25 reasons we love Cersei Lannister on Game of Thrones

“I choose violence”

Warning: the above video includes Ser Robert Strong forcibly decapitating someone, so this video is not safe for work.

After her walk of atonement, Cersei is generally confined to the Red Keep by her own son, supposedly for her protection. When the Faith Militant, led by Lancel Lannister, pays her a visit to tell her that the High Sparrow wishes to see her, she tells them that said Sparrow can come see her himself.

She casually denies the High Sparrow’s command, explaining to Lancel that he has just made a request. The Faith Miltant does not take this well, and Lancel threatens violence.

There’s a pause. Then Cersei, already dressed in dark colors, presaging her all-black ensembles of the season 6 finale and beyond, informs the viewers (and Lancel) that she chooses violence. In three words, she gives up any pretense of working with the High Sparrow at all anymore. She has not forgotten her humiliation. She still wants revenge.

If that means choosing violence, she has a resurrected Mountain, and she gets herself a Golden Company come season 8 to back the Mountain up.

After Ser Robert Strong displays why they call him Strong, Cersei casually says that His Holiness is welcome to visit at any time, and then walks off.

That is how you throw down the gauntlet.