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scifi_rewatchThis episode, named for the slightly spoilery Valyrian translation that “all men must die,” is somewhat of an inevitable letdown after “Blackwater.” The tight, action-packed storytelling is replaced with checking in with the wide chorus of characters. Some of the scenes felt disjointed and confusing. Others, like Stannis dealing with the aftermath of his failed war effort (and his successful attempt to bring his brother down); Brienne proving just where her loyalties lie; Sansa’s short-lasting relief and first smile of the season; and Arya back on the road again with a new mission, leant themselves to touching or at least interesting character moments.
Theon’s storyline has been handled well all season—the best, in my humble opinion—and it ends on such a note. Tyrion, too, gets a touching, if depressing end; in fact if something could be said for the majority of the storylines, they are about people laid low after falling from great heights.
On the other end of the spectrum, Cat and Robb’s story fell short for me, as it has often during the season. Robb makes a choice that is far more understandable in the books, and Catelyn is powerless to stop him. Similarly Jon makes a decision in the adaptation that is far less explained than how it is in the book. The fate of Winterfell is also shadowed in confusion, though that might be for plotting purposes.
Daenerys at Qarth ended with a bit of an unnecessary sledge hammer, though on rewatch I grew to appreciate more of her season 2 arc. But missing from this episode were any of the strange prophecies that canon Dany saw in the House of the Undying. This excisement is undoubtedly one of the most negative aspects of the adaptation for many purist fans, as it takes away from the tone and overarching mythos of the story. But for other fans, these changes perhaps made the adaptation a bit more accessible.
Summary:
Some quick goodbyes: Brienne and Jaime, Arya and Jaqen, Robb and Catelyn, Stannis and Melissandre
I’ll quickly summarize and give my thoughts about these scenes in one fell swoop. En route to King’s Landing, Brienne and Jaime leave the water for a bit while the Kingslayer continues his snarky attack. Brienne is not swayed by much until they come across a trio of hanging female corpses with the sign “they lay with lions” attached. Jaime switches from sexual bait to Stark bait; look at these people you serve! Brienne retorts that she serves Catelyn, not the Starks, and moves to cut down the bodies. But suddenly the three Stark soldiers who killed them are back! They mock Brienne for her manly appearance and behavior and claim responsibility for the deaths. Unfortunately one recognizes the Kingslayer, despite the bogus story Brienne and Jaime make up on the spot, so Brienne kills them all (one slowly in retaliation for him saying he killed one of the women slowly.) Jaime is still confused; those were Stark men. Brienne brusquely repeats her line: she doesn’t serve the Starks, she serves Lady Catelyn. She cuts the bodies down.
It’s a powerful scene, especially how it portrays war crimes; all sides are guilty. Robb or Ned might never commit these atrocities, but not all northerners have their honor. It was also a nice chance for Jaime to eat his snark; Brienne proves who she fights for, what she believes in, and that she actually is skilled in combat. My one quibble with this scene is that at this point in the books Brienne hasn’t killed anyone. She’s still a bit naïve about knights being about honorable rituals more than killing. I’m not quite sure she’d be so vengeful, either. Don’t get me wrong; it’s nice to see someone standing up for sexual abuse victims in this world, but killing a man slowly (or even killing them at all) won’t bring the innocents back. That’s one of the main lessons of the books, actually.
But speaking of vengeful people, Arya, Hot Pie and Gendry travel the land outside of Harrenhal and encounter Jaqen waiting for them. Arya’s surprised and approaches him alone; how did he know they would come this way? Not too important in the grand scheme of things. Arya wants to know how he killed those guards and he entices her with a life that exists beyond the narrow sea, where one can become a Faceless Man, even more badass than a water dancer with Syrio last season. Jaqen offers to take Arya with him, but she grudgingly declines, saying she has to find her mother, brother…and sister, too. So Jaqen gives her a special coin and says whenever she might change her mind, give this coin to any man from Braavos and say “Valar Morgulis.” He makes Arya practice a few times and then he turns and changes his face! :O He bids the girl farewell and leaves her awestruck.
Good scene on so many levels. Introduces some foreshadowing and world building for the future, sets Arya on a new path (no longer the inaccessible Winterfell but towards her mother and brother.) And I admit, when I first saw Arya admitting that she needed to find Sansa, too, I literally burst into tears and texted my startled sister immediately that I loved her. :P Such a touching line, speaking to the inner monologues of both girls that despite their differences they still care for one another.
Robb and Catelyn have a tense meeting in camp where mother reminds son that Walder Frey is a dangerous man to cross. For more clues about what crossing might be done, Catelyn explains how arranged marriages like hers with Ned (or Robb’s promised one with the Frey girl) start out awkward but end up stronger as they build something for their families. Robb states that he loves Talisa and that’s what is most important to him. When Catelyn brings up Ned’s teachings, Robb ends the conversation with some pithy remarks: “My father is dead. And the only parent I have left has no right to call anyone reckless.” Later a septon marries him and Talisa privately.
Frankly, the only thing I like about this scene is Catelyn’s sound advice. In the books, actually, there are plenty of examples of Cat giving sound advice and Robb ignoring it. Part of the reason the writers changed all of that is because they wanted to make Richard Madden’s Robb more mature. But ironically, this Robb’s decision to marry Talisa is far more foolish than canon Robb’s decision to marry Jeyne. In the book Robb deflowered Jeyne out of grief for his brothers, so at least there was the issue of her tainted honor. When he returned to Riverrun and his mother, he knew enough to be contrite about it, because it was a blow to the Freys. In the adaptation, Robb has no cultural reason to marry Talisa; he does it out of personal desire, even while understanding the risk. As a modern viewer, sure I have sympathy for love and I like Talisa. But even in our world we are sometimes forced to do things for the greater good. Surely a mature person would realize this.
