Spoiler note: The discussion in this post is primarily for non-book readers (book fans can discuss the show-only here). We ask that all Sullied book-readers refrain from posting spoilers in the comments here, veiled or otherwise. No spoilers, at all! This show is best viewed without knowing all the surprises beforehand or afterwards, so please be respectful of your fellow fans. Thank you!
Welcome to the house of cold and ice. You have a found a man and his illustrious Unsullied recap at everyone’s favorite GoT destination, Watchers on the Wall.
I would highly recommend following whatever orders you might be given. There is a new LC at the CB, and he doesn’t take kindly to men who disregard or openly oppose his demands.
Last week, A man appeared. This week, THE man appeared. And “No One” was born…
Thanks for joining the Unsullied army, as we all get a little closer to being on a level playing field.
This highly regarded recap is aimed at the non-book reader army, although the Sullied are invited to share their thoughts on our uneducated estimations (minus the book spoilery or leakage discussion of course).
All men/women must serve. And at the Jaqen Day Spa and Therapy, all men and women must pay their dues with the keeping of the floors before receiving their death bath and massage (don’t drink the water).
In the journey to becoming no one, no one will talk to you, at least in the beginning. But later, a girl with no name enters Arya’s bunkroom to give her a few B&W pledge lashings. Luckily, no one shows up to tell Arya that to become no one, you have to disown Arya’s belongings. Arya confused?
Arya finally gets a much needed wardrobe change and brought Ozzette to tears with the potential toss of needle into the depths of the sea. But instead, she hid it in a rock wall preserving at least a small piece of where she came from.
Next up, we get a wedding (and a wise choice to skip out on a reception). Luckily for Tommen, this wedding gets a bedding.
Breathe kid. Breathe.
Tommen doesn’t feel any guilt from benefitting from the death of his brother, a notion that is likely shared by millions of men who adore Natalie Dormer.
Margaery’s idea from 501 regarding getting Cersei out of King’s Landing is revealed here by working her magic in the bedroom and potentially making it Tommen’s idea. Of course, Cersei catches on rather quickly and goes to pay the new Queen a visit.
Margaery wastes no time in showing her newfound royal confidence to Cersei by cracking wine jokes and talking about sex with her son and even debating how she should refer to her mother in law. But Cersei knew this was coming, right?
One of my questions from the wedding is this: If Cersei is aware of the future as given to her by the witch in episode 1, why would she allow Tommen to wed Margaery? Is it simply to bond the Houses of Lannister and Tyrell? The need of Tyrell funding? And even so, if all of the prophecies alluded to by the witch have come to fruition thus far, wouldn’t you somehow attempt to change that course?
Fuck it. Let’s go to Winterfell and talk about, what else? Weddings.
![GOT_503_CUT_L_030215_VAM.104313[1] (1)](https://watchersonthewall.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/GOT_503_CUT_L_030215_VAM.1043131-1.jpg)
And what better way to introduce the new Winterfell than with flayings and food, and Roose and Ramsay and Reek?
Of course, the implied shocker here is the idea of Sansa being proposed to marry Ramsay (although the concept of Sansa going to Winterfell was somewhat spoiled by seeing her in the crypt in one of the Season 5 trailers).
Put two and two together, and this was not quite as big of a shock as it should have been. In fairness to other members of the Unsullied army, Ozzette was horrified and did not see it coming.
But why in Seven Hells would Sansa agree to it? Her options are undeniably limited. I get that. And she obviously knows very little about her hubby in waiting. But still, Roose killed Robb, and she is at least aware of that.
Want some spec? Here it is: at some point, Sansa is going to run into Theon and either he will snap out of his state of Reekness and warn her, or she will simply comprehend the state he is in and see the writing on the wall.
Regardless, the common theme with Ramsay will prevail: If you think this has a happy ending, you haven’t been paying attention.
That is, unless Brienne saves the day.
The other side of this agreement featuring Roose and LysaKiller should become even more intriguing as it progresses. The player and flayer, together at last and feeling each other out.
