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scifi_rewatchA strong episode where several people took some sort of stand: swearing allegiances, attempting to manipulate others towards their own ends, or just trying to find their way in an unfriendly world. Was a big episode for Theon; like with Viserys last season, the writers fleshed out his story in a way that the majority of the canon fandom found believable. This is not the case with everyone, like say Margaery Tyrell. :P But more on that later.
As always there were deviations from the books, but this episode stayed most faithful, I think, and in general left me with little criticism. One of the strongest of the season in my book, so kudos!
Summary:
Beyond the Wall
Picking up where we left off, I will say that perhaps slightly disappointing is that the cliffhanger from last week was so quickly resolved! Oh no, Jon’s been thunked! Two seconds into the new episode he’s ok again. :P All of this makes sense for the story, however, so I’m speaking more out of amusement than anything.
Very little time spent beyond the Wall this week, but we opened up a lot of ethical questions: Mormont knew that Craster was killing his boys, but is it ok to say nothing when the Watch needs him to survive? The Lord Commander has fewer words of wisdom re: Jon’s sighting of a White Walker, except that “whatever it is, you’ll see it again.” Eeep.
In far more romantic news, Sam imparts his mother’s thimble to Gilly in a medieval show of courtship, I guess. We get a small backstory on how he used to sit and read to his mother while she sewed, and obviously he likes this girl. Gilly takes it hastily to avoid roving eyes, and off she goes on her chores. And off Sam and the Night’s Watch go to the next part of their journey.
Winterfell
We stop briefly at Winterfell where we get a wolf's-eye view of the place. :P People work about the yard (many run nervously from the camera) and Luwin sends Hodor to wake Bran. The camera follows until Hodor opens Bran’s door and the boy juts up, sweating and panting, and we sweep back to see that we were seeing the world through Summer’s eyes.
That night, Bran tells Luwin of his visions of being the wolf, wandering the godswood, killing game, feeling the ground under his feet. He mentions stories of magical people who lived inside animals…Luwin poo-poos all of it. Just dreams. He studied magic, and there is no more in this world. “The dragons are gone, the giants are dead, and the Children of the Forest forgotten.” Bran lays down in disappointment.
Renly’s Camp
Two fighters joust in front of Renly, his court, and his new queen, Margaery Tyrell. One of the knights is Loras, Marg’s brother (and Renly’s lover.) Two northern guards lead Catelyn in and everyone watches as one of the best knights out there is bested by a mysterious foe. Renly seems more amused than anything and tells the fighter to lower his helm…but it’s a woman! :O Gasps abound and Loras feels even more pathetic. In return for her win, she asks Renly the privilege to serve on his King’s Guard. Renly agrees immediately. Scandalous talk in court tonight!
Catelyn is ushered forward and a tense, if friendly, audience is had. Catelyn immediately asserts her son as King in the North and in response to Loras’s complaints about Robb coming in person: “My son is fighting a war. Not playing at one.” Renly offers to talk to her in private, but things don’t exactly improve. He boasts about his vast numbers, but Catelyn is wearied by their attitudes: it’s a game to these unseasoned youngsters, but Winter is Coming. Renly stalks off, leaving Catelyn in the female knight, Brienne’s, care. The two women talk awkwardly with Brienne asserting that she fights for her king, but please don’t refer to her as a lady.
Later that night, Renly and Loras have sexy times in the king’s tent. But when His Grace lightly teases the wounds Brienne gave him, Loras grows cold. He reminds Renly that he should be sleeping with another Tyrell, and although Marg may or may not be a virgin, the court knows enough to realize that the king hasn’t bedded his bride. Margaery, who’s been dressed in extremely revealing clothes this whole time, takes them off completely but Renly can’t get over his awkwardness. In response, Margaery reveals even more: that she’s aware of his relationship with Loras and perfectly happy to roleplay him or invite him in so Renly can perform. The king is a bit flabbergasted, but practical Marg tells it how it is: we know it’s not a marriage of love, but the best way to stake a claim is to father an heir.
