The Rewatch Project: Season 3, Episode 9

Synopsis

Robb asks Catelyn's opinion on his plan. She is skeptical at first, but then agrees. The northern troops arrive at the Twins and are served bread and salt in greeting. Robb makes his apologies to Lord Walder's daughters and granddaughters. Walder calls Talisa up to look at her and says some very forward, bordering on rude, things. Robb bristles but holds his tongue. Frey says Robb's nobles can stay inside and there will be tents outside for the rest.

Daario shows Dany his suggested plan—a back gate. He will lead Dany's two best through to fight through and open the gates to the rest of Dany's troops. Jorah expects betrayal but asks Grey Worm's opinion. Grey Worm trusts him. Barristand wants to go but Jorah says as Queen's Guard his place is by the Queen.

Sam prattles about the castles and a sally port at the Nightfort that should let them through. Gilly is amazed he could learn all that from marks on paper and she says he's like a wizard. They look on the wall.

The Hound helps a pig farmer fix his cart, then knocks him out. Arya stops the Hound from killing him. She taunts him about being “so hard—killing children and old people”. She convinces him to let the man live. When the man comes to, Arya hits him with a rock to knock him out again and they take the cart.

Bran and company reach a small village, discussing why it's empty. Jojen senses a storm so they decide to stay in the tower.

The Wildlings spot a man and horses and intend to rob him. Jon insists on not killing him. The Wildlings keep arguing that it's necessary. They surround him but Jon clanks his sword to warn the man to run.

Arya looks across the river at the Twins. They have a philosophical conversation about fear: being almost there and fearing she won't make it. She comes back with his fear of fire. She knows why.

The thunder is rolling outside the tower as Bran and company discuss getting past the wall. Osha took a boat through Bay of Seals. Hodor freaks as they discuss their options. Meera spots the rider (the horseman Jon's Wildlings are chasing). Hodor freaks loudly. Bran has to possess him to shut him up. Orell has heard but no one else. Bran quiets Hodor and nobody believes Orell. Orell insists Jon should kill the horseman to prove he's one of them. In the tower Jojen tells Bran to go into Summer to see what's going on below. Bran insists he doesn't know how but then he manages it. Jon hesitates so Ygritte kills the horseman with an arrow. Orell accuses him of being a crow and a fight breaks out. The wolves join in. Jon kills Orell and his eagle attacks Jon. Jon runs for a horse and takes off. Ygritte looks livid.

Daario will whistle for Grey Worm and Jorah. He does. They go in and it looks pretty clear until a bunch more guards attack. They have a big fight on their hands.

The people wrestle outside the Twins in fun as Walder walks his daughter up the aisle, veiled. When he removes the veil it turns out she's very beautiful and Edmure is stunned. He cloaks the bride and they say the words.

Bran tells the others Jon was there. Osha says that means Jon will be back at Castle Black but Bran insists he has to go north. Osha won't go and Bran says that's fine. It won't be safe for Rickon. She should take him to the Last Hearth. Osha and Rickon leave right off. Safer in the darkness. Osha tells Meera to keep Bran safe.

Dany is nervous, waiting. Jorah and Grey Worm come back to Dany confirming success. She asks after Daario and he comes in with the Harpy Flag and tells her the city is hers.

The Wedding Feast is underway. Edmure eats out of Roslyn's hands and music and laughter occur... The Blackfish goes out to take a piss. Robb and Talisa bander as Lord Frey calls for the bedding. Men come up to carry Roslyn off and a flock of women herds Edmure. Talisa finds the whole thing baffling. Robb talks of it as proof the marriage was consummated, but she runs her belly reminding him there is other proof. She suggests if it is a son they should name him Eddard.

The music stops and the doors are barred, then the Raynes of Castermere begins to play. Grey Wind cries. The Hound and Arya arrive but are turned back. As the Hound argues, Arya disappears. Catelyn looks around in concern then Walder calls for his grace and says he has been remiss: he hasn't given his new queen a gift. Talisa is stabbed in the belly. Arrows rain down. Arya makes her way in, sees the northmen slaughtered. She hears Grey Wind, but then they come shoot him with bolts. The Hound tells her it is too late and knocks her out. Robb makes his way to Talisa. Catelyn grabs Walder's wife and begs that Frey let Robb live. She offers herself as a hostage. Roose steps forward to Robb and says “The Lannisters send their regards” and then stabs him, so Cat cuts Lady Frey's throat, her own is cut from behind.


Notable Quotes 

Catelyn (about Robb's plan to attack Casterly Rock): Show them how it feels to lose what they love. 

The Hound: Go on. Run. You might make it. They're just over the river. It's the closest you've been to family since Illyn Payne snipped your daddy's head off. 
Arya: Some day I'm going to put a sword through your eye and out the back of your skull. 

The Blackfish (about Edmure and his pretty wife): The Gods love to reward a fool. 

Book versus Show 

The tower Bran and company stay in in the book is actually in the middle of a small lake. They use a “causeway” which is an underwater, impossible to see bridge—you have to know it's there to even look for it. It makes the tower a very safe place—much safer than it looks in the show.

Also in the books... Jeyne Westerling (Robb's Wife) does not go to the Red Wedding. Catelyn thinks it better to not rub her in the face of Walder's daughters, so she lives. Though it is also not established she is pregnant and in fact there are some hints her mother has been giving her moon tea to avoid that. (there is also a theory she may in fact BE pregnant and the Westerlings switched girls, but that is deep into fan speculation). In any case, what she is NOT is dead Talisa.


Review 

There is a lot of amazing stuff this episode but let me just start with how impressed I was with Little Art Parkinson when Rickon and Osha are leaving Bran and the Reeds. Child actors can be hit and miss and this kid is only 8 or 9—he did SO WELL.

This episode was huge. From Arya's devastation, to Dany's big win, Bran warging Hodor, Jon escaping the Wildlings... but the Red Wedding of course steals the show. Three big characters—two MAIN characters, dead. Walder Frey has broken Guest Rites, which in the book is a HUGE deal. Through all the rest of the thus far published books Frey becomes synonymous with lack of honor. This harkens back (forward) to a story Bran will tell in the next episode about the Rat King, but I will include that text in full when I do that review.

Of interest is the people who managed to NOT get killed... Edmure and his wife had already been shuttled off for the bedding... The Blackfish had gone out for a piss... The Great Jon, in the books has gone out, I believe.

The Rewatch Project: Season 3, Episode 8

Synopsis 

Arya wakes up on the ground and spots a rock. She gets it and goes to smash The Hound. He wakes up and says she has one chance. If she kills him, she is free. But if not he will break both her hands. He tells her she'd lucky. Someone worse could have found her. When she claims there is no one worse he tells her some men beat or rape little girls, then he tells her of the men he saved Sansa from. Arya calls him a liar. They reach a river and Arya thinks they are going to King's Landing. The Hound says Fuck Joffrey and fuck the queen. They are going to the Twins because Edmure is marrying a Frey girl and the Hound intends to get a ransom.

Dany and company watch a group of sell swords, discussing whether they can use the Second Sons. Jorah says they may not meet with her, but she insists they will. And she's right. Three officers arrive, one of them rudely forward. Dany banters with them. He continues to proposition, gooses Missendei and says he will think about it. She gives them wine as a gift and two days to decide, but she tells Barristan as they leave “If it comes to battle, kill that one first”.

Melisandre and Gendry arrive at Dragonstone. Stannis grabs his face, noting half Robert, half low-born. Melidandre orders Gendry taken for a bath and new clothes. Stannis questions her, but she has an argument about avoiding fear before the slaughter.

Davos makes a valiant effort at reading in his cell. Stannis arrives to see him. He tells Davos he is sorry about Matthos. Then he tells him about the bastard Melisandre brought back. Davos points out he is Stannis's nephew. They debate the sacrificing of one to save many. Davos asks why Stannis is there. Stannis says he will free him if he promises never to raise a hand against Melisandre again. Davos agrees but says he can't promise not to speak against her. (leads to EXCELLENT quote, below) They then discuss the red god and what they've seen.

