Tyrion & Varys Discuss Power [HD]

After Tyrion's deception of the Small Council, he sits down with Varys who poses a riddle.
The dialogue in this scene is brilliant and the acting superb.
"It's a trick. A shadow on the wall..."
From Season 2 Episode 3 "What Is Dead May Never Die"

[@DolanDark]

How the mighty have fallen

[@BizarrePower]

You're like the only large youtuber who I would think of seeing in random comments sections.

[@tylerwinkle323]

Tyrion became hand. To the 3 eyed Raven. So, right hand of Westeros god. I wouldn't call that "fallen". And Varys stayed true to the end, serving the people. No, it happened the way it had to happen. Season 8 was foretold, and then told exactly the way it should have been told without bowing to pressure from the mindless masses who want these Hollywood endings.

[@quigglyjohnston6118]

@@tylerwinkle323 Except Varys suddenly lost his ability to brilliantly outmaneuver his targets and just decided to basically expose his treason to Tyrion... Wait a tic r u trollin m8?

[@abramrodriguez5919]

quiggly johnston Probably is

[@chandanbiswas07]

The real varys would've known the importance of his life and wouldn't have just thrown it away like in season 8

[@dagdamor1]

In the wider context, I love how Petyr Baelish was quite salty with being used in Tyrion's ploy, but Varys was appreciative and amused. Quite a good sport.

[@CountArtha]

Varys himself admits that he has basically no ego, because he has no balls and no family name (that we know of).

[@AltumNovo]

A man with no ego gets no pleasure from revenge. Varys does.

[@Udgrasil13]

Because he said he has no ego, doesn`t mean that he truly doesn`t have one. Every Man has.

[@KikBlava]

It's also because Tyrion promised Baelish Harrenhal, Varys wasn't promised anything.

[@scotibot7450]

He's just smart enough to see it for what it is. Tyrion lied to him but in doing so he exonerated Varys and by extension Baelish. Varys now knows he's in a position where he's trusted

[@DrDress]

"Power resides where men believes it resides." This is my favorite quote in the entire series and that's saying alot. Not only does it sounds cool, it has some serious philosophical merrit.

[@rxonmymind8362]

DrDress This men believe NOT in the power but IN the man that holds it. Basically someone who has leadership. That X factor. You can be the most badass swordmaster but not rule a kingdom. Be a very rich man and not rule a kingdom. You can be a king and people will fail to believe in you and thus poison you at...oh I don't know a party. Being badass in all three categories doesn't automatically cement you as a "ruler". Power follows leadership. That's been my experience.

[@bbharuka]

Best quote of the series is... "Power is Power" by Cersie, when she owns Littlefinger in S02E1. I can watch that scene a thousand times and not get bored

[@FyuyuR]

GoT just has soooo many cool punchlines that incites reflexion. My personal favorite is "Any man who has to say I am the King is no true King."

[@mark0032]

The shadow in the wall is a reference to "Allegory of the cave" by Plato, man belive in the reality they are presented.

[@ColonelBragg]

"Power is not a means; it is an end. One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes the revolution in order to establish the dictatorship. The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. There will be no loyalty, except loyalty towards the Party. There will be no love, except the love of Big Brother. If you want a vision of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face - forever."

[@some_metalhead]

God, Varys was so fucking awesome, Conelth Hill portrayed him perfectly, right down to the voice. The actor has even said he hates the ending and wishes Varys’s story ended better, to no one’s surprise.

[@felipepintana]

I'm seeing the series for a second time, after I read the books, and damn, Varys is a terrific character. I love everything of him

[@debrickashaw9387]

The fact that Conelth hated the ending and what the writers did to his character and the show makes me like him even more.

[@leviackerman1799]

Ikr..? As someone who's read the books..Varys us soo accurately portrayed..

[@ReMeDy_TV]

Conelth Hill also wanted to have another confrontation with Littlefinger. When he knew Varys would be killed when reading into the script during the live script reading, you could tell he was visibly frustrated and that he was deprived of his final confrontation with Littlefinger.

[@mortalkomment8028]

Every sane person was frustrated with the plot twist in season 8. Only idiots deemed it okay.

[@floofyan6727]

Season 3: "A very small man can cast a very large shadow" Season 8: "YoU dOn'T hAVe a CokC"

[@dastran2731]

a very small man*

[@JRF1004]

Season 2*

[@elishaandrewraley3318]

Book: “A shadow on the wall,” Varys murmured, “yet shadows can kill. And ofttimes a very small man can cast a very large shadow.”