Another nitpick: Robb is a northern king raised with the northern gods and Talisa is from Volantis; why the hell would they be getting married in the religion of the seven? Strange continuity error. And finally, not to belabor the point, but continuing to call Catelyn reckless while not pointing out her rational, adaptation reasons for freeing Jaime seems disingenuous. There was just some lazy storytelling all around in this plotline, which is a real shame for a show that should aim for better.
To end on a more upbeat note (at least in terms of storytelling): Stannis and Melissandre. My only real complaint is why shouldn’t they mention Davos, the man Stannis named his Hand who was last seen on an exploding ship? Other than that, the conversation between the two of them was golden. I loved Stannis’s sulky defeat and Melissandre’s continued insistence that her visions of his power are true. You can see the depths of her fanaticism as she clings to these beliefs while Stannis chokes her; she’s still his number one fangirl. :P Stannis’s choked “I killed my own brother” was my favorite line from Stephen Dillane all season, giving fresh insight into a new feeling: guilt. While Stannis considers it, Mel promises that to be king thousands will die at his command and he’ll betray all he believes in. Steep price for a single-mindedly determined man. Finally, Mel leads him towards a torch and asks him to explain if he sees visions in the flames. At first he says he sees only fire, but at Mel’s urging he finally, whisperingly, says he sees something. Such a fitting end for these characters. It doesn’t really matter if any prophecies actually exist in those flames. What matters is the calm faith of Melissandre and then the desperateness of Stannis to see what they want to see. Wonderfully done.
King’s Landing
Back to mere summaries. In a wonderfully edited scene, we zero in on Tyrion’s eye, war noise blazing, fire in his iris…and then he blinks and is in his sick bed. Overseen by none other than Maester Pycelle! Uh oh. He calls for Podrick, who thankfully comes. Pycelle delivers the bad news to the heavily-bandaged former Hand—he’s in his new, cramped quarters, wholly demoted from where he was. The maester leaves by throwing a coin and Tyrion’s snarky remark back at him: “for your trouble.”
Elsewhere, Tywin’s horse poops before he enters the throne room to pomp and ceremony. Joffrey names his grandfather savior of the city; Tywin accepts it and rides out like a badass. King’s Landing was obviously a good move for him. :P The king gifts Littlefinger with Harrenhal for bringing the Tyrells to their aid; Varys looks openly jealous. Joffrey then calls Loras over and thanks him personally. Is there anything he might like for this service? Loras points to Margaery, traveling with him and looking demure; he stutters about her marriage to Renly but states that she’s still pure. Might Joffrey agree to marry her? The court titters and Margaery declares her love. Joff does a bit of suggestive rubbing of his scepter and proclaims the same…but he’s promised to another. Cersei, seated next to him, pipes up that Sansa is, in fact, the daughter and sister of traitors. Pycelle adds credence by saying Robert made this pact before the Starks proved their falsehood—an ok loophole for breaking a betrothal. Joffrey claims victory in being able to follow his heart! He repeats his line from last season: “You will be my queen. And I will love you until the end of time.”
Sansa has been attending court from the balcony; when they are dismissed, she allows herself a relieved smile. But she quickly has to bottle up her feelings again as Littlefinger comes with his condolences. Not only for the loss of her marriage but also for the fact that Joffrey will still continue to beat and possibly even rape her. Sansa is aghast; he still won’t let her go home? Joffrey doesn’t give up his toys, Littlefinger reminds her, stepping in close. But as Catelyn’s daughter, someone Sansa is reminding him of muchly at the moment, he promises to get her home. Sansa pauses and says King’s Landing is her home now, to which Littlefinger replies “We’re all liars here. And every one of us is better than you.”
Ros, apparently released from Cersei’s custody, prepares to take a new client but it is none other than Varys. He’s not interested in the girl sexually, but he is interested in using her as a spy against her employer. Ros admits that Littlefinger scares her, but Varys counters that every man has his weaknesses.
Later, Varys goes to visit Tyrion and explains that all of his friends, Bronn, the Hill Tribes, have been dismissed from their positions and often paid off to leave. Tyrion is now mostly in the company of men owned by either his father or sister. Speaking of Cersei, Varys confirms that indeed it was her who used Ser Mandon Moore to try and kill her brother during the battle. Yikes. The good news is that Varys invites Shae in and leaves Tyrion with the promise that although he won’t be honored and the histories won’t mention him for saving the city “we will not forget.” Aww.
Shae and Tyrion share a tender moment, and the whore puts an entreating option on the table—why not leave for Pentos and live in peace? Tyrion struggles but decides that he wants to stay here. Outsmarting people like his father and sister are what he’s good at. He’s worried that Shae might leave, but she tells him simply “I am yours and you are mine,” and the two end in a sniffling embrace.
Winterfell
Theon sits tensely in his bedchamber, apparently unable to sleep as horns blow outside. He and his 20 men are surrounded, apparently by the Bastard of Bolton and his ilk, whom Robb and Roose have sent. Luwin attempts to attend him but can’t, say, send another raven to Balon or Yara when Theon had them all killed. So instead the new prince careens into brooding nostalgia, remembering his first thoughts about Winterfell (strong and enduring; no wonder the people who lived here could kill his own brothers,) and his sense of hurt and betrayal for living the life of a captive and returning unwanted at home. But time’s running out in the present and Luwin has another suggestion; join the Night’s Watch and make amends. Theon has his doubts, particularly about Jon’s presence. He admits that he’s “done things I never thought myself capable of doing” but that it’s essentially too late to turn back now.
So with his men in the yard, he goes into full battle mode, giving a speech that could rival Tyrion’s from last episode. Sure, there’s no way they can survive, so it’s all about making a name for themselves so they’ll be remembered as badasses back on the Iron Islands. The men are really into it, whooping and hollering, but as soon as Theon screams “WHAT IS DEAD MAY NEVER DIE!” Dagmer takes him out with a blunt object! :O Looks like, as per Robb’s plan, they are selling him out for their own freedom. Luwin comes out, horrified by the display, but Dagmer stabs him in the gut. :/ The Maester falls painfully as the Iron Islanders put a bag over Theon’s head and drag him away.