The Second Son Captains discuss beating Dany as a whore sits on the Tital Bastards lap. Daario won't pay whores because he only wants to be with women who want him. They discuss who should kill Dany and draw coins to see who the job goes to. Daario gets the Bravosi coin and the job.

Tyrion comes for Sansa. They exchange compliments. Tyrion asks for a moment alone with her. He tells her he didn't ask for this. She keeps her courtesies until he says “I know how you feel” to which she can't hold back an “I doubt it.” He tells her he won't ever hurt her.

Margaery tells Cersei she looks radiant and Cersei tells her the story of House Rayne, making clear the parallels between Houses Rayne and Tyrell.

Sansa enters Baelor's Sept and Joffrey steps in to give her away. She is repulsed and can't really hide it. He walks her up the aisle then moves the bench Tyrion was meant to use to cloak her. Sansa has to kneel for him. The Septon says some words.

Gendry is in awe of his room. Melisandre comes in and talks of growing up poor. She pours him wine. He is distrustful but she does her word magic, then undresses him. He says it doesn't seem very religious. She shrugs out of her dress, putting down the faith of the Seven. She then says they can “stop it” and pushes him down onto the bed. She pulls his pants part way down, climbs on him, then binds his hands and feet. When he is trussed and unable to move she puts leeches on him. He appropriately freaks as Stannis and Davos come in. She gives Stannis the box with the leeches that have sucked Gendry's blood and he throws them in the flames, each with a name “The Usurper Robb Stark, the Usurper Balon Greyjoy, the Usurper Joffrey Baratheon.”

At the reception Lady Olenna goes through the twisted double relationships Margaery and Loras will have once they have married Joffrey and Cersei respectively. Tyrion is getting very drunk and Sansa excuses herself. Joffrey goes after her. Tywin critiques Tyrion's drunkenness and says he has a duty; he takes his wine. Loras spots Cersei and tries to approach her but she is a colossal bitch to him. Joffrey corners Sansa and suggests he will come to her that night—he notes she isn't pleased and says Ser Boros and Ser Meryn will hold her down. He then calls for the bedding ceremony. Tyrion says there won't be one and Joffrey commands it. Tyrion threatens him with a wooden cock and Joffrey has a hissy fit until Tywin makes it clear he wants everyone to accept the story that Tyrion was making a joke. Tyrion goes along with it, acting very drunk and leading Sansa away.

In their room he pours more wine. He is hung up on her youth. He says he's been commanded to consummate the marriage and Sansa pours herself a glass of wine. She then starts to undress. He stops her and tells her he won't share her bed, not until she wants him to.

Dany bathes with Missendei helping her. They discuss languages. A man grabs Missendei and says no screaming or she dies. It's Daario. He says he wants her. She knows he was sent to kill her. He has cut off his captains' heads. They ordered him to kill her and he chose her. Dany gets out of the bath. Missendei robes her and he swears a vow to her.

Shae comes into Tyrion and Sansa's room all pissy until she spots that the bed linens are not bloody.

Sam and Gilly find a falling down cabin and decide to stay. They huddle under the furs and discuss the baby. Gilly is upset about Sam's fancy talk, but he isn't doing it on purpose. They discuss names, Sam sharing his father's cruelty, then the birds outside go nuts. Sam goes to see what it is. The cacophony stops suddenly and a White Walker appears. Gilly says he's come for the baby. It grabs Sam's sword and the sword shatters. The baby cries and the White Walker goes for him. Sam gets out his dragon glass dagger and stabs him. The White Walker shatters. They run.

Notable Quotes

Daenerys: They will. Men who fight for gold can't afford to lose to a girl. 

Stannis: You have little regard for your own life.
Davos: Quite little, your grace. Verging on none. You could have freed me yesterday or tomorrow. But you came to me now, before this boy was put to the knife because you knew I'd counsel restraint. You came to hear it from me because you believe it yourself. You're not a man you slaughters innocents for gain or glory. 

Cersei (to Margaery): If you ever call me sister again, I'll have you strangled in your sleep. 

Sansa (to Tyrion): What if I never want you to?
Tyrion: And so my watch begins.

Book/Show

In the books Sansa refuses to kneel for Tyrion. She feels humiliated and in the moment wants to humiliate him in turn, though later she feels badly about it. Tyrion is always kinds to her but he does think repeatedly, “why couldn't she have knelt?”

Review

I really like this episode... I mean there is creepier than creepy Joffrey, but Tyrion doing the right thing by Sansa and especially Sam killing the White Walker—showing his hero potential for the first time. And the first episode of Team Fuck the King. I also like Dany's new ally, though two years later we still don't know if she can count on him or not... Davos. Gendry... Cersei being as awful as she ever outwardly is—she usually restrains herself a bit, but she really didn't hold back on either Margaery or Loras. So good.

The Rewatch Project: Season 3, Episode 7

Synopsis 

The Wildlings (including Jon) walk toward Castle Black on the south side of the wall. Ygritte and Jon discuss marching and fighting and the role of sigils and drums. She mocks the way of the southerners. Jon confronts Orell about cutting them loose on the wall. Orell tells Jon that is the way of it...

The rain is slowing Robb's party in getting to the Twins for Edmure's wedding. They all head to bed. Robb and Talissa make love then Robb gets up to strategize so Talissa writes a letter naked. She teaches him a bit of High Valyrian and asks if when the war is over he will come to Volantis with her. She says her mother will be eager to meet him... and her grandchild. She is pregnant. The news resparks their passion.

We get sex lessons from Tormund, then the wildlings get moving again. Orell tells Ygritte he's jealous She says he's never said a kind word. He asks if she loves Jon and she nods.

Sansa expresses her sadness to Margaery, sad about not marrying Loras, sad about marrying Tyrion. Margaery asks how Tyrion has treated her and talks of sons. Sansa is hung up on the sex with a dwarf. Margaery talks of the variety of men out there and what women like, then says she heard Tyrion is quite experienced. A good thing, since women are complicated. Sansa preciously asks if her mother told her that.

Tyrion complains Sansa is a child and Bronn tries to get him to admit he wants her. Shae won't like it, but Bronn reminds him he can't marry Shae.

Tywin comes to the throne room to talk to Joffrey. Joff asks for a report of the small council. Tywin says Joffrey is welcome to attend, to which Joffrey snivels about it being moved to the Tower of the Hand (all those stairs—waaaaaa). Tywin says Joffrey could be carried. Joffrey asks about the Targaryen girl and her dragons, but Tywin insists she is just a curiosity across the world. Joffrey asks why he wasn't counseled and Tywin says he is being counseled now.

Dany's army approaches Yunkai. Jorah says they won't meet in the field and insists they don't need Yunkai. Dany asks how many slaves there are. She wants to take the city to free them. She asks Grey Worm to set up a meeting. A spokesman arrives and uses a lot of double speak to both be courteous and insult her. He gives her two trucks of gold then says there is more o her ships. She refuses, telling him he can live if the masters free all the slaves. He says they have powerful friends. She keeps the gold and sends him away with the help of her dragons.

Tyrion tries to give Shae a thick golden chain. She asks if she's invited to the wedding. He swears it's his duty. They argue about what their life will be like. He insists he will give her a good life but she isn't satisfied.

Gendry and Melisandre sail down the river. She points out “his father's castle”. He tries to soak it in. 

Beric invites Arya by the fire. She calls him and Thoros traitors for selling Gendry. They explain the Red God needed him. She says he's not her god. Her god is death. Anguay comes in with news of a Lannister raiding party. It means their trip to River Run is delayed. Arya calls Beric a liar and runs. She escapes the cave, only to be nabbed by the Hound.

