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scifi_rewatchThis episode is named for the Dothraki afterlife, though Daenerys’s story isn’t featured substantially. In fact for most storylines with the green light, they largely plod along with a couple of interesting character notes along the way. Some, but not a lot of overarching plot. Lots of maneuvering, as always.
We are introduced to another new set of characters by way of Theon’s family at Pyke, offering a lot of complicated relationships and backstory. After a season of being reminded of his place as a highborn hostage, we get to see what life is like for Theon at home, in a culture that is far different from the one of the north.
A lot of little things got changed from the book, and some bigger things. Have a couple stylistic and thematic complaints, but largely as strong as ever a “Game of Thrones” episode.
Summary:
The Road North
We start where we ended last time, with Arya and the Night’s Watch recruits. The youngest Stark girl is discreetly taking a piss while looking nervously over her shoulder to make sure no one finds out her secret gender identity. Then, in the midst of carrying wood, she’s called to the padlocked wagon reserved for the baddest recruits, gentlemanly Jaqen and far less kind Rorge and Biter. They ask (or demand) food and beer, to which Arya gets pissed and starts whacking them with the stick. Amusing, yes, but Rorge threatens to rape her and Gendry, passing by, chastises her for her brashness. They are interrupted, however, by the arrival of gold cloaks! Arya hides, convinced they’re looking for her but instead, as per last episode, they’re looking for Gendry. Either way, Yorren isn’t giving them up and sends them away with one less sword and one more chip on their shoulders.
Later, Arya washes dishes in the stream with friends Lommy and Hot Pie. A little fun is had at Hot Pie’s expense when he assumes anyone with armor is a knight. Gendry, former armorer’s apprentice, sets him straight. Alone, Arya presses him about why the gold cloaks would want him, and Gendry reveals that both Jon Arryn and Eddard Stark came to see them shortly before their deaths. (Just Maisie repeating “Lord Stark” painfully makes me want to give her an Emmy. :P) Gendry then turns the tables on her—are they after her because she’s a girl? Arya tries to deny it, but it’s no use…she goes further by admitting she’s not just any girl, but Arya Stark of Winterfell. She defends her father’s good name and then gets angry at Gendry for freaking out and calling her a lady. She pushes him down and stalks off. Guess that’s one way to make your point. :P
Pyke
Theon is traveling home, too, bedecked in jewels and sailing to Pyke. He’s taken the captain’s chambers—and his daughter as a bed maid. The two of them copulate while they talk about the Iron Islands being a hard place that breeds hard men—most don’t like them. Theon is, at best, dismissive of his lover, chastising her appearance, showing no sympathy for her situation, flat out using her for his sexual pleasure. And the fact that being shoved around by someone who doesn’t care about her is the highlight of her life just makes me feel awful for this one-time-only guest star. :( All very true to the book, too.
On Pyke, Theon struts around like he owns the place but no one is that impressed. The most a dock worker says to him is that he doesn’t like Theon’s gift (wine) cos it’s a “woman’s drink.” Theon haughtily demands a horse, and a young lady comes to his aid, offering him a ride. Theon flirts horribly with her, including fondling her the whole way and bragging “this is a night you can tell your grandchildren about.”
He meets with his father, Balon, in his hall, and Balon is as dismissive of him as he was with the girl earlier. Theon is obviously proud of the offer that Robb is making on his behest—send ships and get named King of the Iron Islands—but Balon is less than enthused. Iron Men take crowns, they aren’t given. Speaking of which, did Theon pay for his jewels by “the iron price or the gold” (eg with coin or by killing a man and taking his possessions?) Balon strips him of his cloak for the wrong answer and Theon looks very uncomfortable. A feeling that only gets worse when the horse girl comes in and turns out to be his sister, Yara. :P Not only is Yara his sister, but she’s been raised up as Balon’s only son with two of his actual sons dead and the third a hostage. Said hostage son is stunned by this whole turn of events, especially when Balon tears the letter up and puts it in the fire.
King’s Landing
Add Tyrion to the list of people having a bad day when he goes to his quarters and finds none other than Varys keeping Shae company. So much for hiding. :P The men share veiled threats in front of Shae, then more blunt ones in the open. Tyrion says he’s not Ned Stark—eg he’s dishonorable—but Varys has no fear of dishonorable men. He’ll keep on paddling.
