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shapinglightGot back yesterday evening, watched this, but was too tired to write a review last night. Still on Continental time, though, and am up early, so I thought I'd better write it before I forget everything.
This was a rather low key affair compared to last week (and probably a good thing too). For some characters, it was a new beginning, for others another step, or a pause, on the road.
My favourite bit was probably Sam meeting Bran Stark and his companions, and then being all sweet and honourable with Maester Aemon about Gilly, (Sam reciting the Nightswatch oath was a highlight), then Jon's return to the fold. I do feel very sorry for Ygritte, though, despite her shooting Jon. He betrayed her, then abandoned her, and now she's all alone, a stranger in a strange land. Jon telliing her he loved her really wasn't much recompense, even though he probably meant it.
Other new beginnings weren't as positive as Sam's, though it's a relief to me to know that the worst of the Theon torture is over now. I am worried about Yara, though. The Boltons are extremely cunning (not to mention treacherous), and they've run rings around the Ironborn so far. But I'm still glad that Yara decided to ignore her father's orders.
Other good scenes were Davos and Gendry exchanging 'posh people are a pain in the arse' remarks. I'm glad Davos freed Gendry, but surprised he found it so easy to do. If Davos were a little more cunning, he might have remarked to Melisandre that if the Lord of Light had wanted Gendry burned at the stake, he would never have allowed Davos to free him in the first place. However, if he were more cunning he wouldn't be Davos and thus not nearly as likeable. Also, at least Stannis and Melisandre understand the urgency of the message sent by Maester Aemon about the Nightswatch. The night is dark and full of terror, after all.
Elsewhere, the fallout from the Red Wedding impacts on Sansa and Arya in very different ways. I don't think Arya realises (or possibly just doesn't care) that the Hound is now trying to protect her. I think she hates him as much as ever. In fact, I'm not sure she any longer knows how to do anything but hate. As for Sansa, she learned long ago to hide her feelings. She's not hard, like Arya, though. Her facade can still crack.
For which reason, I'm extremely glad that the episode included the best Joffrey slapping scene of the season. Tywin effectively telling Cersei to put Joffrey to bed, and telling Maester Pycelle to give him something to make him stay there was a highlight. I liked the Tyrion/Cersei convo too. On the other hand, Cersei's reaction to the first sight of Jaime made me want to slap her. Maybe next season Brienne will do it for me.
Finally, and what made the season end on a bit of a low note for me, was the Dany scene (every season has ended with a Dany scene, so I knew this one would). First, Mr Boring Motley Crue reject is still in the picture (thought thankfully he didn't say anything), secondly, though it's wonderful that Dany's freed all the slaves in Yunkai, the fact that Dany is so very white and all the slaves....well, weren't, made me a bit uncomfortable (and at the same time I realised I would probably like Daario Thingy more if he were less Motley Crue and more (showing my age here) Phil Lynott). I also can't stop myself from wondering how, now she has enough freed slaves following her to start her own country, Dany is going to feed them all. On the bright side, at least she gave her hand to Jorah to help her down from her dais, not to boring Wossisface (who I suspect will be all over the Dany scenes in season 4 like a very unpleasant rash).
Still, it was a good season for Dany. In fact, it was a good season for Sam too, despite the horrible incident at Craster's house, and, though others may disagree, I think it was a good season for Jaime Lannister. He grew a lot through suffering, which made that look on Cersei's face when she saw him even harder to stomach.
It was an utterly crap season for everyone called Stark, though.
Also, there are still lots of balls in the air, one of which - the whereabouts of the army of White Walkers Sam saw - has been hanging fire since the end of season 2.
Oh well, roll on next year.
This was a rather low key affair compared to last week (and probably a good thing too). For some characters, it was a new beginning, for others another step, or a pause, on the road.
My favourite bit was probably Sam meeting Bran Stark and his companions, and then being all sweet and honourable with Maester Aemon about Gilly, (Sam reciting the Nightswatch oath was a highlight), then Jon's return to the fold. I do feel very sorry for Ygritte, though, despite her shooting Jon. He betrayed her, then abandoned her, and now she's all alone, a stranger in a strange land. Jon telliing her he loved her really wasn't much recompense, even though he probably meant it.
Other new beginnings weren't as positive as Sam's, though it's a relief to me to know that the worst of the Theon torture is over now. I am worried about Yara, though. The Boltons are extremely cunning (not to mention treacherous), and they've run rings around the Ironborn so far. But I'm still glad that Yara decided to ignore her father's orders.
Other good scenes were Davos and Gendry exchanging 'posh people are a pain in the arse' remarks. I'm glad Davos freed Gendry, but surprised he found it so easy to do. If Davos were a little more cunning, he might have remarked to Melisandre that if the Lord of Light had wanted Gendry burned at the stake, he would never have allowed Davos to free him in the first place. However, if he were more cunning he wouldn't be Davos and thus not nearly as likeable. Also, at least Stannis and Melisandre understand the urgency of the message sent by Maester Aemon about the Nightswatch. The night is dark and full of terror, after all.
Elsewhere, the fallout from the Red Wedding impacts on Sansa and Arya in very different ways. I don't think Arya realises (or possibly just doesn't care) that the Hound is now trying to protect her. I think she hates him as much as ever. In fact, I'm not sure she any longer knows how to do anything but hate. As for Sansa, she learned long ago to hide her feelings. She's not hard, like Arya, though. Her facade can still crack.
For which reason, I'm extremely glad that the episode included the best Joffrey slapping scene of the season. Tywin effectively telling Cersei to put Joffrey to bed, and telling Maester Pycelle to give him something to make him stay there was a highlight. I liked the Tyrion/Cersei convo too. On the other hand, Cersei's reaction to the first sight of Jaime made me want to slap her. Maybe next season Brienne will do it for me.
Finally, and what made the season end on a bit of a low note for me, was the Dany scene (every season has ended with a Dany scene, so I knew this one would). First, Mr Boring Motley Crue reject is still in the picture (thought thankfully he didn't say anything), secondly, though it's wonderful that Dany's freed all the slaves in Yunkai, the fact that Dany is so very white and all the slaves....well, weren't, made me a bit uncomfortable (and at the same time I realised I would probably like Daario Thingy more if he were less Motley Crue and more (showing my age here) Phil Lynott). I also can't stop myself from wondering how, now she has enough freed slaves following her to start her own country, Dany is going to feed them all. On the bright side, at least she gave her hand to Jorah to help her down from her dais, not to boring Wossisface (who I suspect will be all over the Dany scenes in season 4 like a very unpleasant rash).
Still, it was a good season for Dany. In fact, it was a good season for Sam too, despite the horrible incident at Craster's house, and, though others may disagree, I think it was a good season for Jaime Lannister. He grew a lot through suffering, which made that look on Cersei's face when she saw him even harder to stomach.
It was an utterly crap season for everyone called Stark, though.
Also, there are still lots of balls in the air, one of which - the whereabouts of the army of White Walkers Sam saw - has been hanging fire since the end of season 2.
Oh well, roll on next year.