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scifi_rewatchA shocking mid-season game changer prompts a shift in power, but all of the storylines exhibit main characters testing their limits in interesting (often horrifying) ways. I’m largely a fan of this episode, besides for the reappearance, yet again, of unsavvy Catelyn wanting to return to Winterfell rather than put her political acumen to good use while her oldest son fights a war and carves out a kingdom. *sigh* There are other changes, namely in Qarth, which rile some purists, and Arya’s storyline is changed significantly as well. I’ll try to only point out the big changes, in part because I can’t remember the entirety. It is an adaptation, after all. :P
Summary:
Aftermath of SHADOW BABY!
Strong winds blow outside of Renly’s camp but things are going well on the inside: Renly and Catelyn strike up a truce. The youngest Baratheon will first defeat Stannis and then he will join up with Robb to take on the Lannisters. Catelyn again implores the lad to try and make a peace with his brother, which Renly brushes off. But they are suddenly interrupted when a blustery shadow, like the one from Melissandre’s womb, sweeps into the tent, takes the form of Stannis behind Renly, and stabs the king in the heart. :-O Brienne, standing guard nearby, screams. As the rest of the kingsguard enters and sees her above the dead king’s body, Brienne fights and kills some. Catelyn implores her to escape with her—she can’t avenge Renly if she’s dead.
Outside things have calmed, but ships are leaving en masse. Littlefinger goes to where Renly’s body is laid out with the Tyrell siblings keeping vigil. Margaery wants to leave; Loras refuses to. Littlefinger points out that the Baratheon bannermen are now Stannis’s and they will sell out the Tyrells. Loras thinks Littlefinger is here to do the job himself, but nope he’s on their side and wants them to survive. Despite Margaery’s claims that Brienne killed Renly, Loras knows Stannis was involved, but his sister appeals to him the same way Cat did Brienne—you can’t avenge him from the grave. Loras leaves to ready the horses, and Margaery and Littlefinger finally talk frankly. What does she want? To be the queen.
Sure enough, the Baratheon bannerman now bow to Stannis as king. Davos doesn’t like how the whole thing went down, to which Stannis reminds him that he’s not supposed to speak about it. Alone, Davos implores the king to put some distance between himself and Melissandre—whom lords gossip feeds the king commands and her foreign ways are bad enough. Stannis concedes not to take her with them to Blackwater Bay, where they will lay siege to King’s Landing. But Davos, former smuggler, will lead the attack himself.
Catelyn and Brienne, oddly without the Stark guards around, are traipsing back to Robb. They discuss what’s next for them—Winterfell for Cat, vengeance for Brienne. Catelyn points out that Stannis is well protected. But if she joins Robb’s army, she can avenge what happened. Instead, Brienne swears fealty to Catelyn herself! :-O Highly unorthodox in Westerosi society for women to be either knight or lord, but they play their parts to chivalric perfection. A new friendship is born, and I squee at this canon development.
King’s Landing
Word has reached the Lannister children about Renly’s condition as Cersei watches Myrcella play. She’s pretty happy about one less king, but Tyrion points out that the Baratheons are now united under Stannis and he’s coming. Cersei seems surprisingly unconcerned and will not share “Joffrey’s” strategy with her brother despite his urging. So he goes to his spy, cousin Lancel. Cersei is amassing wildfire, extra-ordinary fire that can be used as a weaon. Tyrion taunts him for a bit then throws him out of his litter. Alone on the streets with Bronn the two men discuss what’s coming, but are interrupted by a street protest, which not only speaks out against Joffrey as an incestuous abomination but also Tyrion as “the demon monkey” pulling his strings. Tyrion is a bit upset by this—he’s trying to save them, not hurt them!
They make it to the pyromancers where the leader, Hallayne, discusses it as an ultra-powerful Targaryen weapon that can destroy Stannis’s entire fleet and army. Bronn is unconvinced; calling it “pig shit” and giving a Han Solo type speech about men vs magic winning wars. Tyrion inspects the countless jars of green liquid already made and admits that they could be dangerous—burning King’s Landing along with Stannis. He’s taking charge, usurping Cersei.
