Game Of Thrones S5E3 Review: "High Sparrow" By Greg Hernandez

Whoa! This episode upset many "book purists!" One particular plot line struck a nerve for a those who are "team Stark." Check out this link: http://time.com/3836068/game-of-thrones-little-finger-sansa-stark-petyr-baelish-ramsay-bolton/

Ouch! This episode was all about dealing with one's enemies. You can try to mollify them, marry them, be phony with them, work with them, imprison them or kidnap them. It's really up to you.
 Let's dive in.

- The character development in this episode was ubiquitous. None bigger than Brienne and Podrick.
Brienne, explains the origin of her nickname, "Brienne The Beauty." Through this tale of youthful embarrassment we see how one act of kindness can win a lifetime of loyalty. Now we understand why Brienne loved Renly and remains fiercely loyal to him. She plans to avenge his death by killing Stannis. I don't think she's stealth or sly enough to con her way into his army. I mean, that's about the only way she would be able to get close to him. She's wearing Lannister armor, bearing Lannister steel and quite frankly, Brienne may not have the brains to get the job done. She acts on instinct and honor alone. She is brash, not calculative. The righteous characters tend to meet their ends in this show so we'll see.

- "Stannis is a man, not a shadow." Oh yes, he's not a god either...

- I enjoyed the backstory of Pod. How he avoided death due to his surname is poignant. Tywin Lannister spared him and punished him by sending him off to squire for Tyrion. I'd call that a reward.

- Pod is also well hung...So...Brienne, if you're ever in the mood. Just close your eyes and pretend he's Jamie. 

- It was such a touching moment to see the chemistry between Pod and Brienne build. Pod compliments Brienne, by telling her that she's the best fighter he's ever seen. Brienne apologizes for snapping at him. Pod shoots back that it's necessary. Otherwise he wouldn't learn anything. Brienne decides to teach Pod how to fight. Better than being knighted. Knights are cunts.

- Brienne knows where Sansa and Littlefinger are headed. They're going the long way, so I expect to see them in episode 5.

- Sansa now realizes where she is headed. Destiny has it that she's going back home to Winterfell. But  the Boltons rule it now, albeit tenuously. Little finger proves that Sansa will not in fact be his kryptonite. Sansa is being pimped out to Ramsay Bolton. From Joff to Ramsay. One psycho to an even worse one...the sadist in the North. Sansa cries her eyes out and refuses, but Littlefinger expertly uses his rhetoric to motivate her.

"Stop being a bystander." It's time to play the game of thrones Sansa.

- Sansa does quite well. She smiles and gives a very convincing masquerade of a courtesy toward Roose. Revisit that scene, terrific acting, the moment of silence was very telling. Roose understands it's bullshit. Arya faked her way with Tywin. Sansa will do the same with him...but for how long? Lots of coyness in The North. Little finger and Ramsay playing around with each other, there was feigning on both sides. Ramsay hopes he can make Sansa happy. Little finger 's musing of not knowing much about Ramsay...I don't believe either of them for a second.

I'm looking forward to seeing how Sansa and Ramsay clash. Will there be a wedding this season? Episode 9 (Ramsay loses his cock)? Will Reek have something to do with it? Will he betray his master? He avoided Sansa. He look disgusted by the flayed bodies. He was listening to the Boltons speak. Is their a rebirth on the rise? A poetic death coming for Reek. Will he sacrifice himself to save Sansa?

- I loved how Roose told Ramsay to stop eating. His lecture is similar to the books...(Book lecture is better). Roose is right when he makes his point about being unable to rule the North through fear, intimidation and flaying. Marriage is how the North will be won.

- Myranda didn't look happy at all when Sansa arrived. She's being tossed to the side...we can expect a violent reprisal from her.

- Roose versus Littlefinger: "The heavyweight match." This lived up to the hype for me. Neither character really said anything. It was all smoke and mirrors. Although Roose let it be clear that the smoke would remain here where he could see it.

A letter from King's Landing: The Queen Mother is not privy to Littlefinger's movements. Nobody knows what Littlefinger wants except Littlefinger. Remember what he said last season after Joff's death.