The two of them join Cersei and the Small Council as cousin Alton arrives with Robb’s peace terms. In response, Cersei tears the letter up and won’t even allow them to take Ned’s bones. She inquires after Jaime and Alton says “they have not broken his spirit.” The remaining Lannister siblings are relieved. After Alton leaves, the council discusses a raven from the Night’s Watch aboutzombies wights rising from the dead and Mance Rayder doing who-knows-what beyond the Wall. Basically, they need more men. Cersei laughs off the Watch’s needs and reminds everyone of their own war. Tyrion is less certain about this pronouncement.
Littlefinger returns to one of his brothels where he peeps on girls and patrons in saucy positions. He’s interrupted by an angry customer storming out—Ros, from behind, cries her way into her room. The customer complains and Littlefinger summons a new girl, wipes the cum from her lips and sends her off. He then goes to talk to Ros, who is still worked up about the baby murder last episode. Littlefinger tells her a story of another employee—beautiful, but sad. Not making any money. Hint hint. He tried to help, but she wouldn’t be happy. So when it came down to it, when a patron came along who wanted to “use” this girl “in ways that wouldn’t even occur to most men,” he allowed it. Girl still not happy, but losses mitigated. Lesson imparted, Littlefinger gets up, tells her to take the night off to mourn, then come back and “be happy.” Yikes.
Tyrion invites Lord Janos Slynt—the baby killer—to dinner where they have a jolly time, except for Tyrion’s squire, Podrick, making a little bit of a mess with the wine. The two lords chat pleasantly, leading into talk of protecting the city, which then leads into “I didn’t realize that protecting the city required murdering babies.” Slynt poo-poos this; he does what he’s told, including turning on the last Hand, Ned Stark. Tyrion mocks him a little more, riling him up, but then exiles him to the Wall; wouldn’t feel safe with him “lurking about,” he says. Slynt tries to protest, but with no Cersei or Joffrey to back him, and with his position as leader of City Watch Commander given to Bronn, he has little choice. Alone, Tyrion asks Bronn if he’d kill an infant without question. “I’d ask how much,” Bronn says mildly. Chilling.
Cersei comes to argue with Tyrion about this exile later and points out that the people won’t take kindly to a queen who murders babies. Cersei looks awkward at that, goes to the window, and Tyrion realizes it was Joff who gave the order. But Cersei stands behind her son; saying ruling is like ripping out weeds, one by one, before they strangle you. Her brothers mock, but that’s the truth. Speaking of mocking, Tyrion twists her words into a pun about her incest with Jaime, so she hits him back with the fact that he killed their mother during labor. “Mother gone…all for the sake of you.” She leaves him battered.
Wheels Turning in the Red Waste and Dragonstone
Just brief stops as Daenerys and Stannis wait for news. Dany and company sit, exhausted and dehydrated in the heat, and squint to see Rakraro’s horse returning. No rider, but a dripping satchel to the side. Jorah opens it and tries to keep Dany and Irri away. Irri breaks down, calling his beheading a blasphemy; now he can’t go to the Night Lands. Dany tries to comfort her as she and Jorah discuss that the other khals must have done this to send a message about a woman in power. “They will like it far less when I am done with them,” Dany swears as Irri’s cries fill the desert.
Slightly more optimistic news on Dragonstone where Davos and son, Matthos, are able to recruit mischievous pirate, Sallador Saan, to their cause. Matthos isn’t thrilled—he’s a burglar who doesn’t believe in the Fire God—but what can you do when you desperately need an army. He and Davos go way back. Alone, Matthos tries to argue with his father—I’ll teach you to read and you’ll believe in the Red God. Davos poo-poos it; he’s seen plenty of people praying to gods and to no avail. Matthos counters that he used to pray when Davos was out at sea, and he always came home. Davos posits that maybe Stannis is his god for raising the family up from lowborn smugglers and giving Matthos a chance at an esteemed future. Stannis is king but only a man, Matthos says. Try telling him that, Davos retorts.
They return to the castle to await said Stannis and Melissandre. Stannis also isn’t thrilled about Sallador Saan, but again, he needs the numbers. He dismisses father and son but before he leaves, Mel takes Matthos aside and whispers that death by fire is the purest death. Stannis is very frustrated when alone—he needs Renly’s men but he can’t defeat Renly to get them. Mel’s talk of faith does little to appease him until suddenly “giving yourself to the Lord of Light” means having sex with her. :O He’s awkward; he has a wife, but she disgusts him and has given him no sons. Mel, on the other hand, is hot. :P So they do this thing, banging away at the table map of Westeros.
