For the most part this episode seemed more like a
transitional one, developing storylines and character arcs, as opposed to
providing action. However the final scene should certainly allow this episode
to remain a memorable one.
It turns out that I was wrong in my review of last week’s
episode ‘The Climb’, when I said that all of the expendable wildlings were
killed when part of The Wall broke away, as a fairly sizeable group made their
way through Westeros amongst less snowy terrain. There were tensions between
Jon and Orell concerning the Warg’s attempt to cut him loose during the climb.
Orell then had a scene with Ygritte when he revealed that he has feelings for
her, and so has even more reason to dislike Jon Snow (in addition to not trusting
his allegiance).
This lead to several scenes between Jon and Ygritte; where
the woman who supposedly ‘knows everything’ mistook a windmill for a palace.
Unfortunately Jon Snow lacked the sass to pay her back for all the many times
she has told him that he ‘knows nothing’, with a catchphrase of his own. Then
again, I don’t think that sassiness would suit his character very much. After some
playful dialogue between the two, Jon told her that the Wildlings will fail,
revealing his concern for her wellbeing. She reminded him that they have to
remain loyal to one another no matter what happens, and that if they are both going
to die, then they should live first.
Jon Snow’s progress has had a significant effect on Bran’s
journey, as he’s no longer heading for Castle Black, instead going beyond The
Wall to find the mysterious Three-Eyed-Raven which has been appearing to him
ever since his fall. Surely his visions and dreams must mean something, and if
he is able to find the Three-Eyed-Raven then perhaps he can find out what it
really means. Osha has her misgivings about this plan, however, and reveals
that she loved a man once. Unfortunately she had to kill the man she loved when
he became a wight. As a result of this she has no desire to journey beyond The
Wall, because nothing good can come from travelling to a place where dead men
come back to life.
Bran is not the only character to have notions of a higher
purpose, as Melissandre revealed to Gendry who his real father was. This is a completely
new scenario that doesn’t take place in the books, so I’ll be very interested
to see where this is heading. This scene also showed the wreckage of Stannis’
fleet, which was destroyed by the wildfire during the Battle of the Blackwater.
Torrential rain slowed down Robb’s progress en route to The
Twins for the wedding between Edmure and Walder Frey’s daughter. Blackfish
revealed that he has no love for Lord Frey, eloquently comparing him to “wet
shit”. There was then a scene between Robb and Talisa when Robb finally had
something go right for him for the first time all season, when Talisa revealed
that she was pregnant with his child. Robb has suffered a great deal this
season, as his war effort has been slowed down by his grandfather’s funeral,
the Karstark betrayal, and the news that Winterfell was burned down, so it’s
about time he had something go right for him. He was even allowed to ‘leave the
war for one night’ to spend time with his Queen.
In King’s Landing talk revolved around the upcoming
marriages. Sansa revealed her displeasure at the idea of being married to
Tyrion, although the counter-argument was posed by Margery, pointing out that
she has to marry Joffrey, so who’s truly getting the worst deal? Tyrion
meanwhile had a discussion with Bronn, who didn’t exactly offer his sympathies.
Speaking of Bronn, where the hell has he been these last few weeks? Receiving
no helpful advice from the sellsword, Tyrion attempted to make amends with Shae
by giving her expensive jewellery (well, why not?) but this doesn’t work out so
well either. Tyrion has allowed himself to grow too attached to Shae, but
because she is a whore their relationship will always be complicated.
The best scene in King’s Landing this week though, was
between Joffrey and Tywin. I’ve been looking forward to this scene all season,
and it did not disappoint. With barely any effort at all Tywin was able to make
Joffrey look completely pathetic – which he obviously is! It’s high time
someone was able to put Joffrey in his place, and this scene was truly
satisfying. Jack Gleeson has done a great job of making Joffrey such a
detestable character, but seeing him unable to look Tywin in the eye, and
hearing the shakiness in his voice was a thing of wonder. Also, Joffrey has
always been surrounded by guards which have given him confidence, but here he
looked completely helpless and alone, and when Tywin climbed the steps towards
the Throne and stood above him there was no doubt as to who is really ruling
the Seven Kingdoms. Tywin’s casual formality at the end of the scene was such a
great sign-off, I found it more satisfying than seeing Joffrey getting slapped!
Once again Theon had a scene which had me preparing to look
away from the screen, knowing where it was eventually leading. At first it
appeared that Theon was being offered some relief, and also HBO must have come
to the conclusion that there hasn’t been enough nudity these past couple of
weeks! But of course it was all just a trick, and after reminding Theon of how
much he loved whores, his assailant – STILL unnamed – pulled out a very ugly
looking blade and prepared to remove his ‘most precious body part’. Fortunately
this wasn’t shown!
Then we come to the final scene, where Jaime Lannister had a
moment of heroism, revealing than in spite of himself he has grown attached to
Brienne. Having been released by Roose Bolton – who is now heading to The Twins
for Edmure’s wedding – Jaime left Harrenhal without his female companion. Qyburn
revealed to Jaime that Locke had plans for Brienne, which were not going to be
anything good, especially since his trick with the sapphires was revealed to be
a lie. Jaime then returned to Harrenhal, claiming that he had left something
behind, and discovered Brienne still wearing her pink dress and attempting to
fend off a bear with a wooden sword. The last time someone was armed with a
wooden sword on this show it was Syrio Forel, and he took down a group of
Lannister soldiers with it, however a wooden sword is not so effective against
a bear, nor is Brienne as fast as Syrio. This prompted Jaime to leap into the
pit and make the save. I thought for a moment that Jaime was going to push
Locke into the pit, but instead he simply signed off with the line “sorry about
the sapphires”.
Syrio’s presence was also felt during a short scene between
Arya and Beric, where she revealed that she believes in the God of Death, and
not the Lord of Light. Feeling betrayed by the Brotherhood she ran away, only
to be caught by The Hound. He may have had a soft spot for Sansa, but he doesn’t
have the same affection for the younger Stark daughter.
After being absent from last week’s episode Danaerys
revealed her newfound power, and that Jorah’s statement back in season one that
“having a few dragons makes things easier” is certainly true!
This may not have been the most exciting episode of the
season, but the scene between Joffrey and Tywin is worth the proverbial ‘price
of admission’ alone! There was a lot of character development, as things
continue to build towards the season finale.
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