by Paul Robert Scott
We were promised so much with this season of Game of Thrones. We were told it was going to be a game changer, and in all fairness that promise has still been there through the whole season, but we were continually teased and tantalised over what was to come. However, it does seem like we’ve finally turned a corner with this episode.
We were promised so much with this season of Game of Thrones. We were told it was going to be a game changer, and in all fairness that promise has still been there through the whole season, but we were continually teased and tantalised over what was to come. However, it does seem like we’ve finally turned a corner with this episode.
At long last pretty much all of our characters have reached the point that they’ve been heading towards all season. Some find themselves picking themselves up off the floor and raising themselves higher, while others have so thoroughly face planted that they might as well dig themselves a burrow. In fact there appears to be a running theme in this episode, all of our characters have reached a point of desperation that forces them to act in a way that is not necessarily in keeping with their character. A perfect example of this is portrayed beautifully by the equally beautiful Natalie Dormer, as we see Margaery’s usual outward poise and grace disappear entirely in the face of being reduced to living in a rundown cell after her arrest in last week’s episode. This coupled with Cersei’s victorious level of mockery leads to what is perhaps one of the best scenes of the season which is all too brief.
While Margaery is imprisoned we see those closest to her deal with the pain of her captivity in other ways. King Tommen actually gets to do some acting for a change as we see him upset with his own ironic powerlessness in the face of his own laws, while Old Lady Tyrell attempts to find a scheme to sink her claws into in order to steal or bargain Margaery’s and Ser Loras’ freedom. This in of itself leads to another one of those “odd couple” scenes that have seemed so common this season where the Queen of Thorns goes to speak with the High Sparrow himself. However, like so many of the best characters in Game of Thrones, the High Sparrow is deceptively genial until he is pushed and his teeth become bared… But more on that later.
Up in the North, winter has definitely started to take its grip, but that doesn’t mean life stops for our hardiest characters. Jon Snow fulfils his promise to Tormund and takes leave of Castle Black, but this definitely gives us an upside by offering us some Samwell Tarly action. It also means we have to give a sad and misty eyed farewell to one of the eldest characters in the series which leaves Sam and Gilly with few friends left in the Nights Watch. This leads Sam to defending Gilly’s virtue with a bit of help from Jon’s runt of the Direwolf litter and his girlfriend rewards him with a whole new way of blurring the lines between pleasure and pain.
While Margaery is imprisoned we see those closest to her deal with the pain of her captivity in other ways. King Tommen actually gets to do some acting for a change as we see him upset with his own ironic powerlessness in the face of his own laws, while Old Lady Tyrell attempts to find a scheme to sink her claws into in order to steal or bargain Margaery’s and Ser Loras’ freedom. This in of itself leads to another one of those “odd couple” scenes that have seemed so common this season where the Queen of Thorns goes to speak with the High Sparrow himself. However, like so many of the best characters in Game of Thrones, the High Sparrow is deceptively genial until he is pushed and his teeth become bared… But more on that later.
Up in the North, winter has definitely started to take its grip, but that doesn’t mean life stops for our hardiest characters. Jon Snow fulfils his promise to Tormund and takes leave of Castle Black, but this definitely gives us an upside by offering us some Samwell Tarly action. It also means we have to give a sad and misty eyed farewell to one of the eldest characters in the series which leaves Sam and Gilly with few friends left in the Nights Watch. This leads Sam to defending Gilly’s virtue with a bit of help from Jon’s runt of the Direwolf litter and his girlfriend rewards him with a whole new way of blurring the lines between pleasure and pain.
The Winterhell saga also continues after last week’s controversial wedding night. Whether you mind it or not, you would be forgiven for thinking that our sweet Sansa would withdraw back into her meek, season one and two self but it would seem not one bit of it. Indeed we see her finally draw the old Theon out of his shell, if only for about thirty seconds before it all went tits up, and then later giving sass back to Ramsay by nearly mocking his bastard status. A brave girl she may be, but as always, life has a way of crashing down on her head.
