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shapinglightFinally managed to watch this yesterday (even so got interrupted before the end and had to watch that later), so here's a quick review.
Spoilers behind cut.
I would say that this episode was another less bloody and difficult to watch one, if it weren't for the Theon/Ramsey Snow scene. That was just horrible (even though Ramsey didn't actually do anything to hurt Theon physically). I just want someone to wipe that horrible, smug grin off Ramsey's face and for him to die screaming (though offscreen), and I wish I wasn't spoilered enough to know that, as of where GRRM has got with the story, that hasn't happened yet. Meh!
Nice Yara cameo. Have to admit, I'm not sure how she and her remaining men got away from those dogs.
Elsewhere, great Dany scene, where she was confronted up close and personal with the human consequences of her so called 'meeting justice with justice' act at the capture of Meereen. She deserves to have to sit through however many hours it takes for all the two hundred petitioners to petition her. Plus, good lesson in ruling, and that it can be boring sometimes, as I think Jorah's rather wry expression when Dany glanced at him made clear.
Good also to hear her being spoken of at the King's Small Council meeting in Kingslanding. The most intelligent among the councillors - Tywin, Oberyn and Varys - must realise that she can't be ignored any more just because she's far away. Not, I think, that Oberyn would care if Dany let her dragons loose on Kingslanding and fried everyone.
He looked very detached at Tyrion's trial - more interested in what Shae got up to in bed with the defendant than in whether Tyrion actually killed Joffrey.
Speaking of Shae, I knew she was going to be called as a prosecution witness, ever since Bronn insisted she was on a boat to Volantis (was it?). Really annoyed with her for turning on Tyrion like that, though from the look on Cersei's face, Tyrion's reaction was exactly what she was hoping for. She didn't want him sent to the Wall, as per Tywin's characteristically ruthless and pragmatic deal with Jaime. She wanted him dead. I'm not sure Tywin wants Tyrion dead exactly, but he does want him forgotten and out of sight. If Tyrion's outburst makes that impossible (which I suppose it does) Tywin won't lift another finger to save him.
I wonder if Tyrion is planning to call on Jaime or Bronn as his champion? I suspect he won't be allowed Jaime. If it ends up with Jaime fighting Bronn then Bronn is dead, I suppose (double meh!) since I'm also spoilered enough to know that as of where GRRM has reached so far Jaime isn't dead. Then again, I suppose Bronn might still turn on Tyrion and refuse to fight for him. Two people have already betrayed Tyrion - Varys and Shae - and Bronn could be a
third.
I hope not. We'll see, I suppose.
Realised I forgot to mention the wonderful scene at the beginning with Stannis and Davos at the Iron Bank. Great stuff. Needless to say, Mark Gatiss makes a terrific evil banker. Also, did anyone else think it was odd that Varys made his ambitions so clear to Prince Oberyn? Varys must be slipping (or up to something).
Finally, I'm glad there was one person at the trial who looked disgusted by the farcical injustice of it all. Thank you very much, Margaery Tyrell.
Spoilers behind cut.
I would say that this episode was another less bloody and difficult to watch one, if it weren't for the Theon/Ramsey Snow scene. That was just horrible (even though Ramsey didn't actually do anything to hurt Theon physically). I just want someone to wipe that horrible, smug grin off Ramsey's face and for him to die screaming (though offscreen), and I wish I wasn't spoilered enough to know that, as of where GRRM has got with the story, that hasn't happened yet. Meh!
Nice Yara cameo. Have to admit, I'm not sure how she and her remaining men got away from those dogs.
Elsewhere, great Dany scene, where she was confronted up close and personal with the human consequences of her so called 'meeting justice with justice' act at the capture of Meereen. She deserves to have to sit through however many hours it takes for all the two hundred petitioners to petition her. Plus, good lesson in ruling, and that it can be boring sometimes, as I think Jorah's rather wry expression when Dany glanced at him made clear.
Good also to hear her being spoken of at the King's Small Council meeting in Kingslanding. The most intelligent among the councillors - Tywin, Oberyn and Varys - must realise that she can't be ignored any more just because she's far away. Not, I think, that Oberyn would care if Dany let her dragons loose on Kingslanding and fried everyone.
He looked very detached at Tyrion's trial - more interested in what Shae got up to in bed with the defendant than in whether Tyrion actually killed Joffrey.
