The Rewatch Project, Season 2, Episode 3

Synopsis 

Craster kicks the Night's Watch out because of Jon. Mormont tells Jon off and does not seem surprised by what Craster does with his sons. He says they are Craster's offerings to his gods. Sam gives Gilly his mother's thimble as evidence that he will return.

Bran has a wolf dream and describes these dreams to Maester Lewin. He then asks about wargs (without using the word). Maester Lewin assures him it was just a dream. Bran argues his dreams come true, though the Maester reminds him of his dreams that haven't. He says such things once may have been real but all magic is gone from the world and the dragons are dead (which we all know is no longer true).

Catelyn arrives at Renly's camp as the crowds watch a melee. Loras finally yields and the winning knight approaches Renly. It is a woman, named Lady Brienne who requests, as her reward, to be made a member of Renly's King's Guard. He grants it. Lady Stark is then announced and greeting with courtesy and promised Joffrey's head. Loras snottily says if Robb wanted to treat he should have come himself. She reminds them all that Robb is at war. Renly walks with her, then sends her to a tent with Lady Brienne, who insists it is JUST Brienne. She is no lady.

Theon scolds Asha about tricking him. She says she wanted to learn what sort of man he was, and she did. Balon comes in to share his strategy. He is taking the North. Yara gets 30 ships to take Deepwood Mott and Theon gets one to harrass the fishing villages on the Stony Shore. Theon urges them to make a northern alliance, saying Robb will give them Casterly Rock. Balon shouts “What are our words” (We do not sow) and says he will not have a castle given to him. He will take it. Theon snaps. He is angry that his father sent him away as payment for his own mistakes and now is treating Theon like crap for coming home. Yara gives a last jab, telling Theon he needs to decide, but they are invading the North with or without him.

Shae is a whiny baby, petulantly complaining.

Sansa eats with the Queen, Myrcella and Tommen. Myrcella asks about Sansa and Joffrey's wedding and chatters about her dress but Sansa is clearly pre-occupied. Tommen asks if Joffrey will kill Sansa's brother. Cersei says he might, but Sansa will do her duty. Back in her room, Shae is Sansa's new handmaiden. Sansa is sort of a brat to her because Shae isn't quite sure what she is doing.

Pycelle brings Tyrion a laxative and Tyrion shares his scheme to marry Myrcella to Tristane Martell of Dorne. The scene fades into Varys and an intention to marry Myrcella to Theon Greyjoy. Finally the scene turns to Petyr and the plan to marry Myrcella to Robin Arryn.

Renly and Loras “prey” (naked in bed.) Loras is mad about Brienne and Renly realizes he's jealous. Loras als reminds Renly he needs to consummate his marriage. Margaery comes in, strips and tries to seduce Renly, but Renly's body is not responding. She asks if he wants Loras to help, and he acts baffled, but she shows that she she is both politically and personally savvy. What they need is an heir.

Cersei shouts at Tyrion about selling her daughter to Dorne. She rages at him and kicks him out.

Theon has written a message to Robb about his father's plans, but burns it, definitively deciding which side he is on. He is then baptized in the sea.

 Petyr scolds Tyrion for his trick. Tyrion apologizes but also asks Petyr to take terms to Catelyn Stark to get Jaime back. Bronn, Tyrion and one of the Mountain Clan men invade Pycelles chambers, interrupting his valuable whore time. Pycelle claims it was Varys, but Tyrion has him, as he was the only one with the Dorne story. Pycelle insists he always served House Lannister. Tyrion has Bronn cut off Pycelle's beard and they throw him in the black cells.

Varys and Tyrion drink together. Varys compliments Tyrion and gives him a riddle about power: A king, a priest and a rich man are in a room with a sell sword. All tell the sell sword to kill the others. Who lives, who dies? Tyrion doesn't like riddles.