Jaime comes to say good-bye to Brienne. She asks if he knows what the plans are for her. Bolton is leaving, too, so she will be stuck with Locke. He says he owes her a debt and she says if he returns the Stark girls to their mother, the debt is paid. He swears it. Qyburn helps Jaime ready his horse. Jaime tells Roose to say the Lannisters send their regards to the Frey/Tully weddiing. Locke taunts Jaime about Brienne.

A couple girls free Theon and play weird sex games with him. Theon begs for help. Violet undresses Miranda and she climbs on, then Violet undresses and as the two tag team a horn blows, Ramsay interrupting. Then then tries to run and men hold Theon down as Ramsay removes his cock.

Jon and Ygritte eye a deer. She gets it with an arrow. Hey pass a windmill which Ygritte thinks is an impressive structure. He tells her Winterfell is three times that high and they discuss swooning and fainting, foreign concepts to her. He says he'd like to see her in a silk dress so he could rip it off her. She says “You rip my pretty silk dress, I'll blacken your eye.” He tells her the history of wildlings attacking the watch—six times they've failed.

Osha questions why Jojen gets to sit and chat. She accuses him of filling Bran's head with black magic. Jojen says they aren't going to Castle Black. The three-eyed raven is beyond the wall. Osha tells what it's like north of the wall, sharing her story of Bruny who became a white and almost killed her.

Qyburn asks after Jaime. Jaime asks why the Citadel took his chain. His sin is curiosity and Jaime puts together that he performed experiments on “not dead yet” men. They discuss how many they've killed and how many they've saved. Jaime asks if a raven was sent to Selwyn Tarth—it was, and one returned, but because Locke was under the impression Selwyn had all the sapphires in Westeros, he felt cheated by the ransom offer. The men want distraction more than money. Jaime goes to the leader and says they go back or Jaime tells his father that he is the man who wounded him. They return to Harrenhall to find Brienne in the pit with a bear and only a tourny sword. Jaime offers money to save her and Locke scoffs so Jaime jumps into the pit. He distracts the bear, then boosts her and she reaches down to pull him out. Locke threatens, but Jaime knows Bolton would choose Jaime returned to Tywin over Locke keeping Brienne.


Notable Quotes 

Orell: People work together when it suits them. They're loyal when it suits them. They love each other when it suits them. They kill each other when it suits them. She knows it. You don't. Which is why you'll never hold onto her.

Tyrion: I don't pay you to put evil notions in my head.
Bronn: You pay me to kill people who bother you. The evil notions come free.

Shae: I'm your whore. And when you are tired of fucking me, I will be nothing. 

Jon: If you attack the wall, you'll die. All of you.
Ygritte: All of us. [kisses him] You're mine and I'm yours and if we die we die. But first we'll live. 

Review 

It was so completely satisfying to watch Tywin school Joffrey. That little snot has run amok long enough and it is nice to have someone there who can put him in his place.

Also... the pinnacle of Jaime's redemption. In the books it keeps going, but sadly in the show this seems to be the peak.

Surprisingly the two best speeches come from Orell and Ygritte. Wildlings aren't normally so eloquent, but both of these are great.

I like the tender glimpse of Robb and Talissa. And I mourn Sansa's last bit of illusion that the world might bring nice things. Losing Loras seems to be the final straw of that. She has some triumphs after this, but none of them is so light-hearted and giddy.

And can I say the BEST part is our anticipation of Team Fuck-the-King which began when The Hound grabbed Arya...

The Rewatch Project: Season 3, Episode 6

Synopsis

Sam smothers a fire and Gilly instructs him, figuring out that he had servants growing up and is high born. He shows her the dragon glass from the fist of the first men, though he doesn't know what it's for. They discuss the trip and the wall. She is skeptical that it it's as big as Sam says. He tells her of life at Castle B lack and she asks him to sing a song.

Osha and Meera bicker over skinning rabbits and hunting until Bran makes them make peace. Jojen has a green dream—he saw Jon Snow on the wrong side of the wall surrounded by enemies. 

Jon and the Wildlings have reached the wall. Ygritte gives Jon spiked boots to climb. They discuss fear and she tells him he's a proper lover (I prefer the improper sort myself). She tells him his secret is safe with her (see quote below). Tormund gives Jon spikes for his hands and instructions for climbing.

Arya shoots arrows for Joffrey, Cersei and Illyn Payne. Anguay gives her some pointers and then she notices someone coming through the woods. It's Melisandre: Thoros knows her and they banter in high Valyrian. He brings her to Beric. She's amazed and asks Thoros how many times the lord has brought Beric back. Thoros tells of being a terrible priest and not believing until his friend died and the words were the only thing he knew to say... and the Red God answered. She came for Gendry and Beric gives him to her in exchange for gold. Arya yells, Gendry feels betrayed. Melisandre tells him he will make kings rise and fall. Arya calls her a witch and Melisandre grabs her face. (see quote)

The climb has started, four groups of four. Tormund strikes and ice falls. Jon slips but not far.

Ramsay blows a horn, taunts Theon by pouring water on the floor, then starts a game of “I'll skin you if you guess wrong”. Theon asks if Ramsay will let him go if he guesses right. Ramsay pretends to be a Karstark for about thirty seconds, then he flays Theon's finger until Theon begs for him to cut it off.
Two Freys treat with Robb. They want a formal apology, Harrenhall, and for Edmure to marry Rosalind Frey. Edmure bristles. Robb asks for privacy and discusses it with Catelyn, Edmure and the Blackfish. Edmure is a jerk and the Blackfish puts him in his place. Robb convinces him.

Jaime can't cut his meat. He and Brienne eat with Roose and debate Jaime's fate. Roose will send Jaime to King's Landing if Jaime will explain to his father that Roose had nothing to do with his maiming. But Brienne will not be going.

Tywin and Olenna discuss marriages between their houses. Olenna says Cersei is old and they trade barbs about Loras's homosexuality and Cersei's incest.

We see the wall climb. A big ice slide knocks several climbers off the wall and Jon and Ygritte fall. Orell tries to cut them free, but Jon finds purchase on the wall and pulls Ygritte up. They begin climbing again.

Loras and Sansa talk about their pending nuptials, Sansa giddy and Loras trying to pretend he is too. Tyrion and Cersei look out on them and discuss whose hell will be worse. Tyrion then accuses Cersei of trying to have him killed but comes to realize Joffrey gave the order. He points out how stupid that was, to use an assassin that would only take orders from Joffrey or Cersei. He asks if he is still in danger but Cersei says Joffrey won't try anything now that Tywin is there. Tyrion comes to break the news to Sansa. Shae won't give them any privacy.

Varys finds Littlefinger admiring the Iron Throne. It doesn't have a thousand blades. They bicker and banter about thwarting each other. Littlefinger has allowed Roz to be a toy for Joffrey to punish her for informing on Littlefinger to Varys.

 Jon and Ygritte and a few others finally make it to the top of the wall then share a snog looking out over the edge.


Notable Quotes 

Ygritte: You didn't stop being a crow the day you walked into Mance Raydar's tent. But I'm your woman now. You're going to be loyal to your woman. The Night's Watch don't care if you live or you die. Mance Raydar doesn't care if I live or die. We're just soldiers in their armies and there's plenty more to carry on if we go down. It's you and me that matters to me and you. Don't ever betray me. 

Melisandre (to Beric): You've been to the other side. 
Beric: There is no other side. Only darkness.  

Melisandre (to Arya): I see a darkness in you. And in that darkness eyes staring back at me. Brown eyes. Blue eyes. Green eyes. Eyes you'll shut forever. We will meet again.  

Ramsay: If you think this has a happy ending, you haven't bee paying attention. 

Littlefinger: Chaos isn't a pit. Chaos is a ladder. Many who try to climb it fail and never get to try again. The fall breaks them. And some, are given a chance to climb. They refuse, they cling to the realm or the gods or love. Illusions. Only the ladder is real. The climb is all there is. 