Speaking of Shae, I knew she was going to be called as a prosecution witness, ever since Bronn insisted she was on a boat to Volantis (was it?). Really annoyed with her for turning on Tyrion like that, though from the look on Cersei's face, Tyrion's reaction was exactly what she was hoping for. She didn't want him sent to the Wall, as per Tywin's characteristically ruthless and pragmatic deal with Jaime. She wanted him dead. I'm not sure Tywin wants Tyrion dead exactly, but he does want him forgotten and out of sight. If Tyrion's outburst makes that impossible (which I suppose it does) Tywin won't lift another finger to save him.
I wonder if Tyrion is planning to call on Jaime or Bronn as his champion? I suspect he won't be allowed Jaime. If it ends up with Jaime fighting Bronn then Bronn is dead, I suppose (double meh!) since I'm also spoilered enough to know that as of where GRRM has reached so far Jaime isn't dead. Then again, I suppose Bronn might still turn on Tyrion and refuse to fight for him. Two people have already betrayed Tyrion - Varys and Shae - and Bronn could be a
third.
I hope not. We'll see, I suppose.
Realised I forgot to mention the wonderful scene at the beginning with Stannis and Davos at the Iron Bank. Great stuff. Needless to say, Mark Gatiss makes a terrific evil banker. Also, did anyone else think it was odd that Varys made his ambitions so clear to Prince Oberyn? Varys must be slipping (or up to something).
Finally, I'm glad there was one person at the trial who looked disgusted by the farcical injustice of it all. Thank you very much, Margaery Tyrell.
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no subject
Date: 2014-05-14 02:12 pm (UTC)In the absence of the book telling us one way or the other... I speculate he'd ask her "How can I help?"
Loved that Oberyn didn't stand for Tywin when Tywin came into the meeting. It was his subtle, "I'm a PRINCE and therefore outrank you, Lord Tywin" moment. :)
no subject
Date: 2014-05-14 02:41 pm (UTC)There was a fair bit of rank-pulling and (literal) entitlement in this episode, wasn't there? The Iron Bank addressing Stannis as "Lord", Mace Tyrell insisting on being the Lord of Anything, Really, Please Sir Can I have Some More, Tywin forcing Jaime to reassume his title, Tyrion essentially demanding recognition and ending up claiming the title of Villain, Shae describing herself as a whore, Tommen recusing himself from his kingly duties, Davos once again reasserting that he's NOT a pirate and rehiring his crew, Dany actually ruling as queen rather than just claiming the title, Reek being orderered to play Theon... a lot of little arcs that play around with the difference between "I am this" and "I do this".
no subject
Date: 2014-05-14 10:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-05-15 02:14 pm (UTC)But the fact that Shae turned up at the trial instead of sailing must make Tyrion suspicious of Bronn, I'd think. Bronn's role is not by the book here, so I have no idea what they'll make of him.
But I'm not sure that Tyrion would trust Bronn now. And Jaimie can't fight. So we'll see.
Finally, I'm glad there was one person at the trial who looked disgusted by the farcical injustice of it all. Thank you very much, Margaery Tyrell.
Well, she should be, because she knows who the real killer is, and that it's NOT Tyrion. :) She was probably the only one there who knew the truth. And I'd imagine was both relieved about her grandma not being there and out of suspicion, and upset that Tyrion had to take the fall for it.
did anyone else think it was odd that Varys made his ambitions so clear to Prince Oberyn? Varys must be slipping (or up to something).
My bet is on "up to something". :)
I love everything which is happening in King's Landing this season. Tyrion scenes at the trial were so powerful!
They showed him turning into monster before our very eyes! In the books Martin kinda shyed away from this aspect, but in the show I hope they explore it as they should.
Poor Tyrion, he was driven to the edge and over...
no subject
Date: 2014-05-15 06:19 pm (UTC)And as for poor Theon ... I know he's been a complete dick, but no-one deserves to be so broken.
Really got me going, this episode. Fantastic!
no subject
Date: 2014-05-22 03:46 pm (UTC)Hi. Sorry I didn't answer this before. I agree that was a good moment. Also, I have spoilered myself on the fate of Oberyn and am grumpy as a consequence. :Grump:
no subject
Date: 2014-05-22 03:48 pm (UTC)I agree Ramsey shouldn't die easy. I just don't want to have to watch it.
no subject
Date: 2014-05-22 03:51 pm (UTC)I think you're right about Margaery, and there's nothing she can do either. She can't say anything without implicating her grandmother - and herself by extension - and seeing her ambitions to be queen in ruins. I know she won't say anything, but I'm glad she showed her disgust with the farcical so-called process.
Poor Tyrion, he was driven to the edge and over...
Oh dear! I'm really worried now about what he might do.
no subject
Date: 2014-05-22 03:52 pm (UTC)