King’s Landing
Shae is growing increasingly restless locked up in Tyrion’s chambers. She complains, Tyrion wheedles about the danger, but he has to get his act together and find her something quickly. Cut to Sansa having a horrible dinner with Cersei, Myrcella and Tommen. Myrcella goes on and on about how wonderful Sansa’s wedding to Joff will be, which Sansa has to agree with. Then Tommen throws it out there: will Joff kill Sansa’s brother? “He might,” Cersei says, cat-eyes on her pained hostage. “But even if he does, Sansa will do her duty.”
Alone in her room Sansa looks in the mirror as if trying to recognize the person on the other side. There’s a knock on the door and it’s Shae! Here to be Sansa’s new handmaiden. Only problem is…she obviously isn’t a handmaiden and has no idea what to do. Sansa orders her around, increasingly flustered when, say, she eats food off the table or spouts obviously fake credentials. A teary-eyed Sansa lets loose on one of the few people beneath her, but Shae doesn’t buckle and Sansa sets her to combing her hair.
Meanwhile, Tyrion is playing a game with the members of the small council. In a smartly cut montage, he proposes a marriage deal for Myrcella to all three: wed her to the Martell family (Pycelle), wed her to Theon Greyjoy (Varys) or wed her to Robin Arryn (Littlefinger.) The caveat is that the queen can’t be told anything. Of course, this is all a test to see which of the small council members has been acting as Cersei’s spy.
And when Cersei confronts him angrily he knows by her answer: it’s Pycelle! (Ironically, the Martell match is the one that turned out to be true.) Cersei is very upset to be separated from her daughter, and for her daughter to be shipped off and married like she was. Tyrion reminds her that Myrcella has obligations as a princess and should King’s Landing fall, she’d be raped and killed anyway. :/ Lovely. Cersei is beaten, and can only kick Tyrion out.
Littlefinger goes to find him, angry at being deceived, but Tyrion has another manipulative task for him: go see “your beloved Cat” and see if she might release Jaime. Meanwhile duties are calling as Bronn leads the Hand to where Pycelle is snuggling with a prostitute. They get him up and accuse him of spying and selling out the other Hands. Pycelle sputters about how he’s done everything for House Lannister but Tyrion humiliates him, cuts off his beard and sends him to the black cells. Yikes.
The final council member, Varys, is least distressed by everything. He lets Tyrion know that he’s confirmed Shae is doing well in Sansa’s service (Tyrion’s idea) and then relays a story about power. Who would a sellsword kill if given the choice? Who has the power in that situation: kings? People with swords? People with money? The answer is “power resides where men believe it resides.”
Pyke
Theon continues to face his own power struggle at home. He can’t rile Yara, his father’s favorite, who points out that she knew him on sight and that by concealing her identity, she found out what kind of man he is. Balon enters with a new battle plan for the family: conquer the north while Robb and the men are away. :O Even more shocking, Yara gets 30 ships and a castle and Theon gets just one (“the Sea Bitch. We thought she’d be perfect for you”-Yara) and a lowly opportunity to raid fishing villages. Theon is offended—and also tries to persuade his father to look to the north as allies. Balon reminds his son of the family words: “We Do Not Sow.” No alliances, no reliance on others, just taking. Weak Theon, spending too much time with the wolves. Or perhaps angry Theon, who reminds his father the whole reason he lived at Winterfell was because Balon had to give him up after losing a war. As Balon walks away, Theon has a public breakdown about being shunned in his own home when he had no choice but to leave. Yara accuses him of wanting dear old dad to bow to “your other family” and that he has to make a choice about which one he’ll serve.
Later we see the physical manifestation of him making a choice: he’s written a letter to Robb, warning him of Balon’s plans, but then he burns it. The next day, as Balon and Yara overlook, he is rebaptized into his family’s religion. The music lends stunning credence.
The Road North
The Night’s Watch recruits have taken refuge in an abandoned cottage or shed of sorts; Arya is the only one still awake, polishing Needle. Yorren comes in from outside and the two of them can talk somewhat frankly about Ned’s passing. Arya is still too freaked to sleep, and keeps seeing Joffrey, Cersei and Sansa standing up there. So Yorren decides to impart a tale: his own brother was murdered, and what got him through was repeating the villain’s name like a mantra before sleep, until he had the chance to do away with the guy and get sent to the wall. The camera keeps going back to Arya’s face and notes how intensely she’s taking in this information.
