by Hyperion » Fri Jul 12, 2013 4:13 pm
He's basically Ned Stark except without any emotional attachment to children or lingering desire to spare his enemies. The show makes him look morally corruptible but in the books he's pretty much a man of honor who hates the idea of being king but sees it as his duty and right. He's also quite aware of the game Littlefinger, the Spider, and the Grant Maester play: he'd have hanged all three.
Plus if you're in it to see the Starks make a come back he's their most powerful ally.
The Baratheons are basically segments of an awesome king. Robert is the warrior, Stannis is the administrator, and Renly is the public figure.
Any of them is better than a Lannister.