Honor Among Villainy

"You love your children. It's your one redeeming quality; that and your cheekbones." — Tyrion, "Game of Thrones"

I like "Game of Thrones." It might be HBO's best new show in a while. But, that being said, there aren't a lot of redeemable characters on the show. It's a fascinating study. It's well acted. It's a fascinating story. But it is filled with disreputable, vile characters. In fact, the most likeable character in the show was beheaded to end the first season.

This second season has been even more brutal, as people all over the seven kingdoms have thrown their hat — and armies — into the ring to rule the lands. And they've resorted to some brutal methods of gaining and keeping power — including the mass baby slaughtering that closed the premier on April 1.

Which is what makes the development of Tyrion, played by the fantastic Peter Dinklage, so fascinating. He is seemingly an outsider in the game of thrones. He's disregarded for his stature — which is small — and his relative lack of power even within his own family. Then there's his vices. Tyrion certainly isn't without his flaws, including large moral flaws. But, perhaps because he's been on the other side of discrimination, he is more thoughtful than the rest of the characters. It's a leap to call him the moral center of the show — though moral is relative in "Game of Thrones" — but he's certainly the most honorable of those vying for power.

That was especially evident in the April 8 episode when Tyrion used what little power and position he had to make a stand in the quality of leadership for the kingdom. His distaste for the methods of his sister, and his concern that so many were willing to turn a blind eye to human decency for money, was fascinating.

That's what makes "Game of Thrones" great. Even in a world where a shade of grey is the only glimmer of hope, there is still room for a little moral musing and character growth. With great power comes great responsibility, and it's comforting that at least one character in Westeros realizes that too.