Beyond the Wall
The Brothers continue to cool their heels at Craster’s. Edd makes fart jokes, everyone ogles the girls, and when Sam is sent to get some supplies, he stops Ghost from eating one of their rabbits. Their resulting conversation is awkward and sweet, and leads to them suggesting to Jon that they take her with them. Jon is less sweet on the idea. :P The girl, Gilly, claims that if the child she’s having turns out to be a boy… “What?” Jon presses her. When she won’t answer, he points out that she’s asking them to risk their lives for her and not giving a reason. She runs and Sam argues with him. Jon points out that Craster doesn’t even like them talking to his daughter/wives, let alone stealing them, to which Sam says the most awesome, feminist line that we’ll likely ever hear on “Game of Thrones”: “I can’t steal her. She’s a person, not a goat.” :O Shock and amazement!
Jon keeps watch later at night and notes Craster taking a crying bundle into the woods. He follows at a distance, and notes Craster setting the baby down, far from his home. A White Walker picks the baby up! :O Jon is still distracted and stunned when Craster, from behind, knocks him unconscious. Dun dun duuuuuun!
Those killed in the show still alive in the books: Rakraro! I assume for three reasons—a) the actor was leaving for another gig, b) to introduce the idea of other Khals being Dany’s enemies and c) to give Dany something to do, because there’s not much for the next couple episodes. :P As a bonus, we get Irri and Rakraro having a relationship that they don’t seem to in the books! Fits in nicely with their teasing from last season.
I suppose it’s time to bring up one of the biggest contentions for “Game of Thrones”…the claim that the sex is gratuitous. Of the three sex scenes this episode, I would name two useful to plot and one not. Theon’s sexual escapade is, first of all, “sexposition” because it gives background on Iron Island culture. It also shows us the callous way he treats women, and even the sad situation of many women in Westeros that he’s the best they can do. Stannis’s sexual encounter has a plot component I won’t spoil. :P It also puts to rest what was insinuated in the books—does Stannis cheat on his wife with Melissandre? I, like the show runners, believe absolutely.
But the brothel scene…come on. What was important there was Littlefinger threatening Ros, which gives insight into his cruelty and greed. But we didn’t need any of the sex scenes or cum to point that out; those girls were extras. We already get that it’s a brothel, we know what’s going on there. Save the screen time for the massive amount of characters and plots of importance, kthanks.
In terms of what I liked, Balon and Yara’s introduction was spot on for me, exhibiting the frustrating situation Theon finds himself in, a hostage returned home to a home that isn’t his anymore. You can see him trying so hard to make a name for himself for the first time ever, but his family just isn’t buying it. They’re not on the same page at all. Combine this with the fact that Theon is neither a total good guy or a total bad guy, and things get real interesting. The only thing I don’t exactly like is Yara’s name—in the books it’s Asha. And although “Asha” might sound like “Osha,” doesn’t “Yara” sound like “Arya” anyway? *raised eyebrow*
I also loved getting the chance to catch up with Arya after largely missing her last episode—for all her hardships that are just under the surface, she has a jocular, fun relationship with the boys. Similarly, I enjoyed Davos and Matthos, because they are simple, humble, earnest people, even if Matthos is a little bit of a zealot. :P But it just adds to one of my favorite types of stories—fathers and sons trying to connect. (I don’t like, however, that we never see Sallador Saan again this season—isn’t this scene about writing him into a battle, a la the book? Alas.) Cersei and Tyrion also had dramatic family action going on; Lena and Peter are awesome together.
In terms of major changes: well, Shae wasn’t kept at the Red Keep, precisely because it would be so easy for someone to find her. But Varys also found her where Tyrion stashed her anyway. In the book, Tyrion actually poisons (one-day stomach bug kind) Cersei so she won’t be able to attend the meeting with cousin “Alton.” In that meeting, Tyrion strikes a deal, which is struck in a different way on the show.
Not too huge of one, but it’s Jon who saves Gilly’s rabbit in the book, not Sam. Also, Jon most definitely doesn’t see White Walkers so early in the game; the situation with Craster’s boys is hearsay in the books.
The biggest change, undoubtedly, is about who ordered the deaths of Robert’s bastards. In the book it’s Cersei, period. With so much incest talk going around, she couldn’t afford to keep any competitors alive, or such is her reasoning. This is given to Joffrey on the show, presumably to make Cersei more sympathetic (and Joff more of a monster, not that he needs help.) The show has set a bit of a precedent with Cersei—she’s still villainous, but perhaps they worry about making her too villainous, since they also want to draw out that she’s a woman who’s had very few choices in her life, has mostly been the pawn of her father and husband, and who cares deeply for her children. Perhaps it’s too much to assume that the tv audience can keep up with all her complications, but many canon fans are upset by this white-washing.
