Gwendoline Christie and Nikolaj Coster-WaldauDo not ask them about the bear.
In typical Game of Thrones cast member fashion, Gwendoline Christie and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau are tight-lipped about the events of season three -- and its four-legged guest star -- but they're quick to brag about the unique dynamic they share on screen and in real life.
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"I do think there is a little inkling of that in the last episode of season two when she suddenly shows her skills as a solider -- and that she has a moral compass," says Coster-Waldau, who recently met with a handful or reporters, of Jaime and Brienne. "I think he deep down recognizes, and I don't think he realizes it, that there's something about her that he uniquely identifies with."
Do not expect that identification to manifest into a friendship anytime soon. Things are still tense between the imprisoned Lannister and his unlikely steward, though Brienne's indignation over Jaime's unrelenting snark continues to offer comic relief.
"He irritates her," says Christie, "but I don't think he drives her mad."
Like the other storylines in the third season, the show picks up with Jaime and Brienne in the same scenario viewers saw them last -- muddy and trying to get some distance from Robb Stark's (Richard Madden) camp.
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"When we meet them in episode two, they're still on their way back to King's Landing," adds Coster-Waldau, "Jaime is not very happy with this situation. He's trying to get rid of her, and he does so in his own charming way. I would say their relationship does evolve... It takes a lot of twists and turns."
As far as personal evolution, the actor does think that Jaime appears to be softening a bit. He says that he's not proud of pushing Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) out of that window but he "isn't sentimental" about it.
Speaking of the Starks, Brienne is still very much connected to Catelyn (Michelle Fairley) though the two won't likely be reunited on screen anytime soon.
"Brienne has always been quite a solitary figure," says Christie. "Away from her, she's remaining faithful by carrying on her mission as best she can... that determination she shows to exercise over the slippery Jaime Lannister, who she could kill be cause he's shackled and antagonizing her. She's carrying on the respect she has for that woman."
Game of Thrones airs Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.
Email: Michael.OConnell@THR.com; Twitter: @MikeyLikesTV
