The Rewatch Project: Season 2, Episode 6

Synopsis

Winterfell is under siege. Maester Lewin gets a few Ravens off, then Theon appears in Bran's room to convince him to yield. He does, under the assertion it is the only way for Bran to protect his people. Bran asks if Theon always hated them. In the yard Bran tells the gathered people that he has yielded the castle to Prince Theon Osha asks to be freed. One of Theon's men brings in Roderick Cassel who scolds Theon and finally spits on him. Theon is going to imprison him but Dagmar convinces him his men will not respect him will Roderick lives. It takes Theon four strokes and a kick to remove Roderick's head from his shoulders.

Jon's party and Ghost head for the mountain peak. Qhoran lectures Jon about how to be safe in the north... the trick is knowing you are never safe in the north.

Tywin is pissed at a messenger who apparently can't read and sent a message to one of Robb Stark's bannermen instead of his own. He asks Arya for a book and notes she can read better. He then sends his men away and Petyr Baelish arrives. Arya freaks a bit and Petyr almost notices, causing heart attacks all around but she clears the table and pours the wine.

Jon, with Qhorin and his men, come across a small group of wildlings. They attack. Jon is surprised to find one of them female. He cannot bring himself to kill Ygritte. When he is stalling, she escapes. He chases her and catches her but they are far from both their groups.

Myrcella is put aboard her ship for Dorne with all the court there to see her off. Cersei seethes at Tyrion hoping he truly loves somebody some day so she can “rip her from you”. Tommen cries and Joffrey is an ass to him. They head back to the red keep. At first people should nice things, hail the king and such, but then someone shouts bastard. They say they are hungry then someone throws shit at Joffrey, so he shouts for them and begins with his mantra of “kill them all”. Tyrion commands them all to GO and get back while Joffrey shouts for deaths. The high septon is torn apart. Sansa and some ladies are separated from the rest as King Joffrey is rushed to safety, Cersei, too. Sansa is chased off in another direction. Tyrion hit Joffrey and asks where the Stark girl is. Sansa has been trapped by three men who are intent on raping her. Meryn Trant refuses to go look for her because Joffrey won't order it. The Hound saves Sansa, killing all three men.

Dany paces, waiting for the “spice king”. She asks him for ships but he uses them for trade and won't give them away for promises. He is a pedantic ass, but also has a point. She has no army and no allies.

Arya sees an letter about attacking Robb. Tywn asks who taught her to read. We learn Jaime is dyslexic. Tywin asked her story and she claims her father was a stone mason. He asks what killed her father and she says Loyalty. She steals the letter then runs into Amory Lorch with it. Though Amory can't read, she panics and finds Jaqen to kill him NOW. When Lorch reaches Tywin he falls down dead with a poisoned dart in his neck.

Robb moves through his camp, much admired by his men. He approaches Lady Talisa and a discussion follows on nobility in Westeros vs. Essos. Catelyn reminds him he is not free. Bolton brings news from Winterfell. [note below]

Jon tells Ygritte they are stopping for the night. She wants shelter and fire but he refuses both, so she suggests staying close. She then proceeds to taunt/tempt him with some wiggling and pressing up against him.

Robb and Bolton discuss Greyjoy taking Winterfell. Catelyn reminds Robb she told him so. He wants to go north but Bolton suggests his bastard can retake Winterfell. If he goes himself he loses what he gained. Robb says his brothers' safety is paramount and he wants to kill Theon himself.

Osha comes to Theon “to serve” then gets naked. She wants her freedom and he agrees.

Shae cares for Sansa's cuts. Sansa tries to understand and says she hates the king more than anyone. Shae advises her to trust no one.

Theon sleeps and Osha gets up and leaves, slitting the throat of a guard with a trick about being sent to keep him warm. She whistles and Bran, Rickon, Hodor and the wolves come out. 

Dany discusses those who've rejected her with Xaro. They reach his house. Her men are dead and her dragons are gone. Someone is seen carrying them up a set of stairs.


Places and Faces 

 Ygritte is the big new one this episode. She has an important role and she makes a brilliant first impression.


Notable Quotes 

Roderick: Gods help you, Theon Greyjoy. Now you are truly lost.

Ygritte: Strike hard and true, Jon Snow, or I'll come back and haunt you.

Tyrion: We've had vicious kings and we've had idiot kings, but I don't know if we've ever been cursed with a vicious idiot for a king. 

Discussion 

So is this where Roose realizes the opportunity for House Bolton, should Robb Stark break his promise about marrying the Frey girl? The books suggest perhaps Tywin Lannister laid the trap (calling to his bannermen about getting someone inside the Stark camp and the Westerlings hatched the love potion/marry Jeyne Westerling bit) but the show could have Bolton planting the bug in Tywin's ear...

This episode to me shows Dany at her most irritating... entitled and asking for presents because she deserves them instead of being strong or thoughtful. It is interesting, though of course we don't LIKE it, but a nice twist as Theon takes Winterfell. Alfie Allen is an amazing actor, able to get across Theon's odd mix of insecurity and belief he has a right to take it. Osha's trick is good, too, helping the boys escape. I also like the King's Landing events of the peasants rebelling against Joffrey. And though the Sansa stuff is terrifying and hard to watch, she is at least saved and the sliver of heroism of the Hound is shown. It is nice to see the contrast—that Meryn Trant will not do the right thing unless ordered, where the Hound will, even though he is not a Knight.