Tyrion and Jorah also see themselves having a rough time of it at first. Having been sold into slavery there is at first an attempt to separate them, right up until Tyrion pleads to be bought by the same buyer and promises that he is just as worthy a combatant for the fighting pits as the Bear himself. He even proves his worth by flogging another slave with his own chain. This does take us to one of the lower points of the episode when both characters find themselves and a group of other slaves being forced to fight for the spectacle of the good Queen Dany. Jorah goes nuts, as he is prone to do around her as that’s all he thinks with and we see yet another lacklustre fight scene like last week’s fight with the Sand Snakes. Don’t get me wrong, seeing Jorah kicking arse is awesome, but despite some added gore, there was nothing convincing about the gladiatorial combat displayed. However, either way, we finally get what we’ve been waiting for: Tyrion is finally in the presence of the Mother of Dragons.
Going back to King’s Landing there is one other thing that we’ve been waiting to see for quite some time. For almost the full episode we get to see Cersei revel in her smugness. She has Tommen all to herself and the Tyrells have been dealt with, making her once again the Queen of Westeros, at least in her mind. However, just as the High Sparrow’s war against the upper classes continues, Cersei is the next one in his cross hairs, because ultimately none are more filled with sin that her. To say exactly what happens to her would spoil the surprise. To those who have read the books I am sure you know exactly what I mean, but suffice it to say that she finally gets the comeuppance she so richly deserves. To see Lena Headey’s portrayal of Cersei is always a treat, but to see that woman’s smug smile melt away as she realises the depth of shit she is in is just the lift you need at the end of a bad day.
However, despite a few stand out scenes, including more brief catch ups with Stannis, Jaime and Bronn, this was still not a great Game of Thrones episode. It is much better than what we have had lately, but considering we are now getting towards the end of the season and thinking on the quality of previous seasons, the magic just seems to be dying. It is understandable up to a point when you consider that the books were in a similar state at this stage, but ultimately there needs to be more to offer an audience in a TV show. Hopefully the final three episodes will bring things to head and brings us what the show does best by inserting a little more intrigue. The talent and intriguing characters are still all there, as always, so we can only hope that they will be fully utilised in the final few episodes.
Tyrion and Jorah also see themselves having a rough time of it at first. Having been sold into slavery there is at first an attempt to separate them, right up until Tyrion pleads to be bought by the same buyer and promises that he is just as worthy a combatant for the fighting pits as the Bear himself. He even proves his worth by flogging another slave with his own chain. This does take us to one of the lower points of the episode when both characters find themselves and a group of other slaves being forced to fight for the spectacle of the good Queen Dany. Jorah goes nuts, as he is prone to do around her as that’s all he thinks with and we see yet another lacklustre fight scene like last week’s fight with the Sand Snakes. Don’t get me wrong, seeing Jorah kicking arse is awesome, but despite some added gore, there was nothing convincing about the gladiatorial combat displayed. However, either way, we finally get what we’ve been waiting for: Tyrion is finally in the presence of the Mother of Dragons.
Going back to King’s Landing there is one other thing that we’ve been waiting to see for quite some time. For almost the full episode we get to see Cersei revel in her smugness. She has Tommen all to herself and the Tyrells have been dealt with, making her once again the Queen of Westeros, at least in her mind. However, just as the High Sparrow’s war against the upper classes continues, Cersei is the next one in his cross hairs, because ultimately none are more filled with sin that her. To say exactly what happens to her would spoil the surprise. To those who have read the books I am sure you know exactly what I mean, but suffice it to say that she finally gets the comeuppance she so richly deserves. To see Lena Headey’s portrayal of Cersei is always a treat, but to see that woman’s smug smile melt away as she realises the depth of shit she is in is just the lift you need at the end of a bad day.
However, despite a few stand out scenes, including more brief catch ups with Stannis, Jaime and Bronn, this was still not a great Game of Thrones episode. It is much better than what we have had lately, but considering we are now getting towards the end of the season and thinking on the quality of previous seasons, the magic just seems to be dying. It is understandable up to a point when you consider that the books were in a similar state at this stage, but ultimately there needs to be more to offer an audience in a TV show. Hopefully the final three episodes will bring things to head and brings us what the show does best by inserting a little more intrigue. The talent and intriguing characters are still all there, as always, so we can only hope that they will be fully utilised in the final few episodes.
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