Other Stuff 

The Freys wear silly hats.

Though it wasn't in the books, I did enjoy the Arya/Melisandre encounter. She is forshadowing Arya's future as as assassin. I also think it works to substitue Gendry for Edric Storm (a different bastard) because we know Gendry and have something invested. The climb was good—gripping, but not nearly as exciting to write about, at least not here—reading it in the books wasn't as gripping, either, as the first people were experienced climbers and then sent ropes down for the others. (though they did lose a group to the ice cracking). Overall I think this was well done—it is rare when there are a couple things done better than the book and most that are at least understandable changes.

The Rewatch Project: Season 3, Episode 5

Synopsis

The Hound's trial by combat begins. Thoros prays for god to bring justice and Lord Beric sets his sword afire with blood. The Hound flinches and the battle begins. *much fighting and exciting battle* The Hound's shield catches fire and there is a moment of panic where the crowd starts chanting “Guilty” but The Hound slices into Beric's shoulder, winning the battle. Arya grabs a dagger and runs forward, screaming, but is caught around the waist as she yells “Burn in hell!” A calm voice says “He will, but not today” and we realize Beric has been brought back again. 

Tormund asks for the pattern for patrolling the wall and how the castles along the wall are manned. Jon and Orell have a pissing match. Jon insists a thousand men man Castle Black (he might be exaggerating). Ygritte steals Jon's sword and runs. He chases her to a cave where she insists he break his vows and undresses. While there is a rumor Jon knows nothing, he seems to know something about using his tongue. Afterward Ygritte teases him about being a maid. She suggests they not go back. She doesn't ever want to leave the cave.

The Hound is sent off with a note instead of his gold.

The Bloody Mummers bring Brienne and Jaime into Bolton's Camp at Harrenhall. Bolton isn't pleased about Jaime's hand. He directs his men to find suitable rooms for them. Jaime asks for news and though Roose draws it out painfully, torturing Jaime, he eventually tells him Tywin prevailed in King's Landing. He sends Jaime to Qyburn. Qyburn suggests taking the arm but settles for just the rotted tissue.

Cersei asks Petyr for help with the Tyrells. Olenna meets with Tyrion over the finances of the wedding. Tyrion notes the expense of the war to which Lady Olenna lists all the Tyrells are supplying. She points out that the people need distraction as well as goods or they will make their own, which would involve tearing the nobles apart. She then agrees to pay for half of the wedding. 

Gendry tells Arya he plans on staying with the Brotherhood as their smith. Arya tells him Robb needs smiths, too, but he wants freedom.

Karstark and a handfull of men butcher two teenage Lannister prisoners in their cell. Robb has the men brought in and yells at them. Karstark says it's Catelyn's treason as much as his. He calls Robb the king who lost the north. Karstark is taken to the dungeon and the others hanged. Edmure wants to keep all this quiet. Catelyn and Talissa warn if Karstark is killed Robb will lose his men. They suggest keeping him as a hostage to ensure his men stay with Robb, but Robb pulls a Ned and cuts off his head anyway. Karstark curses Robb before he dies.

Arya says her names before a fire. She asks what they're going to do with her. Thoros says they'll take her to River Run for money. Arya asks how Beric is alive. They tell of the deaths and revivals and she asks if it could be done for a man without a head.

Selyse prays before a fire. Stannis comes. He confesses his infidelity but she poos it off as god's work. She says she wept with joy when she heard then goes to a line of fetuses in jars. She discourages Stannis from seeing his daughter but he insists. Shireen sings (see notes). She rushes to hug her father and asks about the battle and Ser Davos. Stannis tells her Davos is a traitor and he's locked in the dungeon.

Brienne scrubs in a bath and Jaime joins her. He says he doesn't want to be the first Lannister to die in a bath. She says she doesn't care how he dies. He says she was supposed to get him to King's Landing in one piece and says that isn't going so well. She stands up, offended and he apologizes. He calls for a truce, She says for a truce they need trust and he says, “I trust you.” He tells her the story of Mad Aerys and killing him to stop him from burning all of King's Landing. She asks why he never told Ned Stark that and Jaime says Lord Eddard had already judged him guilty. He passes out and she catches him.

Shireen visits Lord Davos in his cell. She asks if he is a traitor and he admits he is. She'd brought him a book, but he can't read so she begins to teach him.

Barristan and Jorah discuss battles. Barristan has spent his life serving terrible kings. Just once he'd like to serve with pride. He asks if Jorah believes in Daenerys. “With all my heart”. Dany goes to meet the Unsullied Officer choice. Grey Worm was picked and we get a history of the names of the Unsullied—changed each day and related to vermin so they cannot form identities. Dany says they can all pick a new name but Grey Worm considers Grey Worm lucky as it is the name he had when Dany freed them. Barristan tells Jorah is reputation has suffered. Jorah points out that Ser Barristan has just joined them—here he is just another exile.

Robb looks at a map in frustration. They've lost the Karstarks. He mourns to Talissa and then shows her the map. As he shows her various places he figures out what he wants to do. He is going to take the Lannister home, but to do it he needs the Freys.

Sansa watches Loras dueling. The squire flirts with Loras and they end up in bed. Oliver is then seen with Littlefinger—this was all part of a plan to learn what the Tyrells have been plotting. Littlefinger finds Sansa looking at a ship. He says he will be leaving soon and she says if may be better for her to wait—safer for him. He is agreeable.

Tywin and Cersei are at the Hand's table when Tyrion joins them. Tywin tells of a plot to marry Sansa to Loras. They have to move before it is made public. They need to find Sansa Stark a different husband. Tyrion. He then says Cersei will marry Loras to put an end to the rumors about her.


New Places and Faces 

This is our introduction to both Selyse and Shireen Baratheon and I adore Shireen. Her visit to Lord Davos in particular, there is so much sweetness and a bit of humor. I love this friendship. The books in particular establish her as a lonely child, but Davos is her true friend.

Grey Worm is also introduced this episode and I find the story of the Unsullied that he adds—the name story—compelling.


Notable Quotes: 

Lady Olenna: What good is the word extravagant if it can't be used to describe a royal wedding? 

Gendry: These men are brothers. They're family. I've never had a family. 
Arya: I can be your family. 
Gendry: But you wouldn't be my family. You'd be my lady. 

Jaime: By what right does the wolf judge the lion? 

Book Detail 

In the books in that cave there is a story about a man who led some people all the way under the wall by cave, but then the lords on the other side caught and chased them so they tried to go back. Instead they lost their way and they'd been living in the caves ever since—a person could still hear their children if they listened.

The Bloody Mummers: There is an excellent theory that these people, who APPEAR to be sellswords, are actually working as part of the Dornish Master Plan... working for this lord then that, but always in a way that weakens the strongest houses in Westeros, especially House Lannister (being brutal so all the smallfolk hate Tywin, taking Jaime's (the strongest fighter's) hand. If anyone wants to see it argued well, watch this video.

One of the missing characters is Patchface, Stannis's fool and Shireen's constant companion. The reason this is relevant is Patchface is quite mad—lost at sea for three days many years ago, then washed ashore spouting nonsense. His nonsense (sung of course) seems to be prophecy (possibly from the drowned god). Shireen sings some of his songs, but not the ones that make it so clear what the songs are. (Davos ALSO has possibly been saved by the drowned god)


Review 

There are a couple truly excellent scenes in this episode. Most notable, the bath scene with Brienne and Jaime. This is where he finally wins her respect—when she learns his greatest dishonor was actually an honorable act. I also really love Arya's quiet discussion with Beric and Thoros and EVERY single time The Hounds asks if the little girl is the bravest one there and Beric says “Aye, she might be” I get chills. This show always really picks up mid season and the third is one of the clearest examples of that... a slightly slow first three, then the pace quickens. I love it.

