Episode 13: What is Dead May Never Die

“They are the knights of summer, and winter is coming.”

Major Plot Points: Tyrion hatches a plot to discover a mole.  Sansa meets her new hand maiden.  Jon gets the Night’s Watch evicted. Arya’s plans to head north get cancelled. Bran has some furry dreams.

Observations from a Book Reader:

1. Bran is not the only Stark to have wolf dreams.  Arya and Jon both have them frequently.  We never see from Robb or Rickon’s POV, but it is safe to imagine they also have them, indicating all of the Starks are wargs.
2. Brienne was madly in love with King Renly. This was due to him being the only person in the war camp that was kind to her.  Btw Renly named his Kingsguard the Rainbow Guard in the book.  Way too on the nose for a tv show, although GRRM claims it was only named that due to there being 7 colors in a rainbow. Ok George.
3. Margaery is 16. It is also hard to tell if she is politically savvy or actually an innocent pawn of Olenna Tyrell.
4. The priest that baptized Theon was believed by many to be his uncle, Aeron Greyjoy, but this was later proven false when the show introduced us to the actual Aeron Greyjoy in season 6. Better known as “Damphair” (That’s Damp-hair not Dam-fair) Aeron was once a reaver like his brothers but ended up a devout priest of The Drowned God.  Theon’s other uncle (besides Euron), Victarion Greyjoy, was removed from the show.
5. Amory Lorch is the knight who kills Yoren.  Polliver is the man responsible for killing Lommy and stealing Needle.  Arya often recites their names in her list.

Other Points to Notice

1. This is the first time Jon sees a White Walker. 
2. The Greyjoy words are “We Do Not Sow”, although most people know them by “What is Dead May Never Die”. These are words of their religion.
3. Tyrion’s plan to discover the loyalties of the Small Council is a masterstroke.  I do wonder if he planned to actually marry Myrcella off to Theon/Robin Arryn if Varys/Littlefinger snitched.
4.  First time we hear someone doubting that Margaery is a virgin.  In the very next scene Margaery herself makes it seem even more doubtful.
5. Cersei was correct to worry about Myrcella going to Dorne to marry Trystane Martell.  Gregor Clegane raped and murdered Elia Martell (late wife of Rhaegar Targaryen), then murdered her 2 infant children, all for Tywin Lannister.
6. “Power resides where men believe it resides” Remember this Varys quote.
7. We see Arya grouping Sansa in with the Lannisters in her anger filled memories.  She has no idea Sansa tried to convince Joffrey to save Ned.  It also seems like Yoren is the one to give her the fireside “prayer of names” idea.

Stray Observations

1. Jon saw Craster sacrifice a child. Hard to feel like he made a mistake here.
2. I can’t remember if Gilly is ever shown again with the trinket Sam gave her. This is something I will look for as the series continues.
3. First sighting of Margaery Tyrell and Brienne of Tarth. \
4. Giving Theon a ship named “Sea Bitch” was far too good to be true.
5. What an incredibly awkward Lannister/Stark family dinner.  But then we see Sansa be a huge bitch to Shae and all of a sudden you remember how awful she was to everyone in Season 1.
6. If Theon sent that letter to Robb, so much would have changed. I may even not hate Theon at this point.
7. Is this the first time all season we see one of Tyrion’s Mountain Men? I almost forgot about them

RIP:  Yoren. A true Man of the Night’s Watch

Episode 14: Garden of Bones

“There’s no cure for being a cunt”

I had no choice but to use this quote

Major Plot Points: Arya and Gendry head to Harrenhal.  Robb grows very interested in the field of nursing.  Dany finds The Greatest City That Ever Was or Will Be.  Tyrion gives Joffrey a birthday present.  Cat observes a brotherly reunion.

Observations from a Book Reader:

1. Harrenhal was known as being a cursed castle.  Most of the previous rulers died spectacularly.  It was said Lord Harren made the castle bigger than any others around, and the mortar was mixed with human blood.
2. Roose Bolton was more of a cartoonish villain. Pale blue eyes, long hair, and rarely spoke above a whisper. He was also obsessed with being leeched to keep his blood clean.
3. Robb married the daughter of a minor lord, Jeyne Westerling.  Not Talisa the nurse.  He married her because they slept together and, fearing she was pregnant, his honor obligated him to not let their child be a bastard.
4. Daenerys found out about Qaarth from her scout, but her scout brought with him 3 people from the city to welcome her. 2 of those 3 (Xaro Xhoan Daxos and Pyat Pree the warlock,) were shown waiting for her at the gate. The 3^rd we do not see this episode.
5. The scene between Renly and Stannis was a bit different.  At one point, Renly reaches for his belt, and to the surprise of Stannis, pulls out a peach. Stannis is enraged by this and questions him why. Renly offers him a bite and says “A man should never refuse to taste a peach. He may never get the chance again. Life is short, Stannis. Remember what the Starks say. Winter is coming.” Renly and his peach torture Stannis’ thoughts for years to come.
6. The secret gate Davos brings Melisandre to, is the same secret gate he used to deliver onions to Stannis when he was under siege by the Targaryen army in Robert’s Rebellion.