[@rknight1947]

And just like that you nailed why Season 8 was so bad.

[@MalrickEQ2]

HUE HUE. SEASON 8 BAD, SEASON 2 GOOD. HUEHUHEHUEH hueh HUEHUEHUEHUE

[@TheGutsyEmpire]

Their conversations are the best. One of my main enjoyments in this show.

[@jaimem1788]

yup only reason I still watch though hate a lot of violence, rape,etc..

[@nicknoga564]

the dialogue is great--- mostly because it was lifted straight from the books.

[@hanshintermann1551]

The conversations generally are the best part of the series. Not the battles, not the CGI. I think the art of subtletly is often underappreciated.

[@siman_ql5729]

@Louis Criscione Tyrion started to make a shit tone of stupid jokes in recent seasons, so yes, they are poorly writed now.

[@xDamage69]

'' U DONT HAVE BALLS LMAOOOOOOOO''

[@kalaong]

"When he opened the door, the light from within threw his shadow clear across the yard, and for just a moment Tyrion Lannister stood tall as a king."

[@aubreezily13]

One of my favorite details from the books :)

[@lorcanowen-gibbons8889]

i think he is a giant come among us, here at the end of the world

[@viggo5991]

@@lorcanowen-gibbons8889 Amogus???????😳😳😳😳

[@holsomvr2769]

@@lorcanowen-gibbons8889 among what

[@WarriorOfTheLostLand]

@@lorcanowen-gibbons8889 mong mongis???!!!! 😳😳😳

[@razakhan23465]

The difference in Tyrion's answer "it depends on the sellsword" and Varys's answer "Power resides where men believe it resides" is that Tyrion is saying the decision is up to the sellsword, while Varys is saying whoever can successfully make the sellsword believe it is with that person, will control their fate.

[@mrsnulch]

Very well said. And both of their answers also come full circle and ultimately mean the same thing, which is that power is build around human perception and not some absolute thing you can have.

[@rubenlaurentiu90]

According to Foucault, power is not a matter of belief as Varys claims, but rather a matter of relation between individuals. Power is to conduct the conduct of others, to act on the actions of others. Yet it is never absolute, and it is to be distinguished from absolute domination.

[@lynx9519]

​@@rubenlaurentiu90 But that's exactly what was said, perception dictates interpersonal relationships and therein lies the trick

[@rubenlaurentiu90]

​@@lynx9519no, he says that power resides where people believe it resides

[@lynx9519]

@@rubenlaurentiu90 Perception is linked to believing

[@willherondale6367]

Tyrion is right, it depends on the sellsword... Bronn would fight for the rich man, Barristan Selmy would fight for the king and Jaqen H'ghar would fight for the priest. This fits with Varys' own answer- "power resides where people think it resides." Bronn believes power lies only in gold and material wealth, Selmy believes it resides in rulers, kings and honour, and The Faceless Assassin believes it resides in the many-faced god. Therefore the only factor that determines which of the great men lives and which die is the sellsword's (and by extension the common people's) perception of power.

[@dehlanshandirkayr6182]

Will Herondale Why didn't I read this before

[@srccde]

You mean the "many-faced god" right?

[@JamesZilla808]

This is very well said. Bravo!

[@mostneuter]

@DannyO But do he really has the power? What about the man that crafted to sword? Or about the man who trained the sellsword to fight? Power is purely subjectives, there's no one truth but different point of views on what is it, but at the end, what it really is? Maybe it's just nothing, maybe it's just a concept, maybe it's just a word we put on something we don't really understand... I personnally have no idea about it's nature

[@mostneuter]

@DannyO But in the same way, he as no obligation to kill them, he can do whatever he wants to, kill them, ignoring them, making them do what he wants under the pressure of the sword... So, in final, the illusion would mean that power is everything and nothing at the same time?

[@elevate07]

Tyrion gave an interesting answer: "depends on the sellsword." He knows that everyone is different and everyone is motivated by different things. His first instinct isn't to bank on his gold, his creed, or his family name but to find out what that specific person wants before moving forward. It's an understated answer but one I think sums him up very well.

[@NateB]

There's a lot about this part that's understated.

[@TheArcher101]

That's always been my thinking, always been a huge individualist

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

that understatement is called subtly!

[@TwinFlower90]

Someone smarter than me pointed out, almost the first thing Tyrion asks people is 'what do you want?'

[@qwot1]

...and Varys also knows that, by pointing out the exact same thing: "power resides where people think it resides".

[@1DaKo]

Varys is utterly thrilled about revealing that riddle to Tyrion. It's like he's been eagerly awaiting the perfect moment to share it for his whole life.

