Game of Thrones Season 4 Episode 7; Mockingbird

21/5/2014

By Paul Fiander

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.

Why the opening credits matter.

Back in 1977 George Lucas broke with convention and jumped straight into his film after the opening crawl. This caused outrage at the time as creators of the film were not being given their due for the work they created. Since then there have been more than a few ways where show/film creators have tried to get watchers to pay attention to their names and roles, from the Simpsons crazy antics to the vignettes at the end of the Marvel movies.
On the first Episode of Game of Thrones the clockwork movement within the opening credits had me enthralled and the fact each pop up denoted a place that would appear in the show made the credits even better. During this season the opening credits have wavered a bit but the last few episodes with the introduction of Bravos have seemingly brought the wow back to the opening.

The credits do give the creators and actors their due and with a large ensemble cast such as Game of Thrones the opening sequence will always be longer. However the fact the producers cared enough to create a dynamic opening still pleaese me to this day. It may be a chore to sit through on occasion but it could be just as long with a duller background (at a lower price).

The three visitors of Tyrion Lannister

Back in season one Tyrion was being tried in a biased court so he turned to the one form of trial where he had an even chance of winning; A trail by combat. Of course it was only even as he paid a sell sword to fight for him. Now after his outburst at the trial he is going to roll the dice again but at least this time his first choice is close to hand.

This choice is his brother Jamie one of the greatest swordsmen in all the realms. For Tyrion Jamie fighting is a win/win situation, if Jamie wins he walks free and if he dies he gets to hurt his father and sister at the same time. Unfortunately for him Jamie is not so cavalier with his life and due to the fact he still has not learnt to use his left hand he turns his brother’s generous offer down. Tyrion does beg one favour from his brother and that is to send his former saviour to see him.

The meeting with Bronn is perhaps the most touching of the three meetings, this is due to the relationship they have developed on-screen. The man with money and the man who will do anything to get paid have been a perfect pair ever since the trial at the eerie. Bronn’s entrance unfortunately tells Tyrion all he really needs to know and from that point he is on the back foot. True to his word the sell sword honours his pledge to Tyrion by offering the opportunity to double Cersei’s price. Unfortunately the younger Lannister is unable to give Bronn any guarantees and so he turns the offer down. The handshake as the two part company tugs at the heart strings and cold hearted bastard that is Bronn appears like he almost break. However as always pragmatism reigns and it seems Tyrion must face the Mountain in a true David and Goliath contest.

Cersei in her desperation to destroy Tyrion played her trump card by calling on The Mountain to be her champion, this makes sense as Bronn commented "he is freakishly big and strong and fast than you would think for a man of his size". There is however one man in Kings Landing who is desperate to destroy the Lannister’s and starting with the Mountain makes perfect sense. That man is Prince Oberon of Dorn, from his very first conversation with Tyrion he described his desire to kill the killer of his sister and her children, now it looks like he will get the opportunity to fulfil his dream. The conversation with Tyrion is pretty much lifted from the book as Oberon describes his first ever meeting with the Lannister monster. As he describes though the freak was a disappointment as he was not a monster just a baby. As he offers to be Tyrion’s champion the look of vengeance is plain to see and it looks like we will finally get to see the Red Viper of Dorn in full on combat for the first time. This is shaping up to be the fight of the series and I cannot wait to see it.

Not all birds can fly

Now we turn to the main event on the episode the going’s on of Little finger. In an episode mostly created to put the pieces in place for the last few episodes of the series we are still given a shock to end with. Baylish has begun to show his true colours this series from his accent to his plan to take over Westeros but perhaps his most sinister plan was revealed this episode. It has been apparent for quite a while that his wife his actually Lisa is a poor substitute for the woman he truly desired her sister Catelyn. Now with Catelyn dead he has seemingly turned his affection to Sansa it’s a creepy moment as he initiates a kiss with the young girl but this sets up an epic finale. Unbeknown to Sansa Lisa was watching and calls her to the throne room where the Eerie’s executioner the Moon Door is primed for duty. Sansa is grabbed by her Aunt and called a whore and as the scene develops the rage within Lisa is seemingly going to spell the end for another one of the Stark children. Just at the last moment Little Finger enters and seemingly diffuses the situation by saying he will send Sansa away. As Lisa holds Baylish for comfort he utters the immortal words “I have only ever loved one woman……Your sister”. This is when we find out whether you are a Knight or a Queen every flight out of the Moon Door ends in the same way. It’s a very strong ending to the show and you have to ask yourself how the master of the spoken word will be able to talk himself out of this one.

Although a lot more went on this show we will dive into that later as we have a two week break till the next episode. The pawns have moved and now the true strength pieces of the board are beginning to make their move, lets hope they are able to the realms justice.

Knowing the way the game is played I'm pretty sure they will.

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