"Game of Thrones- S4E2 "The Lion and the Rose"

 

  The deaths of the main characters in this story are what separate Game of Thrones from any other show in the history of television. Shocker after shocker occurs, startling and wowing those who have yet to read the books. Now, we’ve all been waiting for this since episode nine of season one. Heck, many people have been waiting for it even earlier than that. This episode delivered. It satisfied and eased the pain of the previous wedding. It was a triumph for the viewers. The little bastard finally got his comeuppance! 

     

        It was so good to see the final scenes of Joffrey’s life play out. All of his antics reminded us why we truly despised him. Once again Joffrey attempted to publicly humiliate his uncle by demanding that he battle the champion dwarf replica of himself, kneel and be his cup bearer. Joffrey's choking death was the apotheosis of the entire episode. At the very end of the episode many fans were no doubt celebrating, cheering and clapping at his demise. I cannot remember another character on television whose death brought about such a visceral reaction, and yet I felt a twinge of sadness when I saw it unfold myself. I guess it is because I knew his death would be in this episode thanks to the title, but wow, Jack Gleeson’s portrayal of the bastard King Joffrey Baratheon was spot on. Apparently he is retiring from acting. It always sucks when major characters die because then we must say good-bye to the actor as well. Obviously Mr. Gleeson is completely antithetical to the late King of Westeros. Check out this video- Jack Gleeson Answers Every Question.
    
      I cannot wait for the reaction videos of his death. In the meantime check out the tweets. Purple-Wedding Tweets

     The best thing about Joffrey's death is that he was not a White Walker or a dragon. He was a human being. It goes to show everyone that no matter what story we read or watch, no matter who is involved, human beings are the most despicable creatures around. So much hate for this character because he reflects what we all could have been if we had been born of incest, grown up a prince, been taught by our mother that we can do almost anything and that our family is above all others, been shielded by our mother from our father's wrath. They say incest effects the frontal lobe. Finally, in these fantastical medieval times it is so much easier to publicly be a  dick to everyone and get away with it. Still, I am glad that Joffrey is gone, but his death reminded us all that in the end he was nothing more than a scared child looking up at his mother for help. When he knew help would not arrive, his last sights and thoughts fell on his uncle; how he believed his uncle ultimately did him in.

     

    Brilliant directing by Alex Graves. The bits where Joffrey and Tyrion clash are painfully awkward and uncomfortable until Margery has step in to shout “pie!” or say “my love come back to me.” Watching the entire sequences of her trying to get Jofffrey to stop being such a dick were fantastic to watch. By allowing things to get their highest level of awkwardness and then slowly pull them down again keeps all the viewers at bay. It lowers the chances of them guessing what terrible act will transpire.

    Also the wedding feast definitely had the feel of a short-film. So many main characters in one setting. It was shot beautifully. As I said before the series premiere I was mainly looking forward to all the interesting pairs of characters. For starters Brienne and Cersei. Oh, Cersei you [insert "C" word here]. First you despise the poor and send old dirty grand maester pycelle to the kitchen to tell the staff not to give the remaing food to them. Then you're rude to Brienne for good suspected reasons but alas, you do see through Brienne and call out her love for Jaime. Turns out he was gone too long eh? Jaime and Loras was a quick little duel as well. I loved their interaction. It was well written by the show runners. Everything these two characters would say to each other came out in that scene. We'll save the hand bashing for later. Oberyn Martell and Ellaria Sand versus Cersei and Tywin Lannister. Finally, we got a nice little confrontation between these two groups. Lots of sass in this episode. Barb after barb was hurled between Cersei and Oberyn. There are still three more episodes remaining in the season that were directed by Mr. Graves.

    

    

    I love how the hunt went at the beginning. Such a gripping scene. “Rip her. Rip her!” In the book it is even more savage. The tension felt when Theon, I mean Reek was shaving Ramsay was palpable. It marks the first time he’s been in a potential position of power over his tormentor, yet it is obviously futile. Love Ramsay. His hold over Reek is firm. Reek is his play thing. Roose is not amused by his bastard's antics, however they prove to be worth the flaying and missing limbs because of the useful information. Ramsay's portrayal in the show is far better than in the book. Iwan Rheon is doing a phenomenal job with this role. He’s devious, conniving and wants his father’s approval-not love. He’s a bastard, just like Jon Snow. The Boltons are like the Starks, only without honor, smarter and ruthless. The north is up for grabs. First, they must deal with the Greyjoys. Afterward they must find the Stark boys. Roose noted that Tywin gave him the North in name, but did not lift a finger to help him win it. The other northern houses will not feel too hot about pleading fealty to their new warden of the North, since it was decreed by the King that they meant to over throw.