[@milesshirley6251]

He probably has only brought this up to Illyrio

[@songotenson]

well, tyrion was one of few great minds in close proximity to varys, of whom he could pick his brain

[@lezard2102]

S1-S5 Varys: "Power resides where man believe it resides" S8 Varys "hEy jOn sNuH LeT'S bEtRaY KeLLy C"

[@relaxbro9722]

KeLLy C. I died. 🤣🤣🤣

[@BronnBlackwater]

Shes muh kween

[@vymancross3551]

I dUnT wunt it...

[@damiandamiano3651]

Varyus wuz blak

[@rupertgarcia]

@@relaxbro9722 I'M WHEEZING!!! 😭🤣💀

[@atholpembroke1432]

"Who was truly responsible for Ned Stark's death...A very small man can cast a very large shadow." This conversation is about Littlefinger.

[@TreeFiddyBandit]

Athol Pembroke that's the impression I got But is it? The whole time I kept thinking about how Baelish has came from so little.....and Varys' line....a small man can cast a very large shadow It's awesome because Tyrion thinks he's speaking about him, but he could also be talking about little finger

[@niteshghadi3685]

When Ned was executed everyone gather to stop it (or acted)..if u see that scene varys throws a look at little finger... he knows who is responsible for his death..

[@dreamer13Z]

Judging from Varys’s expression in the end, I think “the small man with a very large shadow” was about Tyrion. Tyrion’s shadow was also mentioned before in the book (from Jon’s pov): how his shadow made him look like a king.

[@anneneville6255]

Or he talked about himself? Varys was a slave and now sits in the small council

[@justinbaronofsky360]

@@dreamer13Z yeah that's one of the most memorable lines...outside of the feast when Robert came to winterfell that's also where he gives John the bastard speech....lots of great stuff in that chapter from John's pov...... can't wait for winds of winter

[@jayhawkdave24]

I love the line "Well played, my Lord Hand."

[@lockandreload]

Same

[@cazabrow1967]

I say that after an absolute ripper of a wank.

[@fahmitajjuddin9863]

varys meme review

[@IAMSOUND99]

Cazabrow holy shit lmao

[@denisetrine3066]

I think he respects the Imp?

[@MrBleuBeard]

love how in the books Shae is present for the conversation and claims the rich man lives. So simple yet gives great insight of her character and foreshadows her future actions beautifully.

[@guykruger1]

"I've decided I don't like riddles." One of my favourite quotes ever!

[@TheTatty09]

It's funny, Tyrion actually got the right answer. "Power resides where men believe it resides," says Varys, but how is it different from "Depends on the sellsword,"?

[@bulldozerchn]

Varys never told Tyrion he got it wrong, he was probing him to follow his line of thinking.

[@3ggh3ad]

@@bulldozerchn agreed the point of the riddle is it tells varys where the other person believes power resides. (making it much easier, to coerce them)

[@NateB]

Another commenter observed the same. This part of the show is a bit of a sleeper hit. A slow burn.

[@jb03hf]

Perspective. Tyrion is viewing it from the bottom up. The sellsword has the power by virtue of his control over the sword. Varys sees it as top down, who can convince or has convinced the sword.

[@qwot1]

That was the point that Varys (and the scene) was trying to make. Tyrion's answer was incomplete; Varys's comment made it possible to determine how the sellsword would choose; something that Tyrion got immediately. Great acting by both Hill and Dinklage.

[@tywinlannister8341]

Came here to wash my eyes after season 8.

[@novemberalpha6023]

Come on.... Say something funny

[@mrabintom]

@@novemberalpha6023 SeAsuN EiGHt

[@mrabintom]

@@novemberalpha6023 Shi Is moi qUeEn

[@JoeCJK]

Ears as well.

[@novemberalpha6023]

@@mrabintom Lannisters don't act like fools

[@sasperthehomosexual9333]

Then: "A very small man can cast a very large shadow" Now: "A fInGeR iN tHe BuM?

[@theyoungknight.3119]

“I hAvE bAllS aNd YoU dOn’T”

[@loganburnette5485]

They ruined Euron, one of the most feared to a fuck boy

[@aashiv93]

"We'll talk later..."

[@raoulhery]

High Sparrow, Tommen and Lady Tyrell sit in a room....

[@dragom2009]

Cersei blows up the room, the end.

[@alialmuhanna4938]

Perfect !

[@bakshev]

Lady Tyrell lives. If it's Olenna, I have someone to duel verbally with, if it's Margaery, she's getting the D.