Sometime later, Bran, Rickon, Osha, Hodor and the wolves come out of the crypts to a much-changed Winterfell. It is in ruins! :O Dead bodies lie in the yard. The wolves lead the bewildered bunch to the godswood, where Luwin has dragged himself to die. He shares a heartbreaking final scene with his young charges and then tells Osha to take the boys north, not south. Too many enemies in one direction…Jon can keep them safe in the other. He finally is able to send the kids off with Hodor so he can ask for a final favor from Osha—a quick death. :/ She rejoins the rest later as Hodor pushes Bran and provisions in a wagon with Winterfell spewing dark smoke behind them.
Qarth
Daenerys, Jorah and Kovarro approach the House of the Undying. The men are a bit hesitant, but Dany walks forward brusquely. They encounter a “riddle” right away; the circular building doesn’t seem to have a door. Kovarro stands guard as Dany, followed by Jorah, walk the perimeter. Jorah loses sight of Dany, but suddenly he’s at Kovarro’s back! Where’s the khaleesi? Jorah calls for her desperately and somewhere inside, Dany picks up a torch and walks towards the screams of her dragons, calling out to the warlocks that she’s not frightened by their magic tricks. Uh huh. :P
She ultimately finds herself in a circular room surrounded by a series of doors. The dragons cry again and she opens one, stepping into none other than the throne room at King’s Landing! Except not only is it deserted but there’s snow on the ground, the ceiling is a ruined mess and wind whistles mournfully through abandoned spaces. Dany puts down her torch and slowly moves towards the Iron Throne. She’s about to touch it when the dragons call again, so she moves towards them. A door opens and it’s the main gate to the Wall! She seems to be north of Westeros now, but somewhere in the snowy gloom she squints and sees the tent she shared with Drogo. She enters and the climate changes to peaceful and light; Drogo is inside, holding their son, Rhaego. Dany sits down in wonder; is this a dream? Maybe I didn’t go to the Night Lands, Drogo suggests. Maybe I said fuck it until you come. Dany is amused, and she leans in towards them. Drogo suggests that maybe these philosophical questions are best left for “wise men with skinny arms.” He’s obviously enticing her to just enjoy the moment, but as much as she wants to hold her son, Dany keeps her distance, repeating Mirri Maz Durr’s words from last season. Drogo and Rhaego can’t be real, so long as the sun still rises in the east and the mountains stand.
She leaves the tent and reenters the circular room where this time, her crying dragons are chained to a table in the middle. Pyatt Pree appears and say the dragons have missed her…also, their presence has reawakened the warlocks’ power. She should stay with them forever, he suggests as chains suddenly bind her arms. Dany insists that she has to get back to Westeros where her people are waiting. “They’ll be waiting a long time,” Pree suggests. Or will they? The dragons stop crying and Dany shares a look with one of them. “Dracarys,” she says, and suddenly all three dragons breathe fire! It skirts past her prone body, leaving her unharmed, but Pree is aflame. He screams, falls and dies. The chains holding Daenerys and the dragons are broken.
At Xaro’s mansion, the new King of Qarth is sleeping with none other than Doreah! His key is on a chain around his neck, but Jorah yanks it off with his sword, awakening him. Dany and her khalasar force Xaro and Doreah to the vault. They open it and find nothing inside. Dany turns to her former host and thanks him for “teaching her this lesson.” They lock the two traitors inside the vault, despite their pleas. Jorah gives the key to Dany. The rest of the khalasar loot Xaro's house—apparently he does have that wealth—and Dany talks to Jorah about the possibility of buying a ship. She walks off, cuddling the dragons on her shoulders.
Beyond the Wall
Ygritte continues to taunt Jon about meeting Mance, wacking him with his own blade until he snaps back at her. Qhorin takes this moment to break free from his guards and grab a sword, running towards Jon to fight the “traitor.” The Lord of Bones tells the wildlings to let these guys have it out, and Ygritte tosses Jon his sword. They fence for a little while, and then after a small pause, with the two of them looking at each other, Jon fatally stabs the Halfhand. He dies with the words “we are the watchers on the Wall” on his lips. Jon stands, frozen and stunned, as do the wildlings. Ygritte tells the others that they’ll tell Mance that Jon’s the one who killed their big enemy, Qhorin Halfhand. The wildlings cut Jon free of his restraints and a still-surprised Ygritte leads the guilty lad over the ridge…they’re apparently right by Mance’s camp! The valley is filled with tents and campfires. As the rest of the wildlings burn Qhorin’s body, Jon pauses and then walks down into the enemy territory.
Back at the Fist of the First Men, Sam, Grenn and Edd continue to work as Sam continues to talk about Gilly. Their casual banter is cut short by the sounding of the horn—at the first, Sam assumes that Jon and the Halfhand are back. At the second, the lads tense up, preparing for a fight with the wildings. But at the third…time stops for a moment and then Edd screams “RUUN!” The music is increasingly ominous but as Grenn and Edd run far ahead, Sam trips and is lost in the rising gloom. He hides behind a rock as the otherworldy creatures approach. A white walker, skeletal and fierce astride a dead horse, stops near him. He looks at the boy with piercing blue eyes but then ignores him, letting out a screech instead and holding out his arm. The camera pans back to show a huge number of White Walkers, wights and other dead animals advancing on the Fist. Yikes. Maybe Winter has Come?
Those killed on the show still alive in the books: Doreah, Xaro and Pyatt Pree. Though technically it’s not correct to include Doreah on this list; in the book she died early of starvation in the Red Waste. But she never betrayed Dany in this fashion. As for Xaro and Pree, both are still alive and kicking far past the second book.
