This week we were treated to easily the best episode of the entire season. It was eventful with lasting implications that will influence the rest of the season dramatically. Gone with were (most of) the throwaway scenes that I fear will cripple the season. Instead we were treated to a great deal of focus, honing on a few specific characters or story lines that carry a lot of weight on the greater whole of Westeros.
Much to my relief, we open up this week with Jaime, who finds himself at a dreadfully low point of his life. Despite showing that even in a weakened state and missing his "sword" hand that he can hold his own in a fight, Jaime feels as though his identity is gone. Jaime, up until last week, knew who he was: a knight. A skilled one at that, if not the best in the entire world. He competed in tournaments, fought in battles and proved time and time again that he was among the greatest swordsman in the land. Additionally, Jaime was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and for two seasons Jaime's pedigree as a Lannister has kept him alive (barely, but alive enough). His entire life was built around these defining traits, so understandably losing them would be soul crushing. Brienne is shown at least trying to console him, offering her thanks for his carefully constructed lie about her homeland and protecting her from their captors. This is not without quickly reminding him that life in Westeros is a bit harsh (apparently losing a hand is a "first world problem"). Brienne is obviously showing some tough love to Jaime as there seems to be a developing admiration between the two characters. Their "friendship" will likely be tested at one point, so we will see what happens in the coming weeks.
Most of this episode, however, was spent in King's Landing focusing on the adventures of Varys. At first, I was not much of a fan of Varys, but the character has grown on me so it was great to see him featured in so many scenes and his motivations becoming less of a mystery. He is first featured in a scene with Tyrion where he finally reveals the story of how he was "cut" and became an eunuch. Tyrion should feel honored as this probably means that Tyrion is among the few people Varys likes or trusts. The story involves a crazed sorcerer and a "voice from the flame" (which may or may not be referencing the Lord of Light) which explains Varys' hatred for magic and Melisandre, the Red Witch. The scene is capped off by showing that Varys had captured the crazed sorcerer, rewarding his patience when it came to his revenge.
Note to self: Do not piss off Varys.
In this engaging scene between the Varys and Olenna Tyrell, we learn a lot about these characters:
1) Varys fears the ambitious Littlefinger who would destroy the country if it meant he could rule it.
2) Varys is more concerned with the safety of the realm than anything else, recognizing who the real threats are.
3) Olenna is quick to act indicated by her subsequent actions.
4) Olenna holds the real power in House Tyrell.
The results of this scene quickly lead to Olenna sending Margaery out to spread her influence and manipulate just about everyone. Margaery is shown acting like an older, loving sister to Sansa in a casual conversation dropping a hint to get her to marry Loras, which would bring Sansa down to Highgarden instead of being swept off to the Vale. Sansa seems more than okay with his idea, having swooned over Loras since Season 1. Additionally, Margaery still shown manipulating Joffrey better than anyone else so far, bringing him out to wave to the people in an awkward little display.
This, of course, bothers Cersei to no end, who is developing a fear of the Tyrells despite seeming to recognize Olenna as an equal. She brings her concerns over the manipulation of Joffrey to her father, Tywin who is still hard at work ruling the Kingdoms as Hand of the King. In a scene that parallels the exchange between Tywin and Tyrion, Tywin shuts down Cersei putting her back in her place telling her that she is basically a failure, having failed to control Joffrey since he has become king. ("You are not as smart as you think you are.") Looks like Cersei has to fight to protect her son without the help of Tywin, who likes the Tyrells as much as the next guy. I do like how everyone who knows Cersei continues to devalue her intelligence. Sadly, their opinions have not been proven wrong.
Moving away from King's Landing, we will head to the north. Not the North where Sam is hanging out with the Night's Watch and Craster, but to the adventures of Theon, Arya and Bran. Bran gets another dream sequence, this time guest starring Catelyn. It was a throwaway scene that brings Bran back to Season 1 mobility and shows us that Bran is beginning to get a handle on his dreams.
