Lady Olenna Tyrell has been one of the most beloved characters on the ‘Game of Thrones.’ She’s blunt, sharp-witted, and doesn’t shy away from trading insults. Many of the show’s characters have tried to outtalk the Tyrell matriarch, only to find themselves at the receiving end of a savage mic drop from the “Queen of Shade.” Even those who root for Jon Snow or Daenerys Targaryen can’t deny the connection Lady Olenna Tyrell has had with her fans and the show’s audience in general. She’s the show’s badass fairy godmother.
Over the course of the series, Lady Olenna has proven time and time again that she’s not one to be messed with. And even with her demise, she was still the epitome of class and dignity at the end. As a tribute to a well-loved character, here are some of her most memorable verbal exchanges:
1. That moment when the poor servant reminded Lady Olenna that it wasn’t the right time to serve the cheese.
“The cheese will be served when I want it served. And I want it served now.”
2. Or that moment when one of her handmaidens tried to gift her with a piece of embroidery.
“Another golden rose, how original. I eat from plates stamped with roses, I sleep in sheets embroidered with roses, I have a golden rose painted on my chamber pot. As if that makes it smell any better. Roses are boring dear.”
3. Like the Truly Rich Lady that she is, she knew what royal weddings should be like.
“What good is the word ‘extravagant’ if it can’t be used to describe a royal wedding?”
4. Or the time Tyrion Lannister reminded her of the crown’s wartime expenses. Lady Olenna was very well aware of her family’s finances, and where they were going.
“You don’t have to lecture me about wartime expenses, I’m quite familiar with them.”
5. And when it was no problem to split the bill with the Crown for the royal wedding of Joffrey Baratheon and Margaery Tyrell, when traditionally, the Crown paid the bill in full.
“Oh, very well. I won’t have it said that House Tyrell refuses to play its part. We’ll pay for half the expenses, and the celebrations will go on as planned. Is that sufficient?”
6. Who could also forget the time she defended her grandson, Loras, for being gay? When she showed she was open to the concept of same-sex relationships in a world with a medieval mindset?
“I congratulate you upon your restraint. But it’s a natural thing—two boys having a go at each other beneath the sheets.”
7. When she rejected all of the wedding jewelry presented to her and Queen Margaery
“No, no. You’re a queen, not an ox.”
8. …And didn’t mind paying for one of the beautiful necklaces she had thrown out the window that had probably taken weeks, maybe even months, to make.
“Your grandfather gave me a necklace just like this one. On my 51st name day.”
9. And then sending out her handmaidens to look for the best necklace in King’s Landing. Rewarding the one who would be able to do so with the second best necklace, no less.
“My little dears. Go and speak to the jewelers of King’s Landing. Tell them who you are, tell them who sent you. One who brings me the best necklace will get to keep the next best.”
10. When she threw yet another jab, at Tyrion Lannister during the wedding reception of King Joffrey Baratheon and Queen Margaery Tyrell.
“Perhaps if your pauper husband would sell his mule and his last pair of shoes, he might be able to afford to bring you to Highgarden.”
11. And didn’t forget to remind everybody that she had paid for the food at the ceremony.
“You must excuse me, it’s time I ate some of this food I paid for.”
12. Even Cersei Lannister was not spared from the matriarch’s tart tongue
“Put the pen down, my dear. We both know you’re not writing anything.”
13. When she wasn’t having any of the Sand siblings’ bravado.
“You look like an angry little boy. Don’t presume to tell me what I need.”
“Let the grown women speak.”
14. The time she gave some grandmotherly advice to Daenerys Targaryen and told her why she’s different from the Westerosi lords.
“Are you a sheep? No. You’re a dragon. Be a dragon.”
15. And last, but not the least, the way she calmly handled her supposedly final moments with class. Even in the end, she managed to give Ser Jaime Lannister (and soon Cersei) some well-deserved burn when she revealed she was the one who had poisoned their son, Joffrey Baratheon.
“Will there be pain?”
“I’d hate to die like your son,” she said. “Clawing at my neck. Foam and bile spilling from my mouth. Eyes blood red. Skin purple. Must have been horrible for you as a King’s Guard as a father. It was horrible enough for me, a shocking scene, not at all what I intended. You see, I’d never seen the poison work before.”
“Tell Cersei. I want her to know it was me.”