But suddenly plot is calling: horns outside! Yorren rouses the lads and tells Gendry and Arya to hide. They do so, concealed by some bushes, as Armory Lorch, a bannerman of Tywin Lannister, arrives with men to solve this Gendry issue. When Yorren still refuses to give him up they shoot him with an arrow, but of course he takes out several of theirs before getting stabbed to death. More fighting breaks out with the recruits, and a fire starts by the padlocked wagon. In response to Jaqen’s pleas, Arya throws him an axe so they can cut themselves free. But like everyone else she’s rounded up; a goon even takes Needle from her. As everyone assembles, we see Lommy on the ground with an arrow to the leg. The goon approaches him and when Lommy asks to be carried, he uses Needle to stab him through the throat. Arya and the others look on in shock. Lorch asks again if someone will give up Gendry…and in a Schindler’s List move, Arya gives them Lommy. Conveniently, he’d also snatched up Gendry’s helmet.
Those killed in the show still alive in the books: Surprisingly, none! Lommy’s death was extremely canonical and, in my opinion, played out with just the right level of emotion. These scenes with Arya are heart-rending as she witnesses, up close and personal, the cruelty of men and the low cost of life. (And while we’re at it I’m just going to give Maisie my props here for so amazingly pulling off Arya’s grief and desire for vengeance.)
Thoughts:
The final scenes are likely the most problematic of the episode, too. Namely that Yorren takes his recruits outside to face their attackers rather than engaging in the time-tested medieval practice of barricading yourself inside a stronghold. Greatly expands chance of survival, especially since the Lannister men probably can’t exert too much energy on this. True, in the book they were ultimately overtaken, but it did take longer. I understand truncating things for time; just pointing out history. Mighty strong sacrifice from Yorren, though. And creative way to introduce Arya’s canon litany of people she wants dead.
Other than Arya, my favorite scenes had to involve Theon and his visceral struggle with where he belonged. The scene with him burning the letter was just beautifully shot, too, as was the baptism. I also enjoyed the new characters, Brienne and Margaery. Pretty sure most of fandom is fine with Gwendoline Christie’s performance, but there is more contention about Natalie Dormer sexualizing Margaery. To be fair she’s never been a POV and there is wiggle room, I think, to interpret her as someone who is sexually experienced and savvy. But others will disagree with me there. Also, since I didn’t mention her last time: I’m enjoying Yara, who is less bold and feisty than Asha, but has a wicked, dry sarcastic streak and a firm sense of who she is. Great episode for women!
I also very much enjoyed Catelyn speaking truth to power about Renly’s “war.” It doesn’t quite happen that way in the book (she tells underlings, not the king himself,) but tv is always more blunt. And it’s just nice to showcase Catelyn as the strong woman she is (pointing out the reality of war vs games, or insinuating that she’s not into pointless Joffrey-bloodlust,) rather than the show’s creation of someone who can only see herself back at Winterfell.
Concerning Sansa, at first viewing I was a little concerned about her scenes. Not so much the dinner, which showcases how she’s a bullied hostage without avenue for self-expression, but her bitchiness with Shae. Sansa’s kindness is a staple of her character, though I do think there’s some believability in her snapping at the only person she can snap at. Still, the poor girl has enough enemies: why add Shae to the mix? She’s not Sansa’s maid at this point in the story, and they barely have a canon relationship in the future. The whole thing rubbed me the wrong way and seemed to go too far in painting Sansa as pathetic, bratty and friendless, but, well, her storyline turned out to be less one-dimensional than I feared. :) /spoilers!
Cersei, perhaps as an alternate to Sansa, does fight back against an unwanted marriage (for her daughter), but ultimately she, too, has no say and is left ranting and crying on the outside. (Great job, Lena.) So much of Sansa’s storyline is about rebelling on the inside, but I do give major props to Sophie for her visual acting, particularly in this episode where she only has her face. Guh.
Not much more to talk about with Jon (Sam/Gilly is cute, because we get so little sweet romance in this story, dammit! *cling* :P) So let me close with Bran, and my absolutely most favorite magical storyline of the series, which Isaac is still NAILING. I just love all the descriptive inclusions about what it’s like to live as a wolf, and what about those “magical people” who skinchange? *cough cough* It’s more or less where we are in the book, perhaps with a few hints thrown in about the overarching storyline. Hopefully it’s enough to keep the audience as invested in Bran’s “dreams” as I am.