[@OneofInfinity.]

Bran walks in.

[@TheMeanMongoose]

@@OneofInfinity. Now THAT would have been a twist for the ages

[@raynmanshorts9275]

Varys: "Power resides where men believe it resides." D&D: "Power resides in dragons."

[@fullbuster141]

'Power resides in dragons' Still holds true... the Targaryens conquered westeros with them and only started losing power when their dragons died.

[@TheAlps36]

Or the Iron Fleet, at least some of the time

[@samwinchesters_blurrywife7583]

Season 7-8: power resides in balls

[@cachorrao0703]

Power resides in bricks

[@cheydinal5401]

Nah, that was literally already what George RR Martin did when he had the Targaryans rule Westeros for centuries until very shortly after the last dragon died

[@CallMePaine]

In Robert's voice - Gods the writing was STRONG back then!

[@parkerdixon-word6295]

I love the poetic effort Varys put in here to pay Tyrion a compliment. You can almost see it the moment that Varys changes the subject- the statement that prompts it all is "The council has a reputation for serving past hands poorly", and Varys takes his sweet time saying it, but when you see the scene as a whole, you can tell that Varys is *very happy* with Tyrion's work, and the whole conversation is just how Varys expresses that- he likes making you think for your compliments, playing games and riddles, weaving conversations into a puzzle. It emphasizes these two's weird, trustless friendship, how they know the game they're playing, they know they cannot trust eachother, and they know any alliance or aide they give eachother is always because it serves the other's ends, and they cannot help but like eachother despite that. "I wish we could converse as two honest intelligent men" indeed.

[@FallenOne669]

I really like Varys and Tyrion's interactions. They're both intelligent men with decent intentions forced to fight a war amongst idiots with cruel hearts.

[@Marcus-gw4bb]

I completely agree. I wouldn't say they are noble men but they do possess noble qualities and like you said, because they are forced to face others with more dangerous intentions, they have to employ cruel tactics too such as manipulation, coercion, schemes and threats. At the end of the day, if they were born differently I think they would just sit down and enjoy a good glass of wine.

[@vivekmondal9034]

Good old Days when Tyrion was truly incredible

[@clockworkdeity]

Its shocking how different the old episodes are.

[@rahul-qm9fi]

*I've decided I dont like season 8*

[@Sol_Badguy_GG]

I've decided NOBODY likes season 8.

[@petergriffin7908]

@@Sol_Badguy_GG I like some of it. Not all of it.

[@CrimsonCharan]

What's with the bold letters?

[@rahul-qm9fi]

@@CrimsonCharan *what?*

[@shamsudahiruibrahim5642]

Season 8 resides where the writers believed it resides. And trust me, a very small part can cast a very large hole of sorrow in your memory.

[@crazy_acid77]

Season 2: This Season 8: "Because I have balls, and you don't"

[@phoivos]

vArYs nO cOcK

[@FaedeurOnarcius]

Baelish: Don't ever use me for your games again! Varys: Damn, that was a good play! Well done! Love that difference in viewpoint.

[@marcomeme4875]

This conversation is probably the most profound discussion in the show. It's absolutely excellent.

[@DenizCDemir]

Varys is beyond intelligent. The depth of his philosophy is mind boggling. So sad that they decided to make him a prop in s7&8. Btw I think the actor that plays Varys is one of the very few members of the cast that truly sincerely hated the script in the final 2 seasons. Most were talking about all the hard work and how people were protesting because "they didnt like the ending". Varys actor actually threw the script away in disgust while reading his death scene.

[@rosiepestel7836]

True

[@Vayne_Solidor]

Who could blame him...

[@vorshack8968]

No one that careful would have shared plans of treason and murder with someone who was potentially loyal to his target.

[@FahimAhmed-xj9lq]

I think every actor hated the script, how could they not? The only thing that kept them from explicitly saying it sucked was that it would look bad from a PR standpoint.

[@adamrogerson7280]

i also think there are NDAs in place for a while, in years to come there will be many memoirs released or podcasts filmed about how the actors hated D&D and hated what happened to the show and their character

[@wingdeep]

There is no answer, that is the point. Who holds real power: A priest? With his connection to the Gods and divine favor? A rich man? With his many resources and ability to make the sellsword very wealthy also? Or a King, a man who controls a nation, who many serve, who could make the sellsword a knight? Power resides where people believe it resides. In the rich, in the divine, in those who wear a crown. Such power doesn't really exist, it is a shadow on the wall, an outline made from belief, not something truly real. Therefor, anyone who is wise enough can claim it. Hence, a small man can cast a large shadow

[@iont8172]

hey ... are you rewatching clips of previous seasons so you can last until the new season arrives?ME TOO!!

