Game of Thrones Review: Season 5 Episode 6
Wow. I honestly have no idea how to feel about this episode; it was truly a mixed bag: there were some parts I really loved and some parts I really hated and some parts that had the potential to be cool but were just really poorly executed. All in all, not the best mid-season moment. Let's break it down:
Favorite Moments:
Face Thieves: As you all know, I'm not the biggest fan of Arya and her plot, but, I have to admit, even I was a little intrigued by her scenes in this episode. I loved the scene where she was telling Jaqen H'ghr her own story and he was like "a girl lies!" And I was like "oh snap." Also, begrudgingly, I have to admit that the House of Black and White is a really cool set. I think part of the reason I really liked these scenes in this episode was that they were the only remnants of GRRM's original story line. I get that the writer's are forging a brave new path, but sometimes it's nice to see that classic GRRM story telling we've all come to know and love.
Everything Bad Happens to Sansa: Can I just take a minute to appreciate how everything bad happens to Sansa? Let's recap: her parents are dead, she was engaged to the man who killed her father, the man who killed her father was JOFFREY -- AKA THE CRAZIEST PERSON IN THE SEVEN KINGDOMS, she thinks most of her siblings are dead, her aunt tried to kill her, and she is now married and being raped by the second craziest person and most psycho person in the Seven Kingdoms. If there's a bad thing that can happen to a person, it'll happen to Sansa. So, obviously, her scene this week wasn't a favorite moment (let's recap: she was raped by her husband while the man who she thinks killed her brothers watches), but it was an interesting, thought provoking, evocative moment. I thought it was interesting that they shot the scene without actually showing Sansa; instead, you can only see Theon's face and hear Sansa screaming. Last episode, I talked about how Jorah and Tyrion's expressions said it all when they saw the dragon; this episode, Theon's facial expressions said it all. Consider that Theon has had HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE things happen to him. He's been flayed alive; for heaven's sake, he's been CASTRATED! If Theon looks freaked out, you know it's really, really bad. (Also, on an unrelated note, her dress was very pretty -- rock on, costume designers). On another unrelated note, why do weddings always end in disaster on Game of Thrones?
Tyrion Keeps Getting Kidnapped: I must say, I appreciated Tyrion and Jorah's kidnapping scene this week. Like Arya's scene, I think I liked this scene because it was incredibly consistent
Least Favorite Moments:
Apparently, You Can Just Walk into Dorne...: Either the Water Garden is the worst guarded palace in the WORLD or this was Jaime and Bronn's scene was the worst executed moment in the show's history. I refuse to believe that they got in because they're just that good at stealth -- these are the two guys who couldn't even get three feet into Dorne without getting caught. I understand that they're wearing guard uniforms (which might fool some), but they certainly don't fool ACTUAL GUARDS. I feel like someone should have asked them for ID or something. Also, why did they try to kidnap Myrcella in the middle of the day in the most obvious way possible. Surely they should sneak into her bedroom through a secret tunnel and ride away on white stallions in the darkness. They certainly shouldn't wander into the garden on the off chance that she's hanging out there. (On an unrelated note, why is Myrcella walking around the garden 24/7. Doesn't she stop for lunch? For those who haven't read the books, the Water Garden is not just a garden, it's a sort of pleasure palace. Sometimes they go inside and, like, do other things). Anyway, the really convenient part is that the Sand Snakes just happen to arrive at the Water Gardens at the exact same moment -- while the prince of Dorne sits like ten feet away. I'm just surprised it took them more than five seconds to be caught. Clearly, Doran needs to get better security and no one knows how to plan a kidnapping. They should get advice from those slavers who nabbed Tyrion and Jorah. That was efficient.
Why Is Tommen So Dumb?: If there was ever an advertisement for why incest is bad, the Lannister kids are it. Joffrey was a psycho murderer and Tommen and Myrcella are dumb as rocks. Seriously Tommen, you're the king, why are you letting your wife be arrested? I honestly can't tell if he's just an idiot or if he's also a coward. I'll be fair and say it's a bit of both. Like, doesn't it occur to him that allowing the Faith Militant to run the city does irreparable damage to the monarchy. Didn't think that one through, huh? This is why siblings shouldn't have kids together.
Another Dummy: As I mentioned above, Myrcella has oatmeal for brains. Not only does she not have the sense to trust her uncle above the dude she just met, but she also just stands around while approximately ten million people try to kidnap her (apparently, there's a lot of kidnapping in this episode). Here's a thought: RUN. And don't even get me started on her sickeningly sweet relationship with Trystane. He's a dummy too. Why do all the stupid people on this show insist on falling in love and breeding? On a more serious note, yellow is decidedly not Myrcella's color. I realize that none of this is the actress' fault, but this character better become compelling -- or at the very least interesting -- in a hurry.
Things I'm Looking Forward To:
The Fighting Pits: Did someone say ancient Rome? The return of the fighting pits certainly spells excitement and great TV.