___
As always there were deviations from the books, but this episode stayed most faithful, I think, and in general left me with little criticism. One of the strongest of the season in my book, so kudos!
Summary:
Beyond the Wall
Picking up where we left off, I will say that perhaps slightly disappointing is that the cliffhanger from last week was so quickly resolved! Oh no, Jon’s been thunked! Two seconds into the new episode he’s ok again. :P All of this makes sense for the story, however, so I’m speaking more out of amusement than anything.
Very little time spent beyond the Wall this week, but we opened up a lot of ethical questions: Mormont knew that Craster was killing his boys, but is it ok to say nothing when the Watch needs him to survive? The Lord Commander has fewer words of wisdom re: Jon’s sighting of a White Walker, except that “whatever it is, you’ll see it again.” Eeep.
In far more romantic news, Sam imparts his mother’s thimble to Gilly in a medieval show of courtship, I guess. We get a small backstory on how he used to sit and read to his mother while she sewed, and obviously he likes this girl. Gilly takes it hastily to avoid roving eyes, and off she goes on her chores. And off Sam and the Night’s Watch go to the next part of their journey.
Winterfell
We stop briefly at Winterfell where we get a wolf's-eye view of the place. :P People work about the yard (many run nervously from the camera) and Luwin sends Hodor to wake Bran. The camera follows until Hodor opens Bran’s door and the boy juts up, sweating and panting, and we sweep back to see that we were seeing the world through Summer’s eyes.
That night, Bran tells Luwin of his visions of being the wolf, wandering the godswood, killing game, feeling the ground under his feet. He mentions stories of magical people who lived inside animals…Luwin poo-poos all of it. Just dreams. He studied magic, and there is no more in this world. “The dragons are gone, the giants are dead, and the Children of the Forest forgotten.” Bran lays down in disappointment.
Renly’s Camp
Two fighters joust in front of Renly, his court, and his new queen, Margaery Tyrell. One of the knights is Loras, Marg’s brother (and Renly’s lover.) Two northern guards lead Catelyn in and everyone watches as one of the best knights out there is bested by a mysterious foe. Renly seems more amused than anything and tells the fighter to lower his helm…but it’s a woman! :O Gasps abound and Loras feels even more pathetic. In return for her win, she asks Renly the privilege to serve on his King’s Guard. Renly agrees immediately. Scandalous talk in court tonight!
Catelyn is ushered forward and a tense, if friendly, audience is had. Catelyn immediately asserts her son as King in the North and in response to Loras’s complaints about Robb coming in person: “My son is fighting a war. Not playing at one.” Renly offers to talk to her in private, but things don’t exactly improve. He boasts about his vast numbers, but Catelyn is wearied by their attitudes: it’s a game to these unseasoned youngsters, but Winter is Coming. Renly stalks off, leaving Catelyn in the female knight, Brienne’s, care. The two women talk awkwardly with Brienne asserting that she fights for her king, but please don’t refer to her as a lady.
Later that night, Renly and Loras have sexy times in the king’s tent. But when His Grace lightly teases the wounds Brienne gave him, Loras grows cold. He reminds Renly that he should be sleeping with another Tyrell, and although Marg may or may not be a virgin, the court knows enough to realize that the king hasn’t bedded his bride. Margaery, who’s been dressed in extremely revealing clothes this whole time, takes them off completely but Renly can’t get over his awkwardness. In response, Margaery reveals even more: that she’s aware of his relationship with Loras and perfectly happy to roleplay him or invite him in so Renly can perform. The king is a bit flabbergasted, but practical Marg tells it how it is: we know it’s not a marriage of love, but the best way to stake a claim is to father an heir.
King’s Landing
Shae is growing increasingly restless locked up in Tyrion’s chambers. She complains, Tyrion wheedles about the danger, but he has to get his act together and find her something quickly. Cut to Sansa having a horrible dinner with Cersei, Myrcella and Tommen. Myrcella goes on and on about how wonderful Sansa’s wedding to Joff will be, which Sansa has to agree with. Then Tommen throws it out there: will Joff kill Sansa’s brother? “He might,” Cersei says, cat-eyes on her pained hostage. “But even if he does, Sansa will do her duty.”