Pyke and Winterfell
Battle also brews to the north where Theon, now in a kraken uniform, attempts to take command of his ship. His underlings aren’t too impressed with his bravado, threatening to mutiny and only responding with laughter when he tries to throw a Robb and threaten them with hanging for treason. Doesn’t help that Yara also joins in the fun, pointing out that she’s on her way out, but not here: “I’ve got 30 ships. There’s nowhere to put them here; too narrow.” As the guffawing men row to the Sea Bitch, she notes that unlike her own, they won’t wait for him. Theon’s first mate, Dagmer, takes him out and has more strategic advice. No, they won’t respect him, especially when raiding piss poor villages. Iron Men “do what they’re told…or do what they like.” What about a bigger target, like Torrhen’s Square? Theon protests that the Starks would come immediately to take it back, and then…his eyes grow wide with an idea. The men grin and get ready to go. Uh oh…
In Winterfell, Bran offers two orphan boys to a man with no one to tend his farm while Rickon loudly crushes walnuts with a rock beside him. Rickon sighting! Bran has to be mature and chastising. They’re interrupted by Ser Rodrik who bursts in with news of the Torrhen’s Square siege. Though they have few men guarding Winterfell Bran sends them off, arguing “if we can’t protect our bannermen, why should we expect them to protect us?” Instant respect from his teachers.
Outside he’s less self-assured. He asks Osha about what wildlings think of a three-eyed raven, which she refuses to talk about. Bran admits that he’s been dreaming again and in the latest one “the sea came to Winterfell.” Drowned men, including Rodrik, floated in the yard. Osha is obviously a little unnerved, but she tells Bran to shake it off. “They say all sorts of crazy things north of the wall.”
Beyond the Wall
Speaking of such, the Night’s Watch has moved toIceland the Fist of the First Men, and it’s bloody beautiful. After waxing poetic about Gilly, Sam recounts the history to his less-than-interested companions: thousands of years ago, the First Men came here for unknown purposes. Jon, angsty as ever, supposes that they were trying to get away from something but it didn’t work. Speaking of scary enemies, we go over our lessons about horn blasts: one means friends, two means wildlings, and three (though not heard for a thousand years) means White Walkers. One horn blast sounds and Qhorin Halfhand, a famous warrior Night’s Watch warrior whom the rest of the crew is waiting for, appears in the distance.
He and his men join Mormont's men and relay that basically all the wildlings are with Mance now. Mance is teaching then Night’s Watch ways to take down the enemy, so Qhorin proposes that they have to kill Mance, first by taking out the groups of scouts surrounding him. Jon immediately volunteers to join the Halfhand on this mission, which Mormont mocks. He’s a steward who allowed Craster to beat him bloody! Qhorin is more impressed by the news that Jon figured out how to kill the wight last season, and allows him to come along. Sam is straddled with his duties until he returns.
Qarth
Daenerys’s dragons have finally learned how to feed themselves: by producing enough fire to cook their meat. Everyone is in better spirits, their ragged desert clothes giving way to fine gowns as they are honored as Xaro Xhoan Daxos’s guests. Irri (and the rest of the Dothraki) are less at ease in this extravagant place, but Doreah is more at home. The two handmaidens argue and basically personify Dany’s latest internal crisis: is she a princess or a khaleesi? For the time being, she insinuates to Doreah that perhaps she should find out more about their host through sexual means.
Dressed in a beautiful blue gown from Xaro, she joins a garden party and puts on a charming face with guests eager to meet her. She’s called away, however, as Jorah tries to persuade Kovarro and other Dothraki not to steal from their host. Dany is definitely feeling a little anti-Dothraki right now; she doesn’t want to be a stealing, murdering queen. But she’s disrupted once more by a warlock, Pyatt Pree, who has her stare into a crystal and suddenly there are two of him in front of her! The two Prees invite “the Mother of Dragons” to the House of the Undying. People clap appreciatively as the Prees leave, but Xaro brushes him off as a purveyor of parlor tricks, not magic. As he leads her back to the party, a woman in a lacquered mask approaches Jorah, cautioning him to look out for Dany because dragons equal power and who doesn’t want that?