Other Points to Notice

1. The Lannister soldiers in the beginning of the episode serve as a reminder that soldiers are pretty much the same on both sides. Fighting and dying for lords they never even meet.
2. It began to grow extremely obvious that Joffrey would never marry Sansa.  How could he marry someone that he made the entire royal court watch be tortured and stripped.
3. Tyrion asks Ser Meryn Trant what kind of man beats a young girl. We eventually find out Meryn Trant actually beats little girls on his own time for fun in brothels.  Thankfully Arya took out the trash.
4. Renly truly does have the numbers.  He has by far the largest army of the 5 kings.  Not to mention he isn’t already occupied with an ongoing war.
5. We see the first recast of The Mountain this episode. It is hard to tell that The Mountain is even The Mountain, since the recast is so awful. Just a generic tall skinny guy.
6. The Tickler asks prisoners “Where is the Brotherhood”. He is referring to The Brotherhood Without Banners, led by Beric Dondarrion. 

Stray Observations

1. First time we meet Roose Bolton.  I do not believe that he planned to betray Robb at this point yet.
2.  Fun fact, Talisa the nurse, is played by Oona Chaplin. Grandaughter of Chaz Chaplin, the famous silent actor with the Hitler moustache.
3. Tyrion sent Joffrey the 2 whores that we have previously seen sleeping with Old Man Pycelle.  One of course was Ros, the only whore in Westeros.
4. Joffrey is very young to have such…unconventional desires.
5. Littlefinger ABSOLUTELY betrayed Ned. There really is no gray area here. What a boss though, lying through his teeth.
6. Gotta say, Season 2 is definitely the most boring Daenerys storyline. Almost nothing of note happens besides her vision quest. 

Episode 15: The Ghost of Harrenhal

“I dreamt that the sea came to Winterfell. I saw waves crashing against the gates and the water came flowing over the walls flooded the castle. Drowned men were floating here in the yard. Ser Rodrik was one of them.”

Major Plot Points: Catelyn sees something supernatural.  Tyrion begins to hatch a fiery plan.  Arya gives a man a name.  Dany sees a magic show. Bran comes to the defense of his bannermen.

Observations from a Book Reader:

1. Hard to tell in the show, but the shadow that killed Renly was described as looking exactly like Stannis.  If you look really closely, you can almost make it out.
2. This was not the only time Melisandre sent Shadow Stannis to kill someone.  After Renly died, Stannis laid siege to his childhood home of Storm’s End.  The knight holding the fort in Renly’s name, Ser Cortnay Penrose, refused to give in to Stannis’ demand of handing over one of Robert’s bastards stashed in the castle.  He was no match for a shadow monster.
3. The Targaryens are responsible for the Alchemist Guild brewing so much Wildfyre.  The Targaryens always believed they had a special bond with it. One in particular, Aerion “Brightflame” Targaryen died from drinking it, believing it would turn him into a dragon.
4. Quorin Halfhand was described as one of the greatest rangers the Night’s Watch ever had.  Jon traveled with him for a much longer, frantic, period.
5. Quaithe  (the masked woman) almost speaks entirely in prophecy.  Many of the things she tells Dany stick with her throughout her journey.

Other Points to Notice

1. One of the reasons that Stannis was always bitter towards his brothers, was that after the Rebellion, Robert gave Stannis Dragonstone, and Renly got Storm’s End. Dragonstone was the original home of the Targaryens, and while it was a formidable fortress, it had no land for farming or political power.  Storm’s End was the ancestral castle of the Baratheons, and Stannis believed it was rightfully his, as the next eldest under Robert.
2. Stannis may not have seemed upset about his brother dying, but he does eventually tell Jon Snow that looking back he was disgusted by the act and he realized he still did love Renly at the end.  Can’t remember if this was in the show, I doubt it because D & D seem to have a hate boner for Stannis.
3. Arya serving as Tywin’s cupbearer is the best decision the show made that was independent of the books.  Through Arya’s eyes we get to see Tywin actually has somewhat of a soft side.  For some reason I can’t explain, Maisie Williams and Charles Dance have incredible on screen chemistry, I really wish they had more scenes together.
4. The oath that Brienne and Cat swear to one another, is the oath that is usually reserved for a Lord and a Knight.  It seemed appropriate at the time.
5. Qarth law mandates that if Dany and Xaro Xhoan Daxos were to wed, she would have to give him half of all her possessions, including 1 of her dragons. 