Is it safe to assume that Cersei has summoned LK to King’s Landing and thus is the reason Roose wants to see the response? Of course, the only safe assumption is that it’s not safe to assume. But this would make sense I suppose.
Quick note: I enjoyed the dialogue between BriPod/Broderick/create your own witty duo name here. The backstory on Brienne and Renly helped solidify why she felt so deeply for him and most importantly, that borrowing ham in Westeros is an unwise strategic move.
Could the dialogue be a set-up for Brienne actually helping the Boltons? She spoke about avenging the death of Renly and knowing that Stannis was the culprit. She is traveling North, and Roose is in need of more support. And now we know that Stannis is heading to Winterfell very soon.
I think I would be happy with a complete episode of nothing but Jon and Stannis in conversation. But Jon and Davos are pretty damn intriguing too, and considering that Davos could sell ice to Wildlings, you have to wonder if Jon will reconsider the offer from Stannis.
What Jon won’t reconsider is what he will do to cowards from the Kingsguard when they tell him to shove something up his buttocks. The scene reminded me of Ned taking the head of the deserter from the very first episode and if that was the intent, then well done.
Goodbye Janos Slynt.
In a natural progression, we go from a beheading to a bizarre rendition of bare ass musical chairs, minus the chairs, starring the High Septon and hosted by bearded Olyvar.
And then things got REALLY hairy…
(No pic here).
The party is interrupted by the Sparrows and coincidentally, Lancel Sandwich blocks what was about to be a Septon Sandwich.
Cersei then goes to meet with the High Sparrow in what appeared to be the Soup Kitchen of Westeros. We know from the past how Cersei truly feels about this level of the community. But she aligns herself with the sparrows for reasons unknown at this point. She’s not done playing yet.
Finally, Tyrion avoids insanity and abandons the box to witness the Volantis version of Red Velvet then heads to a neighborhood brothel. And in another chance meeting in a public place, THE man, Jorah Mormont makes his Season 5 debut and kidnaps the real pissing champion.
One more thought: “I’m taking you to the Queen.”
Any doubt about which “Queen” Jorah is talking about? You tell me. ![GOT503_091114_HS__DSC1507-2[1]](https://watchersonthewall.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/GOT503_091114_HS__DSC1507-21.jpg)
Episode 503 Personal Awards
Favorite Action Sequence: No huge action sequence and no Ser Pounce. But at least Tommen got pounced, and I think we can categorically define this as action.
Favorite Quotes: “Did I hurt you?” -Tommen
“This is all I want to do, all day, everyday, for the rest of my life.” -Happy Tommen
“Whoever said that didn’t have many enemies.” –Stannis
“A man’s private affairs should stay private.” –“Dead Cats” Pycelle
“Hypocrisy is a boil. Lancing a boil is never pleasant.” –High Sparrow
Ow, That Shit Hurts Award: “What’s the proper way to address you now? Queen mother or Dowager Queen?” Ouch.
Jackass of the Week: Janos Slynt. This will be his final nomination.
Overall Thoughts: Best episode of the Season thus far in my opinion. The stage has been set for major issues throughout.
A man has questions, as I’m sure you do also. Share ’em and we shall discuss.
Until next week, hang out and stay awhile. Invite an Unsullied to join us. And may there always be peace in your realm. –Oz
“Unbowed. Unbent. Unsullied.”
Find Oz on Twitter.
REMINDER: No spoilers in the comments please.
Heavens to Betsy… How the hell did Littlefinger convince Sansa to marry Ramsay???
Her problem is not that she’s been “running” all her life, but more the case of been bethroned or married to the wrong men. And now she’s about to marry one of the most Monsterous… and Littlefinger hasn’t doesn’t know about him???
Still intrigued how this will turn out but I think there could have been a better dialogue made for that moment.
ps …
I think Brienne is going to die this Season :o(The only thing I can think of is that he’s planning on killing off the Boltons at the wedding. That’s what he seemed to be implying to Sansa, anyway. With everyone there recognizing/possibly supporting her and Brienne coming up from behind to rescue her from Littlefinger, it will be interesting to see what goes down in the end.
