What Is Jaime Planning to Do with Cersei?

Warning: This post contains spoilers for the latest Game of Thrones episode, “The Last of the Starks.”

This week’s episode of Game of Thones was full of highs and lows, and one moment we can’t quite shake is Jaime’s abrupt decision to leave Winterfell and head back to Cersei in King’s Landing. This comes after seasons of character growth and what looked like a full redemption arc for Jaime. It also comes after he finally hooked up with Brienne, a long-in-the-making love connection that “Braime” fans have been waiting for since season two.

So what’s the deal with his decision to split the second he learns Cersei is scheming again? He tells Brienne it’s because he’s a bad man who’s intrinsically drawn to his twin sister and former lover, but is there more going on with this storyline? This episode of Nerdist News looks at another possibility for Jaime’s sudden departure.

Is Jaime going to kill Cersei?

It’s possible Jaime told only Brienne he didn’t deserve her to soften the blow and make it easier to leave. What if the real reason he takes off is so he can head to King’s Landing and kill Cersei? This theory makes sense when you consider a few things. First is the timing. Jaime just found out that Euron has taken down one of Dany’s dragons, making Cersei’s chances of beating the Dragon Queen much higher. If he were initially content to stave off the war with Brienne in the North, news that Cersei could win might be spurring him to action.

The wording Jaime chooses when he tell Brienne his reasoning could also be a clue. He speaks in the past tense, and calls himself “hateful.” What if by he means he has hate for Cersei, the person who goaded him into terrible acts in the past? Maybe it’s time he channels his hate into something productive: Killing his sister before she can kill the common folk of King’s Landing.

We can’t wait to see where this goes next – even if we’re a little terrified for Jaime’s fate.

Images: HBO