Game of Thrones-S4E3 "Breaker of Chains" By Greg Hernandez

Last week I praised the brilliant directing of Alex Graves. This week I must criticize it. I knew full well that seasons 3 & 4 would contain more important deviations from the books than past seasons had. However, the latest diversion has created a controversy that has upset many people. Let's dive in.

I understand full well that this show is merely the reader's digest version of the books. This is an adaptation. With that being said the alteration of one particular scene between two major characters did not make sense to me.

So far this season I have been very pleased with almost everything. I know that every single juicy scene from the books cannot make it onto the show. For instance, we have not seen Loras Tyrell confront Brienne of Tarth over the death of Renly Baratheon yet. Stannis allowing Melisandre to burn his brother-in-law Florent, last episode for being an infidel was bizarre. In the book Stannis only had people burned who betrayed him, he let his bannermen keep the seven. Florent was burned because he was not loyal. He betrayed Stannis' cause by conducting deals with the Lannisters in secret. Now on to the third diversion.

Rape is a common theme in Game of Thrones. Last season we saw Theon and Brienne nearly raped. Season two saw Sansa avoid the same fate. In the pilot we saw Drogo consummate the marriage with Dany by force, (also completely different than in the book). The show does not always remain faithful to the books. However in scenes such as these, (Dany and Drogo) and (Cersei and Jaime) does it need to be altered in such a way? Comparing the versions of these scenes from the books to the small screen, I know which version I prefer.

In this episode, rape is prevalent, but then again when is it not? First, Sam being worried about Gilly's safety at Castle Black because there are so many rapers. He takes her to the brothel in Mole's Town, where the owner: a woman suggests a more lucrative occupation for Gilly. She would even give Sam a percentage of the profit. Sam refuses. The mutinous Night's Watch men beyond the wall at Craster's keep: like Dolorous Edd said, "poor girls. Never thought they'd miss their daddy." The father who takes Arya and The Hound in, prays for his daughter's chastity. Lastly, Mereen. Dead slaves posted every mile count for 163 miles. Do we honestly think the slaves who survive are not raped? All of this does not disturb us as much as the visual representation of the heinous act.

 We all know it is acting. It is choreographed. Still, we are seeing this. It makes it far more disturbing than having it implied or hearing about it from another character. Cersei and Jaime. Their twin bond has not been well represented on the show. Even the initial pilot of Game of Thrones had to be redone because the show runners failed to show the buyers exactly why it was wrong that these two individuals engage in sex. It was not clarified which house they belonged to or the fact that they were siblings. Now the characters are reunited and the show runners have failed to produce the bizarre, disturbing and quite hilarious consensual sex scene from the books.

 *SPOILERS AHEAD*

{In the book the relationship between the siblings is obviously well developed. Also, the timeline of Jaime's arrival to the capital is different. He arrives after his son's demise. He returns to find a grieving Cersei. Jaime is a man who has been through a lot. He's fought for his life, killed to survive, been a prisoner of war and lost his sword hand. His treacherous journey and lost of limb have severely changed him, but more importantly it began to change the audiences' perspective of him. That character development is essential to the story because now the audience begins to identify with Jaime. He saved Brienne from being gang raped remember? The sex which follows is filled with passion. Of course Cersei refuses at first because of the time and setting, but she soon relents and joins in the passion}

Now, in the show the sex scene is different from the book. Remember in the book the sex scene is from Jaime's Point of view, however the dialogue, and this is the key, shows that there is no rape. The director of this episode, Alex Graves, the show runners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, can say whatever they wish. Their intention for how the scene played out is not clear. It cannot be 'rape and not rape'. It is one or the other. The dialogue cannot be exact from the book. This is an adapted medium containing harsh rhetoric, which easily leaves the audience cringing, confused and disgusted. It almost ruins the rest of the episode for the viewer.