That scene in the inn with the prostitute in the Mother of Dragons costume was hilarious. Poor Jorah.
Hopefully Varys runs a good interception on him, though.
She married Tyrion, and he turned out alright.
I agree. Merely saving “vengeance” shouldn’t be enough, Sansa should want to know some semblance of the plan if she doesn’t want to just be a pawn.
probably my fav ep so far this season… Jon owned this episode. tho it was oddly reminiscent to Ned killing the deserter and even moreso Robb killing lord Karstark even the music that was playing was the same as lord karstark’s beheading. and we both know what happened to both those characters. No Dany this episode though I’m sure next ep will make up for it
moonlightof1982,
ummm…. Sansa with LF would not be hot… it would be disgusting. and i don’t think its bad writing to set sansa up to get some Stark vengeance.
I think they would make a hot couple too and pray for it to happen
YOU GUYS. THERE IS A STARK IN WINTERFELL!!!
I had trouble feeling anything more nuanced than that with the Sansa scenes.
And poor Tommen…he’s basically a human demilitarized zone at this point.
King of the Ashes,
I agree Sansa and LK would be disgusting. But so is Sansa with Ramsey. I am really worried about this. I don’t like this at all.
Really loved the scene of Jon beheading Janos Slynt(no more Jackass awards for him). Liked the way how Alliser Thorne first stands in front of him and then steps aside.
Other great scenes:
Arya not letting go of Needle.
The tables have turned between Cersei and Margaery.
And what the hell Jorah?
This was a pretty crazy episode. Some turns I didn’t expect at all, while it almost got where I expected for some characters, but just not quite. That will require much more rewatching.
Either way, as I understood Sansa/Littlefinger, it’s not gonna be Littlefinger planning stuff anymore. Sansa is supposed to do it herself, it’s time for her to show what she’s learned in her (new) life. Quite a paralell with the other Stark girl (alright, she’s not supposed to be called that anymore, I guess), btw. And Sansa has been reassured (by the old nun) that the North stands with her. It’s all in Sansa’s hands now.
The Sansa thing is way off the book so we readers can speculate freely there… and I take Littlefinger at his word that he is implanting Sansa there as part of some kind of vengeance plot. Littlefinger would benefit by having Sansa marry a Bolton and then seeing them killed off (either by Stannis or some other plot).
And if Stannis rides into Winterfell, he owes a great deal to Ned Stark… and an honorable man would hold Ned’s last standing true-born child in the highest regard.
Another great re-cap Oz – glad you enjoyed the episode.
I’m fully with you about the Jon/ Stannis scenes! They’re fantastic.
As for quotes, the best in the show, without a doubt, was “The North Remembers”…!
doesn’t Sansa need an annulment since she is already married to Tyrion?
yeah no. It’s not way off-book because the story is using many elements from the books and I think you know that. I really would prefer that book readers keep their speculation to the book readers’ recap because your spec is most certainly informed by your reading.
Littlefinger might just have the same kind of destabilization goals that Varys had for other ends. Say he wants the Boltons out of power. Maybe the aftermath would suit The Eyrie and thus LF. Either Sansa succeeds somehow at a North-supported unseating, or she is abused and even killed (LF don’t care) and this inspires the North to rise up.
I suspect the root of the criticism of how realistic this plot is has everything to do with it being different from the books, and people lacking the imagination to recognize that we don’t know LF’s plans or mind.
Just FYI, Oz – Janos Slynt was commander of the City Watch (Gold cloaks), not the Kingsguard (White cloaks).
King of the Ashes,
…….and the North remembers……..
lori in ca,
The show attempted to foil that issue last night with the discussion of Tyrion and Sansa never consummating the marriage.
Sojourn,
Good call. You are correct.
King of the Ashes,
…….and the North remembers……..