Alone in her room Sansa looks in the mirror as if trying to recognize the person on the other side. There’s a knock on the door and it’s Shae! Here to be Sansa’s new handmaiden. Only problem is…she obviously isn’t a handmaiden and has no idea what to do. Sansa orders her around, increasingly flustered when, say, she eats food off the table or spouts obviously fake credentials. A teary-eyed Sansa lets loose on one of the few people beneath her, but Shae doesn’t buckle and Sansa sets her to combing her hair.
Meanwhile, Tyrion is playing a game with the members of the small council. In a smartly cut montage, he proposes a marriage deal for Myrcella to all three: wed her to the Martell family (Pycelle), wed her to Theon Greyjoy (Varys) or wed her to Robin Arryn (Littlefinger.) The caveat is that the queen can’t be told anything. Of course, this is all a test to see which of the small council members has been acting as Cersei’s spy.
And when Cersei confronts him angrily he knows by her answer: it’s Pycelle! (Ironically, the Martell match is the one that turned out to be true.) Cersei is very upset to be separated from her daughter, and for her daughter to be shipped off and married like she was. Tyrion reminds her that Myrcella has obligations as a princess and should King’s Landing fall, she’d be raped and killed anyway. :/ Lovely. Cersei is beaten, and can only kick Tyrion out.
Littlefinger goes to find him, angry at being deceived, but Tyrion has another manipulative task for him: go see “your beloved Cat” and see if she might release Jaime. Meanwhile duties are calling as Bronn leads the Hand to where Pycelle is snuggling with a prostitute. They get him up and accuse him of spying and selling out the other Hands. Pycelle sputters about how he’s done everything for House Lannister but Tyrion humiliates him, cuts off his beard and sends him to the black cells. Yikes.
The final council member, Varys, is least distressed by everything. He lets Tyrion know that he’s confirmed Shae is doing well in Sansa’s service (Tyrion’s idea) and then relays a story about power. Who would a sellsword kill if given the choice? Who has the power in that situation: kings? People with swords? People with money? The answer is “power resides where men believe it resides.”
Pyke
Theon continues to face his own power struggle at home. He can’t rile Yara, his father’s favorite, who points out that she knew him on sight and that by concealing her identity, she found out what kind of man he is. Balon enters with a new battle plan for the family: conquer the north while Robb and the men are away. :O Even more shocking, Yara gets 30 ships and a castle and Theon gets just one (“the Sea Bitch. We thought she’d be perfect for you”-Yara) and a lowly opportunity to raid fishing villages. Theon is offended—and also tries to persuade his father to look to the north as allies. Balon reminds his son of the family words: “We Do Not Sow.” No alliances, no reliance on others, just taking. Weak Theon, spending too much time with the wolves. Or perhaps angry Theon, who reminds his father the whole reason he lived at Winterfell was because Balon had to give him up after losing a war. As Balon walks away, Theon has a public breakdown about being shunned in his own home when he had no choice but to leave. Yara accuses him of wanting dear old dad to bow to “your other family” and that he has to make a choice about which one he’ll serve.
Later we see the physical manifestation of him making a choice: he’s written a letter to Robb, warning him of Balon’s plans, but then he burns it. The next day, as Balon and Yara overlook, he is rebaptized into his family’s religion. The music lends stunning credence.
The Road North
The Night’s Watch recruits have taken refuge in an abandoned cottage or shed of sorts; Arya is the only one still awake, polishing Needle. Yorren comes in from outside and the two of them can talk somewhat frankly about Ned’s passing. Arya is still too freaked to sleep, and keeps seeing Joffrey, Cersei and Sansa standing up there. So Yorren decides to impart a tale: his own brother was murdered, and what got him through was repeating the villain’s name like a mantra before sleep, until he had the chance to do away with the guy and get sent to the wall. The camera keeps going back to Arya’s face and notes how intensely she’s taking in this information.
