The Small Fries

Winter is Coming...

Last night’s episode of Game of Thrones, "High Sparrow," featured many of the main characters of the series and their nail-biting story lines. Arya is at The House of Black and White, Jon is the new Lord Commander, Cersei is now Queen Mother, Sansa has returned to Winterfell, and Tyrion has been captured. A lot has happened in Westeros in these last three episodes and by the looks of it, things are going to get even worse for our favorites and least favorites. Who would expect anything different on a show that is notorious for putting the lives of the majority of its lead characters in danger?

The last we saw of Arya Stark, she was being welcomed into The House of Black and White. She is where she wants to be, but “a girl” is most unhappy. For days she has been sweeping the same floors and has learned nothing about the Faceless Men. She has expressed her unhappiness, but as we learn later, Jaqen H’gar (Thomas Wlaschiha) says she’s not ready. “A girl” is still Arya Stark. In an attempt to adapt, Arya sheds all of her clothes and belongings, except for Needle. She can’t part with the small sword her brother, Jon, gave her the day she left Winterfell. Instead, she hides it in a pile of rocks before returning to The House. Next thing we know, Arya has been tasked with a girl who previously picked on her to wash a dead body. She asks questions about what she is doing and why, but we receive no answers as to the meaning of this scene.

Arya Stark and her Needle

Jon Snow, the new Lord Commander of the Watchers on the Wall, has finally decided to give Stannis Baratheon an answer to his proposition. Jon feels his place is at The Wall and not at Winterfell. Though he has always wanted to be a Stark, his vow forces him to sever all ties with the politics of the realm. Much to Stannis’s dismay, he understands Jon’s decision and instead requests for Wildlings to be sent South to reclaim Winterfell, which is being held by Roose and Ramsay Bolton. Jon’s time as Lord Commander has already been off to an interesting start just by defeating Alliser Thorne in the elections. He decides to name his opponent as his First Ranger. Janos Slynt, former Commander of the City Watch in King’s Landing and rival of Jon’s, has been tasked with rebuilding the Night’s Watch post in Greygard. Janos, played by Dominic Carter, loudly refuses and is soon executed by the Lord Commander himself, even after his pleas for mercy.

Jon carrying out his first execution as Lord Commander

In King’s Landing, a wedding has taken place. Surprisingly enough, no one died at this wedding. Margaery and Tommen are finally married, making her the new queen of Westeros. Of course, Cersei is even more unhappy about that. Slowly, she is losing her grip on the kingdom as she is now the Queen Mother. She still has some sway and power, considering she sits on the King’s Small Council. The High Septon runs to her for help as The Sparrows have publically ridiculed him for being in Littlefinger’s brothel. This is considered a terrible sin in the Faith of the Seven. He has asked she seek out the High Sparrow Jonathan Pryce, and have him executed. Cersei, instead, sends him to the dungeons in the Red Keep and seeks out the High Sparrow as an ally.

Cersei finding an ally in the High Sparrow (Jonathan Pryce)

Our poor, poor Sansa is travelling to an unknown destination with Littlefinger. We learned in the previous episode that he had extended a marriage proposal to her, but now we learn it wasn’t from him. Sansa has returned to Winterfell and unhappily accepted Ramsay Bolton’s offer of marriage. With their union, Bolton’s hold on the North will be solidified. However, when Sansa had earlier learned of the proposal, she was outraged. She did not want to be apart of the family that killed her mother and brother, Lady Catelyn and Robb Stark respectively.Sansa makes her way to her old room, and an elderly maid tells her, “Welcome home, Lady Stark. The North remembers.” I sure hope it does. 

Sansa making her way to Winterfell with Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish

Seeing Bolton in Winterfell makes my stomach turn. Sansa is putting up with way more than she bargained for. All she wanted was for everyone to get along and to marry the king at the beginning of season one, and now she is being forced to marry Ramsay “bat-shit crazy” Bolton in order to hold the North. Help is not far though. Brienne and Podrick are on their way to Winterfell; I just hope they can make it in time to help Sansa.

Lord Roose Bolton (Michael McElhatton) and Ramsay Bolton (Iwan Rheon)

Lastly we see Lord Tyrion still trapped in a box on his way to Volantis. He has all but lost his mind and leaves the box to walk around. His relationship with Varys is the comedic relief we need in the show, especially since Tyrion has been going crazy after being trapped in a box with him for so long. He explores the lower parts of Volantis, where slaves work and are sold. We hear one slave preaching about the Lord of Light and learn they believe Daenerys to be their Savior. Tyrion finds his way to a brothel, no that I am surprised, and finds it hard to find pleasures with the company of one of the whores. He takes a walk, only to be captured by Jorah Mormont. He is taking him to see the Queen. We can only assume that he means Daenerys.

Tyrion and Varys observing the business at a local Volantis brothel

Several things have happened this episode that has allowed the story to unfold even more for each character. We are learning a little more about the secret society in Braavos, Cersei is no longer as powerful as she thought, and we are finally reunited from the banished Jorah Mormont. However, this episode has only left me with more questions: What is in store for everyone involved? We have yet to see how Dorne will react or if they will to Oberyn’s death, and what about Tyrion? What will Daenerys do when she sees Tyrion Lannister? There have already been several deaths this season, and this is only the third episode. The rumors have already proven true: This is the bloodiest season yet.

King Tommen and Queen Margaery Barathoen

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--Kasey