Doran’s Gouty Foot,
Agreed! The North Remembers is the best quote included in this episode.but the one quote missing was the one we were all waiting for up at Castle Black……….”Edd, bring me the block.”!!! The scene still played beautifully though. Edd’s nod, Olly’s scramble for Longclaw and Alliser’s reconsideration of whose side he was actually on sealed the deal for me. Loved the head roll!!!!!
lori in ca,
no because the wedding was never consummated, just like how Margaery was free to marry Tommen because she never consummated with Joff
such a great episode. Especially for my favorite character, Jon. the way he made Thorne worry that he would be sent out on latrine duty was awesome. I especially loved when Thorne stood in front of Janos to prevent Edd from taking him but moved out of the way, seems that Thorne is starting to finally respect Lord Commander Snow. And the way he was holding Longclaw before chopping off Janos’s head made me feel like I was watching Ned in ep. 1
First post here and glad I found this site.
That old lady telling Sansa “The north remembers” gave me shivers.
Am I the only one?
Jacobes,
Welcome to the party Jacobes!
And I concede… “the north remembers” should have most definitely been included.
I dont think Sansa was convinced all that easily. I think what may have convinced her more is knowing what happens to people who disappoint Littlefinger. Sure, he says he will take care of her – but she saw how he took care of Ser Dontos and Lysa and he brought it up again in the carriage in reference to the guards with them.
Another quote I should have included: “I’ll never hurt her.” -Ramsay
This music was first used in Season 2 Episode 6 (“The Old Gods and the New”) when Theon badly beheads Ser Rodrick. If I am not mistaken, this is the 3rd time they use it.
Fatio,
Jon to Olly “Get me my sword … oh and that good beheading music”
Yup totally agree
Pedrissimo,
I almost fell out of my couch when the old lady looks up at Sansa and says “Welcome home Lady Stark, The North Remembers” Best quote so far in season 5.
you are not. I definitely got some goosebumps when she said that.
The music they’ve used for executions is a derivation of the Greyjoy theme,
used prominently when Theon executes Ser Rodrick, then Robb executing Karstark, then Jon doing so to Slynt.
I’ll take it you were so excited and taken aback by the episode that you mistook ‘alluded’ to ‘eluded’ (paragraph about Cersei and prophecies) and wrote that janos Slynt was a Kingsguard while he was Commander of Goldcloaks (King’s Landing ‘police force’).
Sorry to be nitpicky, it’s just this review seemed to be a little rushed, Oz. (But that happens, especially if it’s because you couldn’t sleep out of excitement. 🙂 )
I am totally up for a Brienne and Reek comedy road trip. Unfortunately I don’t think the plot is going that way.
Also literally no doubts as to what Ser Jorah meant, it wasn’t exactly a cliffhanger
By the way Oz since you don’t do any looking forward posts anymore, could you integrate your predictions for the next episode at the bottom of the recap posts?
They were great, especially the far fetched ones like Lancel Sandwich
TOIVA,
Probably lack of sleep for sure. But no rush. And I enjoy nitpicking. 🙂
Mormont,
I’m still doing them… they just haven’t been as prominent with the leaked episodes being out there. They usually post on Friday or Saturday and will be in full swing past Ep. 4.
, a girl with no name enters Arya’s bunkroom…….
That girl is The Waif and indeed she has no name.
Boojam,
Isn’t The Waif supposed to be Asian according to the casting details posted some weeks a go here?
“Davos could sell ice to wildlings”…. that was an amazing line ! =D
Widows are free to remarry regardless. Lysa remarried after Jon Arryn died, Cersei was expected to remarry. I think Jorah even mentioning his wife remarrying after his exile.
In my first comment for this thread I intended on noting that I thought Littlefinger might have been lying about not having heard of Ramsay.
Well, nothing has happened in the book that informs that opinion. If anything, it expands way beyond the book and projects based on where I think the books haven’t gone yet but the show has. With this bit of the story, the show is more of a spoiler than the books.