Alone in the beautiful twilight, Xaro points out that Jorah is in love with Dany, which she scoffs. He asks her what she wants, and she says the Iron Throne, which is her birthright, and Westeros, which will serve as a home for her khalasar, among other things. Xaro names her a conqueror, but Dany turns it back on him: he’s a self-made man himself, “just less ambitious.” Maybe not, Xaro counters. He shows her a huge vault, displaying with a sword that nothing can break it. Just the key around his neck can unlock it…and behind the door is unimagined wealth. Xaro will give her half, more than enough to conquer Westeros, if she will take him as her husband. Dany’s a bit baffled—but of course this is a political match. Xaro has more news for her, too—Robert is dead and four kings are at war with each other.
She and Jorah argue over their next step—Dany thinks it’s imperative to get to Westeros asap, with the Baratheons, Starks and Lannisters ruining the country. Jorah cautions that she should move slowly, because the support she needs is in Westeros, not here. Dany points out that they’d be dead without Qartheen hospitality, and asks what he wants. He gets a little intense as he waxes poetic about how she’d be a good queen because she has a good heart. “Sometimes I look at you and I can’t believe you’re real.” Whoah. Dany feels a bit awkward. Perhaps it’s best that he go off and try to find a captain to take their motley crew to Westeros. These two need some space. :P
Harrenhal
Arya serves food and drink to Tywin and his men. She must be secretly reveling in their conversation, which focuses on just how unbeatable Robb is. The Warden of the West is unappeased by any rumors that maybe the northerners are getting sick of this; they certainly are still thumping the Lannisters on the field. When a cousin complains about long hours at the table, Tywin sends him back home in disgrace. He then turns his attention to Arya, outing her as a northerner (she rambles off one of the Stark bannermen’s lands as her home) and asks her what the northerners say of Robb Stark. Arya repeats things from the book (wonder where she learned them): Robb is called the Young Wolf, some even say he can turn into a wolf and can’t be killed. Do you believe that’s true? Tywin asks her. No, Arya says, dead-on expression. “Anyone can be killed.” Again, I ask where is Maisie Williams’ Emmy/Golden Globe combo???
Outside while fetching water she runs into Jaqen, now conscripted into the Lannister army. She snaps that she should have let him burn, but he counters that they both made a choice to serve. Also, he’s always known she’s a girl, and it’s perhaps useful to let go of misconceptions now because he’s about to offer her a gift. For saving him, Biter and Rorge, he will kill three men for her. “The Red God” (Mel’s god??) demands that death pay for life. Arya susses this out, and gives him the name of the Tickler, one of the torturing men from last episode.
Later on, she pays special attention to a shirtless Gendry practicing fencing, idly giving him instructions a la Syrio. They’re interrupted by a thud and a scream: the Tickler is on the ground, eyes glassy, his neck mangled horribly. Arya looks up to where Jaqen sits, unnoticed, and holds up one finger. She looks down at her target, a small smile on her face.
Those dead in the show not dead in the books: The Tickler. Well, technically that’s not fair. He dies in book three, killed directly (and brutally) by Arya herself. Arya’s first kill via Jaqen is a random soldier not cast on the show, so this makes sense.
Thoughts:
RIP, Renly. :/ You either win the game of thrones or you die. Fratricide is a pretty horrible way to go, poor guy.
Going storyline to storyline! Some fans have problems with the execution (no pun intended) in Renly’s death, which is far more subtle (his own shadow seemingly attacking him) in the book. I don’t mind so much, because television is blunt, and it was a nice bit of continuity to get the picture that the Shadow Baby was a projection of Stannis (also, the result of his copulation with Melissandre several episodes back. Told you it had a purpose. :P) I’m less ok with Brienne killing the kingsguard, because in the books she remains innocent of killing for a long time. In fact it’s Loras who overreacts hugely and kills those men. He also does blame Brienne, in part, for Renly’s death, but the adaptation streamlined things to showcase his vengeance towards and refusal to join Stannis.