*SPOILERS*
[Now to prove my point here is the example, on page 851 of "A Storm of Swords," the scene at first appears to be rape, but turns into a bizarre consensual sex that is both lustful and hilarious to read. It was hilarious for me because I found it to be quite the 'homecoming' for Jaime. In the show Cersei never tells her brother to "hurry," or "quickly, quickly, now, do it now, do me now. Jaime Jaime Jaime." Her hands do not guide him inside of her. She never says "Yes" once he begins to thrust. "My brother, sweet brother, yes, like that, yes, I have you, you're home now, you're home now, you're home." She does not kiss his ear or stroke his hair in the show's version.]

*END OF SPOILERS*

Perhaps Mr. Graves, Benioff, and Weiss found that version too difficult to shoot or not believable. Why? I do not understand? Jaime has one hand. He rapes her with (one hand)...it made more sense in the book. I was looking forward to seeing this scene. Perhaps, they desired a more brutal version true to their heinous vision of the world that is Game of Thrones. Regardless of what their vision is. In my opinion they got it wrong. Jaime does force himself on Cersei, but the words, 'I don't care' were a bad choice. Saying them once about their present location is understandable, however they are wrong to say to Cersei herself. That is the problem. Having Cersei put in a scenario where she goes from grieving to being infuriated because of her father mocking her dead son right in front of his body to his own little brother no doubt and then being raped makes absolutely no sense. According to the first episode of this season, Jaime has been at the capital for weeks. Why would he wait to rape his sister now? He was refused then, but now after listening to her ask him to kill their own brother and receiving a soft kiss from her, that is enough to provoke the next series of actions? His words, "loving a hateful woman" are quite superfluous. Raping a hateful woman, makes you a hateful man. His line would make perfect sense if he walked out of the room, but he does not.

Since this show is adapted from the novel, certain events must happen. Still, when I saw the brief scene between Jaime and Cersei in last year's season finale, I thought to myself. Well, this is interesting; wouldn't it have been better to have Jaime arrive at the capital the following season? His final scene in season 3 could have been him, Brienne, Qyburn and Bolton's men finding out that they are less than a fortnight away. Then Jaime could have made his season debut in episode three, but of course that would not work because it would directly result in Jaime only appearing in about 5 episodes this season. The daunting task of adapting these novels onto the small screen is incredible to behold. I have learned to appreciate the show and books for what they are. Separate stories. Still this scene did not need to be directed this way. Audience members who have not read the books will feel conflicted over Jaime. The next episode is an important one for him. Just look at the trailer, he's all over it.

Here's George R.R. Martin's take on that scene.

"The whole dynamic is different in the show, where Jaime has been back for weeks at the least, maybe longer, and he and Cersei have been in each other’s company on numerous occasions, often quarreling. The setting is the same, but neither character is in the same place as in the books, which may be why Dan & David played the sept out differently. But that’s just my surmise; we never discussed this scene, to the best of my recollection.
Also, I was writing the scene from Jaime’s POV, so the reader is inside his head, hearing his thoughts. On the TV show, the camera is necessarily external. You don’t know what anyone is thinking or feeling, just what they are saying and doing.
If the show had retained some of Cersei’s dialogue from the books, it might have left a somewhat different impression — but that dialogue was very much shaped by the circumstances of the books, delivered by a woman who is seeing her lover again for the first time after a long while apart during which she feared he was dead. I am not sure it would have worked with the new timeline.
That’s really all I can say on this issue. The scene was always intended to be disturbing… but I do regret if it has disturbed people for the wrong reasons."

No sense in complaining about this scene if you do not plan on reading the books. I cannot imagine how Mr. Martin must feel. Seeing your work altered is one thing, but when it is altered to this degree, it makes you wonder what exactly were the show runners thinking? More importantly, what is the pay off?

