Tyrion and Jaime do care for one another, which is what makes what happens later so hard.
The Hound turning into a douche? LOL WAT.
I really disagree about Cersei, and in this book would have disagreed about Jaime as well. The fact that she becomes somewhat more human doesn't make her any more relatable to me. To me, her love for her children is portrayed in a very negative light (similar in a way to Lysa with Robert, though I'm not sure how much of that is shown in the first book so I won't say more). I am definitely interested in the family, though. Tywin is a badass, Tyrion is the best, Jaime is a great character (in the next three books particularly), and I really enjoy Kevan, even though he's a quite a minor character, and some of the other even more minor Lannisters and their relations/retainers. I never really felt Martin was setting them up as "EVIL FAMILY EVIL FAMILY" - more along the lines of "ENEMY FAMILY ENEMY FAMILY" to the Starks, who are unquestionably the focus of the first book. As the series progresses, they become less so, and the Lannisters become not even ENEMY FAMILY anymore, but just DIFFERENT FAMILY DIFFERENT FAMILY.
Howland Reed knows the truth about Jon's mother. At least, he's the only one of Ned's battle companions who is still alive. :] Also, you should tell me your theory, because I bet it's the same as mine (and half the internet's).
I love Rickon. :\ He doesn't get nearly enough attention, in my opinion. But I guess he's too young to really warrant it.
Apologies that this probably sounds retarded, I haven't read the book(s) in years and I'm on Tylenol PM. :\