This week on Multiversity, there will only be one set of Game of Thrones commentary: MINE! David is away visiting the mystical foreign land of Portland, and so it has been entrusted to me to tell you all about what happened on last night’s episode of the series.
With that in mind, a note for those of you who are unsure as to a certain addendum: we will be talking about book spoilers. Not a lot, but I will not be held responsible for those who spoil in the comments. That’s what this warning is for.
With that out of the way,
1. Only Cat
I can’t be the only one a little disappointed they got that line wrong, right?
I’m a little conflicted on the scene. I liked it, it was satisfying to see that put to film, but I can’t help but feel that a good deal of the impact was lost when they put the big reveal of it as a throwaway line in the previous episode. That, to me, seemed like the biggest waste. This was a tense scene, with harsh music and a frightening performance by Kate Dickie, and I would’ve loved to see the show really stick the landing with this moment. One of the most memorable scenes in the books was treated like just another scene on the show. Bit of a shame, that.
2. Well, That Ends That Future Plot Line
Tonight saw the return of Rorge and Biter as they attack the Hound, and unfortunately for us they don’t make it out alive. This is a bit disappointing as Rorge and Biter play a rather big role in “Feast for Crows,” which they now obviously can not.
When you look at this and Brienne/Pod assumedly marching off to the Eyrie themselves, it’s a bit curious as to what they’re going to be doing here. Not for nothing, but with Rorge and Biter out of the way and Gendry who the heck knows where, there’s really not a whole lot for her to do right now, is there? Minus, you know, meeting up with everyone’s favorite stonehearted queen. But we’ve not quite gotten there yet in the show.
3. Champion of the People
Tyrion’s scenes this season have been nothing short of depressing. If any character has been dragged through the mud after being so high up on a pedestal to fans, it’s Tyrion. And as such, this episode and seeing Jaime and Bronn both turn him down stung quite a bit as Tyrion was left lost and forlorn. I mean, did you see the third actor to play Gregor? Dude is a beast.
But in comes The Viper, still wonderfully played by Pedro Pascal, and he once again reminds us why Oberyn Martell is such a fan favorite character. Sharp, learned and full of useful information. His story about visiting the baby Tyrion was so well done and reminiscent of stories you hear in the book of Tyrion’s birth. When he stands up and you know that he’s ready to get justice for his sister with some much deserved ass-whooping, you are ready to stand up alongside him and cheer!
The next episode is going to be tough to watch.
4. Congratulations, Hot Pie — You Finally Learned What A Wolf Looks Like
Easily the biggest surprise of the season is Hot Pie coming back. An even bigger surprise, he didn’t mess up his little wolf cake. Aw, Hot Pie.
5. Short Episode, Lots of Stuff
It’s interesting to notice in retrospect, but that was actually a pretty short episode. I started watching on HBO Go around 9:10 and when it ended at 10:00 PM almost on the dot I was a bit shocked. We’ve had a lot of lengthy episodes this season, but all things considered this was rather short and sweet.
And yet, a lot happened. There’s plenty we didn’t cover this week as the show moved along at a surprisingly brisk pace. Almost every major character made an appearance, and at least every single plotline moved forward at least a half-inch or so. It’s weird to think of this episode, one that features such an iconic moment from the series, as a filler episode — but in a manner of speaking, it very much was. It filled in gaps so that we can take a week off from the show and come back for three episodes straight of shit getting fucked right up. Hoo boy.
Oh, and did you see Braavos in the opening credits? That was neat.