Don’t worry too much for Sansa. Yeah, she’s going in against a psycho . . . but . . . this is her home turf. She has the instant loyalty of every non-Bolton in Winterfell and the North.
Tommen has had some really good experiences as King so far, hasn’t he?
Do you really think Jorah will get out of that brothel without The Spider seeing him?
Margery may have twisted the knife just a tad too much. Cersi is getting ready for a war.
I keep trying to post something and it never shows up
ill try again!
OZ!!! what do you think of the red woman in volantis? Stare down of tyrion? Her comment on grey scale? did other crazy red woman cure shireen?
Wilshade,
I agree about Marg
I have a feeling that something bad willhappen to her
Cersi heard the Margery chants on the street, seeing as she is getting the loyalty/love of the people. Now Cersi got the attention of the High Sparrow. She is trying to get the upper hand on the streets. She is getting ready for war.
Great episode. Jon beheading Janos was the best scene! I was on the edge of my seat yeling Do it! I hated that guy!
Sansa also has to deal with Ramsays girlfriend. They made a point of showing her. Don’t forget she is more than a little crazy too.
Remember last season with them hunting and killing (letting the dogs eat) the blond girl because Ramsays gf was jealous?
MaesterofMasonry,
Thar casting seems to not have worked out.
GeekFurious,
But on the other hand, why does that speculation need to be in the Unsullied thread? I’m pretty confident that most if not all plot lines are going to be either off or past book by the end of this season.
That doesn’t mean that I’m suddenly Unsullied and going to be speculating with everyone who hasn’t read the books. I still read them, and they contain more clues about what is to come than appear on the show. That may mean some of the stuff I’m expecting to happen eventually won’t happen on the show, as happens with many plotlines so far that have already appeared on the page.
But even in areas where I “don’t know” what’s going to happen, I do know a little more about the likely trajectory of certain plot lines, and I think we’re all pretty dead certain on the end game for at least one or two based on things that happened in the books but haven’t been brought up at all in the show.
Even with Littlefinger where the show has passed and changed a bunch of what is going on in the books, the plotline is clearly drawing at least some inspiration from book events, and as a book reader, you know more about the character and his motivations than a pure show watcher (not a lot more, but still more).
You also have a better idea of what characters are likely to intersect in any given storyline and which ones are definitely unavailable because they might have their own plots to follow.
In short, having read the books informs a person’s speculation in a lot of ways that aren’t just about “I have a roadmap laid out that tells me exactly what’s going to happen.” We’ve also gotten a few sneak peeks at what roads exist, what roads are washed out and we know which characters have left the roads they were on in the books and which haven’t, and that all makes for a completely different set of assumptions when coming up with speculation about what is going to happen than it would for someone who has watched the show only.
And since all of the book readers are in the same boat as far as what we do and do not know, there’s no real reason to be posting our own speculations in the Unsullied section. Even if you’re inclined to make the argument that it doesn’t hurt anything, what exactly is the advantage?
Was anyone else a bit concerned about the age difference between Tommen and Margaery?The character is like 15 tops right? I think if we had any of our female characters who are about the same age (i.e Sansa, Arya and Myrcella) having sex with a male actor in his 30’s-40’s there would be outrage.
Oz — what about Qyburn and his bundle of joy under that white sheet (were the rats for a feeding)?
Brandon Stark’s Monster,
I see you didn’t watch The Borgias.
“I think I would be happy with a complete episode of nothing but Jon and Stannis in conversation.”
Oh, me too! Me too, so much, they’re so great together!
Sue the Fury,
Agreed. We are Unsullied in the short term, but readers probably have a pretty good idea where her storyline is going this season. We’re more “somewhat-less-sullied-than-previously.”
MUGger,
FrankenMountain I presume? Didn’t really appear to be big enough, but Qyburn is collecting dwarf parts. And rat parts. And yes, I would think potentially feeding. Tastes like chicken.
