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scifi_rewatchThis episode is a bit of hit or miss for me. It’s likely my favorite part of the Theon storyline, which in turn is my favorite part of the season two adaptation. The kraken prince proves himself in many ways to be the “man without honor,” even more so than Jaime Lannister, who finally makes a reappearance after six episodes in another memorable scene. But other parts of the episode don’t mesh as well for me. The scenes are too short, and/or too competitive. Dany and Jon’s stories, already so far from the center, were more awkward and removed. And I’ll break from popular opinion and say that Harrenhal left me unimpressed this episode. I have mixed feelings about King’s Landing as well, although a not-quite-canon scene from Cersei and Tyrion nevertheless was quite moving. Kudos to Lena and Peter, and above all Alfie Allen.
It was also nice to get an update on Stannis; we haven’t seen him since his stunning “victory” over his brother, but indeed he is coming for King’s Landing, so Tyrion tells us. Something to watch out for!
Summary:
Beyond the Wall
Jon wakes up with his “bone” against Ygritte’s back. She teases him incessantly about his lack of experience with girls. He’s an easy target. They also argue about other things: genealogical heritage for one. If Jon is Ned Stark’s son and ergo a descendant of the First Men like the wildlings, then why is he fighting them? Is his way of life, celibate service to protect a bunch of simpering social conservatives in stone castles, more worthy than the life of the “free folk” who allow themselves more autonomous choices (and sex?) Unbeknownst to Jon, Ygritte is leading him on—literally. Ultimately she breaks free and as he catches her, he finds himself surrounded by wildlings. Yikes.
Oh, and also the infamous “you know nothing, Jon Snow” made its first appearance but likely not it’s last. In the book, Ygritte is fond of foisting this opinion on her new companion, to the point where it gets a little tedious, imho.
Qarth
Xaro Xhoan Daxos begs Daenerys to let him try and find her dragons, but she’s not into trusting the guy who’s roof they got stolen out from under. Jorah returns from ship-hunting, and she admits her guilt over Irri’s death, Doreah’s disappearance, and leading her people “into the slaughterhouse.” She’s not sure who she is anymore—the Targaryens and Dothraki both betrayed and abandoned her. The dream of Westeros and loyal subjects she’s never seen since she was a baby seems more remote. Jorah tries to comfort her, but Dany pushes him away, claiming he’s “too familiar.” She sets him to the task of finding her dragons, so he goes to Quaithe. Quaithe reveals that she knows Jorah loves Dany—and that he’s betrayed her (season one spying for Robert) before. He’s adamant that he’d never do so again, so she tells him “the thief you seek is with her now.”
Dany is with Kovarro and the Thirteen, pleading that they help her find her dragons. Most are outright dismissive of her ambition—dragons cause more trouble than anything. Pyatt Pree steps up and calls them cruel before admitting that he, himself, took the dragons to the House of the Undying. Dany and Kovarro are stunned into silence as he explains that the new “King of Qarth,” aka Xaro, procured them for him. These two want to take control of the city by using the dragons. The Thirteen laugh at their bid for power, but Pree pulls a magic trick and slits all their throats at the same time. :O Dany and Kovarro run, but Pree is always in front of them. Jorah shows up and stabs him in the back; he just disappears out of his clothes and turns up elsewhere, imploring Dany to come to the House of the Undying. Her children are waiting! She and her men flee instead.