"A man with no motive is a man no one suspects. Always keep your foes confused. If they don't know who you are or what you want, they can't know what you plan to do next."

Roose doesn't know, but he's sure it won't help his cause. He had the backing of Tywin Lannister. Tywin is gone and the  Lannisters must fend for themselves now. Roose is outnumbered and cannot hold the North against the other families.  Stannis is going to march on them within a fortnight. An alliance with The Eyrie? The marriage of Sansa to Ramsay is meant to solidify his hold.

- "I'd like to read that reply." He says to an upset Littlefinger. Neither side trusts the other. You can't mess with this cold man. Two cold men duking it out with words in the heart of the North.

My question is: If Littlefinger is being serious...which i doubt he is. He is only looking to serve himself. Is he just looking to weaken all of the 7 kingdoms? Attack King's landing from the North with the arms of the Boltons and Vale. Also attack King's Landing from the South with Dorne? Have another massive war which will weaken everyone and put the crown further into debt? Doe he have a company of sellswords across the narrow sea waiting to strike? Or does he have an army?

His father was a Braavosi. Perhaps Littlefinger wishes to conquer Westeros for paternal or nationalistic purposes? Who knows? Only Littlefinger does.

- Sansa being back home was so surreal to see. Great acting by Sophie Turner. I love the old little woman who tells her "The North Remembers, Lady Stark." Sansa is the new Cat or Lady Stoneheart.

- Staying in The North. Jon Snow is now commander. He appoints a ginger to clean latrines.
He keeps his enemy close in Ser Allister and makes him an ally by appointing him 1st ranger. Great move. Janos Slynt acts up and is sent to the chopping block for insubordination.  I love how it was shot. The shadow of Jon at the table with his mug of beer or ale.

-Having read the books I knew Janos would die via beheading, but for a split second it didn't look like Jon was going to go through with it. As soon as Janos confesses to being a coward the deed is done. No Grey Guard for you Janos. 

I love the look from Stannis. His nod of approval. Or his nod of good, now let's burn him!

- Stannis telling Jon that the phrase "Keep your enemies close," was said by someone who didn't have many enemies made me laugh so hard! 

- Jon said "Winter is Coming." He's the new Ned Stark! First time that's been said in a couple of seasons I believe! Stannis tells Jon that he's just like his father. It's a compliment and an insult.
Honor, loyalty and stupidity got Ned killed. Jon may die too. Yes! I said it!

- It's a Game of Thrones pattern. If a main character character beheads someone, that character faces a grisly fate toward the end of that very season. Ned, beheaded the deserter in episode 1. Ned died later that season by the same method. Robb beheaded Lord Karstark. The Red Wedding happened. Theon beheaded Ser Rodrik back in season 2...albeit clumsily and completely antithetical to how Ned or Robb did it. Theon is dead...only Reek remains. So...it looks like Jon Snow will meet an unfortunate end this season.

That's not a spoiler. Just speculation.

- Davos remains behind to talk some sense into Jon. He doesn't want the new Lord Commander to just sit on his ass. "Be the shield that guards the realms of men." Will Jon march on Winterfell when he finds out Sansa is marrying Ramsay? I want to see another Ramsay letter! He's a skilled writer.

- Stannis and Davos play a mean game of "Bad Cop, Good Cop." I think it works better in that order, honestly.

- Arya's impatience earns her some slapping from the girl who tells her that she did not earn that coin and doesn't belong her.  I believe this girl is the "Waif" from he books. She's got the look down. Silence and malice go hand in hand. how Arya is just so eager to race to the finish line and become a badass. She represents the audience, wanting to skip the pages of these thick books and reach the conclusion. She must take in the journey, serve the many faced god, not herself and become no one.

- All of the gods in the temple, represent what? The show will tell. I like how we're seeing more and more of the house of black and white. There are many levels. We may go deeper and lower in each coming episode.

- A girl is not ready for the game of lying, but she's read to clean a corpse. As soon as the man was offered the liquid from the  large fountain, you had to know he would die. Perhaps what he drank were the tears of Lys. A few drops of that and you're dead. Also, the man uttered the famous line,  Valar Morghulis,"All Men Must Die.