___
We are introduced to another new set of characters by way of Theon’s family at Pyke, offering a lot of complicated relationships and backstory. After a season of being reminded of his place as a highborn hostage, we get to see what life is like for Theon at home, in a culture that is far different from the one of the north.
A lot of little things got changed from the book, and some bigger things. Have a couple stylistic and thematic complaints, but largely as strong as ever a “Game of Thrones” episode.
Summary:
The Road North
We start where we ended last time, with Arya and the Night’s Watch recruits. The youngest Stark girl is discreetly taking a piss while looking nervously over her shoulder to make sure no one finds out her secret gender identity. Then, in the midst of carrying wood, she’s called to the padlocked wagon reserved for the baddest recruits, gentlemanly Jaqen and far less kind Rorge and Biter. They ask (or demand) food and beer, to which Arya gets pissed and starts whacking them with the stick. Amusing, yes, but Rorge threatens to rape her and Gendry, passing by, chastises her for her brashness. They are interrupted, however, by the arrival of gold cloaks! Arya hides, convinced they’re looking for her but instead, as per last episode, they’re looking for Gendry. Either way, Yorren isn’t giving them up and sends them away with one less sword and one more chip on their shoulders.
Later, Arya washes dishes in the stream with friends Lommy and Hot Pie. A little fun is had at Hot Pie’s expense when he assumes anyone with armor is a knight. Gendry, former armorer’s apprentice, sets him straight. Alone, Arya presses him about why the gold cloaks would want him, and Gendry reveals that both Jon Arryn and Eddard Stark came to see them shortly before their deaths. (Just Maisie repeating “Lord Stark” painfully makes me want to give her an Emmy. :P) Gendry then turns the tables on her—are they after her because she’s a girl? Arya tries to deny it, but it’s no use…she goes further by admitting she’s not just any girl, but Arya Stark of Winterfell. She defends her father’s good name and then gets angry at Gendry for freaking out and calling her a lady. She pushes him down and stalks off. Guess that’s one way to make your point. :P
Pyke
Theon is traveling home, too, bedecked in jewels and sailing to Pyke. He’s taken the captain’s chambers—and his daughter as a bed maid. The two of them copulate while they talk about the Iron Islands being a hard place that breeds hard men—most don’t like them. Theon is, at best, dismissive of his lover, chastising her appearance, showing no sympathy for her situation, flat out using her for his sexual pleasure. And the fact that being shoved around by someone who doesn’t care about her is the highlight of her life just makes me feel awful for this one-time-only guest star. :( All very true to the book, too.
On Pyke, Theon struts around like he owns the place but no one is that impressed. The most a dock worker says to him is that he doesn’t like Theon’s gift (wine) cos it’s a “woman’s drink.” Theon haughtily demands a horse, and a young lady comes to his aid, offering him a ride. Theon flirts horribly with her, including fondling her the whole way and bragging “this is a night you can tell your grandchildren about.”
He meets with his father, Balon, in his hall, and Balon is as dismissive of him as he was with the girl earlier. Theon is obviously proud of the offer that Robb is making on his behest—send ships and get named King of the Iron Islands—but Balon is less than enthused. Iron Men take crowns, they aren’t given. Speaking of which, did Theon pay for his jewels by “the iron price or the gold” (eg with coin or by killing a man and taking his possessions?) Balon strips him of his cloak for the wrong answer and Theon looks very uncomfortable. A feeling that only gets worse when the horse girl comes in and turns out to be his sister, Yara. :P Not only is Yara his sister, but she’s been raised up as Balon’s only son with two of his actual sons dead and the third a hostage. Said hostage son is stunned by this whole turn of events, especially when Balon tears the letter up and puts it in the fire.
King’s Landing
Add Tyrion to the list of people having a bad day when he goes to his quarters and finds none other than Varys keeping Shae company. So much for hiding. :P The men share veiled threats in front of Shae, then more blunt ones in the open. Tyrion says he’s not Ned Stark—eg he’s dishonorable—but Varys has no fear of dishonorable men. He’ll keep on paddling.