Robb’s Camp
Ser Alton Lannister has finally returned with the news that Cersei tore Robb’s peace terms to shreds. Unsurprised Robb asks his men to bring the envoy to a cell, but irritated Lord Karstark reminds him that all the cells are filled to the brim with prisoners. There’s only room to put him with Jaime, with Karstark’s son as a warden. The men depart and Talisa enters, asking if he might procure some medical supplies from the Crag, a castle where he is traveling to negotiate their surrender. An up-close-and-personal Robb suggests that maybe she come with him personally. Snagging some alone time, are we? :P
Jaime and Alton also share alone time in their cell. An enamored Alton explains to his famous cousin how squiring for him once was the highlight of his life. Instead of mocking him, Jaime recounts his own story of squiring for Ser Barristan and killing his first man (a tale that the two of them told Robert last season.) He talks fondly of the romance of jousting and knighthood as Alton inches closer and closer. He’s unfit for imprisonment and needs to escape, Jaime says. How can I help? Alton asks hopefully. You can die. :O A second later, Jaime is bludgeoning the kid to death! Karstark’s son, hearing the commotion, enters in time to see Alton’s last spasms. Then Jaime’s chain is around his neck and he dies, too. Uh oh…
The Kingslayer doesn’t get far until the northerners drag him back. Robb (and Talisa) are already gone, but Catelyn and Brienne come out to make sure things don’t get out of hand. Karstark and his men are fuming over their loss and want to kill the prisoner. Cat demands that they respect her authority as the mother of their king whose own son was crippled by this man—don’t kill the hostage! Karstark backs down…temporarily. Later that night, his men are drinking and getting rowdier. Brienne submits that Jaime won’t last the night, so she and Catelyn go to see him alone. When he mocks Brienne, Catelyn calls her more of a knight than he’ll be, seeing as he’s forsworn most of his vows. Jaime points out that the vows often contradict each other—like what if your father despises the king and the king abuses the innocent? On the other hand, he’s always been faithful to Cersei, unlike “poor old dead Ned.” Catelyn steels her face as Jaime mocks her about Jon, the walking, talking reminder of Ned’s infidelity. Admit that you always hated him! Instead, Cat asks for Brienne’s sword. :-O Is Jaime toast???
Harrenhal
Tywin is convinced that the dart in Lorch’s neck last episode was meant for him, so he sets The Mountain to torturing and killing his soldiers for information. Arya arrives with mutton, which he doesn’t want and invites her to eat. Armed with a fork and knife, Arya contemplates killing her family’s enemy as he surveys the hangings and talks about how this will be the war he’s remembered for. They shift to the history of the ruined castle of Harrenhal, the first Targaryen victory by King Aegon. Arya mentions his sisters, whom she clearly idolizes. Tywin points out that most girls are interested in innocent maidens from songs, to which Arya scoffs that most girls are idiots. He’s impressed by her knowledge of history, given that she’s claimed her father was a stone mason. As she leaves, he advises her to say “milord” instead of “my lord” if she wants to pass as a commoner. :O Is Arya found out?? She quickly spins a tale about her mother working for Lady Dustin. Tywin calls her too clever for her own good.
King’s Landing
Sansa seeks out the Hound to thank him for saving her from the would-be rapists. He mocks her use of the word “bravery;” those men were rats and killing is the sweetest thing there is. “Does it give you joy to scare people?” Sansa asks boldly. Oh yeah, and Ned Stark didn’t like killing people? It was his duty, Sansa retorts. Why are you so hateful? Sandor posits that she’ll be grateful for the hateful things he does “when I’m all that stands between you and your beloved king.”
In her bed engraved with lion carvings she dreams of the attempted rape later, her mind embellishing it to include a man stabbing her. She wakes with a start and sees a blood stain on her sheets—her period has come! Desperately she tries to tear it out, reminding a startled Shae that she can bear Joffrey’s children now. Wedding bells ringing… :/ A servant enters and goes to tell the queen, but Shae stops her at knife point with a warning. The Hound, however, who enters next, can’t be so easily threatened.
Cersei invites the girl to her room where they discuss the messiness of menstruation and child birth. The queen remembers how “Joffrey has always been difficult,” even in birthing. Though Robert hunted in the godswood, Jaime defied convention and demanded to be in the birthing room. Joffrey, of course, will not do this. Cersei posits that though Sansa may never love Joff, she’ll love his children. As the girl repeats her lie about loving His Grace, Cersei suggests that she be frugal with love; it makes you weak and foolish. “Love no one but your children; on that front a mother has no choice.” Shouldn’t I love Joffrey? Sansa asks. You can try, Cersei says, sighing.
Tyrion joins his sister later where they briefly discuss Stannis’s quick naval movement towards King’s Landing. Less than a week now…Cersei is unconcerned. Tyrion reminds her that they’re all alone here with Joffrey as the only protectors of the city. Cersei admits that she wishes Joff were more like Jaime but he’s even worse than Robert—he enjoys cruelty. Is this the price she and Jaime paid for their incest? Like with the Targaryen fraternal unions, you basically flipped a coin to see if the offspring turned out crazy (hello, Viserys! :P) Tyrion assures her that she’s beaten the odds with Tommen and Myrcella, but although Cersei is breaking down and Tyrion is sympathetic, they just can’t quite get it together for a shared, loving moment. Aww.
