You’ll get yours, you motherfucker….
I’ll be honest, I really wanted to skip this review. I feel like the tone that I set in these recaps is not one that is well suited for the controversy surrounding the last sequence of this episode. But, I also feel like I have an obligation to, y’know, actually follow through on something. So, I will review this episode, but I will avoid talking about the scene that has set the internet ablaze. There are many places to rationally discuss the benefits (If there are any) and drawbacks of said seen, but I don’t think the comment section of somebody who’s about to comment on how much a dick joke made him laugh is the best place to do so. That said, I may touch on it when I do my (moderately) more serious overall review of the season once all the episodes have aired. For now, the two things I have to say about the controversy are A) I don’t think that, technically speaking, the scene was done very well, and B) If people think that Game of Thrones has gone too far just now, they haven’t been paying attention.
Alright, let’s get on with it.
SPOILER ALERT. OBVIOUSLY.
Braavos
Arya continues her illustrious career of washing dead bodies for some reason. In between corpse-bathing sessions, she is tormented by Jaqen H’ghar and that other girl (Who I guess is called The Waif. Okay then, maybe I just wasn’t paying attention), who seem to be training her to lie believably in order to make her a more effective assassin, one would assume. She doesn’t do particularly well, and gets increasingly frustrated with the fact that not a damn thing has happened since joining the Faceless Men. Not to get too whiny, but that makes two of us.
That is quickly remedied, however, when she euthanizes a sick young girl using the poisoned water from the Well. Her bedside manner and newfound skill in the art of lying her damn face off in order to comfort the girl convince Jaqen that she’s worthy, I guess, because he takes Arya downstairs underneath the temple, where the spires double as storage areas for all the faces of the people who’ve died in the temple.
The Joker would be envious.
As Arya does what any rational, clear-thinking human being would do in the situation (Poke the faces), Jaqen explains to her that he does not believe she is ready to become “No One”, but that she must become “Someone else”. I hope the rest of the storyline isn’t just them playing Second Life for four episodes.
“A Man thinks A Girl may be getting into this a little too much.”
Spain Dorne
Not to make assumptions, but Myrcella doesn’t look all that unhappy in Dorne.
Not to say that many teenage girls would like to be desired by someone who looks like a boy band reject, but…
That presumed not-unhappiness is proven short-lived, however, when Jaime and Bronn show up to rescue her from the, um, tyranny of Trystane Martell. While Trystane doesn’t prove to stand up very well to a swift punch to the face, the rescue attempt goes awry when the Sand Snakes show up, presumably to butcher Myrcella for no good reason, because this is what Spanish Dornish people are like, apparently. The fight comes to an abrupt halt when Dornish Minister of Fucking Badassery, Areo Hotah, arrives on the scene, arresting Jaime, Bronn, the Sand Snakes and even Elia Martell. Sure, why not?
Across the Narrow Sea
Tyrion and Jorah trade Dead Daddy stories. Shortly afterwards, they are captured by slavers. Hilarity ensues.
Seriously, there’s no way I could do it justice. Just watch it again.
King’s Landing
Petyr Baelish returns to King’s Landing, where he is immediately confronted by Lancel and a group of Sparrows, who inform him in no uncertain terms that they will not tolerate his prostitution business anymore, as if he gives a shit about a fucking brothel at this point. And why is it that the Faith Militant don’t arrest him outright? It’s not like power and influence stopped them from arresting Loras Tyrell.
Speaking of which, after getting her dumb ass manipulated by Littlefinger (Phrasing…), Cersei, along with Tommen, Margaery and Olenna Tyrell, oversee the interrogation of Loras Tyrell, and, surprisingly, Margaery herself. The siblings both deny accusations of Loras’ homosexuality, and all seems to be reasonably okay… Until Olyvar (Google him) testifies, pointing the finger at Loras, and testifying that Margaery is fully aware of Loras’ flirtations.
Ruh roh!
The High Shithead decides to arrest not only Loras, but also Margaery. Fuck Cersei. And fuck the High Sparrow, man, I thought he was cool.
Mind you, I also thought Littlefinger was cool, so fuck me, right?
Overall: Aside from that scene I mentioned, another great episode. Not that I’m complaining, but I hope something amazing happens soon. Something preferably not horrifying.
Rating: 8/10
Seriously though, die.
Please Kill the Messenger 