From the book. It's not pleasant (it's not described in the book, just mentioned in passing). He's the kind of kid who likes to slice open pregnant cats to see the kittens. They also allude to the fact that he tormented his siblings in some fashion (no details were given though).

Oh, and preemptive squee for True Blood! Can't wait!

Tweets for the GoT finale - v. amusing.

I have to say that when they showed the Cersei/Lancel bedroom scene - it actually took me a second to comprehend that that skinny white shape on the chair was a human being. Damn, that guy is skinny and white.

I also thought for a minute it was Ser Loras (is that right?) -- Renly's boyfriend. Took me a second to place him.

I got as far as working out he was a Lannister (because he was naked with Cersei) but that was it. In which scenes had we seen him before?

He was the ... squire? who kept giving Robert the wine during the boar hunt.

Ah. I wasn't paying the most attention during that episode, it seems.

I wonder if Cersei looks at her son and thinks he's being reasonable. She doesn't seem to judge him at all, which is why I don't get how you can get her actions and not get Joffrey's.

she's blinded by maternal love. In her eyes her children can do no wrong and Joff is strong and noble *gag*

I disagree, erin. I think in her eyes anyone who isn't a Lannister isn't worth much, but not always. She seemed unhappily surprised by Joff's decision to behead Ned, because he was a bargaining chip.

I also think she regards him on the throne as a way to control the realm herself, but she's learning that he might not be as malleable as she envisioned.

In terms of him cutting out the musician's tongue, for instance? That I don't think she cares about one bit.

Well, you did see that when he commanded Ilyn Payne to behead Ned - she protested against it. (How much more would she have protested had she known that Robb had captured Jaime?)

Yeah, I agree - somebody as non-important to the game as that musician didn't register with her at all.

Sometimes I think that the only thing that has saved Tommen and Myrcella from being like their older brother is that all of their mother's focus has been on Joffrey.

I also think she regards him on the throne as a way to control the realm herself, but she's learning that he might not be as malleable as she envisioned.

Yes, this. I don't think she thinks he's being reasonable but is glossing over his unreasonableness with a sort of extreme boys-will-be-boys-what-can-you-do attitude while assuming, despite all evidence to the contrary, that he will listen to her when it matters.