Arya sharpens needle and bonds with Yoren while the rest of the Future Night's Watch sleeps. He tells her the story of how he ended up at the wall and her idea of the name prayer (people she means to kill) is born. A horn sounds. Yoren tells Arya and Gendry to hide. He goes out to face them and is cut down and the others all join the fight. Arya gives an ax to the three in the cage because a fire is almost on them. They lose and the survivors are rounded up. Lommy calls for help. He has an arrow in his leg and says he needs to be carried so Polliver puts a sword through his throat. When they ask for Gendry Arya points to Lommy and says that is him.


Places and Faces 

Renly's camp and the introduction of Margaery Tyrell and Brienne of Tarth


Notable Quotes 

Catelyn: My son is fighting a war. Not playing at one. 

Catelyn: It's just a game to them. And I pity them. (Renly asks why) Because it won't last. Because they are the Knights of Summer and Winter is coming. 

Varys: Power resides where men believe it resides. It is a trick. A shadow on the wall. And a very small man can cast a very large shadow. 

The season is finally picking up steam. I loved Tyrion's trick to catch his sister's spy and the introductions of Brienne of Tart and Margaery Tyrell both gave a lot of good detail on their characters.

Melisandre's Real Goal

Stannis, dancing like she likes...

The Rewatch Project: Season 2, Episode 2

Synopsis 

Arya takes a whiz, then Jaqen requests a glass of water from his cage. Rorge gets rude and Arya hits him with a stick. As Gendry scolds Arya for getting two close, a group of Gold Cloaks arrive. Arya thinks they are there for her, but they ask for Gendry. Yoren threatens one and sends them off, but as they leave, they say they will come for Yoren's head as well as Gendry.

Tyrion finds Varys with Shae and Tyrion and Varys talk cryptically. Varys says he keeps secrets for his friends but Tyrion takes it for a threat.

Cersei tears Robb's peace terms in half. She asks after Jaime and says to tell him he hasn't been forgotten. Pycelle has a raven from Castle Black. Wildlings are following this new King Beyond the Wall. Mormont tells of dead rising, and while the others mock, Tyrion believes.

Edd tells a story of his mother farting while dying. Sam thinks it is greedy for Craster to have so many wives and Grenn tells a story of a milkmaid from the farm next to his. When Sam is fetching potatoes he finds Gilly, terrified of Ghost and convinces Ghost to back away. Gilly tells Sam he's brave, then takes her to Jon to try to convince him to take her when they go.

Dany sits in the Red Waste waiting for word. A riderless horse returns with Rhakaro's head in the saddlebag. Irri sobs because it means he cannot ride into the nightlands.

Theon rides on a ship toward Pyke, having his way with the Captain's daughter. He expects a grand welcome when he arrives because he's hot sh*t, at least in his own mind. The Captain's daughter begs to be his salt wife, so apparently he's fooled someone.

Littlefinger peeps on his whores. One of the Johns is mad because his whore (Roz) is crying. Littlefinger gives the man a different whore and has a heart to heart with Roz where it becomes very clear the man is a soulless ass. It's all about the money.

Tyrion serves Lord Janos dinner, a jovial affair. They discuss wine, food, cooks.. and then Tyrion asks about the brothel and the baby. Janos makes it clear it isn't his place to ask questions. He just obeys. He shows loyalty to Cersei and Joffrey. Tyrion asks who ordered Ned's men killed and Janos said Ned “tried to buy him” to which Tyrion replies, “Little did he know you'd already been bought”. Tyrion then tells Janos he is headed to the wall and he makes Bronn new Captain of the City watch. It is all very well done.

Lommy wants to give up Gendry and suggests they yield. There is then a deep discussion about battles, armor and knights which makes it very clear Hot Pie doesn't know very much. Arya asks what the gold cloaks wanted with Gendry but he doesn't know. He asks why she thought it was her and she confesses who she is, leading to one of my very favorite scenes with her pushing him, him saying it wasn't ladylike and then her pushing him over.