The Rewatch Project: Season 3, Episode 4

Interesting... I know I wrote up 3.3, but I don't see it... I can't see myself re-doing it... at least not for a while. So apologies for the handful of people who even give a look to these things... I'll sum it up like this:  Hoster's funeral, Edmure's a prat, small council plays power chairs, Littlefinger is going to woo Lady Arryn, Jaime saves Brienne from rape with the promise of sapphires and gets his hand chopped off, Hot Pie gets left at the inn, the Night's Watch stragglers make it to Craster's, Theon is freed, Melisandre leaves Dragonstone, Dany makes a deal to buy the Unsullied, taking Messendei as a gift of a deal well struck, Pod impresses three whores so much they give his money back, Theon is recaptured by the same guy who freed him.

It's a decent episode. Jaime and his hand and Theon recaptured are both "HOLY CRAP" moments. We are worried about Dany's decision making...

Now on to Episode 4

Synopsis 

Locke's men are escorting Brienne and Jaime by horse, making rude comments. Jaime falls from his horse into the muck. He begs for water and Locke gives him horse piss which he throws up, then Jaime steals a sword and tries to fight with his left hand but he's useless. Brienne jumps down to defend him but her hands are tied and there are too many of Locke's men. Locke kicks Jaime some more.

Tyrion comes to see Varys about the Blackwater. Varys is attending a package. Tyrion wants proof Cersei set Ser Mandon on him, but Varys instead tells the story of how he was cut. From that, Varys will forever hate magic. Tyrion wants revenge but Varys tells him to be patient and build influence, then he opens the box. It is the sorcerer who cut him.

Edd and Grenn talk of shoveling shit at Craster's. Rast grumbles and says they should all flee. He says they can't trust Mormont or Craster. Sam comes to see Gilly and her baby. She gives Sam's thimble back and asks if Sam can save her baby.

Bran runs and Jojen tells him to go after the three-eyed raven. Bran climbs but his mother scolds him yelling “No climbing!” until he falls.

Roz and Varys discuss the whores and Pod. Littlefinger is leaving for the Eyrie soon. Roze has noticed something on his inventory—two feather beds. She suggests is means he has not lost interest in Sansa Stark.

Joffrey leads Margaery around the Sept of Baelor telling her the gruesome details of history while Cersei and Lady Olenna discuss the wedding. Margaery delights (or seems to) in all Joff tells her. Margaery convinces (fearful) Joffrey to go see the people. She convinces him they adore him He orders the doors open as Cersei freaks out and Margaery looks back at her, triumphant. Margaery and Joffrey wave to the masses.

Theon asks how far to Deepwood Motte. The man with him claims to be taking him to his sister. The man plays Theon perfectly. They get to a castle and sneak in. Theon whines about not being a Stark. He admits he never killed the Stark boys—he killed orphans. And then he admits in the choice between his father and Eddard Stark he chose wrong—that his real father died in King's Landing. And PSYCHE... Theon is back to the place he just escaped from, the man claiming Theon killed their men. He is recaptured.

Brienne tries to convince Jaime to eat. He claims he's dying so she calls him a coward and lectures him on the real world. He finally takes a bite, then she asks him why he saved her from being raped. 

Tywin writes to keep Cersei waiting. She wants to make sure they are doing everything possible to free Jaime. He claims he is doing everything possible. She then asks if he's considered that she is his child who has been listening to all his lectures and has the most to contribute. He allows her to contribute and all she has to say is that the Tyrells are a problem. Tywin points out it is GOOD Margaery can influence Joffrey. Cersei challenged Tywin to control him and Tywin says he will.

One of Lady Olenna's granddaughters shows her an embroidered rose and Olenna's impatience at coming from a house with a mamby pamby symbol and words comes out. Varys approaches and Olenna sends her granddaughter away. Olenna makes hysterical suggestions about Varys attempting to seduce her then the two of them take a walk discussing Littlefinger and Sansa Stark.

Margaery finds Sansa praying and talks to her of a cousin of hers. Margaery teases Sansa, but is kind and says Sansa should see High Garden. She suggests if Sansa married Loras... Sansa is thrilled by the idea.

Mormont leads a funeral for a brother who died (of a broken foot). Rast insists Mormont starved the guy. He wants to get out of there, not trusting Mormont or Craster. Craster brags that he has 99 sons. Mormont says they chose different paths and Craster taunts that Mormont's path had all boys. He suggests Mormont just cut the throats of those who can't travel. Carl complains that he'd rather eat what Craster has hidden. Mormont tries to send him out but Rast joins Carl. Mormont then tries physically to toss them. Carl calls Craster a bastard and Craster has a fit. Carl repeats himself, Craster attacks and Carl stabs him. Mormont says to unhand him but then Rast stabs Mormont. A huge fight between brother's breaks out. Sam flees, gets Gilly and her babe, and runs.

The Brotherhood reaches a cave. The Hound calls them Swineheards. Beric says fighting a war has made them soldiers. The Hound insists they are ghosts fighting for dead men (Ned and Robert). Beric says they defend the weak. The Hound keeps taunting them to get on with it, denying one accusation after another (mostly his brother's crimes) until Arya accuses him of killing Micah, an unarmed boy. The Hound says it is not for him to question a prince. It is determined he will face trial by combat.

Dany arrives for her purchase. Master Kraznis tells her to blood them early and he will buy any captives. Dany lets out Drogon on a chain and hands it to Kraznis. He gives her the whip. She asks if it is done through Messendei and Kraznis says it is done; she holds the whip. She turns and walks, then calls to the Unsullied in High Valyrian. She gives them orders which they obey. Kraznis complains that the dragon won't come and Dany, in High Valyerian, says dragons are not slaves. She shouts for the Unsullied to kill the masters, free the slaves, and harm no children. She then turns to Drogon and shouts “Dracarys” and be burns Kraznis. The fight is brief, the masters slain. As the Unsullied get back in formation she rides among them and frees all of them, telling them if they leave, no one will stop them. She asks if they will stay and fight for her as free men. They begin pounding their staffs into the ground. As they leave, she throws the whip into the dust to be trampled.


Notable Quotes 

Lady Olenna: We mothers do what we can to keep our sons from the grave. They do seem to yearn for it. We shower them with good sense but it slides right off of them like rain off a wing. 
Cersei: And yet the world belongs to them. 
Lady Olenna: A ridiculous arrangement in my mind. 

Tywin (to Cersei): I don't distrust you because you're a woman. I distrust you because you are not as smart as you think you are. You've allowed that boy to ride rough shod over you and everyone else in this city. 

Varys (about Littlefinger): Actually I rather enjoy him, but he would see this country burn if he could be king of the ashes. 

Night's Watch: We shall never see his like again (and now his watch has ended)

The Hound: Who will it be? Should we find out if your red god really loves you, priest? Or you, archer? What are you worth with a sword in your hand? Or is the little girl the bravest one here? 

Beric: Aye. She might be. (this gives me chills every time) 

Notes 

That rude habit of Tywin's, writing to show HIS time is more valuable than the person waiting for him, is one Cersei picks up. She does it later to Lady Olenna.

Book versus Show 

In the books Loras is a member of the King's Guard (his reward for the Blackwater). Margaery betrothed to Joffrey is... I believe Mace's reward. And it is Lord Willas, the oldest Tyrell but one maimed by Prince Oberyn when he was a teen. So Sansa is being promised someone twice her age and lame, but he IS heir to High Garden and said to be kind. (and straight, which is always a bonus in a spouse)

The mutiny of the Night's Watch in the books is a much more pre-meditated event. The leader is Chet, who is who Sam replaced caring for Aemon's ravens (because Sam could read and write) and so Chet has a particular vendetta against Jon and Sam, as well as Mormont.

