The latest installment in HBO’s Game of Thrones brought the multitude of characters closer to their various goals, and the episode ended with a cliffhanger. Sadly, another week must pass before we learn what happens next.
SPOILERS BELOW
Arya Stark continues to travel with the future men of The Wall, maneuvering her ever closer to her home at Winterfell. But even at such a distance from King’s Landing, she and her companions are not safe from the guards of the city. Though they are in search of King Robert’s bastard son Gendry, she is all too aware of the precariousness of her situation. She also discovers that Gendry is not ignorant of the fact that she is a girl, and she admits that she is of House Stark. It must be a weight off her shoulders to be able to be honest about her identity, and she may have found a friend in Gendry.
Games of a subtle nature continue to be played in King’s Landing. Tyrion returns to his room to find the Varys flattering Shae, but The Spider mentions to Tyrion that he knows that Tywin Lannister expressly forbade his son from bringing Shae back to the city. Tyrion will not fall for the veiled threat, telling Varys, “I know how this game is played,” and that he is no Ned Stark, to be manipulated and lied to. I think we can all agree that one of Ned’s tragic flaws was his belief in the honesty of others. He was loyal and trusting, and he believed that others would be so, also.
Only a brief glimpse of Daenerys this week, and it is only to reveal that one of the men she sent in search of civilization was beheaded, possibly by a Khal. Her situation looks ever grimmer, and she and her loyal companions are tired and hungry. She has fallen a long way from being the beloved Khaleesi of Khal Drogo. Born in fire, she is now the mother of three dragons, but the Iron Throne is very far away and not the most important of her concerns.
Tyrion continues his own personal game, and he focuses primarily on safeguarding his life. He dines with Lord Janos, commander of the city watch, and calmly explains that he is sending the unfortunate man to The Wall. Tyrion explains that he doesn’t feel comfortable with him lurking about, since he gave the order to kill the men of the previous Hand, and he also was responsible for the murder of Robert’s infant child.
Theon Greyjoy returns to the Iron Islands, and his dreams of a happy homecoming are quickly dashed when is father does not welcome him back with open arms, calling him more Stark than Greyjoy. The Greyjoys still have no love for the Starks, and all signs point towards a battle with the scattered family, even as the Starks fight the Lannisters. There are so many wars being fought on so many fronts now, it truly is a Game of Thrones.
Within the walls of Dragonstone, the Red Priestess Melisandre tells Stannis, “I have seen the path to victory in flames.” She continues to urge worship of her god, telling Stannis that he must embrace the religion fully. (In other words, she wants him to throw her down on the table and ravish her, which he does.) She uses his wife’s frail health as an excuse when he reminds her he is married, and she promises him a son. In my opinion, Stannis shows himself to be easily manipulated and naïve. His role in the game is not a very strong one at this point, other than having the blood claim of being the eldest Baratheon brother. If I were his advisor, I would suggest he bide his time and let everyone else kill each other before making a move towards the Iron Throne.
Back at Craster’s home, Sam befriends Gilly, Craster’s pregnant daughter. She is afraid that she will have a son, and no one has at this point discovered what happens when boys are born to Craster (though we can suspect that it’s bad). She wants to leave with them when they continue their journey, but Jon refuses to listen. He knows that to get involved with Craster’s family will only lead to trouble. However, his own curiosity wins over sound judgment when he sees Craster carry an infant out in the snow and returns with empty arms. Just as Jon nears the child and the creature that retrieves it from the frozen ground, he is hit over the head by Craster, and the credits roll.
I think my biggest frustration with this show is that there are so many characters, and there is no way to devote enough time to any single one in an episode. Instead, we are given only tidbits of what is happening in Westeros and beyond its borders. Though frustrating, this does provide more suspense and a desire to see what will happen next.
And, since I’ve read the books, there are certain scenes I’m waiting to see on screen. Winter can’t come quickly enough!