But suddenly plot is calling: horns outside! Yorren rouses the lads and tells Gendry and Arya to hide. They do so, concealed by some bushes, as Armory Lorch, a bannerman of Tywin Lannister, arrives with men to solve this Gendry issue. When Yorren still refuses to give him up they shoot him with an arrow, but of course he takes out several of theirs before getting stabbed to death. More fighting breaks out with the recruits, and a fire starts by the padlocked wagon. In response to Jaqen’s pleas, Arya throws him an axe so they can cut themselves free. But like everyone else she’s rounded up; a goon even takes Needle from her. As everyone assembles, we see Lommy on the ground with an arrow to the leg. The goon approaches him and when Lommy asks to be carried, he uses Needle to stab him through the throat. Arya and the others look on in shock. Lorch asks again if someone will give up Gendry…and in a Schindler’s List move, Arya gives them Lommy. Conveniently, he’d also snatched up Gendry’s helmet.
Those killed in the show still alive in the books: Surprisingly, none! Lommy’s death was extremely canonical and, in my opinion, played out with just the right level of emotion. These scenes with Arya are heart-rending as she witnesses, up close and personal, the cruelty of men and the low cost of life. (And while we’re at it I’m just going to give Maisie my props here for so amazingly pulling off Arya’s grief and desire for vengeance.)
Thoughts:
The final scenes are likely the most problematic of the episode, too. Namely that Yorren takes his recruits outside to face their attackers rather than engaging in the time-tested medieval practice of barricading yourself inside a stronghold. Greatly expands chance of survival, especially since the Lannister men probably can’t exert too much energy on this. True, in the book they were ultimately overtaken, but it did take longer. I understand truncating things for time; just pointing out history. Mighty strong sacrifice from Yorren, though. And creative way to introduce Arya’s canon litany of people she wants dead.
Other than Arya, my favorite scenes had to involve Theon and his visceral struggle with where he belonged. The scene with him burning the letter was just beautifully shot, too, as was the baptism. I also enjoyed the new characters, Brienne and Margaery. Pretty sure most of fandom is fine with Gwendoline Christie’s performance, but there is more contention about Natalie Dormer sexualizing Margaery. To be fair she’s never been a POV and there is wiggle room, I think, to interpret her as someone who is sexually experienced and savvy. But others will disagree with me there. Also, since I didn’t mention her last time: I’m enjoying Yara, who is less bold and feisty than Asha, but has a wicked, dry sarcastic streak and a firm sense of who she is. Great episode for women!
I also very much enjoyed Catelyn speaking truth to power about Renly’s “war.” It doesn’t quite happen that way in the book (she tells underlings, not the king himself,) but tv is always more blunt. And it’s just nice to showcase Catelyn as the strong woman she is (pointing out the reality of war vs games, or insinuating that she’s not into pointless Joffrey-bloodlust,) rather than the show’s creation of someone who can only see herself back at Winterfell.
Concerning Sansa, at first viewing I was a little concerned about her scenes. Not so much the dinner, which showcases how she’s a bullied hostage without avenue for self-expression, but her bitchiness with Shae. Sansa’s kindness is a staple of her character, though I do think there’s some believability in her snapping at the only person she can snap at. Still, the poor girl has enough enemies: why add Shae to the mix? She’s not Sansa’s maid at this point in the story, and they barely have a canon relationship in the future. The whole thing rubbed me the wrong way and seemed to go too far in painting Sansa as pathetic, bratty and friendless, but, well, her storyline turned out to be less one-dimensional than I feared. :) /spoilers!
Cersei, perhaps as an alternate to Sansa, does fight back against an unwanted marriage (for her daughter), but ultimately she, too, has no say and is left ranting and crying on the outside. (Great job, Lena.) So much of Sansa’s storyline is about rebelling on the inside, but I do give major props to Sophie for her visual acting, particularly in this episode where she only has her face. Guh.
Not much more to talk about with Jon (Sam/Gilly is cute, because we get so little sweet romance in this story, dammit! *cling* :P) So let me close with Bran, and my absolutely most favorite magical storyline of the series, which Isaac is still NAILING. I just love all the descriptive inclusions about what it’s like to live as a wolf, and what about those “magical people” who skinchange? *cough cough* It’s more or less where we are in the book, perhaps with a few hints thrown in about the overarching storyline. Hopefully it’s enough to keep the audience as invested in Bran’s “dreams” as I am.
___
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