That was both engrossing and wonderfully witty.
You’d think that containing Tyrion to a jail-cell would be tedious to watch, but my eyes were completely glued to the screen as our imp struggled to find a champion for his Trial by Combat. Although Jaime’s inability to partake made sense, Bronn’s refusal was particularly harsh and made perfect sense considering the history between both characters. Tyrion’s hopeless case ultimately led to a goosebump-worthy moment as Oberyn himself offered up his services with the goal of attaining justice for his slain sister. I just love it when so many storylines collide as we reach the final stretch of the season. Bring on the chaos!
And then there’s everything going in the Eyrie. As unsettling as it is to see Littlefinger actually make a move and kiss Sansa (after harboring such intense feelings for her mother), I can’t deny how satisfying it was to watch him actually shove Aunt Lyssa down the moon-door after she almost killed Sansa herself. Game of Thrones always excels when it’s subverting our expectations, and I was sure Lyssa would be sticking around for a long time to come. Oh well, Mama Robin, you won’t be missed!
Bits & Beheadings
– Gruesome scene with The Mountain slaughtering a number of men as guts fly everywhere (and Cersei causally struts above them).
– One of the few times Arya reveals her true identity is to the dying man. Wow!
– Cheer-worthy moment: Arya brutally stabbing Rorge who famously threatened to rape her with a stick. The Hound’s simple reaction is also priceless: “You’re learning!”.
– The fact that Bronn is scared of The Mountain. Who knew Bronn could be scared of anything?
– Heartwarming moment as Tyrion doesn’t let go of Bronn’s hand.
– The scene with Selyse visiting Melisandre as she takes a bath is quite intriguing: the way she eyes the Red Priestess’ body, and the latter revealing that many of the potions are fake.
– It’s always great to see Hot Pie again, and I love the fact that he made another treat for Arya. Also, Brienne (and Podrick) are now hot on Arya’s trail. Woohoo!
– Dany is becoming quite strict and vicious, and I love it! Her dynamic with Daario is also enormously amusing (particularly the way she orders him to take off his clothes). But the highlight? Jorah’s jealousy, particularly the morning after.
– The Hound opening up to Arya about his brother burning him and how much it hurt him was really poignant. I just love these two and everything they’ve been through together.
– Perfection: Oberyn’s speech to Tyrion as he recalls meeting him as a baby and the way Cersei viciously twisted his “tiny pink cock”. What a disturbing and highly unsettling story.
– Anyone else wanted Sansa to slap psycho Robin multiple times after he destroyed her recreation of Winterfell?
– Littlefinger’s response to killing Joffrey: he wanted revenge for Catelyn Stark. Can’t say I blame him!
– Littlefinger’s last act before pushing Lyssa was proclaiming his love for her sister: ouch!
Kings & Quips
Cersei: You seem to be in good form.
The Mountain: Who am I fighting?
Cersei: Does it matter?
Arya: Nothing isn’t better or worse than anything. Nothing is just nothing.
Peasant: Could I have a drink? Dying is thirsty work.
Bronn: Do you like ’em? Gloves are doeskin. Softer than a virgin’s thighs.
Bronn: What? Ladies fall from their horses and snap their pretty necks all the time.
Tyrion: You and my sister deserve each other.
Bronn: I like you, pampered little shit that you are. I just like myself more.
Tyrion: I understand.
Bronn: I’m sorry it has to be this way.
Tyrion: Why are you sorry? Because you’re an evil bastard with no conscience and no heart? That’s what I liked about you in the first place.
Jorah: (to Dany) It’s tempting to see your enemies as evil, all of them, but there’s good and evil on both sides in every war ever fought.
Dany: They can live in my new world or they can die in their old one.
Podrick: Don’t want to offend, my lady. Truly, I don’t.
Brienne: You’re not interesting enough to be offensive.
Tyrion: Making honest feelings do dishonest work is one of her many gifts.
Oberyn: It was difficult for her to hide her true intentions. It is rare to meet a Lannister who shares my enthusiasm for dead Lannisters.
Oberyn: The whole way from Dorne all anyone talked about was the monster that had been born to Tywin Lannister. A head twice the size of his body, a tail between his legs, claws, one red eye, the privates of both a girl and a boy.
Tyrion: That would have made things so much easier.
Oberyn: When we met your sister, she promised she would show you to us. Every day we would ask. Every day she would say, “Soon.” Then she and your brother took us to your nursery and… she unveiled the freak. Your head was a bit large. Your arms and legs were a bit small, but no claw. No red eye. No tail between your legs. Just a tiny pink cock.
Conclusion
A captivating hour of Game of Thrones that sets up the final episodes in terrific fashion.
Nad Rating
A-
It's been too long since I last read a Game of Thrones review by you. Glad to see you are back at it.
I loved the Tyrion cell scenes. You're right about how they could have been tedious to watch if handled poorly but it's the tensions between Tyrion and those who enter his cell that heighten those scenes.
Littlefinger's last words to Aunt Lyssa were gut-punching and touching at the same time. His love for Catelyn, despite being unrequited, is strong and fierce given the evidence of his vengeance in her name.