Jon Goes North: Will Jon get to the Wildlings in time? Will they listen to him? Will they kill him? The only thing sure is that he knows nothing.
Valar dohaeris
Favorite Moments:
Face Thieves: As you all know, I'm not the biggest fan of Arya and her plot, but, I have to admit, even I was a little intrigued by her scenes in this episode. I loved the scene where she was telling Jaqen H'ghr her own story and he was like "a girl lies!" And I was like "oh snap." Also, begrudgingly, I have to admit that the House of Black and White is a really cool set. I think part of the reason I really liked these scenes in this episode was that they were the only remnants of GRRM's original story line. I get that the writer's are forging a brave new path, but sometimes it's nice to see that classic GRRM story telling we've all come to know and love.
Everything Bad Happens to Sansa: Can I just take a minute to appreciate how everything bad happens to Sansa? Let's recap: her parents are dead, she was engaged to the man who killed her father, the man who killed her father was JOFFREY -- AKA THE CRAZIEST PERSON IN THE SEVEN KINGDOMS, she thinks most of her siblings are dead, her aunt tried to kill her, and she is now married and being raped by the second craziest person and most psycho person in the Seven Kingdoms. If there's a bad thing that can happen to a person, it'll happen to Sansa. So, obviously, her scene this week wasn't a favorite moment (let's recap: she was raped by her husband while the man who she thinks killed her brothers watches), but it was an interesting, thought provoking, evocative moment. I thought it was interesting that they shot the scene without actually showing Sansa; instead, you can only see Theon's face and hear Sansa screaming. Last episode, I talked about how Jorah and Tyrion's expressions said it all when they saw the dragon; this episode, Theon's facial expressions said it all. Consider that Theon has had HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE things happen to him. He's been flayed alive; for heaven's sake, he's been CASTRATED! If Theon looks freaked out, you know it's really, really bad. (Also, on an unrelated note, her dress was very pretty -- rock on, costume designers). On another unrelated note, why do weddings always end in disaster on Game of Thrones?
Tyrion Keeps Getting Kidnapped: I must say, I appreciated Tyrion and Jorah's kidnapping scene this week. Like Arya's scene, I think I liked this scene because it was incredibly consistent
Least Favorite Moments:
Apparently, You Can Just Walk into Dorne...: Either the Water Garden is the worst guarded palace in the WORLD or this was Jaime and Bronn's scene was the worst executed moment in the show's history. I refuse to believe that they got in because they're just that good at stealth -- these are the two guys who couldn't even get three feet into Dorne without getting caught. I understand that they're wearing guard uniforms (which might fool some), but they certainly don't fool ACTUAL GUARDS. I feel like someone should have asked them for ID or something. Also, why did they try to kidnap Myrcella in the middle of the day in the most obvious way possible. Surely they should sneak into her bedroom through a secret tunnel and ride away on white stallions in the darkness. They certainly shouldn't wander into the garden on the off chance that she's hanging out there. (On an unrelated note, why is Myrcella walking around the garden 24/7. Doesn't she stop for lunch? For those who haven't read the books, the Water Garden is not just a garden, it's a sort of pleasure palace. Sometimes they go inside and, like, do other things). Anyway, the really convenient part is that the Sand Snakes just happen to arrive at the Water Gardens at the exact same moment -- while the prince of Dorne sits like ten feet away. I'm just surprised it took them more than five seconds to be caught. Clearly, Doran needs to get better security and no one knows how to plan a kidnapping. They should get advice from those slavers who nabbed Tyrion and Jorah. That was efficient.
Why Is Tommen So Dumb?: If there was ever an advertisement for why incest is bad, the Lannister kids are it. Joffrey was a psycho murderer and Tommen and Myrcella are dumb as rocks. Seriously Tommen, you're the king, why are you letting your wife be arrested? I honestly can't tell if he's just an idiot or if he's also a coward. I'll be fair and say it's a bit of both. Like, doesn't it occur to him that allowing the Faith Militant to run the city does irreparable damage to the monarchy. Didn't think that one through, huh? This is why siblings shouldn't have kids together.
Another Dummy: As I mentioned above, Myrcella has oatmeal for brains. Not only does she not have the sense to trust her uncle above the dude she just met, but she also just stands around while approximately ten million people try to kidnap her (apparently, there's a lot of kidnapping in this episode). Here's a thought: RUN. And don't even get me started on her sickeningly sweet relationship with Trystane. He's a dummy too. Why do all the stupid people on this show insist on falling in love and breeding? On a more serious note, yellow is decidedly not Myrcella's color. I realize that none of this is the actress' fault, but this character better become compelling -- or at the very least interesting -- in a hurry.
Things I'm Looking Forward To:
The Fighting Pits: Did someone say ancient Rome? The return of the fighting pits certainly spells excitement and great TV.
Jon Goes North: Will Jon get to the Wildlings in time? Will they listen to him? Will they kill him? The only thing sure is that he knows nothing.
Valar dohaeris
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