The Small Fries

The newest episode of Game of Thrones illustrates that there is definitely something big on the horizon for us viewers. Many of our beloved (and not-so-beloved) characters are starting to advance their season storylines along. SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT.

The episode opens with Arya Stark sailing to Braavos. She goes straight to the House of Black and White looking for Jaqen H’ghar. A man answers saying no one by that name is there. As persistent as she is, Arya sits on the steps for what appears to be several days, turning her coin over and obsessively going over the names on her personal hit list. Becoming frustrated, Arya tosses her coin into the sea. She storms off and kills a pigeon when a group of boys attack her, only to be scared off by the mysterious man who had answered the door days ago. The man gives Arya the coin and reveals himself to be Jaqen. When Arya asks why he lied to her, he said he didn’t go by that name anymore. He is No One.

Maisie Williams as Arya Stark in front of the House of Black and White

Brienne and Podrick are still on the road searching for Sansa. While in a tavern, Podrick spots Sansa and Petyr Baelish. Brienne goes over and swears her sword to Lady Sansa, but Sansa refuses the help of someone she knows nothing about. Brienne then sets the horses free and rides off with Podrick. An epic fight occurs between Brienne and Baelish’s guards, which results in her saving Podrick’s life. This scene definitely showed some character development for Brienne, who before now only thought of Podrick as an annoyance.

Meanwhile, Cersei receives a snake head with a Lannister medallion in its mouth from who she assumes to be the Martells. Obviously disturbed, she confides in Jamie that she is worried about their daughter. Jamie then volunteers to go to the Dorne to bring Myrcella back home to Kings’ Landing. While Jamie is away, Cersei has given out orders for Tyrion’s head to be delivered to her. However, the men who deliver her a head obviously cannot distinguish one imp from another. Disappointed, Cersei exclaims that is isn’t him, but knows that “there will be mistakes made”. The head is then taken for experimentation. She then appoints a new council for the king. When she offers her uncle the title of Master of War, he declines, saying that she is “the queen mother and nothing more”.

Lena Heady as Cersi Lannister and Nikolaj Coster-Waldu as Jaime Lannister

In Dorne, Ellaria confronts Doran about his inactivity following Oberyn’s death. She wants Doran to send Myrcella back to King’s Landing limb by limb, but Doran refuses to go to war. The first glimpse of Doran shows him to be a wise leader. I am interested to see what happens with his character as the season unfolds.

In Mereen, Daario and crew find a Son of the Harpy hidden in a wall. They take him prisoner as Daenerys’ council decides what to do. An ex-slave demands his execution, but Ser Barristan pulls Daenerys aside and convinces her to give the man a fair trial. However, before the trial occurs, the ex-slave on the council murders the man. Daenerys then publicly sentences the council member to death, the decision creating riots in the streets of Mereen. While pondering over the decision she made, her lost dragon, Drogon, returns and shows Daenerys affection before flying away again. Daenerys’ storyline in this episode is important because it shows that rulers have to make decisions that are difficult, and Daenerys has not been faced with this difficult a decision thus far.

Drongon finally returns to Daenerys

Back on The Wall, Stannis calls upon Jon Snow for showing mercy on Mance Rayder. He strikes a bargain with Jon and offers him to be the Lord of Winterfell. Jon has been dreaming of this moment his whole life, but comes to the realization that backing down on his oath to the Nights’ Watch would not make people take him seriously as a leader. Sam nominates Jon for Lord Commander of the Nights’ Watch, which he then wins by a close call. This is great for Jon, having finally found his place in the world.

Kit Harington as Jon Snow confronting Stephen Dillane as Stannis Baratheon

All in all, this episode was miles better than the season premiere. A lot of characters have been set up with intriguing new storylines, which is a lot more interesting than the “here’s what you missed” feeling of the first episode. This episode seemed to heavily feature the women of the show, which was awesome because their storylines and characters are all very interesting and diverse. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Watch Game of Thrones Sunday nights at 9ET on HBO.

Season 1-4 now on sale!

--Julie