This wasn’t the most exciting of episodes, but it still had its moments.
While I appreciated the gorgeous visuals at The Wall as Jon and the Wildlings made their way up, something about this storyline just dragged on and on. Maybe it’s because we all know Jon and Ygritte will make it out alive, but there’s simply no sense of urgency and danger. And while the sight of the couple on the top of the mountain sharing a kiss was pretty beautiful, Littlefinger’s voiceover about “the climb” was far too heavy-handed for my taste. I’ve come to expect much more subtlety from Game of Thrones so this definitely caught me way off-guard. Is this One Tree Hill?
It’s always fun to see characters who don’t usually interact start to cross paths; this week, Melisandre arrived to meet her fellow Lord of Light fanatics Thoros and Beric. Even more interesting is the fact that she asked for Gendry, knowing full well that he’s the bastard of Robert Baratheon. Gendry hasn’t been given much to do since his introduction, so this will hopefully signal a welcome shift where his character is concerned. But my favorite interaction was that of Melisandre with Arya, as she ominously warned the young Stark of the darkness brewing within her. Uh oh.
Thus far, Olenna has faced off with a number of amusing characters, but watching her face-off with Tywin Lannister is a whole other ballgame. They’re both equally matched, and I just love how she turns the tables on him with the incest rumors after he attacks Loras for being gay. It’s a true joy watching these two sharp-tongued leaders battle it out, culminating with Olenna finally accepting the marriage proposal. Please show, never kill her off.
The Climb does have one jawdropper though, and that’s Ros’ death at the hands of Joffrey thanks to Littlefinger discovering she was Varys’ spy. Ros has been a staple of the show since its inception, so it’s especially devastating to see her arrow-riddled corpse hanging from Joffrey’s bed. What a despicable little creep.
Bits & Beheadings
– The fact that Gilly knows more about fires than Sam. Also, he used to have servants back home.
– The sight of Osha skinning that rabbit made me want to barf.
– More Theon torture. Great.
– Frey accepts to help Robb, if Edmure marries one of his surely-ugly daughters.
– It’s a small touch, but watching Jaime struggle in his attempts at cutting his steak was pretty effective.
– Loved Tyrion FINALLY confronting Cersei about ordering his death during Blackwater. However, he learns that it was in fact Joffrey who wanted him dead. No surprise there.
– Great little history lesson concerning the Iron Throne and the fact that it’s made out of a 1000 blades of Aegon’s fallen enemies. Doesn’t look too comfy does it?
Kings & Quips
Osha: (to Meera) You’ve got a big mouth, girl, and too many teeth.
Ygritte: Don’t ever betray me.
Jon: I won’t.
Ygritte: ‘Cause I’ll cut your pretty cock right off and wear it ’round my neck.
Edmure: No man can compel another man to marry.
Blackfish: The laws of my fist are about to compel your teeth.
Olenna: Your daughter–
Tywin: Is rich, the most beautiful woman in all seven kingdoms… and the mother of the king.
Olenna: Old.
Tywin: Old?
Olenna: Old. I’m something of an expert on the subject. Her change will be upon her before long. I’ll spare you the details of what will happen then. You men may have a stomach for bloodshed and slaughter, but this is another matter entirely.
Tywin: The years punish us as well, I promise you that. My stomach remains quite strong, however. The only thing that might turn it are details of your grandson’s nocturnal activities. Do you deny them?
Olenna: Oh, not at all. A sword swallower through and through.
Tyrion: It’s hard to say which of the four of us is getting the worst of this arrangement. Probably Sansa. Though Loras will certainly come to know a deep and singular misery.
Cersei: Father doesn’t discriminate. We’re all being shipped off to hell together.
Tyrion: On a boat you built.
Tyrion: (to Cersei) You may escape, at least. Once Jaime gets back, Ser Loras may come down with a terrible case of sword through bowels.
Varys: (about the Iron Throne) Ugly old thing. Yet it has a certain appeal. The Lysa Arryn of chairs.
Varys: (to Littlefinger) Thwarting you has never been my primary ambition, I promise you. Although who doesn’t like to see their friends fail now and then?
Conclusion
Not a bad episode by any means, but certainly the weakest episode of the season thus far.
Nad Rating
B
Yeah that montage in the end was very strange for a show like Game of Thrones. I certianly expect better!
But I must be the only one who doesn’t really like or care about Melisandre that much. I really wanted Arya to punch her or something. Also can’t really care about Ygritte either. The actress seems to have a very expressionless look on her face almost all the time.
Olenna and Tywin’s though was EVERYTHING. Seriously, that was one of the most amusing banter I’ve ever seen, I never wanted it to end.
So far, season three is absolutely my favorite. What fascinates me the most is how much backstory there is and how much we still have to learn, and I want to know it all!