There were other options. One of the finest warriors on the continent and he was incapable of restraining a scrawny old mad man? Besides, what of his other duties such as protecting the rightful successor, the infant Aegon? The point is not that killing Aerys was a good or bad thing, but that Jaime violated his oath in doing so.

Or Theon blacking out as Ramsay burns Winterfell, or Theon jumping from the wall, or Asha about to get nailed in the flight from Deepwood Motte, or Tyrion passing out at the battle of the Blackwater, or Arya getting menaced by Yoren's knife, or, well, you get the jist, I'm sure.


I could accept that defense in any book BUT the one where he heaps such scorn on the Frey's for their inept handling of Edmure as a hostage, and empty threats to hang him.
Yeah. At that point, he was a whipped dog, who had simply chosen Mance & his women to replace Ramsay. Though he did seem to have some concern and care for Jeyne. On the other hand there are subtle things such as his recollection of his feigned escape with Kyra, where he tried to abandon her to save himself. He's good at expressing concern and good intentions, and more self-serving when it comes to follow-through.

Here's hoping. But he isn't redeemed until he atones. Honestly, the best fate I could see in store for him is taking the black once everything has shaken out.

There isn't any, really. He is often mentioned, and mysterious or supernatural powers are ascribed to him by commoners and low-ranking nobles, but in much the same manner as they are ascribed to Varys. So he may have wielded magical powers during his days in service to his Targaryen brother and nephew, or he may simply have been a highly capable master of covert ops who preferred to let people believe in scrying or seeing through birds' eyes instead of actually investigating for possible spies. As far as a connection to the Starks, they are never referenced in the novellas, except a mention in tMK that Lord Stark is gathering forces to fight off Dagon Greyjoy. I think that any such affection is more likely due to them being more readily observed by him in his greenseer incarnation, given the significance of the godswood in their lives, as opposed to the rest of the nobles.