[@TheElvire96]

+Ion T Same here

[@Umirua]

Actually the power of life and death is the true power. The crown is simply the symbol of many swords. Every king is a swordsman. They are the descendent of the sellsword

[@FIREGOD333]

the answer is it's all about perspective

[@RobertBirtchImperfectStone]

And what if the people stop giving power to those things? Then where does the power reside? In the people themselves.

[@SpLiC3]

One of the finest scenes on any tv show ever.

[@cloudnine9321]

It's much better in the books

[@VioIetteMolotov]

@@cloudnine9321 He literally said >>>TV SHOW

[@cloudnine9321]

@@VioIetteMolotov so I can't have an opinion, sorry bro 🤕

[@VioIetteMolotov]

@@cloudnine9321 Holy fuck man, typical American who can't grasp the most basic logic.

[@andrewmurphy5532]

GOD i love Tyrion pre-beard. I love his arrogant inflection and quick wit. "Why am i about to hear one?" Such a prickish answer but also leans back in preperation to solve the puzzle, he answers quickly and logicaly, then they go on to debate the issue briefly (also this question is a similar one to "the drawbridge" question

[@Headbiter]

It's a subtle difference really. Tyrion laid the power directly in the hand of the swellsword, hence his comment about him "having the sword and the power over life and death" and Varys' question concerning the true power of swordsmen. "Power resides where men believe it resides" is more a statement about the society the three men and the sellsword would live in, stating that, for instance, in a world where money rules, the nobleman would live, not so much because of the will and power of the

[@thelastcrow5660]

Seasons 1-4 Kings Landing was the best part of the whole show. Just a bunch of characters who play the game in different ways. Dialogue was top tier, acting was phenomenal and plot twists were amazing. No world ending threat, army of the dead or objectively bad, one dimensional motives, just drama. And it worked perfectly.

[@Barzhan13]

Tyrion giving that last smile like he realizes he enjoys riddles

[@Baamthe25th]

Holy shit, I had forgotten about this scene ! So good

[@cloudnine9321]

Much better in the books

[@freshmochijams1412]

@@DerekWong967 BRUH HAHAHAHAHAHA

[@craggey01]

"Power lies where men believe it lies"... If enough people believe in one person then that person becomes very powerful...

[@walterthemighty7549]

A lot of fictional universes allow characters to become gods this way.

[@olenickel6013]

4 years late, but that's not exactly true. Varys riddle and his answer to it leave out some important details, namely that power still needs a concrete foundation. Just saying "power resides where people believe it resides" is an idealistic (in a philosophical meaning of the word) answer to the riddle, but it needs a materialist answer. To phrase it differently: there is only one man in this riddle whose opinion really matters. If everyone but the sellsword believe the King is powerful, the King still has no power. There is only one man in this riddle whose opinion on power really matters, that of the sellsword. Power resides where the people with the means to enforce their will believe it resides.

[@oscarbautista4156]

@@olenickel6013 Congrats man... You just elaborated on cercei's famous line 'Power is power'... great comment

[@barissaaydinn]

@@oscarbautista4156 That scene is hugely overrated though. Why did Cercei just threaten Petyr? Because as he said, Petyr was also powerful and she couldn’t have him killed just like that. If we use the same argument, we can argue that the men Cercei gave orders could cut off her throat as well. So are those guards more powerful than Cercei? Hell no. Power resides where people believe it resides

[@TheVoiceOfLiberty1]

Varys understands what the State is. He understands the power of institutions and how they live and die inorder for the State to survive

[@Karlsefni964]

I swear, I could listen to Tyrion and Varys have conversations for hours. The word play and the way they use their knowledge is so nice.

[@psychedeliciously]

notice at 1:30 where varys' voice was lowered, firm and decisive. The word 'power' he uttered had so much emphasis and rigidness. Magnificent acting.

[@The-Rest-of-Us]

The golden days of GoT.

[@dbodooley]

“A small man can cast a very large shadow”. Love that

[@13jonash]

To think, even in our modern world, Varys is right. People think things like leaders, money and other such things have so much power, when in fact they have none. Leaders are just regular people we let make the decisions for us because we believe someone has to and money is just pieces of paper we've been fulled in thinking has the ability to control all things all across the world. It's interesting to think about.

