Why Did Tyrion Lannister Make a Series of Mistakes in Game of Thrones Seasons 7 and 8?

In Game of Thrones Season 7 and Season 8, Tyrion Lannister character appeared to make several strategic mistakes. These errors can be attributed to a variety of factors, including increased pressure, character development, plot convenience, divided loyalties, and narrative speed.

Increased Pressure

As the stakes escalated with the impending threat of the Night King and the political maneuvering for the Iron Throne, Tyrion faced immense pressure. This pressure may have clouded his judgment and led to miscalculations. The high-risk scenarios he found himself in could have made it difficult for him to maintain his usual level of cleverness and strategic acumen.

Character Development

Tyrion's character arc throughout the series had been one of growth and cleverness. However, in the later seasons, the writing choices may have emphasized his flaws more than his strengths, leading to decisions that seemed inconsistent with his earlier intelligence and cunning. Fans might have found it challenging to reconcile these new behaviors with the character they once admired as a strategic genius.

Plot Convenience

The later seasons of Game of Thrones have been criticized for prioritizing plot advancement over character development. This emphasis on plot over character led to moments where characters, including Tyrion, acted in ways that served the narrative rather than aligning with their established personas. The focus on advancing the plot often overshadowed the natural progression of Tyrion's character, resulting in plot-driven decisions rather than character-driven ones.

Divided Loyalties

Tyrion's loyalty to Daenerys Targaryen often put him at odds with his own instincts and experiences. His attempts to balance his past ties to the Lannisters with his new alliance may have resulted in poor strategic choices. The tension between his loyalties could have made it difficult for him to make rational decisions, especially when his divided loyalty placed him in a morally or ethically challenging position.

Narrative Speed

The final seasons of Game of Thrones moved at a much faster pace compared to the earlier ones. This rapid narrative progression may have contributed to rushed character decisions and a lack of depth in their development. The urgent plot developments could have pushed the characters into hasty actions that did not reflect their established personality traits or experiences.

However, it is also worth noting that in-universe, Tyrion was not really suited to the kinds of decisions he had to make after joining Daenerys Targaryen. He is better suited as an administrator than a politician or strategist, even if he doesn't see himself that way. Out-of-universe, the writers needed to force Daenerys' hand to push her to the point where she would make certain decisions. Characters constantly failing her up to that point may have made it seem like she had no other option, regardless of whether she was right or not.

Additionally, Tyrion was making bad decisions as early as Season 6, and the writers simply amplified these mistakes in Season 8 because they needed to speed up the narrative to meet their story beats and timelines.

These factors combined to create a portrayal of Tyrion that felt inconsistent with earlier seasons, leading to frustration among fans who had followed his character's journey.