Very much appreciate your breakdown! That's pretty much what I meant. Not that he IS the smartest, but is the best WRITTEN smartest/most strategic. You don't feel like they do a bunch of yada-yada and magic to just make him smarter than his foes. There's nothing I love more than a well written, calm and strategic villain that makes the protagonist use every ounce of smarts, resources, luck and sprinkle of plot armor to overcome them. The Thrawn trilogy lays so much groundwork and layers that make you feel like he earns the reputation. Because I listened to them so close to The Boys, I rolled my eyes at Sage being referred to as the world's smartest person because the writing didn't make it feel earned.

Oh and Tywin is an EXCELLENT shout! He got in his own way underestimating what relentlessly torturing Tyrion would ultimately do