What Happens to Tommen in Game of Thrones?
In the hit HBO series Game of Thrones, King Tommen Baratheon, the son of Cersei Lannister, becomes a key player in the kingdom’s power struggles. As the series unfolds, his fate becomes increasingly complicated. Here’s a detailed answer to the question: What happens to Tommen in Game of Thrones?
King Tommen’s Rise to the Throne
Tommen, the second child of Cersei and King Robert Baratheon, is born without his mother’s knowledge of King Robert’s infidelity, believing Robert to be his true father. Upon Robert’s death, Cersei sees Tommen as a means to continue the royal line and secure her sons’ claims to the Iron Throne.
Cersei’s storyline as a mother and queen throughout the series
Rise to Power and Marriage
When Cersei becomes Queen regnant, Tommen is crowned alongside his half-sister Myrcella in King’s Landing (S3E10 – The King’s Court). She forms an alliance with the Tyrell family and begins to rule [Table: Cersei’s notable allies and enemies]:
| Alliance/Enemy | Relationship Description |
|---|---|
| House Tyrell | Cersei forms a mutually beneficial alliance with the Tyrell family, exchanging power for support and guidance |
| Margaery Tyrell | Tommen marries Margaery, the future queen, in a formal wedding ceremony (S4E9 – The Watchers on the Wall) |
| House Martell | Initially allies, Cersei plans to kill Oberyn Martell after the Red Wedding |
[Tommen’s relationships]
- Margaery: his wife and queen
- Cersei: his mother, often prioritizing her own goals above his interests
- Shaymill: his friend, introduced in S5
Doomed Fate: Power and Madness
As Queen Regent, Cersei’s powers grew, but so did the unrest within the Seven Kingdoms. When Queen Margaery is put to trial and executed by flames due to Cersei’s orders (S6E10 – Battle of the Bastards), the psychological effects on Tommen become undeniable.
[Tommen’s growth under Cersei’s influence]
Events leading to his downfall:
- Margaery’s death: Cersei blames Tommen for being ineffective as king, further convincing herself of her own importance in governing
- Incompetence and lack of will to act: Tommen displays indecisiveness, losing interest in his duties as king due to the overwhelming pressure from Cersei’s ambition
The Downfall
Tommen’s fate was largely determined by his mother Cersei, as she manipulated him, drained his confidence, and suffocated his potential as a ruler:
* **Cersei as Puppeteer**: Cersei used the Unsullied and her "sons" to create divisions and chaos within King's Landing
* **Queen Margery's Death as Manipulation**: Cersei saw an opportunity to break Tommen by taking away his queenTommen’s mental state slowly collapses, ultimately choosing to take a poisonous wine suported by Cersei on their balcony, marking his tragic, swift downfall (S7E05 – The Queen’s Justice) **.
Conclusion
Throughout the series, Tommen undergoes significant growth, from being influenced by Cersei’s ambition to eventually experiencing emotional and psychological distress.
While he may not hold much importance in the grand scheme, understanding the story of Tommen will contribute to a deeper understanding of his parent, Cersei, and the political game played in the world of **A Song of Ice and Fire.