Winterfell
Theon wakes up to find Osha—and the Stark boys and wolves—missing. He immediately kicks the crap out of a lackey and off they go to hunt the boys! On the road, he’s almost jocular and amused with Luwin: “it’s all just a game!” He promises that if he finds them soon he won’t kill the boys, but he will hurt them.
Said boys and company are approaching the farm where Bran sent the orphans a few episodes ago. Rickon, subsisting on walnuts, wants to ask them for food, but Bran says they can’t risk it: Theon would torture them. Either way, Osha reminds them, they can’t outrun the hounds for long.
Sure enough, the hounds, Theon and Theon’s men have arrived at the farm. This time when Luwin counsels his former ward to calm down, the Kraken prince snaps. He’ll be branded as a eunuch if he doesn’t get the boys back, so he’ll do anything for it. His men drag the farmer out and he starts to beat him for information until Dagmer calls him away. He’s found some of Rickon’s walnut shells. *gulp* Theon sends a pleading Luwin home…when he returns himself, he calls out the Winterfell people. When he captured the castle, he’d laid out that you serve him faithfully or pay the price: now they’ll know that their new lord means what he says. He hoists up the burned bodies of two small children to hang above the gate. People gasp, Luwin cries out in grief, and Theon turns with a conflicted expression on his face.
Those killed on the show still alive in the books: The Thirteen of Qarth. This political divide between the rulers was invented for the show, and most purists would attain that it’s the polar opposite of Qarth’s actual culture.
I’d say “Alton Lannister…” his counterpart, Cleos Frey, dies in book three, but Jaime doesn’t murder him. Similarly, no Lannister soldiers are tried and hanged for an alleged attempt on Tywin’s life. This sounds like a “Xena” disclaimer. :P
Thoughts:
The events at Winterfell were largely true to the book, and Alfie’s public breakdown gave more to Theon than the page could. Those last moments, with the brutal shock of it all, the reactions from characters and the suffocating music just sent my stomach churning. In the best of ways. :P
Cersei and Tyrion’s scene would not have happened in canon; Cersei couldn’t admit to herself, let alone a hated brother, that Joffrey was a horrible person (though she did admit to Sansa in the book that he’s “difficult.”) In the book, the failed comfort attempt between siblings happened when Cersei found out about Myrcella’s marriage. I’m glad they found a place for it in the adaptation, just because of the heart-wrenching brokenness of these two characters at odds.
Lannister sibling number three also got a scene that’s widely contested by fans. Would Jaime bait such a trap to kill an innocent cousin (kinslaying on top of murder) if he had the chance? Or is this making him more dark than he is in the books? To be sure, what the adaptation has shown us so far is a man with no compunctions about killing innocent people, though he can also turn a good phrase about uncomfortable truths. I find I can believe that adaptation Jaime, after being held prisoner so long, could do something so vile. And I certainly understand why actor Nickolaj would speak so highly of acting it…like a spider spinning a fly into his web!
This turn of events leads to a conflict not in the books: is valuable hostage Jaime in danger of being killed? In both book and tv show Catelyn goes to see him, but her motivations are far different. In the book she’d just heard that Bran and Rickon were killed, and acts out of a place of emotion. Here, she’s logically thinking things through.
Robb is on his way to the Crag, the place where, in canon, he learns of the deaths of his brothers. Out of grief, he deflowers a maiden in the castle, Jeyne Westerling, replaced by Talisa on the show. The Crag only exists here as a plot device to leave Catelyn with the brunt of Jaime drama, and it’s a nice choice because Michelle Fairely performs admirably.
In terms of what I didn’t like: though Rose Leslie pulls it all off amusingly, did we really need three scenes of Ygritte teasing Jon about his virginity before the wildings captured him? I did like the talk about shared heritage and conflicting values, all very complicated and realistic. Not from the book, where he and Qhorin are still together, discussing the legend of Bael the Bard, among other things.
As usual, I liked the scenes involving Dany and Jorah, which continued to highlight the princess's identity conflict and trust issues amidst the background of betrayal and theft. I also liked Jorah and Quaithe, for reminding us of Quaithe's intuition and Jorah’s past history and current loyalties. The first scene with Xaro, however, was awkward and unneeded. Why is it so important for such a minor character to be given time to lie about “getting to the bottom of this” when a few scenes later he’s outed as the thieving mastermind? Dany is also a hypocrite for refusing his help in one scene and then begging for it (as with all the Thirteen) in the next. The ending, though a huge departure from the book, was shocking, and my empathy was with Dany and her men as they fled the scene!