Thoughts:
It’s easiest to start with the best material. The biggest problem with Winterfell is the confusion over why the hell it was destroyed if the Ironborn conked out Theon and surrendered. This is all explained as-it-happens in the book but due to casting choices things didn’t work out the same on screen. Another change is that Theon actually takes Luwin up on his offer, even fantasizing about being a badass Brother of the Night’s Watch, which basically shows his arrogance. But the second season has given him far more of a rich arc than the book, and his actions here ring true. In both the book and the adaptation Theon never makes it to the Wall (though his men don’t betray him in the book, either. All for the sake of streamlining, I assume.)
Other character deletions in season two made it impossible for the adaptation to follow canon for Bran and Rickon—the boys are in fact separated once Winterfell is razed to the ground; Bran goes with Hodor and two uncast characters and Rickon goes with Osha. Obviously this way they can also keep Rickon and Osha in the adaptation for longer. Although Luwin’s death was canon I still found it heartbreaking, especially given the incredibly moving scenes he’d shared with Theon, Bran and Rickon. I will miss Donald Sumpter.
Very few complaints with King’s Landing as well. Peter Dinklage brought the emotional gravitas to Tyrion’s fall from grace; not only was he demoted from Hand of the King, but no one would honor him for his service AND his sister tried directly to kill him. :/ Yikes. In return, however, he gets a far more layered relationship with Shae. In the books Tyrion’s pretty much right about her—she’s a simple commoner and has to earn a living somehow. But Sibel Kekilli plays her as far wiser and more loving; I truly buy the relationship thus far between Tyrion and Shae in the adaptation. Very touching.
Speaking of whores we get to see Ros again. I’ve had a very on-and-off response to this non-canon character’s story arc; I didn’t like much of what the show did with prostitutes this year. But Varys’s offer to turn her into a spy, one assumes, is most intriguing. If they’re going to utilize this non-canon character in the story, then I want her to be more than a sexual appetizer.
Great, plotty performances all around from the Lannisters and Tyrells to get us moving into the next season. I was pleasantly surprised that when it came down to the new betrothal, Natalie Dormer didn’t look ten years older than Jack Gleeson, even though she is. :P But nothing compares to Sophie Turner’s performance and the private, relieved smile—the first time we see Sansa smile since before Ned died. Many reviewers have commented on the depth of this simple moment. Of course it is short-lived since Littlefinger is soon upon her. The scene boils down to his offering to help her escape, which is basically making the subtle from the books into the overt in the adaptation. In the books, Dontos acts as Littlefinger’s agent. And he and Sansa never meet in the Throne Room, especially with Joffrey and Cersei nearby. Rationally, all of these developments would be highly dangerous and impractical. But that’s Hollywood for you—blunt is the word, or at least usually. It’s nice, at least, to see some of Sansa’s escape plot finally moving forward at all.
Many of my complaints this episode have to do with what was too blunt, what wasn’t clear enough, and what was simply over the top. Jon and Qhorin was actually a rare case for television of something that should have been explained better (and was, in the book.) Qhorin told Jon straight out that Jon should kill him in order to prove himself to the wildlings, because a spy was worth more than anything. Jon, in response, was highly conflicted about this action because to kill a brother and live among the wildlings (even as a spy) could be construed as breaking oaths. At best, all of this is conveyed vaguely on the show through some mumbled dialogue and short-lived looks. It’s a shame, as this muddles some of Jon’s character arc and also utilizes Qhorin, a far more layered character in the book, very little.
In terms of going over the top, I don’t see why Xaro’s vault had to be empty. He’d already betrayed Dany by facilitating the theft of her dragons in the adaptation; certainly worthy of Dany’s ham-fisted line “thank you for teaching me this lesson.” The showrunners changed most of Dany’s storyline this season to bring to the forefront that she had to learn to trust herself, but in the end it seemed like they were trying too hard and hitting us over the head with it. I do appreciate how Dany ultimately sentenced Xaro and Doreah to such an extravagant death because it shows, in my humble opinion, how she overcompensates with punishment so that people won’t look at her as the little girl with the “gentle heart.” I am kind of disappointed, however, that the show turned Doreah into a traitor for plot purposes; wasn’t Xaro enough? Couldn’t Dany at least retain one handmaiden? It seems, with the uncanon deaths of many people in her storyline, that the showrunners are trying to reinforce that Dany and Jorah should be the only long term recognizable faces in her story arc.
I’ll say quickly that I did enjoy Dany’s adapted prophecies for the sake of television. The throne room scene had great, haunting ambiance and made me think of how Winter was Coming, a time far beyond all of the current day squabbling when all would be dead and ruined (certainly reinforced by the end of the episode when White Walkers took over the stage.) Drogo was a great choice as well, not only to get an enthusiastic actor back onto the show, but to tie things in to a recognizable storyline from last season. To me, it seemed like the throne room and Drogo/Rhaego represent two paths that were at one point accessible to Dany. Instead, for the time being, she chooses her dragons. It’s an ok scene with Pree, though short and ultimately lacking any real tension. Obviously the martyr-like image of Dany outstretched and unharmed as her dragons wreak destruction is very arresting.
But in terms of the esoteric nature of Dany’s canon prophecies, the adaptation was severely lacking, especially because none of the canon prophecies made an appearance! :P Certainly this takes away from the tone of the books at this point, which gravitate towards pointing out with several visions, some fleeting and unimportant, others hugely foreshadowing, that time is a tapestry and everyone is connected. For a more in depth look at the canon prophecies and theories into what they might mean, click here.
And finally, I already touched on it briefly, but the ending scene with the White Walkers? Truly incredible television in many ways. The makeup and special effects team is beyond compare here—amazing, spooky work! On a less grandiose scale, I love how they played off the three blasts and the brothers’ responses to them. I’m a little confused as to why the White Walker didn’t kill Sam on the spot (other than—spoiler alert—he doesn’t die in the second book.) Though actually, this scene is adapted from the prologue of the third book. It makes sense, though, because it ends the season on a bit of a surprising cliff hanger that will feed well into the aftermath next season. It’s also a reminder, as said, that although we are embroiled in the individual lives of all of these varied characters, beyond most of their comprehension, the White Walkers are a true threat to everyone. The War of the Five Kings might be small potatoes in comparison. :/ Yikes.