Nobody is there to greet Theon. Nobody is impressed with his bragging, but finally a girl comes along and offers a ride. He feels her up along the way. He goes in to his father who is the world's biggest ass. He calls Theon a girl and asks if his jewels were bought by the iron price or gold. Theon had forgotten what a prick his father is, but he claims to be heir and Yara comes in... the girl he was feeling up ishis sister. West coast of Westeros seems to have a lot of that. Theon offers Robb's terms claiming it was his idea, but Balon isn't interested in the GIFT of a crown. He says he will TAKE his crown. And not from the Lannisters. 

Davos is enlisting Sallador Saan. Sallador wants the queen. Matthos talks about the Lord of Light and Sallador shows surprise Davos' son is a zealot. Eventually Sallador agrees to help, but because he trusts Davos. Matthos tries to convince Davos to learn to read and they discuss religion.

Cersei is mad at Tyrion about Janos. Tyrion tries to explain that she is losing the people, but she doesn't care. She thinks the people are worthless. He mentions the rallying cry of “Queen slaughters babies” and figures out that it was actually Joffrey who ordered the slaughter. Cersei rips into Tyrion about all the burden of ruling falling on her, then makes a cruel statement about Tyrion ripping their mother apart when he was born.

Davos tells Stannis they have Sallador Saan, then Stannis asks Davos and Matthos to leave him alone with the red woman. As Matthos leaves she whispers to him that death by fire is the purest death. Melisandre and Stannis discuss Renly's larger army, which Stannis needs to take King's Landing. She tells him he must give himself over to the Lord of Light, which apparently means having sex with one of his priestesses.

Jon sees Craster carrying his baby away and follows. Craster leaves it and Jon watches as a White Walker comes for it. As he turns to leave he is knocked out.


Places and Faces

Pyke (and the Greyjoy Castle) along with Yara (Asha in the books) and Balon.

At Craster's Gilly is actually introduced, though she had a line in the first episode of the season.


Notable Quotes (not many this time...)

Sallador Saan: What is the world coming to when smugglers must vouch for kings? 

Matthos: Stannis may be king, but he's only a man.
Davos: Don't tell him that.  

Cersei: Mother's gone for the sake of you. 

This episode was still a bit slow other than it begins to show us Theon's brilliance at “The Game” and it gives us excellent insight into Theon's character. Those were probably the high points to me—that and Arya revealing her secret to Gendry.

Funny line from the books that would fit here... Lommy goes on and on about the wisdom of yielding when traveling with Gendry, Hot Pie, Arya (and a little girl called Weasel) and Arya is sick of it. Lommy was wounded in the battle that killed Yoren, but the other's are carrying him. Gendry gets captured by Amory Lorch's men and Arya comes back to get Hot Pie to rescue him. Lommy is to keep Weasel there and he asks what to do if the wolves come. “Yield,” Arya said. I cracked up so hard when I read that.

The Rewatch Project: Season 2 Episode 1

Synopsis 

Joffrey makes people kill each other because he's bored. Or it's his name day. Whatever. Ser Dontos appears drunk and Joff is going to fill him with wine but Sansa says he can't. It's bad luck. The Hound backs her up so he says he'll wait until tomorrow. Sansa cleverly suggests he'd make a better fool. He doesn't deserve a clean death. Tyrion arrives and baffles Joffrey.

Pycelle carries in a white raven and declares summer over. Littlefinger practically declares if winter is too long, they can eat the peasants... or something like that. Tyrion comes in and baffles Cersei. He passes Varys a note and Varys announces Tywin has named Tyrion acting Hand. Cersei kicks everybody out and he points out all the ways she's messed up.

Bran and Lewin perform Lord's duties and hear their people's troubles. Lewin is a good teacher and he and Bran each impose some wise solutions. As a wolf dream later, Bran/Summer note the red commet, then when awake he and Osha discuss what it means. There are half a dozen theories but Osha insists it means dragons.

Dany's Khalisar is hurting bad. Her Silver dies and so she sends her three blood riders each in a different direction to see which way they should go.