- I loved the look the other girl gave to Arya, when asked the question of "What do we do with them after we clean them?" Shut up and clean...you're new Arya...such a NOOB!

- Cersei in King's Landing. When a High Septon gets naughty in the brothels..."Always the Maiden."
"Two will cost you extra." It's high time to throw him in one of the black cells...See what I did there?
Especially when he comes back demanding justice.

- Cersei's conversation with "The High Sparrow," was extremely informative. Please re-watch that scene. Many great things were said throughout it. Lots of foreshadowing in that scene.

My favorite bit was when the High Sparrow's line, "We're often stuck with the names our enemies give us. " It's a true statement. Cersei very subtly expresses her support for the High Sparrow in exchange for his support. You can't make everyone your puppet Cersei! Tywin would have handled that differently.

- Margaery and Tommen get it on. Tommen hasn't planted his seed inside her yet, but she has already planted hers inside the King's head. Words are weapons and so it what's in between a woman's legs. Calling a king a cub or a boy is the perfect way to turn him against his mother, especially after sex for the very first time. I'm a man now, not as long as your mother is around.

Cersei instructed Tommen to never trust anyone in the capital, does that include her?

- Tommen bringing up of Casterly Rock sets the stage for a nice little phony showdown between the two Queens. Queen Regent mother versus the new Queen. "Dowager Queen," ouch, that hurts and the comment about it being too early for wine do too. The words sting Cersei. She is the new Robert. I expect her to have that flagon of wine handy at all times. Great acting by Lena Headey. You can see how she's seething underneath, because she knows she cannot do anything in this critical juncture. She'll have to wait, marshall her resources and attack from a different angle. I expect this attack soon.

- Qyburn has some Frankenstein action going on! It won't be long now, before we see the new and improved Ser Gregor.

- Tyrion, we finally see you trapped in another, yet larger box. Your stir craziness is beyond feverish at this point. Uttering the phrase "I have to get out of this box," three times was awesome to see. Cabin fever to the max! You can feel the pain in the character. Varys finally gives in and grants Tyrion's wish. They walk around Volantis.

- The oaf who rubs Tyrion's head and proclaims it's for good luck is met with a hilarious comeback from "The Imp," he hates that nickname - with "It's also good luck to suck a dwarf's cock.
Vary's reactions to Tyrion's antics are priceless. It's like dude! Let's keep a low profile! DO you WANT to DIE!?!?

A lovely moment occurs when the Red priestess locks eyes with Tyrion for a few seconds. She doesn't know who he is, but she knows he is very important. 

- Tyrion in familiar territory in the brothel. Queen Dany lookalike is there with a nice dress haha
Daenerys doesn't make an appearance, but brothel Dany is close enough.

Tyrion gets close to one whore, but discovers that this is eerily similar to Tysha and Shae. He cannot open up that wound again. Instead he goes off to piss and gets kidnapped by Ser Jorah. I guess the Tyrion and Varys show is over. Time for the Jorah edition. He's taking her to Dany, not Cersei.

What did you all think of this episode?

Did you learn how to deal with your own enemies? 

Isn't it pretty silly how Sansa dyed her hair, still gets noticed and is now going to be married back home? SO much for cover...

Below is the promo for this week's episode: Game of Thrones Episode 4 Promo: "Sons of The Harpy"

Comment and let me know!

Game of Thrones S5E2 Review: "The House of Black and White"

 

In this episode, not everything is so black and white.  The journeys and the intentions of many of the characters are blurred. Their decisions are far from easy. It is difficult to rule, it will be difficult to lead, it will be difficult to leave everything you know behind and it will be difficult to avenge your loved ones.

This episode is truly grey. Lots of folks complained about the pacing for the first episode of this season. Here in episode 2, "House of Black and White," we are treated to the familiar pacing from last season. I must admit that I'm not too crazy about the book changes, but I do understand that they're completely necessary for the show to continue to excel. The narrative must fit the visual format. Many characters must be cut from the book's storyline. Many storylines need to be joined to characters that are already established. New pairings need to be made. So. Let's dive in!