Brandon Stark’s Monster,
You make a good point. I found it uncomfortable, but I’m provisionally ok with it for the following reason:
The main reason why underaged people should not be having sex with of-age people is that of-age people have a lot more life experience, maturity, and wiles that the under-aged people lack. This is very obvious in underaged female/of-age male relationships, and less obvious but no less true when it’s the other way around.
I think Tommen’s storyline, if handled correctly, will actually demonstrate why it’s initially giggle-worthy but ultimately very problematic and damaging for an underaged guy to be with an older woman. Margery is totally using their relationship to manipulate him, and he is too immature and naive to offer any resistance. This isn’t going to end well for him. He’s almost a poster child for “why underaged sex is still bad when the underaged partner is a guy.”
The North will support Sansa just for being a Stark and she will gain control once the Bolton and Baratheon armies destroy each other. Petyr has all ready Sansa( =The North) on his side, I believe that´s his plan. We´ve already seen two forshadowings (The Mormont girl and the old servant) of Northeners rallying behind a Satrk.
lori in ca,
Technically yes, but I think they may slide by without one for the same reason that LF felt ok making a non-Lannister-approved alliance with the Boltons in the first place. I.e. Winterfell is so far from King’s Landing that the long arm of the King’s law is not quite long enough to reach. Littlefinger says something to Roose to the effect of “the marriage was never consummated, so by the law of the land she is no man’s wife.” I took that to mean that while Sansa is still married to Tyrion in a strict legal sense, no one but a handful of people in King’s Landing are going to care about that technicality. No consummation means people in general don’t regard the marriage as binding. I guess we’ll see how it all shakes out when/if Cercei finds out about this and confronts LF.
Litttlefinger and Sansa would be a far better match that her and Ramsay! There is nothing anyone could say to convince me that this is going to go well for Sansa. The abuse is right around the corner for Sansa.
Oh please. Why would we be concerned? They didn’t show anything, it was all implied.
On this show, we’ve seen babies killed, children (Arya and others) do and witness horrible things, etc. And (even though it’s a fantasy world) in midevieval times, it was common for people that were Tommen’s age to marry. Even back in season 1 we saw old Walder Frey slobbering all over his new ‘wife’ who was 14. No outrage there. Was there any outrage when Dany (also not of age) was basically raped by Khal Drogo in the very first episode? Nope.
Was the scene suppose to be uncomfortable? Sure. That made the point come across even more clearly that the older woman (Marg) is the queen of manipulators, and does whatever necessary in her relationship with Tommen to manipulate him.
Brandon Stark’s Monster,
I was surprise that there wasn’t. I was shocked that they did that. Last year several people were talking about the seduction scene between then, and now people didn’t think much about the sex scene.
Delta1212,
Let me love you for that reasoned point about the fallacy of “we’re all Unsullied now,” and for the perfect reasons you (and a few others) have stated.
For us fiercely Unsullied, we so appreciate the book readers who don’t try to spoil, oho, I mean, “speculate” their way into ruining what’s to come for us non-readers. The Olde Site’s Unsullied recaps were always rife with “Hey, what if… [actual book spoiler because they find it amusing I suppose]”, so I’m insanely happy that the WotW and folks such as yourself are keeping it 100% here. <3
slayjoy,
I agree that this is nowhere near as controversial as some other things the show has done. But what I found a bit uncomforable (for me at least) was the age difference between the actors, not the characthers. Sure Dany was a teenager when she was raped by Khal Drogo but both actors were adults when it was filmed. Nevertheless, I hope this doesn’t become an issue, because honestly, this is nothing compared to other scenes in GoT, or one particular scene from The Borgias.
P.S: Dean Chapman is one lucky young man, regardless of issue or not.
RanfomGoTfan,
Chapman is 17, so he’s technically underage, but the scene never showed them having sex. You heard panting offscreen as the scene faded in and the first thing you see is one of them rolling off the other. There was never any fake sex thrusting and Natalie, who’s no stranger to nudity, was covered up the entire scene. It was really just two actors sitting side by side in bed talking to each other. I think our minds are mentally filling in the gaps and making the scene more controversial than it actually is.
