Last night’s episode was called “A Man Without Honor.” In Westeros? I can hardly believe that. Now, excuse me as I go and betray my faux brother and try to sleep with my sister like Theon did IN ONE EPISODE earlier this season.
Instead of that, check out my five biggest thoughts from last night’s episode of Game of Thrones below.
1. What in the hell is going on in Qarth?
In a world that features Joffrey running his child empire, White Walkers, all that is going on in Harrenhal, and much, much more, little old Qarth, a forgotten kingdom across the Narrow Sea, has more crazy than the rest combined it seems. Weird, old dude version of Cassandra Nova (which in theory is actually Professor Xavier, but you get my point) and his insane magic powers when combined with Xaro might be too much for Dany to handle, and the scene where the Thirteen are wiped out and the curtain is pulled back is one hell of a shocker.
It doesn’t help that Dany is acting a damn fool right now, as she’s went from frightened girl to, in her current state, overconfident and unrealistic Khaleesi over the span of 1.8 seasons. With just her man Jorah and one other Dothraki fellow to protect her, things are not looking up for the Mother of Dragons.
2. What does Jon Snow know?
As MC EIC wanted me to note, “nothing,” as this episode confirms how easy to control he is. He may be a fearsome warrior and one of the best characters on the show, but good lord, Ygritte works him like a puppet, eventually ending in his capture by my future wife and wildling buddies. Given that earlier in the episode I was starting to wonder, “could Jon Snow go wildling on us?” I wouldn’t be surprised if this leads to a massive change in Snow’s fate. Who could blame him though? The Black Guard just seems awful. No women, terrible weather and no vacation ever? You couldn’t pay me enough, and hell, I don’t think they get paid, besides in “honor.” Pass!
3. “It’s hard to put a leash on a dog after you put a crown on its head.”
This episode was very light in Tyrion action, but, in true Peter Dinklage fashion, the one scene he’s in is his entirely. The line that makes up this point was stated by Tyrion, and it was part of a conversation between Cersei and he about how out of control (and, subtextually, awful) Joffrey is. As she opines her current plight, openly wondering whether or not her son is the New Mad King due to her and Jaime’s…productivity, Dinklage puts on an acting clinic. Even though he rather greatly despises her, Tyrion might even feel bad for his sister, who is increasingly in over her head. Of course, who isn’t at this point in Westeros?
4. Theon Greyjoy: Child Killer?
Well, he’s undoubtedly a child killer. Whoever those two kids were that were burned and hung at the end of this episode, they are certainly dead AND by Theon’s order. The only question is are they actually Bran and Rickon? My initial inclination is that they’d never waste primo deaths like that off camera, but it is truly hard to tell (as Maester Luwin would undoubtedly agree with me) and you would never put it past Theon or George R. R. Martin to do such a thing. One way or another, Theon is going to eventually die one hell of a death for what he’s done here. At his best he was a likable rogue. Now? He’s a monster who doesn’t even really know what he’s doing. He’s flying blind, and that is apparent to all involved.
It was entertaining to see his disgust when someone suggests that Hodor was the mastermind behind the escape however. HODOR!
5. It’s mostly a bad time to be a Stark
Dark things are happening for the Stark family, as they seem to always be. Let’s go roll call. You have Catelyn Stark being, in the words of P. Diddy, mindfucked by Jaime Lannister to the point where he may actually have the guy killed. Sansa had her period for the first time which means her next birthday present is likely the spawn of satan in her womb (congrats!). Not only that, but she’s been so unlikable for so long that a person I watch the show with actually wishes ill will upon her. Robb Stark is off gallivanting with a nurse instead of realizing a lot of his banner men are growing suspicious and restless with decisions made by the Stark name.
And then you have Arya, the smartest of all the Stark family and my personal pick as the de facto “person this whole story will eventually be about.” Her relationship with Tywin Lannister is scary engaging, and her fearlessness in the face of his obvious intelligence makes for some rather brilliant scenes. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Maisie Williams deserves an Emmy nomination this year every bit as much as Peter Dinklage does. They’re both GREAT in their roles. I could honestly sit and see Arya and Tywin discuss stories about Westeros’ history for an entire episode. Hell, I could watch a network of that. However, I do have a feeling things are going to start getting dark for her soon. Be wary, Arya. There’s trouble afoot in the halls of Harrenhal.