Stray Observations

1. Robb and Renly would have made a great alliance, and almost certainly would have beaten the Lannisters.
2. It is still hilarious Theon has to captain a ship called “The Sea Bitch”
3. Last time Jon and Jeor Mormont ever see each other.  That makes it 1 biological, and 2 adoptive fathers Jon has outlived.

RIP: The Tickler. Best interrogator in Westeros

Episode 16: The Old Gods and the New

“Gods help you Theon Greyjoy. Now you are truly lost.”

Major Plot Points: Arya learns about Tywin’s childhood. Sansa is indebted to The Hound. Dany becomes desperate. Catelyn and Robb learn who is babysitting Bran and Rickon. Theon is blinded by love.

Observations from a Book Reader:

1. Ser Rodrick Cassel was not present at the siege of Winterfell.  He was killed by Ramsey Snow when Ramsey took back Winterfell from Theon much later.  Theon instead beheaded one of the main townspeople.
2. During his tenure as Lord of Winterfell, Theon freed a prisoner named Reek from the dungeons.  This was of course Ramsey in disguise as one of his old servants.  He made the switch with him to save his own life when Rodrick Cassel found them pillaging and raping across the north.  After he was freed he went back to the Bolton home (the Dreadfort) and raised an army to attack Winterfell.
3. Xaro Xhoan Daxos constantly begged Dany to marry him, but he pretended it was from a place of love.  Dany was much quicker to see through this ruse, especially since she could tell he clearly was not into the ladies.
4. Meera and Jojen Reed were already in Winterfell with Bran before Theon took Winterfell.  They fled with the Stark boys from the very beginning.

Other Points to Notice:

1. Osha was very quick to remember that Theon has a weird thing for her.  She immediately saw her opening and took it.  It did not work the first time, but it sure did work the second time.
2. Theon is not able to behead Rodrick in one blow.  The show seems to make a point that not being able to do this in one swing indicates an internal moral struggle.  Ned was always able to behead men in one swing, because he was following his code of honor and had no qualms about it. Later in the series this is revisited with Robb.
3. It is not clear if Littlefinger identified Arya, but for a split second it seemed like he was about to say something.  Either way it never comes back up.  The conversation he has with Tywin also effectively sets up the end of the season when Tywin and the Tyrell army arrive at King’s Landing to defeat  Stannis.
4. Once again, the Hound goes out of his way to save Sansa.  This time if he didn’t arrive she would have truly suffered.   He claims he did not do it for her, but that is clearly a lie since Joffrey never ordered her saved.
5. The Spice King, although a dick, was smart to not give Dany ships.  At this point she had no army, and her dragons were babies.  She would have lost immediately in Westeros.

Stray Observations

1. Props to Maester Lewin for getting his raven out that fast.
2. Since Kit Harrington and Rose Leslie are actually married now, it is funny to imagine that the scene where he pulls back her hood was actually the first time the 2 ever laid eyes on each other.
3. Osha tries the seduction trick on Ramsey many years later.  It does not go well.

RIP: Ser Rodrick Cassel.  The best mutton chops in all of the Seven Kingdoms.

Episode 17: A Man Without Honor

“So many vows. They make you swear and swear. Defend the King, obey the King, obey your father, protect the innocent, defend the weak. But what if your father despises the King? What if the King massacres the innocent? It’s too much. No matter what you do, you’re forsaking one vow or another.”

Major Plot Points:

Theon goes on a hunt. Robb helps a nurse get supplies. Jaime makes an escape attempt.  Dany witnesses a power play.  Tyrion and Cersei have a heartfelt conversation.

Observations from a Book Reader:

1. Arya was in Harrenhal a long time.  But before she escaped, it came under the control of Roose Bolton, who held the castle for Robb.  She was his cup bearer and often had to cover him in his leeches, which as I once mentioned, was something he was very fond of doing.
2. Jon captured Ygritte, but he never was separated from his group.  He secretly let her go in the night.  The very next night, Jon had a dream he was Ghost and could see all of Mance Rayder’s army and the group of wildings following them. He then woke up when he was attacked by a hawk.  The other rangers realized that Jon was a warg, and found the hawk and an injured Ghost.  Jon’s warging abilities are never explored in the show.
3. Jaime never killed his cousin while in captivity.  He was a dick, but not a completely monstrous one.  It seems like the show added this scene just to give Jaime something to do, since he was immediately recaptured.  Also to make his redemption more drastic? I think it was a waste of time.
4.  Pyat Pree and Xaro Xhoan Daxos absolutely did not make a power play on The Thirteen.  It makes it more dramatic though.