Anyone else realize that in this episode we learn that Tyrion can indeed speak high valyrian? It was subtle, most didnt even realize it I think. When the brothel guard rubs his head and says in high valyrian, “it’s good luck to rub a dwarfs head.” He acknowledged and responded in the common tongue in the most familiar “Tyrion” type of a way. Just thought it was interesting as I can’t recall of us ever acknowledging Tyrions lingual abilities.
FictionIsntReal,
Well, maybe LF (LysaKiller?) explained to her the plan on the way to Winterfell, but it’s not being shared with us, the audience, for dramatic purposes. That was what I thought while watching it.
Delta1212,
Well said. We Sullied have NO business “speculating” about anything in these threads.
I appreciate that they had the Welshman Iwan Rheon pronounce the Welsh name Cerwyn in this episode.
Well, as also noted by someone higher up, I’ve noticed on rewatch the greyscale (‘Stonemen’) mention. Twice in two episodes, that either means something or DnD are playing with us. Assuming the first, it would give some credence to Melisandre having somehow saved Shireen and thus gaining Stannis’ favor. I wonder what the price for that was/is. After all, when did Melisandre do anything without someone else having to pay the price?
One very interesting scene is where Cersei tempts the High sparrow. Which he notices in advance… From the look on his face, he’ll play by Cersei’s rules, for now. But ultimately, he doesn’t seem to hold Cersei in high esteem either. I don’t see this going well. Cersei, on the other hand, looked swayed by her own charms. ‘She found someone popular that could help her with you know what mortal enemy: Margaery.’
Speaking of whom, I was half expecting Cersei slapping the new Queen after the wine mention. During that long moment, a huge war was raging in Cersei’s head (and wine-deprived stomach). As Wilshade noted above, Margaery may have provoked the wounded animal more than she should have. Thankfully for her, though, it seems she realised that after Cersei left (the consterne look on Margaery’s face before she turns back to her ‘hens’, as Olenna would put it).
I’ve already given my opinion on Sansa: Littlefinger made it clear to her it’s time to act. I also don’t believe Littlefinger doesn’t care about Sansa. But he believes in her, thinks she’s ready to face the Boltons and win. And frankly, I think she’ll try to at least come up with something. Importantly, she’s not alone: the North stands behind her.
I was impressed with Jon Snow, or rather Kit Harrington. Seems like whenever he gets a chance to do anything else then brood, he’s perfect. And Jon’s becoming a leader.
I have no idea where Arya’s story’s going. If Arya becomes no one, she shouldn’t only abandon Arya’s possessions, but also Arya’s wishes. What does no one care about some Cersei Lannister somewhere across the sea? Of course, apparent by the Needle keeping, Arya’s not ready to give up her stark legacy, so… well, anyone(Unsullied)’s guess.
Ultimately, I wasn’t impressed with the Jorah/Tyrion bit. Is there only one brothel in Volantis? How come Jorah happens to be in Volantis at all right when Varys arrives with Tyrion? This better get explained in the future.
Oh, and I’d forget: I’m definitely not outraged by Tommen consummating the marriage with Margaery. Not only was nothing shown really, but I consider such age discrepancies (or even both husband and wife very, very young either) faithful to the setting. I wouldn’t have been outraged by Sansa with Tyrion either (there was a short moment when it seemed it would happen too). The point of Dean Charles Chapman being young is more interesting, but again, not much was shown, he was still over 17 at time of filming and (while I -as well as my younger self- very much envy him for that scene) he’s probably seen/experienced more beforehand anyway.
slayjoy,
I think the issue that I and others have with the Tommen/Margery thing is not that it’s the most horrible thing ever (it isn’t) or that it was filmed exploitatively (it wasn’t), but that underaged guys being with older women is actually not cool but some people could take away from the scene that it is totally cool. Many horrible things happen in the show, but controversy usually arises when it feels like the show is not treating the bad thing as bad. Dany’s rape and many other traumatic things are clearly depicted as bad, so they are simply part of the story and not controversial.