But my biggest problem of the episode lay with the Arya, and to a lesser degree Sansa. Maisie and Charles Dance continue to have stellar chemistry, but the scene of two different people finding common ground has grown stale. Throw that on top of the unexplained murder “investigations.” Why is it that Tywin is killing his own men, who know nothing about the poison dart, when he won’t even question Arya who’s been at his side this whole time? With so many battles lost against Robb shouldn’t he be more shrewd with resources? Is he too busy admiring everything Arya does to remember that she’s imprisoned, northern and likely high-born slave? (Fun fact: the “milord” talk was taken from different characters in book 5.)
In the book, as I mentioned elsewhere, Arya was busy learning about the abuse and nothingness of prisoners of warfare first hand, not being pampered by a lord, and I miss this storyline. Similarly, I miss Sansa’s Dontos storyline, where the “Jonquil” reference comes from. Canon Sansa is one of those “idiot” girls who loves songs about fair maidens, but in the book, she thinks of that story specifically as she and Dontos plot her escape. It’s a shame that we only know Jonquil through Arya’s disdain.
Sansa’s other scenes this episode are altered slightly in questionable ways. In the book, she runs into a drunken, violent Sandor with whom she shares more history. Suffice to say most of their talk was true to the book, but what was with that last line about standing between Sansa and Joffrey? Was Sandor promising to disembowel Joffrey the first time he tried to rape his queen? Instead he sells her out to Cersei the next time she sees him. (And what the hell was he even doing in her room at all? Early-morning stalking in plain sight?) Sansa’s scene with Cersei is also mostly canon, though instead of Sansa asserting “everyone wants to be loved,” she turns the commentary back to loving Joff. This is an obvious setup for Cersei’s later scene where we learn that even the king’s mother thinks he’s a bit of a monster.
I did, however, like Sansa’s scene with Shae; I could even take it over the book scene where the desperate girl goes as far as to try and burn her mattress. At some point during the production of the season, the picture of Shae with a knife to the maid’s throat surfaced, and many people thought the out-of-focus maid might be Sansa. :O Makes some sense…in the book, Sansa and Shae have a strained relationship, at best. But I was pleasantly surprised to find out that not only was Shae not threatening Sansa; she was threatening someone for Sansa. :D Once again, I wish I’d seen more of the buildup of Sansa and Shae’s relationship on the show. Surely some of the repetitive scenes elsewhere could have given way.
___
It was also nice to get an update on Stannis; we haven’t seen him since his stunning “victory” over his brother, but indeed he is coming for King’s Landing, so Tyrion tells us. Something to watch out for!
Summary:
Beyond the Wall
Jon wakes up with his “bone” against Ygritte’s back. She teases him incessantly about his lack of experience with girls. He’s an easy target. They also argue about other things: genealogical heritage for one. If Jon is Ned Stark’s son and ergo a descendant of the First Men like the wildlings, then why is he fighting them? Is his way of life, celibate service to protect a bunch of simpering social conservatives in stone castles, more worthy than the life of the “free folk” who allow themselves more autonomous choices (and sex?) Unbeknownst to Jon, Ygritte is leading him on—literally. Ultimately she breaks free and as he catches her, he finds himself surrounded by wildlings. Yikes.
Oh, and also the infamous “you know nothing, Jon Snow” made its first appearance but likely not it’s last. In the book, Ygritte is fond of foisting this opinion on her new companion, to the point where it gets a little tedious, imho.
Qarth
Xaro Xhoan Daxos begs Daenerys to let him try and find her dragons, but she’s not into trusting the guy who’s roof they got stolen out from under. Jorah returns from ship-hunting, and she admits her guilt over Irri’s death, Doreah’s disappearance, and leading her people “into the slaughterhouse.” She’s not sure who she is anymore—the Targaryens and Dothraki both betrayed and abandoned her. The dream of Westeros and loyal subjects she’s never seen since she was a baby seems more remote. Jorah tries to comfort her, but Dany pushes him away, claiming he’s “too familiar.” She sets him to the task of finding her dragons, so he goes to Quaithe. Quaithe reveals that she knows Jorah loves Dany—and that he’s betrayed her (season one spying for Robert) before. He’s adamant that he’d never do so again, so she tells him “the thief you seek is with her now.”