The Ranging group arrives at Craster's Keep where a greedy old man keeps trading niblets of information for stuff... wine, weapons. The wildlings are all gathering with Mance Rayder—an enormous army to march south. We learn Craster marries his daughters but nobody answers what he does with his sons. Mormont has to reprimand Jon for insolence because he can't hide how disgusted he is on his face. Mormont tells him if he wants to lead, he needs to learn to follow.

On Dragonstone Melissandre is burning the seven and tells of the prophecy of Azor Ahai pulling Lightbringer from flames. Stannis pulls out a sword from one of the fires. The Maester keeps trying to enlist Davos to stop her. He reminds the men they were all born in the light of the seven. Stannis hysterically dictates (and revises) a note to go everywhere in the seven kingdoms about Cersei's children being bastards. Davos begs Stannis to make peace with Renly and Robb, but Stannis will hear nothing of it. (How different would this story have been if he would, eh?)At dinner later he calls for peace but tries to poison her when they drink together—he dies but she does not.

Robb attends Jaime in his camp and tells him the content of Stannis's letter. Jaime asks why they keep dragging him along and Robb proves he is smarter than Jaime would have guessed. Grey Wind gets in Jaime's face.

Shae raves about the fabulous smell of corpses, shit and cum... or something. She loves the city. She and Tyrion then talk of liars.

Cersei asks Lord Baelish to look for Arya and hints at his Catelyn crush. Petyr then overshoots and suggests what he knows about she and Jaime, saying knowledge is power. She orders him seized and killed then stops them with careful step by step instructions, all of which they follow. She ends with “power is power”.

Alton Lannister is sent to King's Landing with Robb's terms:
 1) My sisters must be returned,
 2) My father's bones so they can be laid to rest in the crypts of Winterfell, along with the bones of all his men, and
 3) The North will be declared free and independent and Joffrey and the Queen must never set foot north of Moat Cailin or they will suffer the same fate Ned did, only Robb doesn't need a servant to swing the sword.

Theon asks for a word and suggests Robb send him to his father for ships. Catelyn warns Robb not to trust Baelon Greyjoy. Robb then asks his mother to go south and treat with Renly.

Joffrey is redecorating the Red Keep. Cersei keeps making suggestions and Joffrey keeps blowing her off. When he asks about the other women his father slept with because he was bored with her, she slaps him. He tells her that is punishable by death and she will never do it again then he dismisses her.

Roz teaches whore lessons. Janos Slynt comes in and kills the baby Barra, then the gold cloaks go on a rampage killing children left and right, presumably Robert's bastards. When they find the smith he tells them Gendry's name and that he has gone north with a bull helmet. Gendry and Arya are seen climbing onto the cart headed north.


Places and Faces 

The Red Waste: this is part of Essos—an expansive desert of red dirt, no water, and no people.

Craster's Keep: North of the wall a sick old coot lives with his dozens of daughters who are also his wives.

Dragonstone: And King Stannis, Melissandre (the red priestess), Ser Davos and for this one episode, Maester Cressen.


Notable Quotes 

Tyrion: We had three Starks to trade. You chopped ones head off and let another escape. Father would be furious. Must be odd for you. To be the disappointing child.  

Melissandre: The night is dark and full of terrors.  

Robb Stark: I trust them with my life. Just not yours. (to Jaime)  

Catelyn Stark: I do not trust Baelon Greyjoy because Baelon Greyjoy is not trustworthy. 

Season 2

So some of my thoughts are in contrast to season one... where characters are and how I feel about that. For instance Dany, after such a HIGH ending of season 1 is now in such a low spot, and so suddenly. It felt a bit jarring and I feel let down. Knowing what comes later I know this is Dany's path—high highs and low lows, but if I step back from knowing, this is hard twist. Robb, on the other hand, has kept on his upward trajectory.

I really liked the Stannis intro. Melissandre is creepy and Stannis is his own unique brand of rigid and dryly funny.

