I think in the book Tyrion was hoping Sansa would anticipate some of the things in the ceremony and make it easier for him, but she didn’t. I think getting plastered worked two ways for Tyrion. One, it provided an excuse for any shenanigans he may need to pull, and it took the edge off what for him was probably the worst experience ever. I didn’t really get the feeling he was trying to embarrass his father, unless it’s in the sense that ANY drinking to that extent is known to upset his dad. But I think that counts as more of a side effect of him getting drunk, not the purpose of it.
I also think one reason the stuff with Dany came off so well is because most of the rest of the episode was so painfully awkward for the characters(that I like), having a couple of severed heads dropped in front of you while you were trying to take a bath seems normal.
Fozzle
4642
It is hard to convey that scene in film I bet. In the book as I recall, Sansa was completely aware of him bumbling about back there, and did not want to offend him, but also did not wish to help him. we get to peer into Sansa’s thoughts while that is going on on paper… but not on TV. There was quite a uncomfortable moment there which conveyed the same thing I thought.
Yeah, I felt it was a weaker episode (weaker than last week’s for me), mainly because the Tyrion/Sansa stuff was protracted and a bit boring - but I guess you couldn’t have it stretched out over to the next episode, so it had to be all done in this.
I always love Dany stuff (I am smitten), so the Dany bits in this episode were fine by me.
The best part was undoubtedly Sam killing the Other, v nice CGI. I also thought it was a bit odd that Sam didn’t pick up the obsidian knife, it being so useful, and him being fairly intelligent - and doesn’t it have to be known by the rest of the Night’s Watch that he killed an Other? Or have we already gone beyond that point? (I think that’s why I was disappointed at the very start of this season, because in my memory Sam kills an Other with the obsidian blade just at that point, before the return to Craster.)
All-in-all, I think the reason I found it a bit weak was because there was a lot of compression and truncation of the book. But I don’t suppose non-book readers will be disappointed in that way.
Somewhat weak episode offset with lots of sexy time bits. Enjoyed it, but more for the movement towards and setup of things yet to come than for anything unique to the episode. I did enjoy the TV take on the blood of kings bit and the Second Sons/mercenary dillemma. Truncated, yet done so in a way that still leaves things open for important events later on. The producers so far have been really good about simplifying the books without losing too much important content or perspective. It also helps give the series a “fresh” edge for those of us who have read the books multiple times. There have been several moments this season where my wife has asked a question and I’ve had to reply “I honestly don’t know, this is different from the books”, and frankly it’s been kind of exciting.
Damn HBO for skipping next Sunday. Now I have to make sure my subscription is extended through the next 3 weeks at least. I’m dying to know which pivotal scenes I suspect will be part of this season will occur next episode versus the finale. Remember, in Season One and Season Two the most “WTF!? OMG!!!” scenes actually came in Episode 9, not the finale.
I loved the episode - I was cheering Sam at the end with both hands in the air. And that was me knowing everything that was coming.
All of my minor nitpicks are just that - nitpicks at great lines from the book that were left out - however, watching the Commentary on each episode, I understand what the producers of the show are doing (Giving Stannis more of a conscious, Making Joffrey hide his psychosis from the court at large, etc. etc.)
Given how difficult the source material is - I can only salute the show Producers for how well they were doing.
Phred
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Damn I missed that thanks for the reminder.
Odd to say that since Dinklage is always so good, but getting sloppy-drunk seemed largely out of character for Tyrion as presented so far in the show
The really sloppy-drunk stuff after he threatened Joffrey was clearly a show so that he didn’t get executed by his nephew.
Blips
4648
Thought the episode was better than the previous, but was generally quite dull except for the few highlights. The CGI of the white walker’s death was fantastic, but the shattering of the sword just moments before looked like something from a 90’s sci-fi show. Danny’s manipulation of the mercenaries in the book seemed more believable in the book than in the show (after ignoring the simplifications made). For a second I almost thought they were merging the events of Joffery’s wedding with Tyrion’s wedding. Tyrion’s threat and attempted backpedaling was a lot of fun to watch.