The two of them join Cersei and the Small Council as cousin Alton arrives with Robb’s peace terms. In response, Cersei tears the letter up and won’t even allow them to take Ned’s bones. She inquires after Jaime and Alton says “they have not broken his spirit.” The remaining Lannister siblings are relieved. After Alton leaves, the council discusses a raven from the Night’s Watch about
Littlefinger returns to one of his brothels where he peeps on girls and patrons in saucy positions. He’s interrupted by an angry customer storming out—Ros, from behind, cries her way into her room. The customer complains and Littlefinger summons a new girl, wipes the cum from her lips and sends her off. He then goes to talk to Ros, who is still worked up about the baby murder last episode. Littlefinger tells her a story of another employee—beautiful, but sad. Not making any money. Hint hint. He tried to help, but she wouldn’t be happy. So when it came down to it, when a patron came along who wanted to “use” this girl “in ways that wouldn’t even occur to most men,” he allowed it. Girl still not happy, but losses mitigated. Lesson imparted, Littlefinger gets up, tells her to take the night off to mourn, then come back and “be happy.” Yikes.
Tyrion invites Lord Janos Slynt—the baby killer—to dinner where they have a jolly time, except for Tyrion’s squire, Podrick, making a little bit of a mess with the wine. The two lords chat pleasantly, leading into talk of protecting the city, which then leads into “I didn’t realize that protecting the city required murdering babies.” Slynt poo-poos this; he does what he’s told, including turning on the last Hand, Ned Stark. Tyrion mocks him a little more, riling him up, but then exiles him to the Wall; wouldn’t feel safe with him “lurking about,” he says. Slynt tries to protest, but with no Cersei or Joffrey to back him, and with his position as leader of City Watch Commander given to Bronn, he has little choice. Alone, Tyrion asks Bronn if he’d kill an infant without question. “I’d ask how much,” Bronn says mildly. Chilling.
Cersei comes to argue with Tyrion about this exile later and points out that the people won’t take kindly to a queen who murders babies. Cersei looks awkward at that, goes to the window, and Tyrion realizes it was Joff who gave the order. But Cersei stands behind her son; saying ruling is like ripping out weeds, one by one, before they strangle you. Her brothers mock, but that’s the truth. Speaking of mocking, Tyrion twists her words into a pun about her incest with Jaime, so she hits him back with the fact that he killed their mother during labor. “Mother gone…all for the sake of you.” She leaves him battered.
Wheels Turning in the Red Waste and Dragonstone
Just brief stops as Daenerys and Stannis wait for news. Dany and company sit, exhausted and dehydrated in the heat, and squint to see Rakraro’s horse returning. No rider, but a dripping satchel to the side. Jorah opens it and tries to keep Dany and Irri away. Irri breaks down, calling his beheading a blasphemy; now he can’t go to the Night Lands. Dany tries to comfort her as she and Jorah discuss that the other khals must have done this to send a message about a woman in power. “They will like it far less when I am done with them,” Dany swears as Irri’s cries fill the desert.
Slightly more optimistic news on Dragonstone where Davos and son, Matthos, are able to recruit mischievous pirate, Sallador Saan, to their cause. Matthos isn’t thrilled—he’s a burglar who doesn’t believe in the Fire God—but what can you do when you desperately need an army. He and Davos go way back. Alone, Matthos tries to argue with his father—I’ll teach you to read and you’ll believe in the Red God. Davos poo-poos it; he’s seen plenty of people praying to gods and to no avail. Matthos counters that he used to pray when Davos was out at sea, and he always came home. Davos posits that maybe Stannis is his god for raising the family up from lowborn smugglers and giving Matthos a chance at an esteemed future. Stannis is king but only a man, Matthos says. Try telling him that, Davos retorts.
They return to the castle to await said Stannis and Melissandre. Stannis also isn’t thrilled about Sallador Saan, but again, he needs the numbers. He dismisses father and son but before he leaves, Mel takes Matthos aside and whispers that death by fire is the purest death. Stannis is very frustrated when alone—he needs Renly’s men but he can’t defeat Renly to get them. Mel’s talk of faith does little to appease him until suddenly “giving yourself to the Lord of Light” means having sex with her. :O He’s awkward; he has a wife, but she disgusts him and has given him no sons. Mel, on the other hand, is hot. :P So they do this thing, banging away at the table map of Westeros.