The episode had less content than any last season—I normally take 5 pages of notes and this was nearly a page short, but there was some good setup here and enough set in motion that I was happy with it.

The Rewatch Project, Season 1, Episode 10

Synopsis 

Ned's head is lifted as Sansa faints and Yoren drags Arya away, reminding her who he is. He tells her he is taking her north.

Bran's dreams take him to the crypt, so awake he asked Osha to take him. Down there they find Rickon and Shaggy Dog. Both boys have dreamed their father was down there and when they come out, Lewin gives the news to Bran. Osha is a bit freaked.

Cat walks the camp and finds Robb bashing his sword against a tree. Robb wants to “kill them all”. She says they must get the girls back first, but then they will.

A singer reluctantly performs a song about Robert's death that is very derogatory about Cersei. Joffrey claps then makes him choose between his tongue and fingers. In the end Ser Illyn cuts his tongue off. Afterward Joffrey makes Sansa walk with him and takes her to her father's head. He forces her to look and says he is going to give her Robb's head, too. Something snaps and she says “Or maybe he will give me yours” and Joffrey orders Meryn to hit her. She looks a lot like she is ready to push Joffrey off the bridge but The Hound stops her and gives her a handkerchief.

The northern lords have a discussion... Renly... Stannis... and then the Greatjon gives an excellent speech (see notable quotes) and it is decided they are crowning Robb the King in the North. Cat goes to see Jaime. He makes crude suggestions about how he might service her so she hits him in the head with a rock. They have a philosophical discussion and Jaime admits pushing Bran out the window but will not say why.

Lancel paints his nails or something. Naked. Cersei sends him back to bed because one incestuous relationship is never enough.

In Tywin's battle tent he yells, “They have my son!” about Jaime. Kevan suggests suing for peace and Tyrion throws his glass to the ground, saying they would have an easier time drinking from the broken cup than getting Robb Stark to the table after cutting off Ned's head. Tywin sends everyone out but Tyrion, then sends Tyrion to King's Landing to act as hand, bringing Joffrey and Cersei to heel. His last order is not to take the whore to court. Shae is not happy about this and as Tyrion explains why, he changes his mind.

Dany wakes up asking for her son, but he died. Mirri says he was monstrous and she knew the price—only death can pay for life. They take her to Drogo who is alive but comatose. The Khalisar has gone because the Dothraki follow strength. Dany asked when Drogo will be as he was (see quote). Mirri then explains her reasons for making this happen.

Gratuitous Kit Harrington pic

Jon leaves the wall, knocking Sam over on his way out, but Sam gets Pyp and Grenn and the three of them follow. Sam has a hysterical sweeping from his horse by a branch and Jon comes back to make sure he's okay. The three say their vows and convince Jon to go back.

Dany washes Drogo, asking for a sign. When none comes, she lays by him a while, then kisses him, repeats Mirri's words and then smothers him with a pillow.

Pycelle blithers incoherently to Roz.

Petyr and Varys posture in front of the throne then talk about Varys's balls. Joffrey arrives for a council meeting. 

Yoren has set Arya up as Arry. Two boys try to bully her to take her sword but Arya points Needle at the fat boy, then Gendry steps in and yells at Hot Pie for picking on the “little ones” basically threatening him. They head out the gates for the long trek to the wall.

Jon brings Mormont his breakfast and is surprised Mormont seems to know all (see quote). He asks Jon if he thinks his brother's war is more important that theirs and then invites him to ride north—a ranging to find out what the heck is going on and to find Benjen Stark, dead or alive.

Dany prepares Drogo's funeral pyre. Jorah tries to convince her to sell her eggs, but she refuses. He says he won't stand aside and let her burn, but she assures him she won't, though it isn't clear exactly what she means. She has Jorah bind Mirri to the pyre and then lights it. Mirri begins chanting and Dany walks in. The next morning as Jorah and the bloodriders walk toward where the fire was they find Dany has won the jackpot—she is NAKED and covered in DRAGONS. (that is winning, ne?)