___
Theon’s storyline has been handled well all season—the best, in my humble opinion—and it ends on such a note. Tyrion, too, gets a touching, if depressing end; in fact if something could be said for the majority of the storylines, they are about people laid low after falling from great heights.
On the other end of the spectrum, Cat and Robb’s story fell short for me, as it has often during the season. Robb makes a choice that is far more understandable in the books, and Catelyn is powerless to stop him. Similarly Jon makes a decision in the adaptation that is far less explained than how it is in the book. The fate of Winterfell is also shadowed in confusion, though that might be for plotting purposes.
Daenerys at Qarth ended with a bit of an unnecessary sledge hammer, though on rewatch I grew to appreciate more of her season 2 arc. But missing from this episode were any of the strange prophecies that canon Dany saw in the House of the Undying. This excisement is undoubtedly one of the most negative aspects of the adaptation for many purist fans, as it takes away from the tone and overarching mythos of the story. But for other fans, these changes perhaps made the adaptation a bit more accessible.
Summary:
Some quick goodbyes: Brienne and Jaime, Arya and Jaqen, Robb and Catelyn, Stannis and Melissandre
I’ll quickly summarize and give my thoughts about these scenes in one fell swoop. En route to King’s Landing, Brienne and Jaime leave the water for a bit while the Kingslayer continues his snarky attack. Brienne is not swayed by much until they come across a trio of hanging female corpses with the sign “they lay with lions” attached. Jaime switches from sexual bait to Stark bait; look at these people you serve! Brienne retorts that she serves Catelyn, not the Starks, and moves to cut down the bodies. But suddenly the three Stark soldiers who killed them are back! They mock Brienne for her manly appearance and behavior and claim responsibility for the deaths. Unfortunately one recognizes the Kingslayer, despite the bogus story Brienne and Jaime make up on the spot, so Brienne kills them all (one slowly in retaliation for him saying he killed one of the women slowly.) Jaime is still confused; those were Stark men. Brienne brusquely repeats her line: she doesn’t serve the Starks, she serves Lady Catelyn. She cuts the bodies down.
It’s a powerful scene, especially how it portrays war crimes; all sides are guilty. Robb or Ned might never commit these atrocities, but not all northerners have their honor. It was also a nice chance for Jaime to eat his snark; Brienne proves who she fights for, what she believes in, and that she actually is skilled in combat. My one quibble with this scene is that at this point in the books Brienne hasn’t killed anyone. She’s still a bit naïve about knights being about honorable rituals more than killing. I’m not quite sure she’d be so vengeful, either. Don’t get me wrong; it’s nice to see someone standing up for sexual abuse victims in this world, but killing a man slowly (or even killing them at all) won’t bring the innocents back. That’s one of the main lessons of the books, actually.
But speaking of vengeful people, Arya, Hot Pie and Gendry travel the land outside of Harrenhal and encounter Jaqen waiting for them. Arya’s surprised and approaches him alone; how did he know they would come this way? Not too important in the grand scheme of things. Arya wants to know how he killed those guards and he entices her with a life that exists beyond the narrow sea, where one can become a Faceless Man, even more badass than a water dancer with Syrio last season. Jaqen offers to take Arya with him, but she grudgingly declines, saying she has to find her mother, brother…and sister, too. So Jaqen gives her a special coin and says whenever she might change her mind, give this coin to any man from Braavos and say “Valar Morgulis.” He makes Arya practice a few times and then he turns and changes his face! :O He bids the girl farewell and leaves her awestruck.
Good scene on so many levels. Introduces some foreshadowing and world building for the future, sets Arya on a new path (no longer the inaccessible Winterfell but towards her mother and brother.) And I admit, when I first saw Arya admitting that she needed to find Sansa, too, I literally burst into tears and texted my startled sister immediately that I loved her. :P Such a touching line, speaking to the inner monologues of both girls that despite their differences they still care for one another.
Robb and Catelyn have a tense meeting in camp where mother reminds son that Walder Frey is a dangerous man to cross. For more clues about what crossing might be done, Catelyn explains how arranged marriages like hers with Ned (or Robb’s promised one with the Frey girl) start out awkward but end up stronger as they build something for their families. Robb states that he loves Talisa and that’s what is most important to him. When Catelyn brings up Ned’s teachings, Robb ends the conversation with some pithy remarks: “My father is dead. And the only parent I have left has no right to call anyone reckless.” Later a septon marries him and Talisa privately.
Frankly, the only thing I like about this scene is Catelyn’s sound advice. In the books, actually, there are plenty of examples of Cat giving sound advice and Robb ignoring it. Part of the reason the writers changed all of that is because they wanted to make Richard Madden’s Robb more mature. But ironically, this Robb’s decision to marry Talisa is far more foolish than canon Robb’s decision to marry Jeyne. In the book Robb deflowered Jeyne out of grief for his brothers, so at least there was the issue of her tainted honor. When he returned to Riverrun and his mother, he knew enough to be contrite about it, because it was a blow to the Freys. In the adaptation, Robb has no cultural reason to marry Talisa; he does it out of personal desire, even while understanding the risk. As a modern viewer, sure I have sympathy for love and I like Talisa. But even in our world we are sometimes forced to do things for the greater good. Surely a mature person would realize this.
Another nitpick: Robb is a northern king raised with the northern gods and Talisa is from Volantis; why the hell would they be getting married in the religion of the seven? Strange continuity error. And finally, not to belabor the point, but continuing to call Catelyn reckless while not pointing out her rational, adaptation reasons for freeing Jaime seems disingenuous. There was just some lazy storytelling all around in this plotline, which is a real shame for a show that should aim for better.
