Thirteen years after its debut, Game of Thrones continues to be remembered for its complex characters and profound, often brutal, quotes. While "Winter is coming" and "Power is power" are instantly recognizable, one of Petyr Baelish's (Aidan Gillen) lines from season 3, episode 5, "Kissed by Fire," offers a particularly insightful, albeit cynical, perspective on the show's central conflicts.
The Quote and Its Meaning
Littlefinger, the master manipulator known for his role in orchestrating the War of the Five Kings and Ned Stark's downfall, delivered a line to Sansa Stark that has endured: "It doesn’t matter what we want. Once we get it, then we want something else." While not his most outwardly famous quote, it encapsulates the driving force behind many of the series' most prominent characters.
This sentiment rings true for figures like Daenerys Targaryen and Cersei Lannister. Daenerys initially sought a home and belonging, but her desires evolved to a relentless pursuit of the Iron Throne. Similarly, Cersei's ambitions for power, initially tied to securing her children's futures and her complex relationship with Jaime, ultimately consumed her, leading to isolation and ruin. Her journey exemplifies the quote's core idea: achieving one goal only fuels the desire for another, often at great cost.
A Mirror to Ambition
Littlefinger's quote serves as a stark commentary on the unending cycle of human ambition. It highlights an inherent unwillingness to remain content, a perpetual striving for more once a current desire is met. This perspective is particularly resonant given Littlefinger's own motivations. His unrequited love for Catelyn Stark warped into a thirst for power, a means to acquire what he felt entitled to after his humiliation.
Even as he schemed and manipulated his way to positions of influence, his ultimate goal was power, a tool he believed would grant him everything else. Yet, as the quote suggests, even seizing ultimate power did not bring lasting satisfaction or peace.
The Cynical Truth of Westeros
The line also reflects the harsh realities of Westeros, a world where status, influence, and control are constantly sought. The quote exposes the folly of Littlefinger's own relentless pursuit, demonstrating that his quest for power was merely another manifestation of this insatiable desire. His ambition, fueled by past grievances, ultimately led to his downfall, proving that even the most carefully laid plans can be undone by the very human drive to want more.
Ultimately, Littlefinger's observation acts as a grim mirror to nearly every significant character in Game of Thrones, underscoring the series' exploration of how ambition and human nature frequently collide, often with devastating consequences.