Dealing with Grand Maester Pycelle
This moment often gets overshadowed by Cersei’s later scene in this episode, “The Lion and the Rose,” since she reacts to Joffrey’s death. (Don’t worry, that scene also appears on this list, because it is, if nothing else, a moment that makes us empathize with her.) However, let’s count down a couple of great moments here.
First, she saves some poor servant girl from the wandering hands of Grand Maester Pycelle. If nothing else, Cersei appears to have a soft spot for certain women, especially ones who are at risk of being manipulated or used by men in power. Appears may be somewhat generous, since this incident also benefits Cersei.
After all, she can take the opportunity to deliver a patented Cersei-style threat, based on Pycelle just annoying her with every single breath he takes. In fact, it accomplishes two things: reminding Pycelle that she should not be trifled with, and also undermining Margaery. Her orders to have the wedding feast leftovers fed to the kennel dogs essentially removes an opportunity for her new daughter-in-law to get some great PR by feeding the poor.
When Pycelle complains, Cersei snaps, “They will feed the dogs. Or you will.” He wisely then walks away. When the queen speaks, he still has to listen.