Review 

 I LOVE this episode, and looking back at it, there are a few small things... Margaery's managing of Joffrey, Sansa's brief (if soon to be shattered) hope. Beric hinting Arya is the bravest among them. I don't like the scene at Craster's Keep much, but it had to happen. But this is my favorite Dany scene of all. The pinacle of why I cheer for her. Sadly, she will go downhill from here, but this... she gets her army by outsmarting slavers. It's BRILLIANT. And it is a FREE army, fighting for the love of her. She has managed to do BOTH what Jorah wanted (buy the unsullied) and what Barristan wanted (have an army devoted to her).

The Rewatch Project: Season 3, Episode 2

Synopsis

Bran dreams he is running. The three-eyed raven appears and he tries to shoot it with his bow. He misses and a boy appears and says he can't kill it because it is him. Bran awakes. Osha asks if it was another wolf dream. He says no and starts to tell her but she doesn't want to hear of the black magic. She packs up and the group keeps moving.

Robb and Talissa are interrupted by Roose Bolton who comes with news.

Catelyn mourns her father. They will go to Riverrun for the funeral. Robb comes and tells her of the sacking and burning of Winterfell and that Bran and Rickon have disappeared.

Theon is strapped to an X and cruelly tortured.

Jaime and Brienne march. He continues taunting her and asks about her service to Lady Stark. He knows she wasn't with her at Winterfell. He is surprised when he figures out she served Renly and goes on to insult him. He realizes she loved him. A trader sees them and stops for a chat. Jaime thinks they've been recognized but Brienne refuses to kill him.

Joffrey is being fitted for his wedding garb. Cersei tries to make conversation about Margaery but he loses his patience with her fast.

Sansa tells Shae Littlefinger only took interest because he loved her mother. Shae probes but gets nothing. Shae says she will stop him if he tries anything. Loras arrives to take Sansa to take air with Margaery and Lady Olenna. He knows his courtesies but barely remembers her. He takes his leave when they reach Margaery. Margaery introduces Sansa to her grandmother, Lady Olenna. Olenna is frank and funny. Sansa is at a loss for words as Olenna puts down the men in her family. The three go to a table as Olenna goes on. Then she asks for the truth about Joffrey. Sansa stutters and says what's expected, but on probing, she admits Joffrey is a monster.

Lord Karstark complains of the “distraction” of Lord Hoster's funderal. He says he thinks Robb lost the day he married Talissa. Catelyn and Talissa talk. Catelyn is making a sort of amulet as a mother's protection for her boys. Talissa asks if they work and Catelyn says “after a fashion”. For Bran he lived, but will never walk. And it saved Jon Snow from the pox. She then admits the bargain she made—to forgive Ned and love Jon if he lived, and she believes all the hardship that has come on them is all because she could not love a motherless boy.

Mance asks Jon if it was hard to kill the Halfhand. (yes) He tells Jon the way he united all the wildling tribes, with their rivalries and seven languages. He says he told them they would die if they didn't all get south, because that was the truth. We get our introduction to wargs as Orell soars in the body of an eagle. He's scouting. He was at the Fist of the First Men where he says what he saw is dead crows.

Rast taunts Sam, trying to convince him he doesn't deserve to have survived. He tells him to lie down and rest. Sam falls to his knees. Grenn and Edd go back for him. Sam wimpers about being left. They try to get him up. Rast is an ass, but Mormont comes back and forbids Sam from dying. Rast complains so Mormont puts the responsibility on him.

Bran wakes up to a noise. Osha and Summer are guarding and go to look. Summer snarls and the boy from Bran's dream steps out. Osha puts a spear to his throat then his sister puts a knife to Osha's. Summer sniffs the boy and calms, so he approaches Bran, introducing himself as Jojen and his sister as Meera Reed.

Gendry tries to get Arya to explain her choices in the deaths she requested. They are a little lost. She wants to get to Riverrun. They hear singing and hide but an arrow lets them know they've been spotted. Arya tells the men if they keep moving on, she won't kill them. They know there are also two others. They are the Brotherhood Without Banners and they are fighting for the smallfolk, trying to save the countryside. Thoros promises to feed them and then send them on their way.

Shae is in Tyrion's chambers. She is worried about Sansa. Roz warned about Littlefinger. Shae says they have to protect Sansa but then gets jealous when Tyrion calls Sansa a great beauty.

Joffrey has sent for Margaery. He wants to make sure she has anything she needs while he is away hunting. He probes about “the bedside of a traitor” and Margaery plays coy, using the rumors of Renly's homosexuality to hint about lack of consummation. She smartly tries to blame herself so Joffrey is in a position to reassure her. She then asks about his crossbow and if he'll show her how it works He even lets her hold the weapon and he asks if she could do it. “I don't know, your grace. Do you think I could?” This clearly turns him on.

More Theon torture, this time with questions. Why he took Winterfell. He answers and is tortured more anyway. They put a bag over his head and tighten the screw through his foot. A man takes the bag off and says Theon's sister sent him. He loosens the screw and says he will come back for him that night.

Jojen tells Bran that Bran can get in Summer's head. Bran asks if the raven is warging, too, but Jojen says it is something different. Visions. Osha is snotty about Jojen needing his sister to protect him. Bran saw his father die and Jojen says it wasn't a dream; he saw it, too. Howland Reed supported Ned during the rebellion, which Jojen says he also saw. But most of what he's seen is Bran.

Thoros and Arya talk, Arya telling how they escaped. She pulls a sword and Thoros pulls his, disarming her quickly. Thoros says they can finish their meals before they go. Anguay comes in with a large hooded prisoner: The Hound. He recognizes Arya as a Stark girl.

Brienne and Jaime reach a bridge. They take the bridge and he sits in the middle of it. As she tries to get him up and he steals her second sword. The two of them fight, him with the advantage that she needs him alive, so she can't kill him. She finally knocks him down as riders come onto the bridge. The trader they saw had identified them and they are taken prisoner by men with Bolton's flayed man on their banner.

Notable Quotes:

Jaime (to Brienne about Renly): I don't blame him. And I don't blame you, either. We don't get to choose who we love. 

Lady Olenna (about Renly): Gallant, yes, and charming, and very clean. He knew how to dress and smile and somehow this gave him the notion he was fit to be king.

Show/Book

In my reread I just passed this section from Lady Olenna and though the book version is longer, the show captures the flavor of Lady Olenna and what she says very well. Diana Rigg is perfect in this role.

Review

Margaery is masterful with Joffrey—so impressive. The Theon torture stuff is hard to watch... almost harder because we know who that is now and we know Theon is going to get his hopes crushed. I like the Wildling intro--these rounded characters who are different from the biases that have been spewed about them from characters south of the wall, particularly the night's watch. Overall I'd call it a pretty good episode.

The Rewatch Project: Season 3, Episode 1

Synopsis 

Sam runs. And runs. And runs. It's foggy. He's frosty. He finds a brother with relief... until he sees the man is holding his own head. And then a wight approaches and swings an axe. Ghost pulls the wight away and someone lights it on fire. Mormont asks if Sam got the ravens off and he didn't. They head back toward the wall to warn the others.

Wildlings (and Jon) reach the camp. Jon gawks at a giant, so they exist, eh? People shout “Crow!” and a few throw things at Jon. Ygritte takes him to Mance. Jon meets a man he thinks is he King beyond the wall and kneels, much to Tormund's amusement. Mance steps forward and says they don't kneel for anyone beyond the wall. Mance asks why Jon wants to join them and doesn't believe it is “to be free”. Jon explains what he saw at Crasters—the sacrifice, what took it, and the fact Mormont already seemed to know. “I want to fight for the side that fights for the living. Did I come to the right place?”

Bronn and a whore are having some foreplay when Pod interrupts. Tyrion is examining his scars when Cersei arrives. He lets her in, but not her guards. She's concerned about Tyrion meeting with their father and what he will say. The two spar verbally and then Cersei leaves just in time to stop a confrontation that was beginning between Bronn and the two King's Guard. Bronn, Tyrion and Pod go for a walk and Bronn asks for a raise.