Notable Quotes 

The Hound: Save yourself some pain, girl. Give him what he wants.

The Greatjon: “My lords, here is what I say to these two kings.” [spits] “Renly Barratheon is nothing to me, nor Stannis neither. Why should they rule over me from some flowery seat in the south? What do they know of the Wall, or the Wolf's Wood? Even their gods are wrong!” [laughter] “Why shouldn't we rule ourselves again? It was the dragons we bowed to. And the dragons are dead. There sits the only king I mean to bend my knee to. The king in the north!” [It's a fantastic speech]

Jaime Lannister: There are no men like me. Only me. 

Mirri Maz Duur: "When the sun rises in the west and sets in the east, When the seas go dry and mountains blow in the wind like leaves. When your womb quickens again, and you bear a living child. Then he will return, and not before." [she skipped the womb part in the show] 

Jeor Mormont: “Don't look so terrified. If we beheaded everyone who ran away for the night, only ghosts would guard the wall.” And “Are you a brother of the Night's Watch or a bastard boy who wants to play at war?” 


There is so much that happens here in this last episode. The realization both younger Stark boys have some level of “sight” and Robb is made King. Tywin gives Tyrion some unexpected respect for understanding how things are far better than his uncle and his father's other lead bannermen. Sansa and Arya are going to have a really rough time of it in absolutely opposite ways. Jon nearly betrays his vows to head to family (how different a story would this have been? Whether he succeeded or failed) And Dany, who had everything until a few days ago—a love, a baby coming, an army headed to take her kingdom back... ALMOST loses it all and then triumphs in the most unexpected way possible.

The Rewatch Project: Season 1, Episode 9

Okay, kids. So who's traumatized?

Synopsis 

Ned gets another visit from Varys, this one with content not unlike Petyr gave him—support Joffrey, confess. He tells Ned of Robb marching south and makes a plea to avoid war.

Robb's army shoots down the Frey ravens to keep them from sending word to the Lannisters where they are. Finally two riders come out and they agree Robb is too valuable to send in. Catelyn goes to negotiate. Walder Frey is a vile, repulsive, suggestive, crass man which makes this exchange pure joy. (the actor nailed it) 

Mormont gives Longclaw to Jon and tells a bit of the story about his son dishonoring the house. When Jon takes it to the hall, the masses swarm but Sam is acting strangely... he tells Jon Robb is riding off to war. Jon thinks he should be there.

Catelyn comes back with Walder Frey's terms: Robb is to take his son Olyvar as squire, Arya will marry Waldren Frey when they are both of age, and when the war is over, Robb will marry the Frey girl of his choice. If he refuses, Walder Frey will not allow them to cross.

Jon visits Maester Aemon and a scene follows that makes me cry every time. Love is the death of duty. (quote below) Aemon tells his story and then Jon figures out he is Aemon Targaryen. 

Drogo falls off his horse. His riders claim a khal who cannot ride is no khal but Dany insists they set up camp.

Tywin tells Tyrion he and his savages will be in the vanguard. Back in his tent, Bronn has found Shae. She is beautiful and just enough of a smartass to entrance Tyrion. He lets her know what he wants from her and what she will get in return.

Jorah tries to get Dany to leave with him. She resists, claiming her son will be Khal, but Jorah lays out the Dothraki way—strength wins and potential challengers will be undone before that can happen. Dany insists on staying and calls for Mirri Maz Durr. Mirri says no but when Dany asks for a spell, she agrees. She directs everyone to stay out of the tent, that the dead will dance there that night. Then she slits the throat of Drogo's horse. Outside the tent Drogo's blood rider is mad and knocks Dany to the ground. Jorah fights him and kills him but Dany has gone into labor. Jrah carries Dany into the tent.