Other Points to Notice

1. Almost everytime Theon talks , there is a camera shot that shows Dagmer (tall balding ironborn soldier) is completely laughing at him on the inside.
2. Tywin talks about his legacy again in this episode.  It becomes more clear throughout the series that the idea of his legacy is all that he cares about, much more so than his actual children.
3. This is the first time we hear “You know nothing Jon Snow”.  Only about 50 more to go.
4. Theon mentions that if he doesn’t find the Stark boys, he will be treated as a failure and a eunuch among his people.  Funny enough, he is technically right.
5. The First Men that are always referenced, were of course the first settlers of Westeros.  They mostly lived in the North, while the south was later invaded by the group of people known as the Andals.  This is why the Starks claim to have the blood of the first men, while southern houses do not.
6. This is the only time we ever see Tyrion comforting Cersei

Stray Observations

1. Jon seemed to get very mad when Ygritte made fun of his balls. Jon’s facial reactions really made this scene hilarious.
2. This is Daenerys at her worst.  She just walks around screaming and yelling at everyone for quite some time.  Hard to watch.
3. Cersei is almost motherly to Sansa after she has her period.  The whole scene I was just waiting for her to become a huge bitch to her. 
4. Even though it was not Bran and Rickon, what Theon did to those 2 children makes him borderline irredeemable in my eyes.

RIP: The Spice King of Qarth. For all his faults, he was a hilariously dickish character to watch.

Episode 18: The Prince of Winterfell

“A day will come when you think yourself safe and happy, and suddenly your joy will turn to ashes in your mouth, and you’ll know the debt is paid.”

Major Plot Points: Tyrion plans for a siege.  Arya gives a man his own name.  Robb breaks a promise.  Bran feels guilty. Jon heads for Mance Rayder’s army.

Observations from a Book Reader:

1. The “Lord of Bones” is also known as Rattleshirt.  He remains a thorn in Jon’s side the entire time he infiltrates Mance’s army
2. Jaime was kept in the dungeons underneath Riverrun, the home of the Tullys.  Robb and his army were based out of there for much of their campaign. 
3. Cat and Jaime had a much longer conversation before she freed him.  Her decision to free him was a horrible idea tactically speaking, but we do not know if Cat’s gambit would have worked since Jaime arrived at King’s Landing after Cat and Robb were already dead.
4. Qhorin was much more explicit about his plan to get Jon inside Mance’s army.  Here it seems like Jon is genuinely confused when he gets pushed.

Other Points to Notice

1. Yara is legitimately angry with Theon for killing the Stark boys.  Imagine he told her that they actually got away? Theon is pathetic.
2. When Jaime was freed, you can start seeing the cracks in the foundation in Robb’s army.  Rickard Karstark is justifiably furious about his escape.
3. Arya knows that as soon as Tywin leaves she is in immediate danger.  The Mountain would probably end up killing her one night for looking at him wrong.
4. We receive our first clue about the importance of dragonglass.  It is from this pile that Sam gets the piece which allows him to kill a White Walker.
5. Tyrion was truly in love with Shae.  It is hard to tell if she truly feels the same for him. It was even harder to tell in the books.

Stray Observations

1. The prisoners that Arya questions about Jaqen’s whereabouts are the other 2 she freed from the burning prison cart.  Rorge and Biter.
2. Tyrion and Bronn bickering over Bronn cutting his nails is peak television.
3. What was wrong with Sam’s teeth? They looked extremely dirty.
4. Was there any doubt that Cersei would bring out Ros?  After all, she is the only whore in Westeros.
5. On the surface it seems like such a triumphant moment when Talisa and Robb hook up.  But in reality it may be the single most tragic moment in the entire series.

RIP:   Farm Boys.  Technically they died last episode, but now we know.

This week I really fell behind.  Probably going to get worse as we go on, but that’s alright. Next up is the Battle of the Blackwater, which is many people’s favorite episode of the series.  I’m also really excited to get to season 3 this weekend which, along with season 4, marks the peak of the show

Things I Liked:

There were a lot of great things that happened in this block of episodes.  Every Ygritte and Jon scene, the casting of Davos, and watching Tyrion as Hand of the King.  But by far my favorite part was watching the scenes between Arya and Tywin.  It never happened in the books, and yet it felt like it belonged more than almost any other scene that actually was from the books.  It was the only opportunity we as viewers had to view Tywin in a non-warlord light. It also ensured that Arya got to stay up to date with her family’s whereabouts.

Things I Did Not Like:

I really hated the scene when Jaime kills his cousin.  It served no purpose whatsoever, and just made Jaime seem like a complete dick.  Also Daenerys’ storyline was extremely sparse.  They surely could have written more for her to do.