In Game of Thrones, Jaime Lannister is the classic redemption arc - he starts out as almost pure villain (incestuous love, attempted child-killer), but rises to be one of the most complex and loved characters in the show. His decisions may rarely have been perfect, and his final choice to return to Cersei was one that still has fans up in arms, but there's no doubt that he went a long way to redeeming himself over eight seasons.
In that time, he went through so many changes that it would be hard to list them all - but we've rounded up ten of the biggest ones, nonetheless.
Lost A Hand
This is the most obvious physical change that Jaime went through - he lost his hand, courtesy of messing with the wrong kidnapper. This was a hugely shocking moment in the series, and led to him nearly dying, and then recovering in King's Landing, where he was given a replacement hand made of gold. However, this is more than simply disfigurement or a physical difference. The loss of his hand served as a catalyst for many of his other changes, as he was forced to confront physical helplessness, the loss of his fighting ability, and the realization that his Lannister name couldn't save him from everything.
Switching Sides
While many of the characters changed their loyalties over the course of the show, Jaime may be the one that seemed to change the most drastically. From the start, he was obviously loyal to his family and Cersei (to the point of pushing Bran off a tower), but this started to slip... he slowly became less and less convinced that Cersei was the right bet, and when he realized that she refused to take the White Walker threat seriously, he flipped completely, riding North to help. Of course, he returned to her in the end, but by then, it was too late.
Fell In Love With Brienne
For many fans, the fact that Jaime didn't actually stay up North with Brienne was one of the most heartbreaking moments of the finale episodes - their love story was complicated, but beautiful.
At the start of the series, it was hard to imagine that Jaime would be with anyone but Cersei - despite the fact that they are twins. However, his relationship with Brienne blossomed, and he finally realized that he loved her in the end... even though he just couldn't quit Cersei.
Learned To Ask For Help
This was definitely one of the major changes that came about with the loss of his hand - suddenly, for the first time, Jaime was in a position where he was incapable of being the capable show-off he always was. He learned, slowly, and extremely reluctantly, that he would have to ask for help if he wanted to manage to retain his position and any measure of self-respect. With this came a degree of humility and gratitude that went a long way to redeeming him overall.
Learned Comion
Along with asking for help, over the course of the show Jaime learned comion. Clearly, at the start, he was utterly without it (once again, we have to go back to the pushing-a-child-off-a-tower scene). However, he started to develop a real sense of empathy as time went on - he went back to save Brienne from the bear pit, even though he didn't have to (and season one Jaime would probably have pushed her in). He was willing to risk his own life to help fight against the White Walkers, and even revealed real regret for what he did to Bran in the end.
Developed A Moral Com
There's something of a pattern here - Jaime learned comion, humility... and seemed to overall develop a well-honed sense of morality and ethics. Of course, it could be argued that this wasn't Jaime developing a moral com, but rather brushing his off again.
He ditched his sense of honor in shame and defensiveness when he picked up the nickname 'Kingslayer', but as we learn, he had his moral reasons for this action - and through his relationship with Brienne, he was able to and reconnect to the man he used to be.
Really Connects With Tyrion
It's not just his earlier, more moral self that Jaime connects with as the show progresses, but his younger brother, too. While Jaime never seems to truly hate his sibling the way that Cersei obviously does from the start, we don't realize just how much he cares until their story develops. From their conversations to Jaime helping Tyrion escape, the development of their relationship is incredible, and their openness about it is a huge change for both characters.
Lost His Children
A far sadder change, but it must be noted that over the course of the series, Jaime lost all of his children. Joffrey was poisoned, Myrcella was poisoned, and Tommen jumped out of a window. At least he did get to reveal to Myrcella that he was her father and have her accept that - although it then made her loss all the more poignant, so soon after this father-daughter connection.
Got A Better Entry In The Book Of Brothers
This change may have technically happened after his death under King's Landing, but it was such a touching moment for the character that it just had to be included. One of Jaime's greatest regrets was that he would end up being known, always, as the Kingslayer. However, in the final scenes, Brienne is able to write the rest of his history in the records of the Kingsguard, including that he died attempting to protect his Queen. It's the end of his redemption, and a real representation of the regaining of his honor.
Relationship To Cersei
And of course, the biggest change of all is in his relationship with Cersei. Yes, he went back for her in the end, but watching him go from thinking that she was the most perfect woman in the world to becoming increasingly appalled at her actions was a massive shift for him - possibly his biggest change in the show. He started to realize that his honor meant more to him than his loyalty to his sister/lover, and as their relationship fell apart, he began to put himself back together.