Jaime Lannister’s ‘Game of Thrones’ Confession Scene Turned HBO’s Fantasy Series Into an Unbeatable Masterpiece

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HBO’s hugely popular fantasy series, Game of Thrones, is full of iconic moments, but some stand out more than others. While many remember the shocking Red Wedding, Ned Stark’s execution, and the intense fight between the Mountain and the Viper, these unforgettable scenes are often marked by violence and death.

As a huge movie and TV fan, I keep coming back to some scenes that just hit different, and one of those is Jaime Lannister’s confession to Brienne in Season 3 of Game of Thrones. It’s incredible how powerfully Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Gwendoline Christie delivered those lines – even after twelve years, it still gives me chills. Thinking about the writing, the acting, and how beautifully it was directed really explains why that moment is so unforgettable and feels almost Shakespearean in its depth.

What Happens in ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 3, Episode 5, ‘Kissed by Fire?’


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Before getting to Jaime’s intense confession in the bathtub, it’s helpful to understand the episode’s main focus in “Kissed by Fire”: people being honest. The episode features several characters revealing truths. At Dragonstone, Stannis admits to his daughter Shireen that he can’t read, and she begins teaching him. Meanwhile, in the Riverlands, Gendry tells Arya he’s decided to stay with the Brotherhood and work as a blacksmith.

This week’s episode really moved things forward on multiple fronts. North of the Wall, Jon spilled the beans about which castles are still held. Meanwhile, down in King’s Landing, Tywin let Tyrion and Cersei know he’s plotting to ruin the Tyrell wedding – classic Tywin. But the real heart of the episode, for me, was at Harrenhal. Watching Jaime deal with the loss of his hand, and then seeing Brienne finally released, was powerful stuff. And honestly? The scene where Jaime opens up – it’s some of the best writing and acting I’ve ever seen on television. It wasn’t just a good fantasy sequence; it was a moment that cemented Game of Thrones as truly one of the greatest shows of all time.

Jaime Lannister’s Confession to Brienne of Tarth, Explained


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In a powerful five-minute scene, Jaime Lannister reveals his inner self while bathing with Brienne. The flickering candlelight on the water visually represents his vulnerability after losing his hand. He openly admits his relationship with Cersei and explains, for the first time, why he killed the Mad King, Aerys II Targaryen. He confesses that he acted to save his father, Tywin, after the Mad King commanded him to kill him.

In a deeply personal and dramatic confession, Jaime reveals he defied the King and killed the Pyromancer Rossart. He then admits to killing King Aerys II, explaining he did so to prevent a catastrophic fire that would have destroyed King’s Landing and caused widespread death. He tells Cersei he acted to stop a much larger massacre.

Jaime reveals a deeply emotional and vulnerable side, openly expressing his guilt, sadness, and regret over killing the king – an act that earned him the infamous title “Kingslayer.” While Brienne listens in stunned disbelief, Jaime continues to share shocking truths, admitting to his inappropriate relationship with Cersei and confessing that he intentionally pushed Bran Stark from a tower.

Jaime’s speech in Harrenhal is incredibly strong on its own, thanks to brilliant writing, skillful directing, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s fantastic performance. He manages to make you almost feel sorry for a character who is usually so cruel and unlikeable. Considering how well the episode was received and its high ratings, it’s easy to see why “Kissed by Fire” is still considered one of the best episodes of Game of Thrones.

Kissed by Fire’s Ratings and Reception Solidified ‘Game of Thrones’ as a Masterpiece


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Even before Season 3, Game of Thrones was a successful show for HBO, but the episode “Kissed by Fire” took it to another level. It broke ratings records, attracting 5.35 million viewers for its first airing in the US and earning a 2.8 rating among adults aged 18-49 (according to TV by the Numbers). In the UK, the episode drew almost 1 million viewers on Sky Atlantic, making it the second most-watched program of the week (according to BARB).

In critical terms, “Kissed by Fire” scored a 100%on Rotten Tomatoes based on 21 reviews, with an average rating of 8.8 per review. Every single review highlighted Coster-Waldau’s magisterial performance, unveiling a previously unseen dimensionality to Jaime Lannister’s odious character. RT’s critical consensus for “Kissed by Fire” states:

While ‘Kissed by Fire’ doesn’t have the large-scale action moments of the last episode, it stands out thanks to a powerfully emotional conversation between Brienne and Jaime, and a lot of scheming within the Lannister family.

The episode “Kissed by Fire” demonstrated that Game of Thrones could be compelling and dramatic even without large-scale battles or action. Despite being a quieter episode, it delivered powerful emotional moments and shocking reveals, proving the show didn’t need constant violence to be impactful. For example, Jaime’s heartfelt confession advanced the story and resonated deeply, proving that strong dialogue could be just as powerful as any fight scene.

Even more impressively, the episode “Kissed by Fire” expertly foreshadows the shocking Red Wedding in “The Rains of Castamere,” which occurs just four episodes later and is widely considered one of the greatest moments in Game of Thrones history (with a 9.9 rating on IMDb). “Kissed by Fire” isn’t just a well-crafted episode in itself; its placement and storytelling within the overall series demonstrate a remarkable level of skill.

The episode “Kissed by Fire” is also important because it features the first appearances of several key characters: Selyse Baratheon, played by Tara Fitzgerald, Princess Shireen Baratheon (Ingram), and Grey Worm, the commander of the Unsullied (Jacob Anderson).

With the upcoming premiere of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms on January 18, 2026, it’s a great time to revisit the episode “Kissed by Fire” and appreciate the excellent writing, acting, and directing that helped make Game of Thrones such a beloved and iconic series.

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2025-12-10 15:36