Dany is with Kovarro and the Thirteen, pleading that they help her find her dragons. Most are outright dismissive of her ambition—dragons cause more trouble than anything. Pyatt Pree steps up and calls them cruel before admitting that he, himself, took the dragons to the House of the Undying. Dany and Kovarro are stunned into silence as he explains that the new “King of Qarth,” aka Xaro, procured them for him. These two want to take control of the city by using the dragons. The Thirteen laugh at their bid for power, but Pree pulls a magic trick and slits all their throats at the same time. :O Dany and Kovarro run, but Pree is always in front of them. Jorah shows up and stabs him in the back; he just disappears out of his clothes and turns up elsewhere, imploring Dany to come to the House of the Undying. Her children are waiting! She and her men flee instead.
Robb’s Camp
Ser Alton Lannister has finally returned with the news that Cersei tore Robb’s peace terms to shreds. Unsurprised Robb asks his men to bring the envoy to a cell, but irritated Lord Karstark reminds him that all the cells are filled to the brim with prisoners. There’s only room to put him with Jaime, with Karstark’s son as a warden. The men depart and Talisa enters, asking if he might procure some medical supplies from the Crag, a castle where he is traveling to negotiate their surrender. An up-close-and-personal Robb suggests that maybe she come with him personally. Snagging some alone time, are we? :P
Jaime and Alton also share alone time in their cell. An enamored Alton explains to his famous cousin how squiring for him once was the highlight of his life. Instead of mocking him, Jaime recounts his own story of squiring for Ser Barristan and killing his first man (a tale that the two of them told Robert last season.) He talks fondly of the romance of jousting and knighthood as Alton inches closer and closer. He’s unfit for imprisonment and needs to escape, Jaime says. How can I help? Alton asks hopefully. You can die. :O A second later, Jaime is bludgeoning the kid to death! Karstark’s son, hearing the commotion, enters in time to see Alton’s last spasms. Then Jaime’s chain is around his neck and he dies, too. Uh oh…
The Kingslayer doesn’t get far until the northerners drag him back. Robb (and Talisa) are already gone, but Catelyn and Brienne come out to make sure things don’t get out of hand. Karstark and his men are fuming over their loss and want to kill the prisoner. Cat demands that they respect her authority as the mother of their king whose own son was crippled by this man—don’t kill the hostage! Karstark backs down…temporarily. Later that night, his men are drinking and getting rowdier. Brienne submits that Jaime won’t last the night, so she and Catelyn go to see him alone. When he mocks Brienne, Catelyn calls her more of a knight than he’ll be, seeing as he’s forsworn most of his vows. Jaime points out that the vows often contradict each other—like what if your father despises the king and the king abuses the innocent? On the other hand, he’s always been faithful to Cersei, unlike “poor old dead Ned.” Catelyn steels her face as Jaime mocks her about Jon, the walking, talking reminder of Ned’s infidelity. Admit that you always hated him! Instead, Cat asks for Brienne’s sword. :-O Is Jaime toast???
Harrenhal
Tywin is convinced that the dart in Lorch’s neck last episode was meant for him, so he sets The Mountain to torturing and killing his soldiers for information. Arya arrives with mutton, which he doesn’t want and invites her to eat. Armed with a fork and knife, Arya contemplates killing her family’s enemy as he surveys the hangings and talks about how this will be the war he’s remembered for. They shift to the history of the ruined castle of Harrenhal, the first Targaryen victory by King Aegon. Arya mentions his sisters, whom she clearly idolizes. Tywin points out that most girls are interested in innocent maidens from songs, to which Arya scoffs that most girls are idiots. He’s impressed by her knowledge of history, given that she’s claimed her father was a stone mason. As she leaves, he advises her to say “milord” instead of “my lord” if she wants to pass as a commoner. :O Is Arya found out?? She quickly spins a tale about her mother working for Lady Dustin. Tywin calls her too clever for her own good.
King’s Landing
Sansa seeks out the Hound to thank him for saving her from the would-be rapists. He mocks her use of the word “bravery;” those men were rats and killing is the sweetest thing there is. “Does it give you joy to scare people?” Sansa asks boldly. Oh yeah, and Ned Stark didn’t like killing people? It was his duty, Sansa retorts. Why are you so hateful? Sandor posits that she’ll be grateful for the hateful things he does “when I’m all that stands between you and your beloved king.”