I suspect the Queen Dany cosplay prostitute was meant to explain Jorah’s presence. 😉
And of course, in the show there seems to be only one brothel or inn in any given location. My husband actually thought Littlfinger’s brothel was some kind of official royal brothel, like a hotel spa but a palace brothel. Because every single person in the Red Keep goes to that particular brothel. 😛
“X isn’t in the books” is absolutely a spoiler – for the books. Which some unsullied may be planning to read. I’m sullied myself, but have had this problem in other fandoms.
Delta1212,
Yes. This. Thank you.
Why did Cersei accept the marriage to Margaery?? The same reason she accepted it for Joffrey, she doesn’t have a choice. The Tyrells are the most powerful lords in Westeros, they have an army of 100.00 (?). If they’re not on your side how can you be sure they won’t go over to your enemies??? And besides, why would she believe that witch? she didn’t seem exactly trustworthy and there are many queens in the world…. Dany’s a khaleesi, but isn’t it the same thing??? I don’t know, I hate prophecies.
Hi Oz,
Long time reader, first time commenter. Always love your posts 🙂
Great episode, it was the best of the season till now. Loved John Snow’s scenes, I did not expect him to behead Slynt though, and in a way he also punished Slynt for betraying Ned Stark.
Also, did Cersei make the high sparrow the new septon? If so, why would she do that, don’t the high septon and his followers despise the king and his family?
Yash,
I believe the reason is a combination of charity and force. Margaery is loved for her charity, and thus Cersei backs a group known for their piousness and charitable acts, with the added bonus of a willingness to use force to obtain their goals. There are not many sources of force left for Cersei in King’s Landing – the Goldcloaks are presumably in the king’s (and thus Margaery’s) hand; Kevan would have left with most of the Lannister armsmen, the rest being divided between her and the king; and with Jaime gone, she has seemingly only a single reliable Kingsguard.
Bringing in a whole new faction and aligning herself with them before Margaery gets a chance to win them over is probably what Cersei has in mind.
JonnyStark,
Also, being able to understand the red woman
Blind Beth,
Ah, the fake Daenerys attraction, renown in all of Essos. Well, okay… it is possible to only be a local specialty for that one brothel.
And when it comes to inns, I was happy the inn where Brienne encountered Sansa wasn’t the Inn where she’d met Hot Pie before and where Catelyn arrested Tyrion. It also didn’t seem to be the one where the Hound with Arya disposed of some lannister men.
And afaik all of those inns are on the way from the Eyrie west (and anywhere else in Westeros), so that’s quite nice. Of course I could be wrong and it was one of the former inns. But I wouldn’t really want to know that…
And Littlefinger’s brothel in King’s landing is a fine establishment, a very important place for the city. If you had the money, would you go elsewhere? (And all of those we’ve seen in there had the money.) There’s no doubt other brothels in King’s landing, but those would only attend to the needs of the less fortunate ones. (And, Baelish definitely is capable of getting rid of concurence, so that’s another reason for not having far too many such establishments there.)
Johkmil,
That’s pretty much what I’d think too. Out of the blue, Cersei thinks she’s found useful allies in her attempts to keep power.
And I’m not sure why the Septons would despise the royal family, Yash. After all, the incest thing is still officially a (very badly kept) secret. Now the possibility is that the former septons might not like the Sparrows in their midst (and the fact the former High Septon was apparently thrown in the black cells).
Ohh, I meant the high Sparrow and his followers :-
Yash,
Ah, the Sparrows not really liking the royal family? Weeell… That would make sense. That’s why I’m fearing for Cersei (well, as for any highborn in King’s Landing, really), she thinks she’s found allies against all the other powerful players, not quite realising they might turn on her as well. At least some of the Sparrows seem fanatic, she can’t possibly hope to control them all, yet she’s so blinded in her fight against Margaery that she doesn’t seem to notice.