[@Snagprophet]

Its also worth making comparisons to Theon. When he was raiding the North and captured Winterfell he was convinced by his second in command to make stupid decisions like executing Ser Rodrik. That dickhead who kept whispering "you can't let that fly, you'll look weak" caused a lot of problems for Theon and sent him down the dark path. Its also worth noting in other scenes of kings being councilled there will be multiple advisors but Theon only had dickhead giving him advice. I suppose you could say Maester Luwin gave him good council too and he ignored it, but in terms of his own side he only had dickhead

[@joncolunga673]

All true. The real power lies where we simply agree it does, and if enough people agree on where it lies that is where it indeed lies.

[@khoroshoorange]

*social contructs

[@olenickel6013]

@@joncolunga673 Not necessarily. So let's say the King, the Priest and the Rich Man agree the King is the ruler. Does that mean he has power? Not if the sellsword decides to kill all three anyways. Power isn't a trick, as Varys suggests. Power has a real, material base. In this example: the sword of the soldier. If he believes someone else is deserving of his loyalty, he transfers his power to that person. He may be tricked into doing that, that doesn't make the power itself a trick.

[@PR--un4ub]

@Milan Vukovic Ruling isn't easy and no one - especially in a modern civilization - has the time/expertise to manage all facets of their existence.

[@stevenL4U]

Lets stop talking about season 8, and start talking about the brilliance of this scene. It’s time to go back to loving this show.

[@thejava.witchiswhispering]

"a very small man can cast a very big shadow" is a line I'm super happy they pulled from the books

[@Bonovasitch]

"... A very small man can cast a very large shadow." Get yourself a friend like Varys who will roll nat 20's in diplomacy just to casually inspire you.

[@lex_theman]

The HIgh Sparrow, Tommen, and Lady Olenna sit in a room. Each bid Cersei to kill the other two. Who lives and who dies? Cersei inadvertantly kills all 3 and becomes the Priest, The King, and a Rich Man...

[@lookatthepicture4107]

This comment deserve to have all tye likes

[@krissys7481]

Shed shoot olenna twice

[@venugopal9107]

One of the best comments I read...

[@luiscorro3141]

Jesus! The level of writing those seasons used to have is beyond my mind!!! They didn’t have big fight scenes but they had great dialogues and character development

[@user-qj9ho2xf7u]

Alternative title: "Varys explaining Game of Thrones in 1:52 minutes"

[@KendrixD]

I see people saying that Tyrion was right, it depends on the sellsword. But imo, he's wrong, and also right. Although it does depend on the sellsword, but what actually motivates him is the environment that surrounds him and his own beliefs. If the sellsword was born in a poor land, he'd grow poor, and think money is the best option to solve problems. If he was born in royalty, he'd be taught about honor and succession, therefore obey the king. If he was born in a religious family, he'd most likely praise God and serve the Divine. In the end, power lies in convincingness and manipulation. The sellsword represents the common man, affected by society and common beliefs. Kings/politicians, priests/religious leaders and rich men/bussinessmen all possess the power of convincing. The sellsword are still affected by one or more than one of them. Whoever has more followers/believers is the most powerful one, even the smallest man, because he/she has the largest affection to people. Thus the saying, "power resides where man believes it resides".

[@soheiladam7510]

Actually that's what Tyrion said just by saying ''it depends on the sellsword''

[@mosestekper7659]

So at the end it depends on the sellsword.

[@agrippa5643]

You explained it as best as you could, good job!

[@tusharsharma4421]

I realised the true meaning of "Knowledge is power”, after I saw Tyrion,Varys making things happen w/o lifting a weapon.

[@cntmntr3634]

Tyrion and Varys' conversations are easily one of my favorite parts of the earlier seasons, both actors are absolutely brilliant and the dialogue was buttery smooth, felt truly immersive without feeling forced, what a gem! Sad how badly it was squandered in the end.

[@jethrojacinto2798]

Back when the show was absolutely golden!!!

[@magnustheredxv]

"A very small man can cast a very large shadow." "When he opened the door, the light from within threw his shadow clear across the yard, and for just a moment Tyrion Lannister stood tall as a king."

[@odrysiann]

Once upon a time when writing used to be good on this show

[@Allorius999]

Thats a direct book citation. So it was never really good by a virtue of D&D.

[@zeezoldyck1924]

Well tbf there are some great scenes in the early seasons of the show that weren't in the books and are by D&D. They can produce good writing when they really care but stopped caring once the show became really popular

[@mattteomatei3610]

The writing was still good in the end. You just didn't get your fanfiction

[@skylertremblay3395]

Mattteo Matei ha No it wasn’t

[@lyq232]

@@mattteomatei3610 dang, you do all this shilling for free?