It was Theon and Arya that got their plots moving greatly. We'll start with Theon, who is the third character to get the redemption treatment. Seemingly moments away from being rescued, Theon wrestles with his inner demons, expressing the jealousy he's had for the Starks and Yara (his sister), the regret over his actions particularly concerning the siege of Winterfell and the sorrow gained over the years he's had being split between his identity as a Stark and his identity as a Greyjoy. I have always seen Theon as a more sympathetic character, truly divided over who he recognizes as his true family. In Season 2, he seemed to reason that Balon was his true father and wanted to do nothing but please him. Now it seems that it was Ned Stark that was his true father. Now good luck explaining that to your "brother" Robb. Oh wait, you can't. That's because you ended up back in the same torture room you were in before. Ironically, much like Robb, Theon can't catch a break.
Arya gets an important scene that finally reveals a few key facts about the Brotherhood. First off, there are led by Beric Dondarrion, who looks a bit like the Governor from Walking Dead with his eye patch. Beric, for those without better memories or knowledge of the series, was ordered by Ned Stark to take care of the Mountain, Gregor Clegane, due to the war crimes he committed in destroying villages on behalf of Tywin. Well, it seems as if Beric failed or at least abandoned his mission, leading a bunch of "deserters" as identified by Sandor Clegane, the Hound. Also we learn that Thoros, the one that discovered Arya and her friends, follows the Lord of Light. This god seems to get around, doesn't he? The meat of this scene comes from the Hound facing a trial by combat to answer for the crimes he committed, which brings back shades of Season 1's trial by combat over the fate of Tyrion. I don't give Beric much of a chance against the Hound, but we'll see what happens.
We will now turn our attention to north of the Wall. There was no Jon this week, which was a bummer, but we experienced one of the pivotal shifts so far: The breaking down of the Night's Watch. It is implied that the Night's Watch hung around Craster's place for some time, given the sorry state they are in. They are cold, hungry and fed up with the conditions they are living in. In a moment, the tensions between Craster and the Night's Watch explode into an all out brawl leading the death of Commander Mormont and the possible escape of Sam (who proves to be one of the most noble characters left). The Night's Watch now seems to be practically non-existent as Mormont was the glue that kept many of the Rangers together. With him gone, there is a vacuum of leadership. This of course leaves the Wall relatively empty and only a minor problem for Mance to overcome. This will make the Wall that much easier to climb.
Westeros is pretty much screwed now.
Bring this week's episode to a close was Dany who finally got her army. My regular readers will remember my brief rant on how I hated Dany's willingness to give up a dragon for an army. The events that transpired this week did not surprise me. I knew she was going to do what she did. It was the principle that bothered me. Dany honored her deal, made sure the deal was not bullshit and then preceded to use the Unsullied to destroy Astapor and take back her dragon from the slave master. It was an epic display, firmly establishing Dany as a powerhouse, if not the powerhouse. To me the best part was not actual takeover, but more how she did it. She played stupid for appearances sake before pulling an epic double cross and making the Unsullied her own deadly force. It was cruel, but it shows how much Dany has grown. The best part is that the army is loyal to her now, so as cruel as she was she still earned some good points at the end of the day. Sadly, this whole exchange was rather predictable to me. At the bottom of our hearts, we knew Dany was going to succeed. After all, it is hard to stop a girl with three dragons that can roast people alive. I only hope that Dany's story acquires some of the depth that the other stories have, provided by brilliant dialogue and excellent twists in the story line. Burning cities and being powerful are awesome for a couple weeks, but it can get boring without the thrill of a challenge.
The Rundown (which I forgot to label last week)
+ Everything Varys did.
+ The Tyrells bring their "A" game.
+ Dany's got an army. And her dragons.
+ Theon's redemption? Or prelude to more torture.
+ The implications of the Night's Watch imploding.
- I have to wait for my trial by combat.
Overall: 9.4
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