     

    Stannis totally succumbing to the Lord of Light- I mean Melisandre. How awkward is it to have supper with the two “women” in your life? Stannis will do whatever it takes to sit on the Iron Throne. Using black magic, following Melisandre. Notice that they burned the three people. One of which was his brother in law. Last season Stannis decided that he and his army would sail North to assist the Night’s Watch against the Wildings/White Walkers. Burning those people was for what else, good luck, a safe voyage and this time a bloody victory! Melisandre will be there this time! Robb Stark and Joffrey Baratheon are both dead. Balon is next…even if it is out of order based off of the leech ritual last season. Stannis's wife is quite nasty. A religious fanatic. I love GOT because of the clashing religions. Hearing Stannis call his brother in law an infidel echoed the wars in the Middle East. The scene between Melisandre and Shireen was well performed. Shireen essentially matches Melisandre word for word- ideal for ideal.

   

   Bran’s visions into the past and future. Finally! This is very interesting. Bran is the wildcard in GOT. We do not know what his abilities will be able to accomplish. However…. visions of Ned and a dragon flying over what appears to be King's Landing are quite the interesting treat. “I know where we have to go.” Will the next new character be introduced yet? Book-readers know who I am talking about!

   

   Bronn and Jaime. Yes. In the book Jaime wanted a discreet sparring partner so he sought out Ser Ilyn Payne, he’s the guy who chopped off Ned’s head. He’s a mute, makes sense. Jaime is smart. I like the show's version better. Jaime's solution is in the form of a discreet sellsword-turned knight named Bronn. Tyrion helps out Jaime here and now based off of the end of this episode Jaime will need to repay the favor. In the first picture it seems Jaime grew back his hand after all...

   

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    Shae and Tyrion. They finally had their break up! Tyrion lured Shae to his chambers under false pretenses, but was it too late? Bronn seemed ambiguous over Shae’s departure. Remember he's a sellsword, plus Tywin and Cersei are aware of her presence. You cannot trust anyone in GOT.

    

     Funniest moments- 

   1) Oberyn and Ellaria walking over to the woman alluringly splitting her legs and saying hello only to have Tyrion respond, and get a quick “not you” in return haha so good! 

   2) Joffrey laughing so hard during the dwarf battle royal that he spits out plenty of his wine.

   3) Bran waking up from his warg dream to the sound of...what else, "Hodor."  

   4) Tywin and Olenna. The Queen of Thorns tells her husband to shoo! She’s talking with Tywin. Men and Women are equal. It is so very gratifying to see these two formidably intellectual figures walk arm in arm, because in this modern age of sitcoms where the woman marries an oaf who was lucky enough to “find” her. It is better when the two sexes are on the same level. That mutual respect is there. It is a glorious sight to behold.

  5) Olena's quote made me chortle, "Killing a man at a wedding… horrid. Only a monster who do such a thing.” Ah, yes and a monster that person is.

  6) Oberyn looking at Loras and a dying Joffrey. There is a reason why they call him The Red Viper. Maybe he's responsible for poisoning the king...

  7) The name of Joff's sword was "Widow's Wail," oh did Margery wail when he was choking. Also, did anyone notice someone shouting a suggestion that the boy king name his sword "Terminus?" I bet Walking Dead fans got a kick out of that one.

     Important note- The impending battle of the two financial forces. The Iron Bank- "The Iron Bank will have its due." versus The Lannister clan- "A lannister always pays his debts." Both sides are set to clash soon. Something will have to give. Remember in season one when Ned was outraged at how the crown's finances were not in order. The war of the five kings only exacerbated that debt. 

   Overall I give the episode a 9.5

   Arya, Daenerys and Jon Snow were all missing this week.