Davos wakes up on a jut of rock, sun in his eyes. He sees a boat and shouts for it. They send a smaller boat but before they will rescue him they ask who he fought for. “The one true king of Westeros, Stannis Baratheon.” They take him to Sallador Sann's ship. Davos asks to be taken to Stannis. Sallador paints a grim picture. Stannis is broken and the red woman is burning infidels. Davos insists he has to stop her.

Robb's army arrives at Harrenhall but it's been abandoned, leaving many dead. Robb orders Catelyn put into a chamber that will serve as a cell. They find Qyburn alive.

Tywin writes as Tyrion waits. Tyrion says he liked being hand and proceeds to whine a bit. Tywin asks what he wants and Tyrion wants Casterly Rock—his birthright. Tywin promises a suitable reward and a station where Tyrion can honor the house, then after a time, a suitable wife. But then he gives a horrifying speech (see below) that makes it clear how he feels about Tyrion.

Sansa makes up stories about the ships in the harbor but Shae refuses to play. Lord Baelish comes for a word with Sansa and tells her he has seen her mother. He claims he can arrange to take her home, but she needs to be ready at a moment's notice. She is eager to go. Roz warns Shae to protect Sansa from Lord Baelish.

Dany and company are sailing, the dragons flying overhead. She is impatient about their size. She needs an army. Jorah suggests The Unsullied but Dany resists because they are slaves. He says she will have a true Khalisar only when she proves herself strong and not before.

Davos arrives in Stannis's solar. He takes issue with burning people. Melisandre argues that she isn't the enemy and could have saved all those people but Davos had convinced Stannis to leave her at Dragonstone. When she whispers to Davos that she still believes what she said to Matthos, “Death by fire is the purest death”. This makes Davos snap. He comes at her with a knife and is thrown in the dungeons for his trouble.

Joffrey is carried in a little and huffs a little when the one in front of him stops and Margaery gets out. She visits an orphanage in Flea Bottom, telling the children how brave their fathers were and giving them toys. She tells them under Joffrey's leadership their fathers saved the city. On her way out she tells the matron to come directly to her for anything she needs for the orphanage.

At supper that night Cersei and Margaery trade barbs disguised as compliments about each other's dresses, then Cersei tells of the attack they had recently. Joffrey plays it down as his mother's exaggeration. Margaery tells how happy she is for all the food High Garden can provide.

Dany's ship arrives at Astapor. The Master tells her about the Unsullied through a translator. His words are insulting and impatient and Missendei diplomatically changes them to courteous. The Master cuts off a man's nipple. They go on telling Dany of the Unsullied training which ends in killing a newborn, for which the baby's master is paid a silver. Dany walks with Jorah discussing what owning an army of slaves would make her. They wander the warf, seeing sights. A little girl rolls a wooden ball to Dany and gestures for her to open it. A stranger knocks it from her hands and out comes a manticore. The stranger skewers it. The little girl gives a blue-mouthed hiss and jumps off the pier, only to appear on the wall behind them. Dany thanks the stranger who unhoods himself to reveal he is Barristan Selmy. He asks forgiveness for failing to protect her father and asks to join her queen's guard. He says he will not fail her again.


Notable Quotes

Jeor Mormont: We have to warn them. Or before winter every one we've ever known will be dead. 

Tyrion: It's not slander if it's true. 

Cersei: You're a clever man. But not half as clever as you think you are.
Tyrion: Still makes me more clever than you.

Tywin: And I would let myself be consumed by maggots before mocking the family name by making you heir to Casterly Rock.
Tyrion: Why?
Tywin: Why? You ask that? You who killed your mother to come into the world. You are an ill-made spiteful little creature made of envy, lust and low cunning. Men's laws give you the right to my name and to wear my colors because I cannot prove you are not mine. To teach me humility the gods have condemned me to watch you waddle about wearing that proud lion that was my father's and his father's before him. But neither gods nor men will ever compel me to let you turn Casterly Rock into your whore house. Go. Now. And speak no more of your right to Casterly Rock. Go. And the next whore I find in your bed will hang.

Critique 

Why is Ghost with Sam instead of Jon? This makes no sense. I mean I'm glad he saved Sam, but Ghost is part of Jon's appeal to the wildlings. Also... failure of Sam to get the ravens off... not book stuff. Not sure why on this, either.

Book nod: Cersei says, “They said you'd lost your nose, but it's not as gruesome as all that.” (In the books he DOES lose half his nose.

The taking of Harrenhall: In the books this is actually ARYA who takes Harrenhall. She does it with the help of Jaqen Hagar, who enlists Biter and Rorge—they make “Weasel Soup” and burn the guards and release all the northern prisoners, who are enough to take the small group of Lannister/Vargo Hoat guards who've been left there. This is one of the scenes it makes me sad to have missed in the show. Also, Catelyn's “imprisonment” is at River Run where she is allowed only to care for her father or pray in the sept.

It is interesting seeing Tywin writing and ignoring his "appointment" as a show that he is superior to the person waiting to talk to him. It is something Cersei picks up as a power posturing move.

Tyrion failing to make his case with Tywin... I'm not sure if this is just that his father flusters him so badly, but Tyrion could have made SO MUCH stronger a case. That said, this scene really illustrates Tywin's animosity beautifully.

Man, Margaery is a PR PRO. She is SO good. At least with the people. She can't seem to help trading barbs with Cersei a bit... No way that can go wrong... It is so clear, too, when Cersei talks of being attacked, how Margaery's approach to the people is the way to stay safe—make them love you. Cersei wants to rule through fear, but that is a far less stable thing.

And who didn't cheer to see Ser Barristan? I really like this episode, but it is one of them that reminds me most strongly of how much MORE awesome it COULD be if they stuck to the books a little closer in some places.

I am thrilled though, to be to season 3. Storm of Swords is my favorite of the books and seasons 3 and 4 cover that material, so I really adore them. Season 2 is low on my list if I order them, even though there is stuff I love. It just isn't quite as strong, but now we are to the stellar material...

The Rewatch Project: Season 2, Episode 10

Synopsis

Tyrion's eye takes the whole screen as it flutters open. Pycelle is treating him (eek). He yells for Pod and asks Pod to get Varys or Bronn. Tyrion flinches when Pycelle tries to touch him but listens as Pycelle explains that Tywin defeated Stannis. Tyrion's cramped space is his new quarters, as Tywin is taking up his role as hand.

Tywin's horse poos as it walks toward the iron throne. Joffrey names him savior of the city. Joffrey then awards Harrenhall to Littlefinger as reward for bringing the Tyrelles to their cause and Loras requests Joffrey agree to join their houses by marrying Margaery. Margaery lays it on thick but Joffrey says he is promised to another. Cersei notes the council doesn't think it wise for him to marry a traitor's daughter and Pycelle says Robert made the arrangement before the Starks showed themselves false. Joffrey agrees to marry Margaery.

Sansa moves away from people before letting herself smile in relief but Baelish points out Joffrey won't just let her go so easily. He offers to take her home but she insists she will be safe. King's Landing is her home.

Roz covers her black eye as Varys arrives. There is some awkwardness while she tries to seduce him before she figures out who he is. He offers her a partnership. He says he would protect her. She is afraid of Littlefinger.

Brienne pulls a boat ashore with Jaime who taunts her. They come across three women strung up from a tree with a sign “they lay with lions”. He badgers her about the Starks. She ties him to a tree with the intention of burying the women but three men come by. They are cruel about Brienne being a woman and question her on the prisoner. One of them recognizes Jaime and Brienne kills all three. She then cuts down the women.

Cat lectures Robb about marrying Talisa. She claims love that's built slowly out of an arranged marriage and duty is stronger.

