When it comes to Game of Thrones, few pairings are as popular as Jaime and Brienne. The development and chemistry between the two are simply impeccable and breathtaking to behold. At first, they are antagonistic towards each other owing to their respective allegiances. Soon, they are reluctant partners. Then they are good friends with deep bonds. And finally, come season eight, romantic partners.
Their bond is deep and their love obviously quite strong. But that's not to say that Brienne is the only person for Jaime Lannister.
These are five ways Brienne was perfect for Jaime, and five other characters he could have been with.
Perfect: Outsiders
Perhaps what bonded Jaime and Brienne was their status as outsiders. Brienne was always seen as something "other," even within her own family. She is relentlessly mocked and ridiculed by nearly everyone she meets. And while Jaime earns a bit more respect, he is still seen far and wide as an oathbreaker, the Kingslayer. Through their mutual misunderstandings and reputations they gained a mutual respect for each other.
Other: Cersei Lannister
Well, we hate to say it, and we certainly don't condone it, but Jaime very well could have been with Cersei Lannister throughout the show. And by the end of the story, he was. Jaime and Cersei's incestuous relationship was always a point of contention within the story, and it even kickstarted the entire War of the Five Kings. And in the end, Jaime's bond with Cersei was simply too strong - strong enough to break the bond between him and Brienne.
Perfect: Their Trust
When it comes to Game of Thrones, few characters trust each other as much as Jaime and Brienne. Jaime is the first person he tells the truth to regarding Varys' wildfire plot. He entrusts her to find Sansa Stark and gives her his Valyrian sword in the process. Brienne trusts Jaime to always do the right thing, even despite his background and family. This trust is unbreakable, and it is deeply moving.
Other: Elia Martell
Oh what could have been if Jaime Lannister married Elia Martell. While the Martells were traveling to Casterly Rock, they noticed an empty cabin on the ship, indicating that Jaime may have been betrothed to Elia (the other possibility being Cersei and Oberyn).
However, Tywin refused the match, informing Princess Martell that Cersei was marrying Rhaegar. He also offered her Tyrion for Elia, which was taken as a great insult.
Perfect: Risking Themselves
Brienne and Jaime trust each other greatly, and that comes through in the incredible risks they take for each other. Jaime returns to Harrenhal to rescue Brienne from the bear that almost certainly going to eat her. Brienne goes on the road and risks her life to save Sansa Stark for Jaime. There are of course other examples, but it's obvious that their personal risk for each other is a great indication of their deeply-rooted bond.
Other: Lyanna Stark
A lot of trouble may have been prevented if Jaime had married Lyanna Stark. For one thing, their marriage would ensure the bonding of House Lannister with House Stark, which in turn would have prevented the War of the Five Kings from even breaking out. It also would have prevented Robert's Rebellion, which in turn may have resulted in Rhaegar eventually overthrowing his father and bringing peace rather than dying at the Trident.
Perfect: Swordsmanship
Jaime and Brienne don't share a lot in common in terms of personality. Jaime is cocky and arrogant and prideful, whereas Brienne is humble and meek.
But they do share a love for swords. They are both deemed master swordsmen, both of equal stature and skill. Just imagine their incredible team up! Fighting together with swords in their hands, Jaime and Brienne would be near invincible.
Other: Daenerys Targaryen
Admittedly, a union between Jaime and Daenerys seems very unlikely. They have a bitter history (what with Jaime murdering her father and all), and they even tried to kill each other on the Roseroad. But a union between the two, however bitter, would have proven unspeakably valuable to the safety of King's Landing. Their bond and betrothal would have completely stymied the destruction of King's Landing, and may have prevented even more bloodshed should Daenerys have survived.
Perfect: They Feel Unloved
Paradoxically, Jaime and Brienne's feelings of unworthiness, and of being unloved, make them a stellar match. Brienne has always felt romantically unloved owing to her masculinity and cold demeanor, and Jaime was too devoted to his carnal pleasures with Cersei to realize that there were better people out there. Jaime very much had the mindset of "If not Cersei, then no one." But there is someone. Someone better. And, to Jaime's credit, he eventually realized that.
Other: Margaery Tyrell
Game of Thrones was filled with strong female characters, and one of the strongest was undoubtedly Margaery Tyrell. Margaery played a very strong political game with her grandmother Olenna, and she was fully aware of the might of House Tyrell. Tywin was also aware of their might, resulting in the betrothal of Joffrey, and eventually and Tommen, to Margaery. If Jaime wasn't Kingsguard (and if he was in King's Landing at the time!), he could have made for a great partner for Margaery.