[@BlueHooloovoo]

I love Conleth Hill's portrayl of Varys. His speech is very eloquent and enigmatic. Great casting.

[@hordeman8933]

Imagine a trio with Lord Varys, Frank Underwood and Walter White... In two days they would rule the world.

[@TangomanX2008]

+Hordeman89 I am not sure if they would work as a Trio. It would probably be more like a a three way competition.

[@Beerbottles123]

+TangomanX2008 I see your point, but the three of them have a unique way of doing it . Varys works off of information and blackmail. Frank manipulates machiavellian-ously. Walter relies on bluffs and intimidation but he can be quite ruthlessly dangerous when he's cornered.

[@theM4R4T]

Until they meet Littlefinger

[@Robofish12]

+Hordeman89 And Tyrion, absolutely cannot forget him. I want to see a spinoff series where Tyrion and Frank Underwood have to face off politically.

[@TangomanX2008]

FallenTemplar I am not sure if Tyrion would make it. Tyrion is a good administrator (probably one of the best in the kingdom), and he is a surprisingly good military strategist (also, possibly world class too, at least judging by his management of the defense at the Battle of Blackwater). And among the people playing the "Game" in Westeros, he may be the most intelligent, I think. There are probably people who are "smarter" than Tyrion, (I am thinking people in the Citadel), but not anyone in a position to play the "Game." As far as being a survivalist, definitely world class. But I am not sure he is a good conspirator, and least not world class. As far as I can tell, the one individual with the right skill set, political savvy, proven ability to acquire and sustain power, management skill (I think we don't see this, but it would not make sense if they weren't there), ability to conspire, etc, is Little Finger. I think it would take the Daeneris/Varys/Tyrion trio to engage Underwood.

[@asmnasim702]

would you believe this scene & dialogue delivery as acting. Acting seems more real than reality.

[@24Pudders]

Can only imagine how pissed off vary's actor was when varys was killed off in the most un-varys way possible

[@dbodooley]

“A very small man can cast a very large shadow”. Thrones had some memorable quotes. The dialogue is simply unparalleled

[@ragnarlothbrok4281]

Back when game of thrones was fun.

[@ColArana]

Tyrion smiled. “Lord Varys, I am growing strangely fond of you. I may kill you yet, but I think I’d feel sad about it.”

[@Paul91-]

Grand Maester Pycelle, Janos Slynt and Cersei disliked this lol

[@EmmaSaints]

I really like how all Lord Varys wants to do in this conversation is give Tyrion a compliment but he makes him work for it a little bit to make him appreciate it more.

[@gustavswart9008]

I use this scene to open a Media Studies course and it really works!

[@CarpeVeracity]

As Machiavelli wrote "It is not titles that honour men, but men that honour titles."

[@alialmuhanna4938]

0:21 Notice how Varys doesn’t resent being played. Unlike Littlefinger, Varys seems to appreciate a good scheme / power play.

[@flankspeed]

He knows how to ingratiate himself with the schemer, anyway :0)

[@JRF1004]

This has got to be the best piece of dialogue in the whole show

[@Dontdropyourcrown]

mm in essence what Varys is saying is Power is an illusion. i love the line after the riddle "Power resides where men believe it resides. It's a trick. A shadow on the wall. And a very small man can cast a very large shadow." .. a perfect illusion at that

[@ES-qy2ju]

The King (Lannister), the preist (High Sparrow) and the rich Men (Tyrells).

[@darthserpace6855]

Right? I believe the "sellsword" were the common people and the common people like High Sparrow the most. Thefore he is the most powerful man in the King's Landing right now.

[@Jim63071]

*was

[@kel000001]

+Darth Serpace sellsword is tyrion, the weapon is his mind. Varys was testing him and try to pull him into the game "even a very small man can cast a very large shadow"

[@arawn1061]

Kelvin Chu No. he was warning tyrion of His greatest foe... Petyr "Littlefinger" baelish

[@cephalonrolli5678]

Lannisters are also rich men

[@stewiegriffin12341]

Look at Varys’s face when he starts telling the riddle. It’s clearly one he’s been wanting to tell for a while.

[@johnnk3256]

Varys was hinting about Littlefinger when he mentioned Ned's death.

[@ignacioarbex6665]

This is a great character breakdown. Would love to see you make one on Varys.