Moving from this disturbing scene we move to another one on a different scale. The Wildlings. Styr The Magnar of Thenn once again displays his brutality through cannibalism by grabbing a scared boy who was trying to hide and tell him that he will not only devour his parents, but to pass that message on to the Crows at Castle Black. The boy gets their quickly enough, which means the Wildlings are taking their sweet time in raiding and looting. Do Thenns only eat human flesh? Beyond the Wall, I guess that's all they can find. Game is scarce there. Well, like the gay whore from KL said, in reference to women, "I never acquired the taste." Over time Thenns may have lost interest in normal food.

Staying in The North, the Night's Watch finds out that the Wildling threat is far more imminent than they imagine. Not only are they raiding south of the wall and gaining ground, but the mutineers of the watch at Craster's keep know full well of the depleted numbers at Castle Black. Mance must not know that there are only 100 men in his way, not 1,000.

Tywin's manipulation. How great of a scene was that with Tywin, Cersei and Tommen. Cersei's silence was fun to watch. All of the hatred, resentment for her father is boiling to the surface. All she says is, "This is hardly the place or the time." Oh, right you are Cersei. Talk about a foreshadowing line. Tywin would beg to differ though. The arc about the three kings all lacking wisdom was perfect. It was emblematic of the rest of the characters who are in power: Daenerys, Jon Snow, Roose Bolton and Littlefinger. Two of the four are well established players of the game, while the younger two are beginning to learn to play the game. They are slowly becoming wise. Now, freshly dead Joffrey was not a smart king, not a wise ruler. Tywin insults the boy king's legacy right in front of Tommen. Tommen is innocent and more importantly, naive, which makes him a better king than Joffrey because he can be controlled. I also liked how Jaime placed his hand on Tommen's shoulder and asked if he was OK. Also, did anyone catch Cersei looking at Tommen? Remember she has dick envy. Tywin never spoke to her the way he spoke to Tommen. She is jealous, she is hurt, she is losing another son, this time to her own father. Soon, she will be shipped off to Highgarden to marry Ser Loras. Like Oberyn said last episode, she's the former Queen Regent. Her power is abating. This entire scene sets up for later this season and especially the next one. The continual saga of the Lannister clan grows more and more interesting each episode.

Tywin recruits Oberyn. I loved it when The Red Viper turned around and said, "You need us!" In reference to Tywin wanting to bring Dorne back into the fold. Such a brilliant moment. Also, I enjoyed the mutual acknowledgment of the threat beyond the Narrow Sea in Daenerys. The stare down was magnificent too. Tywin doesn't need to be physically stronger to win. He's focused. He gets exactly what he wants. The Lion and The Viper dueling with words. Their eyes locked. The intensity was palpable. Both men are cunning and full of reason. Oberyn proves more than formidable. He accepted Tywin's offer to be a judge under one condition: He wants to speak to the Mountain.

Stannis the whiner, I mean the rightful king. I do not like how the show runners are handling Stannis. Appearing to be desperate is one thing, but ignorant is another. Davos is threatened by the king with time. With Joffrey dead, Stannis 'must make his claim before it is forgotten.' Luckily for Davos, Shireen proves to be just like her father, without the desperation of course. Through his reading lesson, Davos discovers the answer. The Iron bank of Braavos. Now that is twice the Iron Bank has been mentioned. Remember the Crown owes a major debt to the Iron Bank. Who do you think they will side with? The King who owes them money or the King who's finances are in order and will improve remarkably once he sits the throne. The Iron Bank vs The Iron Throne will be a major storyline come next season.

Third time is a charm Marge? Renly, Joffrey and now Tommen. Margaery and Olenna Tyrell discuss how their situation has imrpoved. Joffrey is dead and Tommen will be much easier to control. Of course, Cersei knows that and so does Tywin. Everyone will be fighting to control the new boy King. Like Renly said in the first season when he tried to convince Ned to help him take the Iron Throne. "He who holds the king holds the kingdom." Manipulate the King and the power is yours.