Littlefinger’s actions are canonical to a degree (just on screen this time) and it makes sense that he’d appeal to the Tyrells. Not only is he trying to hedge his bets over who will be ultimate victor, but he doesn’t want Stannis coming to power. Man’s too much of a hardass. :P Margaery’s clear political ambitions are not disclosed in the books, but they make sense to me and make for an interesting, politically savvy woman. We need a woman like that, since the writers stripped Catelyn of her acumen. I know I’ve mentioned it before; it’s still a bit of a loss. But I liked very much how her fealty oath with Brienne came about, pretty on par with the books. So nice to see the medieval trope subverted so that women can have a chance to form strong bonds.
Davos didn’t directly suggest to Stannis that he leave Melissandre behind, but again in terms of television, important characters and plot benefit from being entwined. Similarly, that’s why Davos gets control of the fleet in the adaptation.
In King’s Landing, it’s interesting to note that the pyromancer, Hallayne (played by Roy Dotrice, who read the Song of Ice and Fire audio books; nice cameo!) actually plays the part of Bronn: he’s wary of the wildfire. Most of the collection is what paranoid Aerys squirreled away years ago: it’s no staple of Targaryen power. This isn’t overly important to the story, however. What I like about Tyrion this episode is seeing so clearly how much he’s trying to save everyone, and yet Cersei shuts him out and the people see him as a “demon monkey.” It’s a frustrating, realistic portrayal about how perhaps those with power sometimes get blamed unfairly. Except with Joffrey, of course: still hate the prostitute torture scene, but at least Tyrion and Bronn seem a little chilled by it.
On Pyke it’s actually Theon’s idea, not Dagmer’s, to take Tohhren’s Square. But for purposes of the show, which is teasing out Theon’s development from Stark loyal to unproven Greyjoy lackey, it certainly makes sense that he might be coached. I enjoy how he wanted to, but couldn’t, channel Robb’s leadership power, and Yara still amuses me greatly whenever she comes on stage.
Rickon’s sighting was overdue and gave insight into the untamed nature of the youngest Stark child, bereft of both parents so early in life. The biggest change in this sequence is that Bran doesn’t have the dream about the sea—it belongs to Jojen Reed, the son of a Stark bannerman who went uncast in season two. For purposes of teasing out Bran’s magical storyline it was given to him, so I can’t complain!
Fairly minor changes in the Night’s Watch story thus far. I enjoyed the backstory that Sam provided, plus his Hermione-like book enthusiasm. :P As for Jon, it’s nice to see him going off in a different direction (even if he’s not the complete golden boy, which I respect.) But being with Qhorin, one of his personal heroes, if I might be so bold from earlier material, will really provide character growth. *zips lips!*
Qarth is incredibly changed—the atmosphere is less esoteric and fairy tale like. There’s more plot here than there is in the book. The Qartheen bare-breasted dress is gone, but frankly I can’t care much. Wasn’t Emilia naked enough last season? The sad truth is people ogle her, and they should pay attention to her awesome character. I loved the relationship interactions in this one: the handmaidens fighting over identities and how it parallels Jorah and Dany fighting over the best next move. Complicated, of course, by his crush and her awkwardness with it. Their interaction was one of the most multi-layered of the show. I liked Quaithe’s introduction, though in the book she talked to Dany directly. More mysterious this way, and aiding the Dany/Jorah drama. :P She’s a priestess from Ashaii, same as Melissandre. Hm. As in the book, Xaro proposes marriage but he has no huge vault, nor is he straight, and does he really need to be for a political marriage? :P I also can’t help but be amused that Dany’s always a step behind—she learns of Robert’s death and the infighting between the Baratheon brothers after Renly’s murder, at least on the show.
Undoubtedly, Arya’s storyline is the most changed this episode. In the book, she serves as an abused scullion for the Lannisters. She and Tywin never even see each other. She does, however, help instigate a coup once he’s gone, which puts the northern prisoners in power. Roose Bolton, whom we met last episode, comes to man Harrenhal and takes her as his cupbearer. But despite their geographic affinity, Arya is wary of him and doesn’t disclose her identity. None of this happens on the show, however. Tywin remains in power, and she remains far more visible and far less abused.
