| I'm both a book and TV show fan, I have read the books all to date and so am coming to the table with some foreknowledge. However the wonder of the show is not just that they are not just retelling the book instead they are putting their own stamp on events. As such watching the show has actually spoiled the book in certain plot lines. I will try my hardest not to spoil any future events but as far as I'm concerned events in this and past episodes are fair game. |
The Lowest point
| The relationship between Jamie and Cersei Lannister is as unhealthy as it can be, however tonight brought about a new low for their relationship. After being asked to kill his brother Tyrion by Cersei, Jamie holds her for the first time since his return to the capital. what happens next is a leap away from the same scene that was created by GRRM in the book. After a refusal from Cersei Jamie forces himself upon her. This is has all the hallmarks of a rape as Cersei throughout the scene is heard to say this is not right. The odd thing about the whole situation is as viewers this was so unexpected. Jamie has already shown his cruelty by pushing Brann out of a window but it seemed he had become a better man over the seasons. This was probably the lowest point of the show in terms of finding out what people are really made of, but as time goes on we get to see the other side of a good many characters. |
Time to start seeing the people of Westeros as they really are?
| The opening of the show was very strong as it focused on the death mask of Joffrey, his bloodied eyes where a sight to turn most stomach's. From there we are wrapped up with the fleeing of Sansa from the prison that is Kings landing. The elder of the Stark girls has had a torrid time but with the death of Joffrey she is now free or is she? Her saviour was not a gallant Knight instead it was the arch schemer Little finger. Lord Petyr Baelish as he has been known since helping to dispatch Sansa's father plays the game better than most and even has a surprise for Sir Duntos in the shape of a Crossbow Quarrel. His reasoning is sound but with a man that calculating would you feel safe? |
The other Stark girl Arya had faired both better and worse depending on your outlook. She has had to struggle but has become resilient and on the evidence of the last episode may even be losing her humanity. In this episode however she shows she has something of a moral code that is more black and white than her travelling companion. The Hound has shown scorn for the oath's of the Knights of Westeros since we met him. He has a kind of honour but it must be remembered that he murdered a young boy just like Jamie. Of course he was following orders but this does not excuse this type of behaviour.
| I have enjoyed Rory McCann's portrayal of the hound he has the mix of anger and loathing down to a tee. In this episode we get to see a new side of his acting. The Hounds behaviour almost borders on desperation as he steals the farmers gold and tries to justify it to Arya. This maybe because all ha has been through but to me it feels like a man who has lost his place in the world. Sandor Clegane was always a soldier now he has no one to fight for, this means he has no orders as well. Is this new found desire to join the Second Sons really just a way for him to find a new life filled with orders so he can excuse the life he leads or is it more than that? | 
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Throughout the rest of Westeros we get see chacarters planning and scheming to change their lives, from Sam offloading Gilly in Molestown to the Wildlings sacking a village the narrative of change is moving at a pace. The need to resolve the death of Joffrey though still permeates most of the air time. Tywin is beginning to flex his political muscle on as many people as he can, he has all but promised Price Oberayn the chance to avenge his sister is he supports him. However it's the fact he will judge Tyrion during Joffrey's murder trial that will raise a few eyebrows. For me though the way he positioned himself with Tommen in front of Cersei that really showed the mark of the man. He cares about his family as they carry the name Lannister but the actual people he seems to have little regard for. The lord of Casterly Rock is as calculating as Little finger but has the army to force any issue he desires, add a King under his influence and he really may become the most powerful man in Westeros.
The real Breaker of Chains
| Daenerys has finally reached the largest of the slave cities of Essos, in the last two as she reminds us she has freed their slaves. However this is Meereen and the masters here are not about to open the gates to Dany and her Unsullied. The young Queen though seems to have the measure of the rulers of this city as she first uses her champion to dispatch the one sent out by the city and then puts her name and agenda into the minds of every slave in the city. Both of these scenarios show the way our Mother of Dragons is becoming something of a master tactician her use of slave chains as an offensive weapon shows her way of working the masses, |
| However it's the way she plays Daario Naharis that really shows her growth as a leader. After giving legitimate reasons to excuse the other three would be champions she accepts Daario's claim to fight for her. This may be because she has a crush on him but I think it is more she wants to see if he really fight. To say his victory was a huge success is putting it mildly, we are finally getting to see the swagger of the character. Dany now has the measure of the men around her and from here can hopefully use each to the best of their abilities of course this is yet to be seen but for now she seems in control of the world around her. | 
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The viewer battering has continued with this episode with out taking a breath. The lands of Westeros and Essos are tough places to exist and so far this has been portrayed in grand fashion in the last three episodes. With a third of the season down we have already had more than enough turmoil to run most shows but this is Game of Thrones and to rule from the Iron throne the key players must know to rule is to suffer.
Knowing the way the game is played I'm pretty sure they will. (know or find out soon).
Knowing the way the game is played I'm pretty sure they will. (know or find out soon).
Episode watched via Sky Atlantic on the evening of the 21st of April 2014
Images courtesy of BSkyB
Images courtesy of BSkyB
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