To end on a more upbeat note (at least in terms of storytelling): Stannis and Melissandre. My only real complaint is why shouldn’t they mention Davos, the man Stannis named his Hand who was last seen on an exploding ship? Other than that, the conversation between the two of them was golden. I loved Stannis’s sulky defeat and Melissandre’s continued insistence that her visions of his power are true. You can see the depths of her fanaticism as she clings to these beliefs while Stannis chokes her; she’s still his number one fangirl. :P Stannis’s choked “I killed my own brother” was my favorite line from Stephen Dillane all season, giving fresh insight into a new feeling: guilt. While Stannis considers it, Mel promises that to be king thousands will die at his command and he’ll betray all he believes in. Steep price for a single-mindedly determined man. Finally, Mel leads him towards a torch and asks him to explain if he sees visions in the flames. At first he says he sees only fire, but at Mel’s urging he finally, whisperingly, says he sees something. Such a fitting end for these characters. It doesn’t really matter if any prophecies actually exist in those flames. What matters is the calm faith of Melissandre and then the desperateness of Stannis to see what they want to see. Wonderfully done.
King’s Landing
Back to mere summaries. In a wonderfully edited scene, we zero in on Tyrion’s eye, war noise blazing, fire in his iris…and then he blinks and is in his sick bed. Overseen by none other than Maester Pycelle! Uh oh. He calls for Podrick, who thankfully comes. Pycelle delivers the bad news to the heavily-bandaged former Hand—he’s in his new, cramped quarters, wholly demoted from where he was. The maester leaves by throwing a coin and Tyrion’s snarky remark back at him: “for your trouble.”
Elsewhere, Tywin’s horse poops before he enters the throne room to pomp and ceremony. Joffrey names his grandfather savior of the city; Tywin accepts it and rides out like a badass. King’s Landing was obviously a good move for him. :P The king gifts Littlefinger with Harrenhal for bringing the Tyrells to their aid; Varys looks openly jealous. Joffrey then calls Loras over and thanks him personally. Is there anything he might like for this service? Loras points to Margaery, traveling with him and looking demure; he stutters about her marriage to Renly but states that she’s still pure. Might Joffrey agree to marry her? The court titters and Margaery declares her love. Joff does a bit of suggestive rubbing of his scepter and proclaims the same…but he’s promised to another. Cersei, seated next to him, pipes up that Sansa is, in fact, the daughter and sister of traitors. Pycelle adds credence by saying Robert made this pact before the Starks proved their falsehood—an ok loophole for breaking a betrothal. Joffrey claims victory in being able to follow his heart! He repeats his line from last season: “You will be my queen. And I will love you until the end of time.”
Sansa has been attending court from the balcony; when they are dismissed, she allows herself a relieved smile. But she quickly has to bottle up her feelings again as Littlefinger comes with his condolences. Not only for the loss of her marriage but also for the fact that Joffrey will still continue to beat and possibly even rape her. Sansa is aghast; he still won’t let her go home? Joffrey doesn’t give up his toys, Littlefinger reminds her, stepping in close. But as Catelyn’s daughter, someone Sansa is reminding him of muchly at the moment, he promises to get her home. Sansa pauses and says King’s Landing is her home now, to which Littlefinger replies “We’re all liars here. And every one of us is better than you.”
Ros, apparently released from Cersei’s custody, prepares to take a new client but it is none other than Varys. He’s not interested in the girl sexually, but he is interested in using her as a spy against her employer. Ros admits that Littlefinger scares her, but Varys counters that every man has his weaknesses.
Later, Varys goes to visit Tyrion and explains that all of his friends, Bronn, the Hill Tribes, have been dismissed from their positions and often paid off to leave. Tyrion is now mostly in the company of men owned by either his father or sister. Speaking of Cersei, Varys confirms that indeed it was her who used Ser Mandon Moore to try and kill her brother during the battle. Yikes. The good news is that Varys invites Shae in and leaves Tyrion with the promise that although he won’t be honored and the histories won’t mention him for saving the city “we will not forget.” Aww.
Shae and Tyrion share a tender moment, and the whore puts an entreating option on the table—why not leave for Pentos and live in peace? Tyrion struggles but decides that he wants to stay here. Outsmarting people like his father and sister are what he’s good at. He’s worried that Shae might leave, but she tells him simply “I am yours and you are mine,” and the two end in a sniffling embrace.
Winterfell
Theon sits tensely in his bedchamber, apparently unable to sleep as horns blow outside. He and his 20 men are surrounded, apparently by the Bastard of Bolton and his ilk, whom Robb and Roose have sent. Luwin attempts to attend him but can’t, say, send another raven to Balon or Yara when Theon had them all killed. So instead the new prince careens into brooding nostalgia, remembering his first thoughts about Winterfell (strong and enduring; no wonder the people who lived here could kill his own brothers,) and his sense of hurt and betrayal for living the life of a captive and returning unwanted at home. But time’s running out in the present and Luwin has another suggestion; join the Night’s Watch and make amends. Theon has his doubts, particularly about Jon’s presence. He admits that he’s “done things I never thought myself capable of doing” but that it’s essentially too late to turn back now.
So with his men in the yard, he goes into full battle mode, giving a speech that could rival Tyrion’s from last episode. Sure, there’s no way they can survive, so it’s all about making a name for themselves so they’ll be remembered as badasses back on the Iron Islands. The men are really into it, whooping and hollering, but as soon as Theon screams “WHAT IS DEAD MAY NEVER DIE!” Dagmer takes him out with a blunt object! :O Looks like, as per Robb’s plan, they are selling him out for their own freedom. Luwin comes out, horrified by the display, but Dagmer stabs him in the gut. :/ The Maester falls painfully as the Iron Islanders put a bag over Theon’s head and drag him away.