Their first interaction sparks with great energy as the young girl subtly mocks the all-powerful lord as he presses her for information. It’s all played beautifully by Maisie and Charles Dance. But I may prefer even more Arya’s interactions with Jaqen and Gendry. In the book she initially begs him to help her escape, but either way, he’s obviously her latest mentor who links her in yet another way to death, Arya’s small clout of power at this time. With Gendry, the sexual tension is amusing because canon Arya is far too young to be into that. But Maisie was 14 when she played this scene, and don’t tell me she didn’t act some interest in those abs. :P
___
Summary:
Aftermath of SHADOW BABY!
Strong winds blow outside of Renly’s camp but things are going well on the inside: Renly and Catelyn strike up a truce. The youngest Baratheon will first defeat Stannis and then he will join up with Robb to take on the Lannisters. Catelyn again implores the lad to try and make a peace with his brother, which Renly brushes off. But they are suddenly interrupted when a blustery shadow, like the one from Melissandre’s womb, sweeps into the tent, takes the form of Stannis behind Renly, and stabs the king in the heart. :-O Brienne, standing guard nearby, screams. As the rest of the kingsguard enters and sees her above the dead king’s body, Brienne fights and kills some. Catelyn implores her to escape with her—she can’t avenge Renly if she’s dead.
Outside things have calmed, but ships are leaving en masse. Littlefinger goes to where Renly’s body is laid out with the Tyrell siblings keeping vigil. Margaery wants to leave; Loras refuses to. Littlefinger points out that the Baratheon bannermen are now Stannis’s and they will sell out the Tyrells. Loras thinks Littlefinger is here to do the job himself, but nope he’s on their side and wants them to survive. Despite Margaery’s claims that Brienne killed Renly, Loras knows Stannis was involved, but his sister appeals to him the same way Cat did Brienne—you can’t avenge him from the grave. Loras leaves to ready the horses, and Margaery and Littlefinger finally talk frankly. What does she want? To be the queen.
Sure enough, the Baratheon bannerman now bow to Stannis as king. Davos doesn’t like how the whole thing went down, to which Stannis reminds him that he’s not supposed to speak about it. Alone, Davos implores the king to put some distance between himself and Melissandre—whom lords gossip feeds the king commands and her foreign ways are bad enough. Stannis concedes not to take her with them to Blackwater Bay, where they will lay siege to King’s Landing. But Davos, former smuggler, will lead the attack himself.
Catelyn and Brienne, oddly without the Stark guards around, are traipsing back to Robb. They discuss what’s next for them—Winterfell for Cat, vengeance for Brienne. Catelyn points out that Stannis is well protected. But if she joins Robb’s army, she can avenge what happened. Instead, Brienne swears fealty to Catelyn herself! :-O Highly unorthodox in Westerosi society for women to be either knight or lord, but they play their parts to chivalric perfection. A new friendship is born, and I squee at this canon development.
King’s Landing
Word has reached the Lannister children about Renly’s condition as Cersei watches Myrcella play. She’s pretty happy about one less king, but Tyrion points out that the Baratheons are now united under Stannis and he’s coming. Cersei seems surprisingly unconcerned and will not share “Joffrey’s” strategy with her brother despite his urging. So he goes to his spy, cousin Lancel. Cersei is amassing wildfire, extra-ordinary fire that can be used as a weaon. Tyrion taunts him for a bit then throws him out of his litter. Alone on the streets with Bronn the two men discuss what’s coming, but are interrupted by a street protest, which not only speaks out against Joffrey as an incestuous abomination but also Tyrion as “the demon monkey” pulling his strings. Tyrion is a bit upset by this—he’s trying to save them, not hurt them!
They make it to the pyromancers where the leader, Hallayne, discusses it as an ultra-powerful Targaryen weapon that can destroy Stannis’s entire fleet and army. Bronn is unconvinced; calling it “pig shit” and giving a Han Solo type speech about men vs magic winning wars. Tyrion inspects the countless jars of green liquid already made and admits that they could be dangerous—burning King’s Landing along with Stannis. He’s taking charge, usurping Cersei.
