Episode 3
Breaker of Chains
***SPOILERS***
This episode begins exactly where it left off. On the whole I was rather disappointed with this episode although it has some interesting elements. Interestingly it follows Sansa's escape from King's Landing. I was expecting the episode to open with Tyrion's capture and incarceration. Finally her saviour is revealed as Petyr the person acting behind Ser Dontos. It is great to see Sansa's plot leave King's Landing and it will be great to see the relationship between her and Lord Baelish develop. However Sansa still seems quite gullible.
It was good to see some clarification between the feelings of Lady Olena and Margery. I was somewhat dubious about Margery's upset about Joffrey, although she did seem to be more concerned about being the queen. The scene really served as a reminder about what will happen later with the Tyrells.
The scene in the sept was excellent with Lord Tywin basically giving a lecture on the role of a good king and finally really bringing Prince Tommen to the fore since he is now the heir. The scene is largely exposition, but it works well.
I was surprised at the inclusion of the scene between Jaime and Cersei in the sept. Jaime arrives not in the garb of the King's guard. Difference from the book: This is the scene of Jaime's return in the book where he is reunited with Cersei for the first time. The scene in the book is both sexual and violent. The scene in the show seemed more sinister and violent. Jaime was angry at Cersei and played out more like a rape scene. In the book she resists at first and then succumbs to passion. The show paints her more as a passive woman, whereas the book shows her as this calculating, cold and aggressive woman. I did like however how their relationship has changed to one of lust and hatred, that neither can really let go.
I would make a strong case that this scene isn't gratuitous, mainly because it's very close to what happens in the book and it also demonstrates important character traits of Jaime and also the relationship between Jaime and Cersei. Also it didn't involve any nudity (for once). The scene was savage and raw, as it was meant to be. Not to make violence against women acceptable or glamorous, but rather to show that Jaime isn't as reformed as we might think. Disappointingly it doesn't convey the complexity of Cersei's character. The show version shows predominantly a rape with Cersei the victim. Whereas in the book she resists Jaime at first but welcomes him in the end playing her own savage part in the exchange leaving him with hate and spite at the end of the scene. In the book Cersei is as much a formidable opponent to Jaime. She enjoys the seduction as much as she hates and grieves in the same breath.
Arya's storyline continues differently from the book. The scene is rather predictable in their journey, but there is mention of potential travel to Braavos. Arya is humorously played by Maisy.
There are more and more changes from the book this season. Down at the Wall Sam moves Gilly and her baby to Mole town for safe keeping which doesn't happen in the book. I thought the storyline at the wall would have progressed more this episode instead it serves only to build up more with the wildlings and Thenns approaching them from the North and the South. Also the further reference to cannibilism seems rather unnecessary. Really there are a number of gratuitous elements in this episode unfortunately.
In contrast to the earlier sex scene in the sept the brothel scene with Elaria Sand And Prince Oberon is clearly gratuitous. It seems more for the modern audience their discussion of sexual preference rather than for any real character development or plot points. Tywin bursting in on them seemed absurd for a person of his status as the hand of the king. But they had to make a way of convincing Oberon to be a judge in Tyrion's trial. In the book Oberon is more willing and cunning in the process. The scene really served to hammer in Oberon's lust for revenge or justice over his sister's death at the hands of The Mountain.
And then Dany reaches Meereen...finally. Her scenes are getting a little bit repetitive in taking over cities. However this one tried to stand out with a quite literal pissing contest. This was rather gratuitous in my opinion and unnecessary. It did clearly develop Dany's respect for and interest in Daario Naharis. I'm still not set on his portrayal and Dany seems rather haughty and unimpressed with Daario when talking to him. But she seemed quite impressed by his fighting skills and had a blood lust look about her when he defeated Meereen's champion.
Overall rather disappointing this episode. It really worked as a building block for most of the story lines, Sansa's storyline in her escape, Tyrion's upcoming trial, the drawing battle of the wall and Dany's siege of Meereen. Looking forward to some more action and good character development in the next episode. I really want to see the battle at the wall in the next episode or so, but feel they might drag it out to around episode 9 or something. I would also like to see a lot more of Sansa and where her plot leads through the rest of this season. Next episode I predict will predominantly be Tyrion's trial. We have yet to see Jaime visit or investigate Tyrion. It does seem in the show at least that Jaime may be one of the few that doubts Tyrion's guilt.
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