Beyond the Wall
The Brothers continue to cool their heels at Craster’s. Edd makes fart jokes, everyone ogles the girls, and when Sam is sent to get some supplies, he stops Ghost from eating one of their rabbits. Their resulting conversation is awkward and sweet, and leads to them suggesting to Jon that they take her with them. Jon is less sweet on the idea. :P The girl, Gilly, claims that if the child she’s having turns out to be a boy… “What?” Jon presses her. When she won’t answer, he points out that she’s asking them to risk their lives for her and not giving a reason. She runs and Sam argues with him. Jon points out that Craster doesn’t even like them talking to his daughter/wives, let alone stealing them, to which Sam says the most awesome, feminist line that we’ll likely ever hear on “Game of Thrones”: “I can’t steal her. She’s a person, not a goat.” :O Shock and amazement!
Jon keeps watch later at night and notes Craster taking a crying bundle into the woods. He follows at a distance, and notes Craster setting the baby down, far from his home. A White Walker picks the baby up! :O Jon is still distracted and stunned when Craster, from behind, knocks him unconscious. Dun dun duuuuuun!
Those killed in the show still alive in the books: Rakraro! I assume for three reasons—a) the actor was leaving for another gig, b) to introduce the idea of other Khals being Dany’s enemies and c) to give Dany something to do, because there’s not much for the next couple episodes. :P As a bonus, we get Irri and Rakraro having a relationship that they don’t seem to in the books! Fits in nicely with their teasing from last season.
I suppose it’s time to bring up one of the biggest contentions for “Game of Thrones”…the claim that the sex is gratuitous. Of the three sex scenes this episode, I would name two useful to plot and one not. Theon’s sexual escapade is, first of all, “sexposition” because it gives background on Iron Island culture. It also shows us the callous way he treats women, and even the sad situation of many women in Westeros that he’s the best they can do. Stannis’s sexual encounter has a plot component I won’t spoil. :P It also puts to rest what was insinuated in the books—does Stannis cheat on his wife with Melissandre? I, like the show runners, believe absolutely.
But the brothel scene…come on. What was important there was Littlefinger threatening Ros, which gives insight into his cruelty and greed. But we didn’t need any of the sex scenes or cum to point that out; those girls were extras. We already get that it’s a brothel, we know what’s going on there. Save the screen time for the massive amount of characters and plots of importance, kthanks.
In terms of what I liked, Balon and Yara’s introduction was spot on for me, exhibiting the frustrating situation Theon finds himself in, a hostage returned home to a home that isn’t his anymore. You can see him trying so hard to make a name for himself for the first time ever, but his family just isn’t buying it. They’re not on the same page at all. Combine this with the fact that Theon is neither a total good guy or a total bad guy, and things get real interesting. The only thing I don’t exactly like is Yara’s name—in the books it’s Asha. And although “Asha” might sound like “Osha,” doesn’t “Yara” sound like “Arya” anyway? *raised eyebrow*
I also loved getting the chance to catch up with Arya after largely missing her last episode—for all her hardships that are just under the surface, she has a jocular, fun relationship with the boys. Similarly, I enjoyed Davos and Matthos, because they are simple, humble, earnest people, even if Matthos is a little bit of a zealot. :P But it just adds to one of my favorite types of stories—fathers and sons trying to connect. (I don’t like, however, that we never see Sallador Saan again this season—isn’t this scene about writing him into a battle, a la the book? Alas.) Cersei and Tyrion also had dramatic family action going on; Lena and Peter are awesome together.
In terms of major changes: well, Shae wasn’t kept at the Red Keep, precisely because it would be so easy for someone to find her. But Varys also found her where Tyrion stashed her anyway. In the book, Tyrion actually poisons (one-day stomach bug kind) Cersei so she won’t be able to attend the meeting with cousin “Alton.” In that meeting, Tyrion strikes a deal, which is struck in a different way on the show.
Not too huge of one, but it’s Jon who saves Gilly’s rabbit in the book, not Sam. Also, Jon most definitely doesn’t see White Walkers so early in the game; the situation with Craster’s boys is hearsay in the books.
The biggest change, undoubtedly, is about who ordered the deaths of Robert’s bastards. In the book it’s Cersei, period. With so much incest talk going around, she couldn’t afford to keep any competitors alive, or such is her reasoning. This is given to Joffrey on the show, presumably to make Cersei more sympathetic (and Joff more of a monster, not that he needs help.) The show has set a bit of a precedent with Cersei—she’s still villainous, but perhaps they worry about making her too villainous, since they also want to draw out that she’s a woman who’s had very few choices in her life, has mostly been the pawn of her father and husband, and who cares deeply for her children. Perhaps it’s too much to assume that the tv audience can keep up with all her complications, but many canon fans are upset by this white-washing.
___
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