Sometime later, Bran, Rickon, Osha, Hodor and the wolves come out of the crypts to a much-changed Winterfell. It is in ruins! :O Dead bodies lie in the yard. The wolves lead the bewildered bunch to the godswood, where Luwin has dragged himself to die. He shares a heartbreaking final scene with his young charges and then tells Osha to take the boys north, not south. Too many enemies in one direction…Jon can keep them safe in the other. He finally is able to send the kids off with Hodor so he can ask for a final favor from Osha—a quick death. :/ She rejoins the rest later as Hodor pushes Bran and provisions in a wagon with Winterfell spewing dark smoke behind them.
Qarth
Daenerys, Jorah and Kovarro approach the House of the Undying. The men are a bit hesitant, but Dany walks forward brusquely. They encounter a “riddle” right away; the circular building doesn’t seem to have a door. Kovarro stands guard as Dany, followed by Jorah, walk the perimeter. Jorah loses sight of Dany, but suddenly he’s at Kovarro’s back! Where’s the khaleesi? Jorah calls for her desperately and somewhere inside, Dany picks up a torch and walks towards the screams of her dragons, calling out to the warlocks that she’s not frightened by their magic tricks. Uh huh. :P
She ultimately finds herself in a circular room surrounded by a series of doors. The dragons cry again and she opens one, stepping into none other than the throne room at King’s Landing! Except not only is it deserted but there’s snow on the ground, the ceiling is a ruined mess and wind whistles mournfully through abandoned spaces. Dany puts down her torch and slowly moves towards the Iron Throne. She’s about to touch it when the dragons call again, so she moves towards them. A door opens and it’s the main gate to the Wall! She seems to be north of Westeros now, but somewhere in the snowy gloom she squints and sees the tent she shared with Drogo. She enters and the climate changes to peaceful and light; Drogo is inside, holding their son, Rhaego. Dany sits down in wonder; is this a dream? Maybe I didn’t go to the Night Lands, Drogo suggests. Maybe I said fuck it until you come. Dany is amused, and she leans in towards them. Drogo suggests that maybe these philosophical questions are best left for “wise men with skinny arms.” He’s obviously enticing her to just enjoy the moment, but as much as she wants to hold her son, Dany keeps her distance, repeating Mirri Maz Durr’s words from last season. Drogo and Rhaego can’t be real, so long as the sun still rises in the east and the mountains stand.
She leaves the tent and reenters the circular room where this time, her crying dragons are chained to a table in the middle. Pyatt Pree appears and say the dragons have missed her…also, their presence has reawakened the warlocks’ power. She should stay with them forever, he suggests as chains suddenly bind her arms. Dany insists that she has to get back to Westeros where her people are waiting. “They’ll be waiting a long time,” Pree suggests. Or will they? The dragons stop crying and Dany shares a look with one of them. “Dracarys,” she says, and suddenly all three dragons breathe fire! It skirts past her prone body, leaving her unharmed, but Pree is aflame. He screams, falls and dies. The chains holding Daenerys and the dragons are broken.
At Xaro’s mansion, the new King of Qarth is sleeping with none other than Doreah! His key is on a chain around his neck, but Jorah yanks it off with his sword, awakening him. Dany and her khalasar force Xaro and Doreah to the vault. They open it and find nothing inside. Dany turns to her former host and thanks him for “teaching her this lesson.” They lock the two traitors inside the vault, despite their pleas. Jorah gives the key to Dany. The rest of the khalasar loot Xaro's house—apparently he does have that wealth—and Dany talks to Jorah about the possibility of buying a ship. She walks off, cuddling the dragons on her shoulders.
Beyond the Wall
Ygritte continues to taunt Jon about meeting Mance, wacking him with his own blade until he snaps back at her. Qhorin takes this moment to break free from his guards and grab a sword, running towards Jon to fight the “traitor.” The Lord of Bones tells the wildlings to let these guys have it out, and Ygritte tosses Jon his sword. They fence for a little while, and then after a small pause, with the two of them looking at each other, Jon fatally stabs the Halfhand. He dies with the words “we are the watchers on the Wall” on his lips. Jon stands, frozen and stunned, as do the wildlings. Ygritte tells the others that they’ll tell Mance that Jon’s the one who killed their big enemy, Qhorin Halfhand. The wildlings cut Jon free of his restraints and a still-surprised Ygritte leads the guilty lad over the ridge…they’re apparently right by Mance’s camp! The valley is filled with tents and campfires. As the rest of the wildlings burn Qhorin’s body, Jon pauses and then walks down into the enemy territory.
Back at the Fist of the First Men, Sam, Grenn and Edd continue to work as Sam continues to talk about Gilly. Their casual banter is cut short by the sounding of the horn—at the first, Sam assumes that Jon and the Halfhand are back. At the second, the lads tense up, preparing for a fight with the wildings. But at the third…time stops for a moment and then Edd screams “RUUN!” The music is increasingly ominous but as Grenn and Edd run far ahead, Sam trips and is lost in the rising gloom. He hides behind a rock as the otherworldy creatures approach. A white walker, skeletal and fierce astride a dead horse, stops near him. He looks at the boy with piercing blue eyes but then ignores him, letting out a screech instead and holding out his arm. The camera pans back to show a huge number of White Walkers, wights and other dead animals advancing on the Fist. Yikes. Maybe Winter has Come?
Those killed on the show still alive in the books: Doreah, Xaro and Pyatt Pree. Though technically it’s not correct to include Doreah on this list; in the book she died early of starvation in the Red Waste. But she never betrayed Dany in this fashion. As for Xaro and Pree, both are still alive and kicking far past the second book.
Thoughts:
It’s easiest to start with the best material. The biggest problem with Winterfell is the confusion over why the hell it was destroyed if the Ironborn conked out Theon and surrendered. This is all explained as-it-happens in the book but due to casting choices things didn’t work out the same on screen. Another change is that Theon actually takes Luwin up on his offer, even fantasizing about being a badass Brother of the Night’s Watch, which basically shows his arrogance. But the second season has given him far more of a rich arc than the book, and his actions here ring true. In both the book and the adaptation Theon never makes it to the Wall (though his men don’t betray him in the book, either. All for the sake of streamlining, I assume.)
