Of all the new photos we’ve gotten in preparation for the seventh season of Game of Thrones, let’s be real: only one of them matters. The photo in question features the number one all-time ‘ship to end all Westerosi ‘ships. Of course we’re talking about Brienne of Tarth and Tormund Giantsbane, the most unlikely—but clearly perfect—pairing of wishful lovers the internet has ever seen.
Only: theirs is a love that is not destined to ever be. Even the showrunners have said as much. Cue a million tiny violins for the love of Babeienne of Tarth and Tormund Giantsbae.
Speaking about how the Good ‘Ship Tarthbae (a name we just made up right now), showrunners Dan Weiss and Dave Benioff explained to Entertainment Weekly that the dynamic happened naturally when the actors were left to their own devices. “There was no dialogue written for that [moment],” explained Benioff. “there was just a line like, ‘He stares at Brienne because he’s never seen a woman like that before.’ And then we let the actors do what they do.”
Weiss went on to explain their second interaction—before parting ways at The Wall—was also not scripted, explaining that “It’s not something you could ever write. It’s just this moment where this guy is creeping out on her and he smiles in a way that makes her very uncomfortable and she just looks away. I saw it 150 times and every time it made me laugh; it’s purely the two of them.”
Now, if you’re a fan of Game of Thrones and you’re reading this, you’re probably thinking, “Oh seven hells does this mean one of these two is going to die?!” And the answer to that is: PROBABLY! HAVE YOU EVER KNOWN A LOVE TO LAST ON THIS SHOW?
Also because, as Benioff said, the fan adoration has, “inspire[d] us … to kill one of them now because there can’t be a happy ending or any romantic connection on the show. But we’re not going to tell you which one.” Which they were probably kidding about but also PROBABLY NOT, because Game of Thrones? And also life? (And also because Brienne is CLEARLY destined to end up with Jaime Lannister?)
Sigh. Love is dead, isn’t it? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Images + GIFs: HBO
Alicia Lutes is the Managing Editor of Nerdist, creator/co-host of Fangirling, and resident Archmaester for all things Game of Thrones. Find her on Twitter!