But the worst part is the TWO WEEK WAIT until the next episode!
As a side-note, I must admit I find the interaction between Samwell and the Craster daughter quite charming, it’s a good counterpoint to the “heavy” stuff.
Another highlight I forgot to mention was Cersei’s freezing put-down of the Knight of Flowers (“nobody cares what your father said”). It reminded me of what Tyrion said in a previous episode “he will come to know a deep and singular misery” :) Her threat to Margery was chilling too. What with her inability to control Joffrey, she’s seemed weaker in this season and the last, compared to the first; it’s nice whenever you get to see the Bitch Queen side of her, a reminder that she’s not out of the game yet.
olaf
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Why is there a 2 week wait until the next one? Memorial Day weekend?
Yea. Sucks they make they are gonna hold the biggest episode of the season for 2 weeks…bastards.
Razgon
4652
That is only in the states, though - right? I mean, its not like we have a Memorial Day here in Denmark so I assume its going to air here like always!
See, I thought it was just a stupid line. Statements like that could kill alliances. I know I wouldn’t tolerate open threats to my daughter like that. I know the show wanted to display Cersei as a bitch but there are better ways of doing so.
Of course there are; however, the plain fact of it is that Cersei is inept at the Game.
Cersei’s ego writes cheques her intellect and skills cannot cash. Worse, she is unable to distinguish between a rival and an enemy. She is no match for Margaery Tyrell.
Indeed, I believe that all of Cersai’s lines this week were to show how powerless and clueless she is. She’s not in control of her son the king (Tywin is, or so he thinks), her father has simply declared by fiat that she is to marry a catamite (and worse, move away from Jamie), and worst of all she is seeing all of her previous power being moved to a younger, prettier, craftier woman.
When she is approached by people that could theoretically help her - offering the opportunity for alliances or at least mutual support - she snaps at them rather than show a bit of weakness.
Yeah, Cersei’s arc is pretty much how the self-controlling egotist is basically slowly but surely losing control of pretty much everything.
— Alan
Cersei wants to wield power like the men do and it’s impossible in their world so her frustration shows in that empty threat to Margaery. It wasn’t the least bit chilling because she’s not in a position to do jack shiat to the Tyrells. She’s going to be in THEIR house, under their control. She was just venting the same way Tyrion vented by threatening Joffrey, with an equally impotent threat. She’s especially ticked off at the Tyrells since they are, indirectly, the reason she’s marrying Loras. Margaery was throwing her a bone, sort of offering to look out for Cersei IF Cersei plays ball(act as sisters). Certainly to someone like Margaery, Cersei’s abilities as a partner in scheming and as a Lannister would be of value. Of course to someone who sees herself as equal to the men that’s an insult.
I think you guys are slightly mistaken. Remember the bit where Cersei showed Littlefinger that “power is power” (as opposed to his “knowledge is power”)? She still has that real power, for the moment. Yes, she’s losing her grip on the situation, she’s lost control of her son, etc., etc., but for now, she’s still the Queen, she has real power. That’s why Margery was visibly reeling - she knew the threat wasn’t empty.
I could maybe buy that she might be tempted except Littlefinger is not a Tyrell and Margaery is. Let’s face it, what Cersei said was the GoT equivalent of “Stop that or I’ll kick your ass” but if she could kick her ass, ie remove Margaery as a threat to her power, she would have. By resorting to that Castamere story, and subsequent threat, Cersei was showing how powerless she really is to do anything. Tywin, now that’s the person Margaery would believe. The thing is if she got on Tywin’s bad side she’d never know it until she woke up dead one morning.
Margaery is taken aback because she’s never been openly threatened like that before. She’s not used to that kind of open threat.
— Alan
