The Lion and the Rose
Episode 2
***SPOILERS***
This is a big episode much anticipated by book and show fans. Beginning with a brutal opening scene it sets the tone for the entire episode. It shows just how much Theon has changed and degraded in the face of Ramsey Snow's degrading and perverse treatment. This scene also introduces a new character the female sadistic counterpart to Ramsey. It also cuts between a shot of Theon to Tyrion cutting up a sausage. A throw back to Theon being castrated by Ramsey last season.
Finally we get to see an exchange between Tyrion and Jaime after his return. The scene is both humorous and serves to show how incapacitated Jaime is now even with his new golden hand. It also introduces Jaime's sword lessons with Bronn. This is a change from the book where Ser Illyn Payne is the one who does sparring practice with Jaime. As he was silent because the mad king had his tongue cut out. Having Bronn spar with Jaime makes sense plot wise and also in terms of character. Bronn is a character that is much more fleshed out in the series and it's nice to see some more comedy from him.
It's great to see Roose Bolton return to Ramsey, the only person who vaguely even seems to control or be feared by Ramsey. The sequence serves as a reminder that the Stark boys are missing and now people are out looking for them. We continue to see Bran's story going beyond the wall. But it is unknown where Rickon has ended up. The shaving seen is very effective at conveying Ramsey's control over Theon as well as important plot points about the Starks. Earlier in the scene we met Walder Frey the new wife of Roose Bolton, Ramsey's step mother. Moat Calin is also introduced as a place of importance in holding the North and this will play out later in the plot.
The exchange between Tyrion and Varys is long overdue and speaks volumes about Tyrion's change of status. It is clear Varys will no longer offer to protect Shae's identity in the face of Cersei and Tywin. This leads nicely into the scene of the wedding gifts. Where Cersei points out "the whore" (Shae) to Tywin who says he wants her sent to him before the wedding ceremony. For a moment I was surprised at Joffrey's grace in accepting gifts but of course this takes a turn with Tyrion's gift. This is a great moment excellently adapted from the book. Joffrey's destruction of this precious book with Valyrian steel was disgusting. The looks on the other character's faces spoke volumes.
Finally there is the scene between Shae and Tyrion where he finally makes her leave. However Peter Dinklage played it so it was quite obvious to the audience and should have been obvious to Shae that he was clearly lying. Something I felt was more convincing in the book. Tyrion is much more light and likeable in the show depiction whereas in the book he is alot my sly and sarcastic. I wasn't that sorry to see Shae go as she was getting quite annoying with the repetition over the last few episodes.
I was also surprised with the sacrifice scene with Melindre and Lord...eh hem...King Stannis. IN my mind I felt we left over last time with Stannis with a letter arriving from the Wall about threats so I wasn't expecting another scene so soon, nor at Dragonstone. It did however show the depth of Stannis and his wife's indoctrination with the sacrifice of her brother to the Lord of Light. The dinner scene between the three of them was just great. It felt like Melisandre was an awkward intruder. Like a sad guest with a couple fighting. This gave this quite dark scene quite humorous. We also learn some more of Melindre's past and childhood. Oh and that Stannis hates fish.
Bran is reintroduced and he appears to be warging a lot making him weak with hunger. And if he continues he will be more wolf than human. I was surprised they introduced them finding the heart tree. And it appears that Bran was able to warg with the tree seeing visions including of his father and the iron throne shrouded in snow as well as the three eyed raven and a figure in the snow and a "zombie" horse. It is unclear, but these visions appear to be both of the past and perhaps the future. It will be interesting how Bran's storyline progresses.
Then at last we get to see the royal wedding. I was a bit disappointed as the scene wasn't that elaborate and after seeing Lady Olenna throw countless necklaces aside last episode I was surprised by Lady Margery's modest necklace. It was great to see Lady Olenna and Tywin go head to head once again and draw attention back to the fact that the crown is in a lot of debt to the Iron bank. Something casual viewers may have forgotten. Lady Olenna reiterates the cost of the wedding throughout the episode.
Tyrion anxiously confers with Bronn confirming that Shae has really left on a ship to Pentos. Also there is a rare moment seeing Sansa smile with the hope that one day she may visit with Lady Olenna. Far from the threats she received from Joffrey about how he might take her even once he was married.
The wedding feast is great with a lot of fire twirling and contortion acts. It also included a number of interesting exchanges between characters. Jaime and Ser Loras literally bump into each other. This deviates from the book where Jaime comes back to King's Landing later. It seems quite a straight forward confrontation between the two and outright points to Jaime's adultery with Jaime. He loses that confrontation. In contrast Cersei has the upper hand throughout the wedding feast. She sniggers at Brienne's bow instead of a courtesy and confronts her about her love for Jaime. Something that isn't so bluntly stated in the books. She also confronts Maester Pycelle as he tries to "molest" or advice one of the hand maiden's. She tells Pycelle to give all the leftovers to the dogs defying Queen Margery's announcement to feet the poor. It is interesting to see Cersei's power and status throughout the episode which will be integral in the events that follow. Cersei only seems to be bestest by Prince Oberon and his veiled threats about having her daughter Myrcella back in Dorne.
A note on the costumes and props which are great throughout the series in general, but especially in this episode. It includes some historically accurate circus props and some great braids on the women. The scene of the dwarf re-enactment of the war of five kings is as abhorrent on screen as it was in the book and everyone except Joffrey and Cersei seem awkward. Sansa bears it well with a blank look on her face. She seems finally numb to everything now that so much has happened. The whole sequence is grotesque and show Joffrey in his true light.
All of this builds up to the culmination of Joffrey's death and his suspected poisoning and murder. Tyrion is accused by Cersei immediately, but it unclear what caused him to choke and whether it was murder at all. This aspect is played pretty close to the book. Although the look on Tyrion's face as he picked up the cup seemed quite genuinely innocent. Sansa is last seen with Ser Dontos and it's unclear of her fate once he escapes with him. It will be interesting to see how they develop her storyline and character arc across the rest of the season. I suspect Sansa will be accused of Joffrey's murder because she passed the cup to Tyrion and then to Joffrey.
Can't wait to see the events unfold. In particular I hope to see what becomes of Sansa in her flight. Also the captivity of Tyrion. It will also interesting how they will handle the newly widowed Margery Tyrell or I should say Queen Margery Baratheon. Prince Tommen was also featured in the background this episode and he will be the next in line for the throne now that Joffrey is dead. So finally it appears quite of few of the names on Arya's list are now dead.
No comments:
Post a Comment