Game of Thrones S02E03 “What Is Dead May Never Die”
By Bobot Fett
Warning! Spoilers for S02E03 and Book #2 (A Clash of Kings) included!
If the “Song of Ice and Fire” is anything it is large. Season one of Game of Thrones’ most impressive accomplishment may have been how much information they packed into so few episodes and hours. Season two continues this tradition with episode three as dense as any yet.
We wake from the break between episodes with Jon Snow as he wakes from the blow Craster gave him to close episode two. This scene is obviously needed to resolve the aforementioned cliffhanger but unfortunately it plays like the half dozen other scenes just like it; Jon: ignorant, naïve, good. Mormont: seasoned, patient, forgiving. Almost the same scene just occurred between the two men in the same physical spot in the episode before. (S02E02)
We round out our time in the north for this episode with Bran in Winterfell. Bran’s dreams continue and he associates them with Old Nan’s tales of people who could inhabit the bodies of other creatures. Issac Hempstead Wright (Bran) continues to be one of the highlights of the cast as does Donald Sumpter as Maester Luwin. Their scenes together feel genuine and natural. Maester Luwin’s subtle and casual acceptance of the historical fact of all manner of magical beings should not be over looked. Magic and the mystery of the “old world” is what makes the north so fun. Game of Thrones often feels more like the Borgias than Lord of the Rings so any chance to put the fantasy back in is a welcome distraction from the political intrigue that dominates the south.
In the far south, at Storm’s End, sits Renly Baratheon gathering his troops. The list of names and faces to remember grows as we meet his queen, Margarey Tyrell played by Natalie Dormer. Natalie has very captivating eyes and neck line and her morals would make a Lannister or Targaryen proud. With Jamie imprisoned and Viserys dead I feared that HBO would lose its incest cred but then came Margarey Tyrell and totally redeemed the show. We also meet the female knight Brienne ‘the beautiful’ of Tarth. Gwendoline Christi (Brienne) dominates every scene she is in with her 6’3” frame. The exploration of the look of something broken behind her eyes could be one of the surprise treats of season two.
Over on the Iron Isles Theon Greyjoy struggles to reconcile nature vs. nurture. Is he his father’s son, iron born, or is he the man that he was raised to be by Eddard Stark? In a story/show that revolves around questions of family, power, and honor Theon’s journey is one of the most interesting the story/show has to offer. Balon Greyjoy plans to reconquer the north with a fleet led by Yara and Theon must choose between families. Ultimately siding with salt over snow Theon’s story arc will be a major component as the season continues.
In King’s Landing Tyrion plays the game of thrones masterfully. The star of the show baits his opponents with ease and by episode’s end has played Cersei, Varys, Littlefinger, Grande Maester Pycelle like children. This week Maester Pycelle follows Commander Slynt out the door as Tyrion cleans house. Tyrion, like any good Lannister, knows you must eliminate your enemies to stay in power. The show continues its “featured whore”’ of the episode with Shae. She is unattractive, and her voice is grating, but I digress… This subplot moves too slowly especially given that Varys knows she is there and the eventuality of tragedy is almost assured.
The episode closes with Lannister troops aiding the Kingsguard in taking Gendry from Yoren and the Night’s Watch. In the calm before the storm Arya asks Yoren how he sleeps after having seen so many terrible things. Arya’s eyes tell the story of a girl casting off the last vestiges of her childhood and committing to the fight and vengeance, a Stark of Winterfell, and Winter is Coming.