Shae and Tyrion play a candle game that looks painful, then Tyrion suggests a “truth” drinking game. Shae doesn't want to play, but Tyrion gets his way. Eventually we get the story about Tysha. The next morning Bronn wakes him up for war. Tyrion is knocked out on the way to battle. His father finds him when he wakes and says there were only 2000 men. Turns out Robb had split his men.

Catelyn and Ser Roderick await word and finally see Robb and his men riding into view. They have captured the King Slayer “Come on pretty man.” (← always cracks me up) Robb wears his responsibility heavily. “I sent 2000 men to their graves today” Theon says the bards will write songs about them but Robb points out the dead won't hear them.

Arya is catching pigeons. She tries to trade one to a baker for a pastry but is told to piss off, then she hears that the bell is ringing because the hand of the king is being taken to the Sept of Baelor. She climbs a statue to see better and Ned spots her. He manages to tell Yoren. Sansa smiles because she is naïve. She thinks Joffrey will be merciful and it will all go the right way. Ned confesses to a lot more than he needs to for some reason. Joffrey says his mother wants Ned sent to the wall and Sansa begged for mercy... “But they have the soft hearts of women. Ser Illyn, bring me his head.” And all hell breaks loose. Yoren reaches Arya and holds her face to him so she doesn't see. Sansa screams and cries. Cersei tries to talk sense into Joffrey. The last thing Ned sees is that Arya is no longer on the statue of Baelor and he bends his neck; Ser Illyn does as bid. Sansa faints as the birds fly off.


Places and Faces 

The Twins and the repulsive depressed, unattractive room of Freys, in particular Walder Frey who is rude, crude and shady.

We also meet Shae for the first time in the Lannister camp.


Notable Quotes

This whole scene was amazing

Varys: Cersei is no fool. She knows a tame wolf is more valuable than a dead one. Ned: You think my life is some precious thing to me? That I would trade my honor for a few more years of what? You grew up with actors. You learned your craft and you learned it well. And I grew up with soldiers. I learned how to die a long time ago. Varys: And what of your daughter's life? Is that a precious thing to you.  

Aemon: “What is honor compared to a woman's love? What is duty against the feel of a newborn son in your arms? Or a brother's smile?”... “We are all human. And we all do our duty when there is no cost to it. Honor comes easy then, yet, sooner or later, in every man's life there comes a time when he must choose.” [Jon acts a petulant baby for a minute then figures out who Aemon is]
“I will not tell you to stay or go. You must make that choice. And live with it for the rest of your days. As I have.” 

Tyrion: Sure there are ways to have me killed that would be less detrimental to the war effort.

Mirri Maz Durr: Only death can pay for life.


Tart Thoughts 

So I heard a story about Tyrion getting knocked out on his way to battle. It doesn't go this way in the books—Tyrion fights, not expertly, but he lives. In the show though, they were out of money and needed to cut somewhere. Playing this scene this way allows for the battle to have happened without having shown the battle. (Robb's battle, too, was only seen as aftermath).

Robb's sadness at losing the men he sacrificed to win the battle is why we love him. He doesn't take death lightly and he is only doing what he feels he must. That makes it all the more gratifying that he seems to have tricked Tywin and gotten the better of him.

I've never quite understood why Ned claims to have wanted the crown for himself. It seems he should have said he colluded with Stannis, though maybe he didn't want to put Stannis in a negative light, since Stannis is the “true heir” in his mind. He just really seems to have gone overboard with his confession.

Man, there were a lot of excellent scenes in this one—conversations I wanted to watch again and again and again. Jon and Aemon is probably my favorite, but several of these have sneaky hints at deeper plots. What is it with Shae's family? Who does Varys really serve? And there is always what a HUGE deal this is that they've killed the MAIN character. But look at how it makes the pieces fall out... Sansa and Arya stuck at King's landing. Robb the head of his house. The Lannisters indisputably in charge by cheating. And how clear is it what an ass Joffrey is? No mercy. No ability to think anything through. Just a vindictive little shit.

This just was really excellent television.