Game of Thrones Episode 3.10: “Mhysa”

[chavalah.livejournal.com]

Sadly, this episode was somewhat blighted for many viewers by the final scene, where Daenerys was basically turned into a White Savior trope. Canon isn’t quite as bad—given that the slaves she liberates are racially diverse—but to an extent, I think the adaptation inadvertently highlighted the more problematic parts of Dany’s arc.

Most of the rest of the episode centered on family, and was stronger for it. The Stark children, now fully orphaned, must make do without the possibility of being reunited with loved ones. Tywin remains concerned with just the family legacy, not individual desires. Tyrion and Cersei chafe under this, seeking personal validation. Balon and his children find themselves in a similar position.

Jon tries to return to his sworn family—he uses the word “home” for the first time in discussing Castle Black—but not without new relationship complications. Sam, too, must deal with complications—not just with his own gal pal, Gilly, but with a surprising run-in.

As Stannis ponders how next he can utilize his “bastard” family for his own ends, Davos and Gendry (and later Varys and Shae) have some thought-provoking, though highly antecedal, talks about being outsiders amongst Westerosi nobles. As usual, an exposition-heavy end to the season. I mostly liked it, notwithstanding the Dany event, irritating quibbles with Sansa and Theon, and some smaller issues.

( Episode Summary and Spoilers )