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.

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.

Interesting you say that because I think the relationship of Joffrey and his mother is not unlike Lysa (Catelyn's sister, right) and her son, except the latter pair is a lot more visually disgusting, but no less demented than the former pair.

I don't get how you can get her actions and not get Joffrey's.

Well, what I can understand about Cersei is that she's afraid of anyone who is not her having power, so she has to do whatever it takes to be the one with the power. Wanton expression of power a la Joffrey I don't get. I can describe it but not really understand it. Fear I can understand.

The band Dinosaur Feathers has written a song asking GHHM to please finish the next GOT book: Please, Please George

But he did finish it! It's coming out soonish, I thought.