Other character deletions in season two made it impossible for the adaptation to follow canon for Bran and Rickon—the boys are in fact separated once Winterfell is razed to the ground; Bran goes with Hodor and two uncast characters and Rickon goes with Osha. Obviously this way they can also keep Rickon and Osha in the adaptation for longer. Although Luwin’s death was canon I still found it heartbreaking, especially given the incredibly moving scenes he’d shared with Theon, Bran and Rickon. I will miss Donald Sumpter.
Very few complaints with King’s Landing as well. Peter Dinklage brought the emotional gravitas to Tyrion’s fall from grace; not only was he demoted from Hand of the King, but no one would honor him for his service AND his sister tried directly to kill him. :/ Yikes. In return, however, he gets a far more layered relationship with Shae. In the books Tyrion’s pretty much right about her—she’s a simple commoner and has to earn a living somehow. But Sibel Kekilli plays her as far wiser and more loving; I truly buy the relationship thus far between Tyrion and Shae in the adaptation. Very touching.
Speaking of whores we get to see Ros again. I’ve had a very on-and-off response to this non-canon character’s story arc; I didn’t like much of what the show did with prostitutes this year. But Varys’s offer to turn her into a spy, one assumes, is most intriguing. If they’re going to utilize this non-canon character in the story, then I want her to be more than a sexual appetizer.
Great, plotty performances all around from the Lannisters and Tyrells to get us moving into the next season. I was pleasantly surprised that when it came down to the new betrothal, Natalie Dormer didn’t look ten years older than Jack Gleeson, even though she is. :P But nothing compares to Sophie Turner’s performance and the private, relieved smile—the first time we see Sansa smile since before Ned died. Many reviewers have commented on the depth of this simple moment. Of course it is short-lived since Littlefinger is soon upon her. The scene boils down to his offering to help her escape, which is basically making the subtle from the books into the overt in the adaptation. In the books, Dontos acts as Littlefinger’s agent. And he and Sansa never meet in the Throne Room, especially with Joffrey and Cersei nearby. Rationally, all of these developments would be highly dangerous and impractical. But that’s Hollywood for you—blunt is the word, or at least usually. It’s nice, at least, to see some of Sansa’s escape plot finally moving forward at all.
Many of my complaints this episode have to do with what was too blunt, what wasn’t clear enough, and what was simply over the top. Jon and Qhorin was actually a rare case for television of something that should have been explained better (and was, in the book.) Qhorin told Jon straight out that Jon should kill him in order to prove himself to the wildlings, because a spy was worth more than anything. Jon, in response, was highly conflicted about this action because to kill a brother and live among the wildlings (even as a spy) could be construed as breaking oaths. At best, all of this is conveyed vaguely on the show through some mumbled dialogue and short-lived looks. It’s a shame, as this muddles some of Jon’s character arc and also utilizes Qhorin, a far more layered character in the book, very little.
In terms of going over the top, I don’t see why Xaro’s vault had to be empty. He’d already betrayed Dany by facilitating the theft of her dragons in the adaptation; certainly worthy of Dany’s ham-fisted line “thank you for teaching me this lesson.” The showrunners changed most of Dany’s storyline this season to bring to the forefront that she had to learn to trust herself, but in the end it seemed like they were trying too hard and hitting us over the head with it. I do appreciate how Dany ultimately sentenced Xaro and Doreah to such an extravagant death because it shows, in my humble opinion, how she overcompensates with punishment so that people won’t look at her as the little girl with the “gentle heart.” I am kind of disappointed, however, that the show turned Doreah into a traitor for plot purposes; wasn’t Xaro enough? Couldn’t Dany at least retain one handmaiden? It seems, with the uncanon deaths of many people in her storyline, that the showrunners are trying to reinforce that Dany and Jorah should be the only long term recognizable faces in her story arc.
I’ll say quickly that I did enjoy Dany’s adapted prophecies for the sake of television. The throne room scene had great, haunting ambiance and made me think of how Winter was Coming, a time far beyond all of the current day squabbling when all would be dead and ruined (certainly reinforced by the end of the episode when White Walkers took over the stage.) Drogo was a great choice as well, not only to get an enthusiastic actor back onto the show, but to tie things in to a recognizable storyline from last season. To me, it seemed like the throne room and Drogo/Rhaego represent two paths that were at one point accessible to Dany. Instead, for the time being, she chooses her dragons. It’s an ok scene with Pree, though short and ultimately lacking any real tension. Obviously the martyr-like image of Dany outstretched and unharmed as her dragons wreak destruction is very arresting.
But in terms of the esoteric nature of Dany’s canon prophecies, the adaptation was severely lacking, especially because none of the canon prophecies made an appearance! :P Certainly this takes away from the tone of the books at this point, which gravitate towards pointing out with several visions, some fleeting and unimportant, others hugely foreshadowing, that time is a tapestry and everyone is connected. For a more in depth look at the canon prophecies and theories into what they might mean, click here.
And finally, I already touched on it briefly, but the ending scene with the White Walkers? Truly incredible television in many ways. The makeup and special effects team is beyond compare here—amazing, spooky work! On a less grandiose scale, I love how they played off the three blasts and the brothers’ responses to them. I’m a little confused as to why the White Walker didn’t kill Sam on the spot (other than—spoiler alert—he doesn’t die in the second book.) Though actually, this scene is adapted from the prologue of the third book. It makes sense, though, because it ends the season on a bit of a surprising cliff hanger that will feed well into the aftermath next season. It’s also a reminder, as said, that although we are embroiled in the individual lives of all of these varied characters, beyond most of their comprehension, the White Walkers are a true threat to everyone. The War of the Five Kings might be small potatoes in comparison. :/ Yikes.
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