Stannis questions Melissandre. He chokes her and says to show him how she fights. “Where is your god now?” She claims he is in Stannis and Stannis stops. He has remorse about killing Renly. She gives a good quote (below) She shows him the flames and he eventually “sees it”.

A regular blowing of a horn outside taunts Theon. Lewin tries to explain but Theon is impatient. Theon wonders about word from his father but none has come and he can't send word himself because he killed all the ravens. Theon remembers the first time he saw Winterfell and then whines about always being reminded how grateful he should be to his captors. Lewin urges Theon to run—take the black. He tells hims he is not the man he is pretending to be, but Theon says he's gone too far to turn back. The next morning he makes a speech to his men about dying that day but going out in glory. As he finishes Dagmar clubs him in the head. Lewin comes out wondering what is going on and Lewin stabs him with a spear, then says to the other men “Let's go home”.

Varys says it was Ser Mandon Moore who tried to kill Tyrion under Cersei's orders. Pod save him. Bronn is no longer head of the city watch and the Hill Tribes were sent away (paid well). Varys warns that he will be distancing himself, too. 

Robb weds Talisa. In the light of the seven for some reason.

Dany, Jorah and Kovarro reach the House of the Undying. There is no door. She walks around and Jorah follows as Kovarro stays in one spot. Jorah loses sight of Dany and as he reaches Kovarro again Dany has disappeared. Turns out she is inside. She yells and then hears her dragons.

Arya, Gendry and Hot Pie walk on a path. They see Jaqen and Arya goes to talk to him. She asks him to show her how he killed those guards. He says to learn she must travel with him to Bravos. He mentions the names on her lips and says she could offer them up to the red god one by one. She wants to, but needs to find his family. He gives her a coin and says if she ever needs to find him she should give it to a man from Bravos and say “Valar Morghulis”. He turns away when when he turns back he has a different face.

Osha leads Hodor, Bran and Rickon out of the crypts. Winterfell has been burned. They find Maester Lewin in the godswood. He can't be saved but is so hapy to see Bran and Rickon alive. He tells them they must go north, to Jon. He sends Hodor with the boys and asks Osha to protect them. He then asks her to kill him quickly. The boys, Osha, Hodor and the Direwolves are seen heading north as smoke pours from Winterfell.

Dany wanders, opening a door into a room with many doors. She comes into a version of the throne room that appears to have burned and snow is falling through the roof. She approaches the throne and reaches to touch it but then hears her dragons, so goes on. She walks through a big gate and ends up north of the wall. There she finds a sort of tent and inside is Drogo and baby Rhaego. There is a lovely moment between them but again the dragons cry. She repeats Mirri's words, “When the sun rises in the west and sets in the east. When the rivers run dry and the mountains blow in the wind...” She leaves. Back in the door room she finds her dragons. And Pyat Pree who chains her and explains how he is going to keep Dany and her dragons there because they make the warlock magic strong. She looks behind her at her dragons and says “Dracarys”. The dragons burn Pyat and the chains on her and her dragons dissolve.

Ygritte keeps hitting Jon with a sword. Qhorin attacks Jon and the two fight. Jon kills him. The wildlings cut Jon's bindings. Ygritte leads him to a ridge where they are overlooking an enormous wildling camp.

Dany and company find Xaro and Doreah in bed, take his key and lead them to Xaro's vault. It's ampty. Dany's warriors shut Xaro and Doreah in the vault, collect the treasure around his manse. They will take the treasure to buy a ship.

Sam, Grenn, and Edd pick up shit to burn. Sam prattles about Gilly. They hear the horn. Once. Twice. Three times. Edd yells RUN but Sam is slow. He falls and then sees the hoards coming so he hides. The dead parade by though a White Walker looks right at him before leading the charge onward. 


Notable Quotes 

Petyr Baelish: Look around you. We are all liars here. And every one of us is better than you. 

Catelyn: Treat your oaths recklessly and your people will do the same. 

Melissandre: This war has just begun. It will last years. Thousands will die at your command. You will betray the men serving you. And you will betray your family. You will betray everything you once held dear. And it will all be worth it. Because you are the son of fire. You are the warrior of light. You will sweep aside this pretender and that one. You will be king. 

Varys: There are some who know without you this city faced certain defeat. The king won't give you any honors. The histories won't mention you. But we will not forget. 

Review/Discussion

Let's talk about that Melissandre quote up there... From what we know later we know it's true for Stannis... up until the defeating pretenders and being king... so is it true for the person who Melissandre will eventually realize is more likely Azor Ahai? Jon? He betrays the men serving him (by some interpretation). Will he betray his family? Which family? What about what he once held dear?

Robb and Talisa's wedding... In the book Robb and Jeyne Westerling got married off page but it would have made sense for them to wed in the Light of the Seven because Jeyne is Westerosi. But Talisa, from Volantis, would NOT worship the seven. And Robb, while he was raised with both the Seven and the Weirwoods, would have known a Stark should marry before a Weirwood, or at least a Heart Tree. I guess Catelyn's influence could be blamed. Or their location. But I'm not sure I endorse the decision.

The Book Versus Show House of the Undying... So what Dany sees in the House of the Undying in the SHOW is outlined above. Missing from the book that I think will come TRUE is that I think King's Landing will indeed burn before the snows come. (I think Cersei will burn it). But there is SO MUCH missing from the show version.

Look what Dany finds in the Books:

• A beautiful, naked woman being ravished by four little men who resemble the dwarf servitor. [believed to represent Westeros being ravaged by the armies of the four kings—FOUR because Renly dies before Balon declares himself] 
• A feast of slaughtered corpses holding cups, spoons, and food, with a dead man with a wolf's head sitting on a throne wearing an iron crown, [foreshadowing the Red Wedding]. 
• Daenerys' childhood home with the red door in Braavos. 
• A throne room with dragon skulls on the walls where a king resembling Aerys II Targaryensits on a barbed throne and appears to give the order to burn the Red Keep during the Sack of King's Landing. 
• A room where a silver-haired man (presumably Rhaegar Targaryen) names his son Aegon, says the child is "the prince that was promised", then plays a harp. He then says, there must be another for the dragon has three heads (his wife Elia can HAVE no more) 
• A "splendor of wizards" who falsely claim to be the Undying of Qarth and offer to teach Daenerys the secret speech of dragonkind. They call her "mother of dragons" and "child of three" and tell her some prophesies, saying "three fires must you light... one for life and one for death and one to love... three mounts must you ride... one to bed and one to dread and one to love... three treasons will you know... once for blood and once for gold and once for love..." [This bit has been interpreted to be prophecy for what will happen to Dany... if you can figure it out...] 
• The Undying show Daenerys many more visions before attacking her and being slain by Drogon: 
• 1.Viserys Targaryen's gruesome death. 
• 2.A tall lord with copper-skin and silver-gold hair beneath a banner of a fiery stallion, with a burning city in the background (this may be a glimpse at what Rhaego's future would have been). 
• 3.A dying prince (likely Rhaegar Targaryen) mutters a woman's name with his last breath, rubies flying from his chest. 
• 4.A blue-eyed king who casts no shadow (possibly Stannis Baratheon) raises a red sword in his hand. 
• 5.A cloth dragon sways on poles amidst a cheering crowd. 
• 6.A great stone beast takes wing from a smoking tower, breathing shadows. 
• 7.Daenerys's silver trots through grass to a darkling stream under a sea of stars. 
• 8.A corpse standing at the prow of a ship with bright eyes and grey smiling lips. (we will see this one next season) 
• 9.A blue flower growing from a chink in a wall of ice, filling the air with sweetness. (This could indicate Jon Snow's true parentage and potential kinship to Daenerys) 

There is just SO MUCH more there, isn't there... tons to work with for explanation and prediction. I liked the episode, but this is one of those things that really emphasizes how much more rich the books are.