In her bed engraved with lion carvings she dreams of the attempted rape later, her mind embellishing it to include a man stabbing her. She wakes with a start and sees a blood stain on her sheets—her period has come! Desperately she tries to tear it out, reminding a startled Shae that she can bear Joffrey’s children now. Wedding bells ringing… :/ A servant enters and goes to tell the queen, but Shae stops her at knife point with a warning. The Hound, however, who enters next, can’t be so easily threatened.
Cersei invites the girl to her room where they discuss the messiness of menstruation and child birth. The queen remembers how “Joffrey has always been difficult,” even in birthing. Though Robert hunted in the godswood, Jaime defied convention and demanded to be in the birthing room. Joffrey, of course, will not do this. Cersei posits that though Sansa may never love Joff, she’ll love his children. As the girl repeats her lie about loving His Grace, Cersei suggests that she be frugal with love; it makes you weak and foolish. “Love no one but your children; on that front a mother has no choice.” Shouldn’t I love Joffrey? Sansa asks. You can try, Cersei says, sighing.
Tyrion joins his sister later where they briefly discuss Stannis’s quick naval movement towards King’s Landing. Less than a week now…Cersei is unconcerned. Tyrion reminds her that they’re all alone here with Joffrey as the only protectors of the city. Cersei admits that she wishes Joff were more like Jaime but he’s even worse than Robert—he enjoys cruelty. Is this the price she and Jaime paid for their incest? Like with the Targaryen fraternal unions, you basically flipped a coin to see if the offspring turned out crazy (hello, Viserys! :P) Tyrion assures her that she’s beaten the odds with Tommen and Myrcella, but although Cersei is breaking down and Tyrion is sympathetic, they just can’t quite get it together for a shared, loving moment. Aww.
Winterfell
Theon wakes up to find Osha—and the Stark boys and wolves—missing. He immediately kicks the crap out of a lackey and off they go to hunt the boys! On the road, he’s almost jocular and amused with Luwin: “it’s all just a game!” He promises that if he finds them soon he won’t kill the boys, but he will hurt them.
Said boys and company are approaching the farm where Bran sent the orphans a few episodes ago. Rickon, subsisting on walnuts, wants to ask them for food, but Bran says they can’t risk it: Theon would torture them. Either way, Osha reminds them, they can’t outrun the hounds for long.
Sure enough, the hounds, Theon and Theon’s men have arrived at the farm. This time when Luwin counsels his former ward to calm down, the Kraken prince snaps. He’ll be branded as a eunuch if he doesn’t get the boys back, so he’ll do anything for it. His men drag the farmer out and he starts to beat him for information until Dagmer calls him away. He’s found some of Rickon’s walnut shells. *gulp* Theon sends a pleading Luwin home…when he returns himself, he calls out the Winterfell people. When he captured the castle, he’d laid out that you serve him faithfully or pay the price: now they’ll know that their new lord means what he says. He hoists up the burned bodies of two small children to hang above the gate. People gasp, Luwin cries out in grief, and Theon turns with a conflicted expression on his face.
Those killed on the show still alive in the books: The Thirteen of Qarth. This political divide between the rulers was invented for the show, and most purists would attain that it’s the polar opposite of Qarth’s actual culture.
I’d say “Alton Lannister…” his counterpart, Cleos Frey, dies in book three, but Jaime doesn’t murder him. Similarly, no Lannister soldiers are tried and hanged for an alleged attempt on Tywin’s life. This sounds like a “Xena” disclaimer. :P
Thoughts:
The events at Winterfell were largely true to the book, and Alfie’s public breakdown gave more to Theon than the page could. Those last moments, with the brutal shock of it all, the reactions from characters and the suffocating music just sent my stomach churning. In the best of ways. :P
Cersei and Tyrion’s scene would not have happened in canon; Cersei couldn’t admit to herself, let alone a hated brother, that Joffrey was a horrible person (though she did admit to Sansa in the book that he’s “difficult.”) In the book, the failed comfort attempt between siblings happened when Cersei found out about Myrcella’s marriage. I’m glad they found a place for it in the adaptation, just because of the heart-wrenching brokenness of these two characters at odds.
