By Caprece Cotton-Sturdivant
“Game of Thrones” is one of those series that has the ability to leave you wide-eyed and stunned with shock, and this season was no different. In a season that saw the return of John Snow to the Night’s Watch, the death of King Joffrey, and the trial of Tyrion Lannister, last night’s finale was the turning point — or ending point — for so many characters.
Tywin Lannister, the Hand of the King and patriarch of the Lannister family, met his death by the son he despised since his birth, Tyrion. He also murdered his former lady love Shae, after finding her in his father’s chamber.
As seasons go, “Game of Thrones” season four offered many twists and turns, but it also offered a few lessons that can be applied to our lives today. Here are eight practical life lessons from season four of “Game of Thrones” …
Only the Strong Survive
Winter is coming, and so are the White Walkers. Jon Snow, who has returned to the Night’s Watch, pleads with his superiors to prepare for battle with the 100,000-strong Wildlings. Daeneyrs Targaryen, with her three dragons growing larger and fiercer each day, is freeing slaves and building an army to eventually conquer King’s Landing. While in the north Lord Bolton and his sadistic son Renly (who has brainwashed Theon Greyjoy) are conquering more land.
Ever wonder why some people fail while others flourish? It takes strength to battle through literal and figurative obstacles and still make it to the top. Plus, it doesn’t hurt if you have a couple of dragons on call, just in case.
What Goes Around Comes Around
The repugnant King Joffrey, who has terrorized, killed, and annoyed so many, finally got his due in season four, when he was poisoned at his own wedding. His death, we learned, is a collaboration of efforts between Lord Peter Ballisch (who “rescues” Sansa and both flee King’s Landing) and the house Tyrell. This act makes his younger brother Timmon the new king.
When you treat people badly, it’s only a matter of time before it comes back to you. So be kind and you won’t have to worry about drinking poison wine.
A Leopard Can Change His Spots
This season, we witnessed the kindness of a crippled Jaime Lannister, who with his new position in the Kingsguard pleads with his father to spare his little brother Tyrion, in exchange for him leaving to rule over Casterly Rock. It’s selfless, and so unlike the Jaime we’ve come to hate in seasons prior.
It proves that people can change for good. Jaime’s still carrying on an incestuous relationship with sister Cersei Lannister, but nobody’s perfect right?
Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They’ve Hatched
On trial for King Joffrey’s murder and betrayed by his former love Shae, Tyrion chooses trial by combat. His champion? Prince Oberyne of Dorne, who does not conceal his hatred of the Lannisters yet chooses to fight because it will give him the opportunity to kill “The Mountain,” the man who murdered his sister and her children. The battle begins and amazingly Prince Oberyne brings The Mountain to his knees! We cheer thinking this is his end. All Prince Oberyne has to do is finish off The Mountain, but he’s so caught up in hearing The Mountain admit his sins that The Mountain is able to catch Prince Oberyne off guard. The Mountain crushes Prince Oberyne’s head in his hands.
In life we learn to save the celebrations until the job is done. Don’t count your chickens before they’ve hatched, or you could end up with a mess or as a mess.
Always Believe in Yourself
Samwell Tarly has also returned to the Night’s Watch with Wildling Gilly and her baby Sam in tow. Fearing something bad will happen, he hides them in a nearby brothel, only to have the Wildlings slaughter nearly everyone on their way to the wall. Spared by Ygritte, Gilly and baby make it back to Castle Black right before the Wildlings attack. Samwell hides them, promising to return once the battle is over, and he bravely helps to defeat the Wildling army.
Sam the hero? Didn’t seem likely when we first met him, but Samwell continues to show bravery and resilience in the toughest of circumstances because he had confidence in himself. And when you believe in yourself you can accomplish anything.
The Enemy of My Enemy is Sometimes My Friend
On “Game of Thrones,” alliances are made and broken. Enemies become friends and vice versa. We saw the “friendship” built on survival between Arya Stark and The Hound, and the alliance of Sansa and Petyr “Little Finger” Baelish after he saves her from Lysa Arryn, her wacky aunt and his lover, by throwing her through the moon door. However, Daenrys was betrayed by confidant and adviser Jorah Mormont, who was acting as a double agent and feeding information back to King’s Landing, in exchange for a pardon.
Sometimes we have to work with difficult people in order to achieve a desired result, and if it doesn’t work out, well, there’s always the moon door.
Always Be Resilient, Never Give Up
Brandon Stark and his friends finally get close to the weirwood tree and the Three-Eyed Raven, but first they must battle a skeleton solider army. One of The Children rescues them and brings them to the Three-Eyed Raven, who tells Bran that while he will never walk again, he will fly.
Even though he is unable to walk, Bran never gave up on achieving his goals. Even when he was captured, he stayed focused. Life can be hard, but stay the course and never give up. You won’t be able to actually jump into the body of a raven, but you can still soar.
Love is a Battlefield
Pat Benatar had it right, love is indeed a battlefield. Ygritte dies in Jon Snow’s arms after swearing to kill him. Brianne of Tarth slays The Hound, and Arya leaves him to die a slow death. Stannis Barratheon and his lover the Red Woman Melisandre arrive at Castle Black with army in tow. Cersei confesses her romantic love for brother Jaime to her father Tywin, who continues to feign ignorance. Speaking of Tywin, he was getting lots of loving from Shae, his son’s former lover. A brokenhearted Tyrion kills both his father and Shae before fleeing on a ship with Varys. Arya also leaves on a ship, except hers is headed to an unknown future in the free city of Braavos.
Love is fierce, resilient, passionate, and wonderful. It can also be heartbreaking as we learned in this finale, but at the end of the day it’s always worth it. Unless you’re Tywin Lannister, then you die on the toilet and that just sucks.
Caprece Cotton-Sturdivant is a writer and mommy, who loves to share comedic tales of what she’s learned so far about being a mom. She resides in New York City with her husband and daughter who are her inspirations. Read more from Cotton-Sturdivant at Mommie Knows Fresh.