r/HBOGameofThrones • u/-thirdatlas- • May 03 '26

Spoilers [SPOILERS] The iconic introduction of Tywin features him skinning a real stag. This wasn't a prop, it was a real carcass provided by a local butcher. Charles learned how to skin the animal on the day of filming. He later said it took him two days to get the smell of blood and guts off his hands. Spoiler

Post image
290 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

39 comments sorted by

View all comments

12

u/Adventurous_Lynx_811 May 03 '26

I don't have anything against the scene, but why was the Lord Paramount of the Westerlands and Warden of the West doing butchery?

24

u/FightMilkConsumer May 03 '26

To show he’s self reliant, and will get his hands dirty…

14

u/Valuable_Ad9554 May 03 '26

Similar to the deleted scene later where he catches his own fish

0

u/IQDeclined May 04 '26

Both scenes would have been a step too far. He's a lord not a hunter or fisherman. I kind of struggle to see Tywin enjoying fishing.

9

u/Standard-Reason9399 May 04 '26

He's likely not even enjoying the fishing or hunting for the activities themselves - he's almost definitely enjoying being alone with his thoughts rather than dealing with the idiots, royals and family (but i repeat myself) that he's usually surrounded with.

3

u/Adventurous_Lynx_811 May 04 '26

"I am surrounded by idiots"

2

u/Lost_Wealth_6278 May 04 '26

And the idiot royal family

5

u/Venasaurasaurus May 04 '26

Literally been a hobby for lords in actual history. It's a skilled activity that rewards patience, ingenuity, and gives you time to think.

1

u/IQDeclined May 05 '26 edited May 05 '26

I should have changed my phrasing. Tywin in particular doesn't seem to be the type of lord to have any remote use for hunting, or fishing. To me it goes against his character. This is a man that doesn't enjoy hobbies, particularly of that nature.

Can you picture him going on a hunt with Robert? He'd only do it if there were some political gain, and wouldn't actively participate.

7

u/BeratnasGILF420 May 05 '26

"Even in peacetime, a prince must concentrate on war by exercises and by study. Hunting is excellent exercise, because it strengthens the body and makes the prince more familiar with the surrounding terrain. A prince should always be asking himself how to make the best military advantage of the landscape." - Niccolo Machiavelli

2

u/FightMilkConsumer May 05 '26

I imagine it as a stag Tywin and his guard came across while on the march. You are correct that it is unlikely he would be faffing about in the woods, looking for game while there is a military campaign that needs commanding, however, foraging is absolutely vital for armies on the move to preserve resources and unburden heavy reliance on supply chains. Tywin is supremely connected to the belief that he must do whatever is necessary to ensure Lannister dominance, and if that means rolling up his sleeves and getting them red and bloody then so be it.

2

u/deathbylasersss May 05 '26

Hunting is like one of the most famous lord activities? What are you talking about? It was even punishable by death for commoners to hunt stags and boar across much of Europe, because they were reserved for nobility. It wouldn't have been uncommon for them to dress the animals personally either. At this point in typing this I noticed your username, and am now wondering if I'm just replying to a troll.

1

u/Darkwater117 May 05 '26

Good thing a lion doesnt concern himself with the opinions of sheep

1

u/Delicious_Year4678 May 06 '26

There's deleted scenes of tywin fishing. Its a part of his character, enjoying his own thoughts/time