Game of Thrones’ showrunners have revealed the unfortunate fate of the late King Tommen’s much-loved cat. It is not for the faint of heart. As it turns out, Ser Pounce is no more. Game of Thrones’ co-showrunner David Benioff revealed the cat’s status and the culprit behind his demise, saying:
Cersei hated the name ‘Ser Pounce’ so much she could not allow him to survive. So she came up with her most diabolical [execution]. Ser Pounce’s death was so horrible we couldn’t even put it on the air.
Wow! Cersei has always been cutthroat, but even this is shocking. According to what David Benioff told EW, the reigning Queen of the Seven Kingdoms had Ser Pounce put down. You can now add her son’s cat to Cersei's ever-growing list of victims. RIP Ser Pounce.
Apparently, Ellaria Sand and her daughter were not the only ones to have been on the end of Cersei’s retribution. Unlike King Tommen, Ser Pounce’s demise may not have been story-driven. Behind-the-scenes tensions may have played a role in the decision. The cat actor was no ball of yarn. David Benioff explained:
That cat was really not fun to work with. There’s a reason the phrase ‘like herding cats’ came into existence.
Meow! The claws are coming out. The behavior of Ser Pounce’s portrayer seems to have contributed to the cat’s off-screen demise. It turns out that the cat who played Ser Pounce may have shared something in common with Cersei. Game of Thrones’ co-showrunner Dan Weiss shared:
Dogs generally do what you ask them to do if they’re smart and well trained. Cats have their own agenda.
Like Cersei, the cat actor had their own agenda, potentially leading to the kitty character’s demise. Despite this development, it is important to remember the good times that Ser Pounce gave Game of Thrones fans. He was fluffy and one of the few bright spots in King Tommen’s all-too-brief existence.
Ser Pounce was last seen fluffing up Game of Thrones in Season 6. Considering that a whole season went by with no sign of him, his fate looked grim. Now comes confirmation of what many may have feared. His disappearance is not an entirely strange phenomenon for TV shows. Besides Comet on Full House, pets can sometimes lack a consistent on-screen presence.
Ser Pounce’s demise may not be considered official Game of Thrones canon until it is mentioned on-screen. Why Cersei would want to do away with one of her last living connections to Tommen is tough to reconcile. Then again, she killed his wife and broke his heart -- so it may fit after all.
Ser Pounce joins the many TV pets never to be seen again and without a lot of on-screen explanation. At least Game of Thrones’ showrunners have given curious fans the closure they have sought on the matter. Given what an online sensation he was, it was surprising that his presence slipped off.
Fans of the Starks' late direwolves and Ser Pounce can certainly relate. Both were seen and somewhat forgotten throughout the show's run. Fans now know Ser Pounce will not putting in another appearance. There is still hope for Ghost and his fellow direwolves.
Game of Thrones' final season premieres Sunday, April 14 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. The series' eighth season is among many awaiting viewers in the midseason.