Pyke and Winterfell
Battle also brews to the north where Theon, now in a kraken uniform, attempts to take command of his ship. His underlings aren’t too impressed with his bravado, threatening to mutiny and only responding with laughter when he tries to throw a Robb and threaten them with hanging for treason. Doesn’t help that Yara also joins in the fun, pointing out that she’s on her way out, but not here: “I’ve got 30 ships. There’s nowhere to put them here; too narrow.” As the guffawing men row to the Sea Bitch, she notes that unlike her own, they won’t wait for him. Theon’s first mate, Dagmer, takes him out and has more strategic advice. No, they won’t respect him, especially when raiding piss poor villages. Iron Men “do what they’re told…or do what they like.” What about a bigger target, like Torrhen’s Square? Theon protests that the Starks would come immediately to take it back, and then…his eyes grow wide with an idea. The men grin and get ready to go. Uh oh…
In Winterfell, Bran offers two orphan boys to a man with no one to tend his farm while Rickon loudly crushes walnuts with a rock beside him. Rickon sighting! Bran has to be mature and chastising. They’re interrupted by Ser Rodrik who bursts in with news of the Torrhen’s Square siege. Though they have few men guarding Winterfell Bran sends them off, arguing “if we can’t protect our bannermen, why should we expect them to protect us?” Instant respect from his teachers.
Outside he’s less self-assured. He asks Osha about what wildlings think of a three-eyed raven, which she refuses to talk about. Bran admits that he’s been dreaming again and in the latest one “the sea came to Winterfell.” Drowned men, including Rodrik, floated in the yard. Osha is obviously a little unnerved, but she tells Bran to shake it off. “They say all sorts of crazy things north of the wall.”
Beyond the Wall
Speaking of such, the Night’s Watch has moved to
He and his men join Mormont's men and relay that basically all the wildlings are with Mance now. Mance is teaching then Night’s Watch ways to take down the enemy, so Qhorin proposes that they have to kill Mance, first by taking out the groups of scouts surrounding him. Jon immediately volunteers to join the Halfhand on this mission, which Mormont mocks. He’s a steward who allowed Craster to beat him bloody! Qhorin is more impressed by the news that Jon figured out how to kill the wight last season, and allows him to come along. Sam is straddled with his duties until he returns.
Qarth
Daenerys’s dragons have finally learned how to feed themselves: by producing enough fire to cook their meat. Everyone is in better spirits, their ragged desert clothes giving way to fine gowns as they are honored as Xaro Xhoan Daxos’s guests. Irri (and the rest of the Dothraki) are less at ease in this extravagant place, but Doreah is more at home. The two handmaidens argue and basically personify Dany’s latest internal crisis: is she a princess or a khaleesi? For the time being, she insinuates to Doreah that perhaps she should find out more about their host through sexual means.
Dressed in a beautiful blue gown from Xaro, she joins a garden party and puts on a charming face with guests eager to meet her. She’s called away, however, as Jorah tries to persuade Kovarro and other Dothraki not to steal from their host. Dany is definitely feeling a little anti-Dothraki right now; she doesn’t want to be a stealing, murdering queen. But she’s disrupted once more by a warlock, Pyatt Pree, who has her stare into a crystal and suddenly there are two of him in front of her! The two Prees invite “the Mother of Dragons” to the House of the Undying. People clap appreciatively as the Prees leave, but Xaro brushes him off as a purveyor of parlor tricks, not magic. As he leads her back to the party, a woman in a lacquered mask approaches Jorah, cautioning him to look out for Dany because dragons equal power and who doesn’t want that?
Alone in the beautiful twilight, Xaro points out that Jorah is in love with Dany, which she scoffs. He asks her what she wants, and she says the Iron Throne, which is her birthright, and Westeros, which will serve as a home for her khalasar, among other things. Xaro names her a conqueror, but Dany turns it back on him: he’s a self-made man himself, “just less ambitious.” Maybe not, Xaro counters. He shows her a huge vault, displaying with a sword that nothing can break it. Just the key around his neck can unlock it…and behind the door is unimagined wealth. Xaro will give her half, more than enough to conquer Westeros, if she will take him as her husband. Dany’s a bit baffled—but of course this is a political match. Xaro has more news for her, too—Robert is dead and four kings are at war with each other.
