Jesus Christ, are we at the half way mark already? As quick as flash, we’re on episode five, leaving only five episodes left until the end of Season four. That’s the issue with ten episode seasons, they go by so fast. Luckily, every episode is packed with enough drama to make it last, and this week is no exception. A new king is crowned, a shocking twist is unveiled and the Night’s Watch take to battle with their mutineer brothers. Never a boring day in Westeros.
Of course, this episode delivered perhaps one of the biggest shocks so far; as Littlefinger returns to the Eyrie with Sansa, his bride Lysa Arryn reveals it was he that poisoned Jon Arryn. That’s right, Jon Arryn. The Hand of the King who was dead before the show even began. This is definitely a moment that requires a double take, but the fact still remains: Littlefinger is completely and utterly responsible for everything that has happened in the show since it started. If Jon Arryn hadn’t died, Robert wouldn’t have gone to Winterfell, Ned wouldn’t have been the Hand, Bran wouldn’t have lost his legs, the Starks wouldn’t have left the North, Ned would still be alive etc. This is what’s amazing about the characters in the show; there is not a single character that isn’t important. Never have we witnessed a main character who served no purpose to the story. In one way or another, every character is responsible for something, even those who we believed to be smaller characters, in this case Littlefinger. Whilst he’s certainly had his share of screen time, Lord Baelish has never done anything major since betraying Ned. To find out he started the whole show makes him quite possibly the most important character. It was a completely unexpected twist, and is bound to have left viewers with their jaws open.
Locke’s story came to an unexpectedly short end as he tried to make off with Bran, who took control of Hodor and used him to snap his neck. Locke was a delightfully evil character, and no doubt he could’ve been expanded on. Plus, a fight between him and Jon would’ve been freaking sweet. Still, we got to see that epic fight between Jon and Karl, which was more than satisfying. Game of Thrones is now making a habit of actually killing evil characters rather than heroes we’ve followed from the start. However, it was an agonising moment when Bran and Jon were once again so close to being reunited, but it would mean an end for Bran’s journey.
Overall, another fantastic and game changing episode for Game of Thrones. Next week, Tyrion stands trial, whilst (By the looks of the amazing promo trailer) Yara Greyjoy’s forces take on Ramsay Snow and his soldiers as they attempt to rescue Theon. Awesome stuff headed our way!