Lannister sibling number three also got a scene that’s widely contested by fans. Would Jaime bait such a trap to kill an innocent cousin (kinslaying on top of murder) if he had the chance? Or is this making him more dark than he is in the books? To be sure, what the adaptation has shown us so far is a man with no compunctions about killing innocent people, though he can also turn a good phrase about uncomfortable truths. I find I can believe that adaptation Jaime, after being held prisoner so long, could do something so vile. And I certainly understand why actor Nickolaj would speak so highly of acting it…like a spider spinning a fly into his web!
This turn of events leads to a conflict not in the books: is valuable hostage Jaime in danger of being killed? In both book and tv show Catelyn goes to see him, but her motivations are far different. In the book she’d just heard that Bran and Rickon were killed, and acts out of a place of emotion. Here, she’s logically thinking things through.
Robb is on his way to the Crag, the place where, in canon, he learns of the deaths of his brothers. Out of grief, he deflowers a maiden in the castle, Jeyne Westerling, replaced by Talisa on the show. The Crag only exists here as a plot device to leave Catelyn with the brunt of Jaime drama, and it’s a nice choice because Michelle Fairely performs admirably.
In terms of what I didn’t like: though Rose Leslie pulls it all off amusingly, did we really need three scenes of Ygritte teasing Jon about his virginity before the wildings captured him? I did like the talk about shared heritage and conflicting values, all very complicated and realistic. Not from the book, where he and Qhorin are still together, discussing the legend of Bael the Bard, among other things.
As usual, I liked the scenes involving Dany and Jorah, which continued to highlight the princess's identity conflict and trust issues amidst the background of betrayal and theft. I also liked Jorah and Quaithe, for reminding us of Quaithe's intuition and Jorah’s past history and current loyalties. The first scene with Xaro, however, was awkward and unneeded. Why is it so important for such a minor character to be given time to lie about “getting to the bottom of this” when a few scenes later he’s outed as the thieving mastermind? Dany is also a hypocrite for refusing his help in one scene and then begging for it (as with all the Thirteen) in the next. The ending, though a huge departure from the book, was shocking, and my empathy was with Dany and her men as they fled the scene!
But my biggest problem of the episode lay with the Arya, and to a lesser degree Sansa. Maisie and Charles Dance continue to have stellar chemistry, but the scene of two different people finding common ground has grown stale. Throw that on top of the unexplained murder “investigations.” Why is it that Tywin is killing his own men, who know nothing about the poison dart, when he won’t even question Arya who’s been at his side this whole time? With so many battles lost against Robb shouldn’t he be more shrewd with resources? Is he too busy admiring everything Arya does to remember that she’s imprisoned, northern and likely high-born slave? (Fun fact: the “milord” talk was taken from different characters in book 5.)
In the book, as I mentioned elsewhere, Arya was busy learning about the abuse and nothingness of prisoners of warfare first hand, not being pampered by a lord, and I miss this storyline. Similarly, I miss Sansa’s Dontos storyline, where the “Jonquil” reference comes from. Canon Sansa is one of those “idiot” girls who loves songs about fair maidens, but in the book, she thinks of that story specifically as she and Dontos plot her escape. It’s a shame that we only know Jonquil through Arya’s disdain.
Sansa’s other scenes this episode are altered slightly in questionable ways. In the book, she runs into a drunken, violent Sandor with whom she shares more history. Suffice to say most of their talk was true to the book, but what was with that last line about standing between Sansa and Joffrey? Was Sandor promising to disembowel Joffrey the first time he tried to rape his queen? Instead he sells her out to Cersei the next time she sees him. (And what the hell was he even doing in her room at all? Early-morning stalking in plain sight?) Sansa’s scene with Cersei is also mostly canon, though instead of Sansa asserting “everyone wants to be loved,” she turns the commentary back to loving Joff. This is an obvious setup for Cersei’s later scene where we learn that even the king’s mother thinks he’s a bit of a monster.
I did, however, like Sansa’s scene with Shae; I could even take it over the book scene where the desperate girl goes as far as to try and burn her mattress. At some point during the production of the season, the picture of Shae with a knife to the maid’s throat surfaced, and many people thought the out-of-focus maid might be Sansa. :O Makes some sense…in the book, Sansa and Shae have a strained relationship, at best. But I was pleasantly surprised to find out that not only was Shae not threatening Sansa; she was threatening someone for Sansa. :D Once again, I wish I’d seen more of the buildup of Sansa and Shae’s relationship on the show. Surely some of the repetitive scenes elsewhere could have given way.
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