She and Jorah argue over their next step—Dany thinks it’s imperative to get to Westeros asap, with the Baratheons, Starks and Lannisters ruining the country. Jorah cautions that she should move slowly, because the support she needs is in Westeros, not here. Dany points out that they’d be dead without Qartheen hospitality, and asks what he wants. He gets a little intense as he waxes poetic about how she’d be a good queen because she has a good heart. “Sometimes I look at you and I can’t believe you’re real.” Whoah. Dany feels a bit awkward. Perhaps it’s best that he go off and try to find a captain to take their motley crew to Westeros. These two need some space. :P
Harrenhal
Arya serves food and drink to Tywin and his men. She must be secretly reveling in their conversation, which focuses on just how unbeatable Robb is. The Warden of the West is unappeased by any rumors that maybe the northerners are getting sick of this; they certainly are still thumping the Lannisters on the field. When a cousin complains about long hours at the table, Tywin sends him back home in disgrace. He then turns his attention to Arya, outing her as a northerner (she rambles off one of the Stark bannermen’s lands as her home) and asks her what the northerners say of Robb Stark. Arya repeats things from the book (wonder where she learned them): Robb is called the Young Wolf, some even say he can turn into a wolf and can’t be killed. Do you believe that’s true? Tywin asks her. No, Arya says, dead-on expression. “Anyone can be killed.” Again, I ask where is Maisie Williams’ Emmy/Golden Globe combo???
Outside while fetching water she runs into Jaqen, now conscripted into the Lannister army. She snaps that she should have let him burn, but he counters that they both made a choice to serve. Also, he’s always known she’s a girl, and it’s perhaps useful to let go of misconceptions now because he’s about to offer her a gift. For saving him, Biter and Rorge, he will kill three men for her. “The Red God” (Mel’s god??) demands that death pay for life. Arya susses this out, and gives him the name of the Tickler, one of the torturing men from last episode.
Later on, she pays special attention to a shirtless Gendry practicing fencing, idly giving him instructions a la Syrio. They’re interrupted by a thud and a scream: the Tickler is on the ground, eyes glassy, his neck mangled horribly. Arya looks up to where Jaqen sits, unnoticed, and holds up one finger. She looks down at her target, a small smile on her face.
Those dead in the show not dead in the books: The Tickler. Well, technically that’s not fair. He dies in book three, killed directly (and brutally) by Arya herself. Arya’s first kill via Jaqen is a random soldier not cast on the show, so this makes sense.
Thoughts:
RIP, Renly. :/ You either win the game of thrones or you die. Fratricide is a pretty horrible way to go, poor guy.
Going storyline to storyline! Some fans have problems with the execution (no pun intended) in Renly’s death, which is far more subtle (his own shadow seemingly attacking him) in the book. I don’t mind so much, because television is blunt, and it was a nice bit of continuity to get the picture that the Shadow Baby was a projection of Stannis (also, the result of his copulation with Melissandre several episodes back. Told you it had a purpose. :P) I’m less ok with Brienne killing the kingsguard, because in the books she remains innocent of killing for a long time. In fact it’s Loras who overreacts hugely and kills those men. He also does blame Brienne, in part, for Renly’s death, but the adaptation streamlined things to showcase his vengeance towards and refusal to join Stannis.
Littlefinger’s actions are canonical to a degree (just on screen this time) and it makes sense that he’d appeal to the Tyrells. Not only is he trying to hedge his bets over who will be ultimate victor, but he doesn’t want Stannis coming to power. Man’s too much of a hardass. :P Margaery’s clear political ambitions are not disclosed in the books, but they make sense to me and make for an interesting, politically savvy woman. We need a woman like that, since the writers stripped Catelyn of her acumen. I know I’ve mentioned it before; it’s still a bit of a loss. But I liked very much how her fealty oath with Brienne came about, pretty on par with the books. So nice to see the medieval trope subverted so that women can have a chance to form strong bonds.