The Hound understands how the world works. The Hound teaches Arya the important lesson of survival of the fittest. He claims that the man and his daughter will not survive the winter. He's right. In some ways it is immoral for them not to take his silver for themselves, because they will need it. Why not? Somebody worse will just end up robbing them later anyway. The realm has been thrown into chaos, those who can survive it will, those who cannot, well...pray to the seven.

In an episode full of rape there had to be a cock fight right? Yes, the male posturing and cock fear was well represented toward the end of this episode. The champions fought. Daario winked at Daenerys and showed her that men are indeed smarter than horses. Afterward he pulled out his cock and took a piss. Showing that it is not just an army of eunuch Mereen must fear.

Daenerys grows wiser each season. Mereen being the largest slave city will prove to be her toughest test yet. She is cunning in immediately dividing the masses against themselves. Now it is the slavers versus the slaves. She masterfully orders the launch of many slave collars used in the "Free Cities" to demonstrate that she is in fact the breaker of chains. The episode ends with a slave picking up the item of his epiphany. The preview for next week's episode yields disastrous results for the slavers.

*Casting update. Check out a new important character from the fifth novel: Hizdahr zo Loraq.

Tyrion and Pod.This was the most beautiful scene in the episode. Podrick bringing Tyrion food. Tyrion alerting Podrick that he will be followed by the ominous "they," and warning him that he must flee the city after he tells Jaime to pay Tyrion a visit of course, which book readers know is where the next duo is created. I love the shifting story lines. Bronn and Varys cannot help Tyrion out, neither can Pod, Jaime is Tyrion's best hope. Oberyn being a judge is a huge wildcard. However, the painful truth is how alone Tyrion is. Having to say farewell to "the most loyal squire," is sad. Ser Podrick Payne or head on spike. It really is that simple.Tyrion ponders who had him framed for the King's murder. Obviously it is not Cersei, but from a realistic perspective that leaves several culprits.

And finally, sly Littlefinger. Dontos did the job as promised. Smuggling Sansa out of the capital. His reward-death. The famous speech from the books did not happen this episode, it must happen next episode.

Best quotes of this episode

-Littlefinger on men like Dontos: "Money buys a man's silence for a while, but a bolt in the heart buys it forever." 

-Stannis on time: "I will not become a page in someone else's history book."

-Davos about Stannis: "He lacks the finer appreciation of bad behavior." Quite the fortuitous quote for this episode, eh?

-Cersei to Jaime: "Avenge our son. Kill Tyrion."

-Olenna to Margeary on widowhood: "You did wonderful work on Joffrey. The next one will be easier."

- Oberyn on growing old: "Make sure you fucked your fill before that day." I love the Red Viper.

-The Hound on stealing: "Dead men don't need silver." 

-The Hound to Arya's honor code AKA-Stark stupidity: "How many Starks they got to behead before you figure it out?"

-Tyrion on Tywin: "Got to hand it to my father, he never fails to take advantage of a family tragedy."

Best moment of the episode: The Hound's table manners were amazing. Love how he interrupted the prayers. "You gonna do all fucking seven?" It also proved that Arya is smart, but not as smart as she thinks she is. Fine, the man and child believed your little ruse, now capitalize on it. The way The Hound took over and robbed the guy was well done. A good teaching moment for Arya. She's becoming a cold blooded killer, but remember she's still a child. Robbing the innocent does not sit well with her, but now she knows better. Drop your honor for now, it is time for survival.

This was the aftermath episode. It was brutal.
However, that scene with Cersei and Jaime was butchered beyond repair.

I give this episode an 8.7

Next week is where things begin to heat up once again.
Bran and company are back beyond the wall, the mutineers at Craster's Keep are back as well, White Walkers, more Lannister drama, Daenerys issuing justice and last but definitely not least, Littlefinger.

Hopefully we finally get to meet the newest character.

Here's the trailer for this Sunday. Game of Thrones S4E4 "Oathkeeper"