[@cosmorunner23]

I could listen to ollena, Tyrion and Varys all day, each of their voices draw you in and everything they say feels important, one of my favourite things of this show

[@drewsteps]

Varys and Tyrion are the main reason I continue watching Game of Thrones. This duo provides all of the intelligence, wisdom and humor for the whole series. All the other characters are chasing power, love or vengeance.

[@nichoudha]

+Andrew Stephenson Or like Cersei, their own paranoia.

[@drewsteps]

Jarin Jove lol yes

[@equbalfatmi860]

Andrew Stephenson you forgot bronn of the fucking blackwater

[@ollyvr8026]

I could watch Tyrion and Varys just talk over cups of wine forever

[@tatesherman8273]

This is what perfect casting and writing looks like. Shame that it all fell apart when they abandoned George’s story.

[@CarlosSanchez-ip1vs]

"I have decided that I do not like riddles" you and me both, Tyrion, I'm bad at them 🤣

[@mrmusickhimself]

This Tyrion NEVER would have snitched Varys out to a suddenly mad queen -- pissed off that her hairdresser was decapitated. Fuck Dumb and Dumber, I wish I could get those 8 years back.

[@richardcoords1610]

Quality dialogue with an appealing climax.

[@geefreck]

Rearranged: "I've decided I don't like riddles" ... "Well played, my lord hand"

[@adf286]

Amazing writing and analogy...

[@mrthatguyam]

I almost feel as if the small man he is talking about is Littlefinger and that he was the entity behind killing Ned.

[@petervajas5766]

+mrthatguyam I think he referred to Tyrion on the future.

[@mrthatguyam]

Péter Vajas If you look at the way Vary's stares at Littlefinger when Ned gets his head chopped off it gives a different story.

[@Tordah90]

+mrthatguyam Well, Littlefinger was the one that planned the entire shitstorm that began with the Stark / Lannister feud. I think Varys knows or has some notion of it.

[@Beerbottles123]

+mrthatguyam It feels like Varys is trying to warn Tyrion about Littlefinger's ambition. A very small man casting a very large shadow indeed.

[@mrthatguyam]

Lietiel Seems like a stretch.

[@n543576]

I used this quote and theory in general in my history essay in college. Love how much Game of Thrones make me think and apply it to real life.

[@xiaoyujian1069]

One of the wisest quotes. I find myself constantly coming back for it.

[@felipercb3245]

Thats why Game of Thrones is one of the best shows ever... for two reasons : amazing characters and this kind of lines.

[@Pendragonthegreat]

One of the best scenes ever in History of TV and cinema

[@JoeM-tx5pm]

Varys: power resides where men believe it resides Aegon the conqueror: power resides with whoever has massive dragons

[@davidnaylor5737]

It's trick question. Of course in this instance it does depend on the sellsword. But in actuality power resides in the people. A king cant rule without subjects, a priest can't preach to an empty church, a rich man cant sell goods without buyers, and a sellsword cannot defeat an entire city. Power resides in those who create it and powerful men do not create strength, people do. Power is given to the powerful, and of course you cant give something you don't have.

[@seeingisbelieving3304]

Best of Game of Thrones scenes. I think this is how it ends...

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

Not at fucking all. don't start with this "dot dot dot" shit. There's been plenty of fantastic scenes later on. Stop letting your hate for season 8 blind to say such stupidity.

[@sujaysannyamath655]

This certainly is relevant even today, where perceived power overwhelms saturated power.

[@TheManofThings777]

A lot of people are basically saying that Tyrion and Varys's answers to the riddle are the same. While they are similar, they aren't really identical. Here's the difference: Both agree that ultimately it is up to the sellsword. Tyrion, however, thinks that it is *only* up to the sellsword, while the point Varys is trying to make is that the sellsword can be persuaded. Influenced. That the lords can sway him. In that sense, Varys is saying the most charismatic man is the one who will come out alive.

[@sayanpal1211]

"Power resides where men believe it resides" Very true even in today's context. What a dialogue writing!!!

[@StoicSurvivor99]

I think it depends on the individuals mind. being one step ahead of your friends and your enemies. Using them to your self interest. You can master the game, morally or imorally.

[@_arpheus]

U know it's good dialogues when these two are together

[@kurzackd]

I'm simultaneously glad that they included this riddle in the show, but also PISSED that they abbreviated it. It was very important to relay it FULLY, just as it was in the book. It would have taken them like 30 seconds addtional time. But noooo, they had to change it just because... -_-

[@PristinePerceptions]

This is exactly why the High Sparrow was so destructive. The crown had allowed the people to believe that he had power.

[@PurushNahiMahaPurush]

Good god how did we go from this to "u haz nu cok lulz"