Davos didn’t directly suggest to Stannis that he leave Melissandre behind, but again in terms of television, important characters and plot benefit from being entwined. Similarly, that’s why Davos gets control of the fleet in the adaptation.
In King’s Landing, it’s interesting to note that the pyromancer, Hallayne (played by Roy Dotrice, who read the Song of Ice and Fire audio books; nice cameo!) actually plays the part of Bronn: he’s wary of the wildfire. Most of the collection is what paranoid Aerys squirreled away years ago: it’s no staple of Targaryen power. This isn’t overly important to the story, however. What I like about Tyrion this episode is seeing so clearly how much he’s trying to save everyone, and yet Cersei shuts him out and the people see him as a “demon monkey.” It’s a frustrating, realistic portrayal about how perhaps those with power sometimes get blamed unfairly. Except with Joffrey, of course: still hate the prostitute torture scene, but at least Tyrion and Bronn seem a little chilled by it.
On Pyke it’s actually Theon’s idea, not Dagmer’s, to take Tohhren’s Square. But for purposes of the show, which is teasing out Theon’s development from Stark loyal to unproven Greyjoy lackey, it certainly makes sense that he might be coached. I enjoy how he wanted to, but couldn’t, channel Robb’s leadership power, and Yara still amuses me greatly whenever she comes on stage.
Rickon’s sighting was overdue and gave insight into the untamed nature of the youngest Stark child, bereft of both parents so early in life. The biggest change in this sequence is that Bran doesn’t have the dream about the sea—it belongs to Jojen Reed, the son of a Stark bannerman who went uncast in season two. For purposes of teasing out Bran’s magical storyline it was given to him, so I can’t complain!
Fairly minor changes in the Night’s Watch story thus far. I enjoyed the backstory that Sam provided, plus his Hermione-like book enthusiasm. :P As for Jon, it’s nice to see him going off in a different direction (even if he’s not the complete golden boy, which I respect.) But being with Qhorin, one of his personal heroes, if I might be so bold from earlier material, will really provide character growth. *zips lips!*
Qarth is incredibly changed—the atmosphere is less esoteric and fairy tale like. There’s more plot here than there is in the book. The Qartheen bare-breasted dress is gone, but frankly I can’t care much. Wasn’t Emilia naked enough last season? The sad truth is people ogle her, and they should pay attention to her awesome character. I loved the relationship interactions in this one: the handmaidens fighting over identities and how it parallels Jorah and Dany fighting over the best next move. Complicated, of course, by his crush and her awkwardness with it. Their interaction was one of the most multi-layered of the show. I liked Quaithe’s introduction, though in the book she talked to Dany directly. More mysterious this way, and aiding the Dany/Jorah drama. :P She’s a priestess from Ashaii, same as Melissandre. Hm. As in the book, Xaro proposes marriage but he has no huge vault, nor is he straight, and does he really need to be for a political marriage? :P I also can’t help but be amused that Dany’s always a step behind—she learns of Robert’s death and the infighting between the Baratheon brothers after Renly’s murder, at least on the show.
Undoubtedly, Arya’s storyline is the most changed this episode. In the book, she serves as an abused scullion for the Lannisters. She and Tywin never even see each other. She does, however, help instigate a coup once he’s gone, which puts the northern prisoners in power. Roose Bolton, whom we met last episode, comes to man Harrenhal and takes her as his cupbearer. But despite their geographic affinity, Arya is wary of him and doesn’t disclose her identity. None of this happens on the show, however. Tywin remains in power, and she remains far more visible and far less abused.
Their first interaction sparks with great energy as the young girl subtly mocks the all-powerful lord as he presses her for information. It’s all played beautifully by Maisie and Charles Dance. But I may prefer even more Arya’s interactions with Jaqen and Gendry. In the book she initially begs him to help her escape, but either way, he’s obviously her latest mentor who links her in yet another way to death, Arya’s small clout of power at this time. With Gendry, the sexual tension is amusing because canon Arya is far too young to be into that. But Maisie was 14 when she played this scene, and don’t tell me she didn’t act some interest in those abs. :P
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