After this week, only four episodes remain and things are really rolling now. To look back on another great episode of Game of Thrones, this one titled “The Old Gods and the New,” I share five thoughts about all the happenings.
Also, if you didn’t watch the episode yet, go no further. Spoilers are heavily discussed.
1. Joffrey has competition for “Biggest Jerk of Game of Thrones”
I HATE YOU THEON GREYJOY!
In many ways, his new role as villain is even worse than Joffrey. We always knew Joffrey was a petulant child with masochistic awfulness barely hiding under the surface. Theon on the other hand? Well, at one point he was Robb Stark’s right hand man. And by at one point, I mean like…three episodes ago. He’s proven that blood is thicken than water and that he is a good for nothing status hound, as he leads a team to take Winterfell, in the process beheading Ser Roderik.
By the time word gets to Robb by way of Maester Luwin’s well-timed raven, we’re onboard entirely with Robb as he shares his plans to have Theon delivered alive so he can look in his eyes when he strikes him down. Still, its a perfect move, and really speaks volumes of George R. R. Martin’s abilities as a plotter.
2. But then, Joffrey reminds us why he’s the worst
As if he could sense that someone was competing for the role of “worst person in Westeros” wit him, Joffrey decided to make more asinine and awful decisions in this episode. What should a King do if his people are clearly upset with him and the way the city is being handled? Why, instruct his guards to kill them all. GREAT CHOICE JOFFREY!
A part of me was really hoping the put upon Dog would end him right then and there and just pin his death on the rioters. Alas, Dog was needed elsewhere.
3. Not all Lannisters are created equal
I know this is wrong of me to say, but there’s a little part of me that likes Tywin Lannister. In the show at least, he’s positioned as an intelligent person who handles people in a respectful manner if they deserve it. His treatment of Arya is surprising (definitely to her), and the revelation of him as an arguably honorable, even likable, man in this episode was something I was shocked to discover.
Also, to note, this might be a good episode to submit for Maisie Williams’ well-deserved Emmy campaign. She may be young, but she’s made Arya the most competent, intelligent and engaging of all the Stark children.
4. The Starks have surprising saviors
This episode found aid coming towards the Stark family from surprising places. On one hand, you had Osha, the wildling currently caring for Bran positioning herself as an opportunist turncoat, ditching Bran for a chance at freedom through Theon. Then it turns out she was just slow playing her hand, eventually making a move to extract Bran, Rickon and Hodor from Winterfell right under Theon’s nose. I had hopes for Osha, and she did not let me down.
Then you have Arya, who is routinely saved by Tywin (because he digs her), not ratted out by Littlefinger (because he can use that knowledge as currency) and Jaqen (because he owes her a debt, and because he might want to do illicit things to her…god only knows with our man Jaqen). You name it. For a little girl alone in a terrible place like Harrenhal, it seems like quite a few surprising people are bending over backwards to make sure she survives.
Lastly, you have Sansa. Oh Sansa, you’re so dislikable, but to be fair, you’ve been in a hole since you sold out Arya towards the beginning of season one. Thankfully for you, Dog has taken on as your protector, as he prevents her rape and likely death. It’s been something he has been doing quietly for the whole season, but his movements to save her became far more overt (and gruesome) here. It speaks volumes as to how great this show is that a character like Dog can have so much humanity built into him with so little screen time, but its just true. The guy is a fascinating and promising character. Even if seemingly everyone hates him.
Continued below5. Love is in the air?
Amidst the backstabbing and awesomeness within this episode, two of Ned Stark’s children took a little time to play The Dating Game, GoT style. First off, you had Robb Stark taking a little time away from being the King of North so he could follow his heart and look for a little love with Talisa the Nurse. Granted, he’s already promised to another (as part of a deal from towards the end of season one), but the chemistry between the two characters is definitely there.
Not as evident though as it was between Jon Snow and the lovely Ygritte, a wildling set to be separated from her head by Snow who quickly eludes him and then tries to use…other techniques to escape. She quickly recognizes that Snow has no interest in killing her, and from there, a lot of good stuff happens. It helps that the two actors involved, Kit Harington and new cast member Rose Leslie, are superb and have a natural, easy rapport that belies how much time they’ve spent together. Well, it’s that or I’m smitten with Ygritte, who is someone I really hope sticks around, head attached to her body, going forward.
