Why Cersei's Storyline Makes No Sense In Game Of Thrones

When it comes to high fantasy, gorgeous costumes, and seemingly endless simultaneous plots, it is impossible not to think of HBO's "Game of Thrones." The series ran for eight seasons, and as the title suggests, countless are playing the game — laying claim to the Iron Throne and killing anyone who gets in the way of their quest for power over the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. From Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson) to Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), the path to the throne for its would-be rulers is treacherous. It's often difficult to figure out who the rightful ruler should be — both for the people of Westeros and viewers of the show. 

Throughout the show, Cersei Lannister (Lena Heady) is continuously around the Iron Throne, as wife and queen to Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy), who seized the throne from the Targaryen dynasty, and mother to sons Joffrey and Tommen (Dean-Charles Chapman), who each become king following their predecessor's death. Following Tommen's death in the Season 6 finale, Cersei is immediately coronated and takes over as queen of the Seven Kingdoms. However, some fans have questioned what right Cersei has to rule, and how she was able to get coronated so quickly. 

After several seasons of various people vying for the Iron Throne based on the claim of proper succession, some fans were confused as to why Cersei was able to take the throne without any objection from the people or the lords and ladies of Westeros. According to the established rules of the line of succession, Cersei does not appear to have a legitimate reason to sit on the throne. 

Succession is extremely in the world of "Game of Thrones," as it serves as the main driver for Daenerys's mission to rule, as her house ruled for centuries before being usurped by Robert Baratheon, and she believed it was her birthright. Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane) also laid claim to the throne based on succession, claiming (correctly) that his brother Robert's children were actually the bastard products of incest from Cersei and her brother Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau). Of course, Robert Baratheon did create a precedent that usurping the throne through force was a valid path to ruling Westeros. 

Another possible explanation for this sudden ignorance towards the rules of succession is that the people most likely to protest Cersei's ascent to power — the Faith and the Tyrell house — were just blown up by Cersei earlier in the episode. The people of King's Landing surely would also protest this new ruler, as they clearly hated Cersei enough to abuse and humiliate her on her "walk of shame," but that same explosion of the Sept of Baelor probably struck enough fear in her subjects to allow Cersei to do as she pleases.