistakes, English isn't my native language.

Tywin Lannister was the spine and mind of House Lannister. Without him, they were barely even a noble family.

So so happy to get this notification

The Tywin and Arya scenes are some of the best in the series. His respect and fondness for her shows that he has a heart, in contrast to his heartlessness to all his children and everyone else for that matter.

For me the show was never the same without Tywin. Yeah he’s a despicable and horrible father and person but he was really the glue that held a lot of the narrative together at several points.

Tywin just needs to send musicians to sing “the reigns of castamere” and you know it’s gonna go down😂😂

Tywin slowly and deliberately walking up the steps to Joffrey's throne and saying "We can arrange to have you carried" was so indescribably badass that he became my favorite character from then on. Nevermind that this was one of the rare times where Joffrey actually had a point about something.