Arya makes her season debut. Her arc will be the spark plug for this season. Lots of intrigue for the stark storyline, in fact, Arya, Sansa and Jon's storylines are the driving forces of this season. The show began with the Starks. It most likely will end with them too. We're following them because they're the new generation. Ned and Cat are gone and so is Rob. Bran doe snot appear this season. Rickon is M.I.A. although; he'll be back soon.

Arya makes it to Braavos. I love her look to open the episode. She stares down the Titan and isn't afraid of any superstitious nonsense. She's knows better now. She's been through entirely too much.

Her mission is to find Jaqen H'ghar and learn the ways of the badass assassin. 

When Arya reaches The House of Black and White and that door opened my heart jumped, because I thought to myself, "WHOA!" New character, "The friendly man." I really enjoyed the moments of silence and Arya being turned away.

Arya hangs around for some time (Possibly a day or two). Her list is pretty short now. The symbolism of her throwing the coin into the sea, is not a matter of giving up, but more of, ok I've got better things to do than sit here and wait for my destiny. She's a girl of action. Besides, how would you feel if you crossed the narrow sea and reached your destination only to be turned away?

But the man is right during their exchange.

"Please. I've crossed the Narrow Sea. I have nowhere else to go." - Arya

"You have everywhere else to go." - "Friendly Man."

Arya's stand off with the older boys was a nice scene. I really like Arya's line. "Nothing is worth anything to dead men."  Such a classic line!

The friendly man returns and the boys of Braavos seem to know who to fear.  Arya follows him back to the house. He gives her back her coin, and reveals his face as Jaqen H'ghar. "You said there was no Jaqen H'ghar here." "There isn't. A man is not Jaqen H'ghar" "Who are you then?" "No one. And that is what a girl must become." This will most certainly be the most intriguing plot line of the season. The writers continue to combine the major characters from the books.

Our next pair is the comedic duo of Tyrion and Varys . The odd couple discusses the trajectory of their lives and how similar they are. They're both mood points, outliers and outcasts in Westeros. And yet they both have talents to play in this war to come. The show runners utilize the irony beautifully. Great comedic touch. It illustrates the common ground of these characters who are traveling by box. Nobody understands them so they hide themselves in a box.

Tyrion is going stir crazy and needs to take a walk. Although that's a little dangerous considering the fact that Cersei has offered a lord ship to any man who brings her his head.

Tyrion quips that Cersei should instead offer her cunt,  "The best part of her for the best part of me."

We cut to Cersei receiving a dwarf's head. Truly though, how many dwarfs are there in the world?

I love how dismissive Cersei is when she declares it to be the wrong head. How many heads has she seen already? I also enjoy Qyburn. He wants the head for his proclivities. 

The small council meeting is nothing but a farce and I love it! Cersei and her puppets, masters of doing whatever she says. Kevan Lannister, Tywin's younger brother will not tolerate it. He rightfully does not recognize Cersei's "authority." She is nothing but the King's mother.

- Watch out, Qyburn is now the Master of Whispers.

Cersei and Jaime was a nice little scene. Cersei truly is a fool. If the Dornish, harm her daughter, "She'll burn their cities to the ground." Really, with what…wasn’t Dorne was the only kingdom that resisted Aegon and his dragons? I prefer the book interactions between these two more. It's more developed and more explosive. On the snow it unfortunately feels too soap opera-y. Still it make sense. It's not a diplomatic mission.  He feels guilty about releasing Tyrion and the end result of the death of his father. He wants to make amends and bringing Myracella back home would undo what Tyrion did in episode 2.

I like the threat from Dorne. It had to have come from Ellaria Sand and the Sand snakes. I wonder when we'll see Oberyn's daughters. 

By the way, I promised myself I would not give much credence to the changes from the books, but I must harp on this one point. Jaime fucking Lannister is far different in the show than in the books. Even after his hand is gone. He still is an anti-hero, just more likable because we see things from his perspective and can identify with him. He saves Brienne and frees Tyrion, however he rapes his sister in the show. (Still the worst book change the show has done. The writers were not smart with that one. It was a stupid decision. But leaving out the verbal fight between Tyrion and Jaime after Tyrion is freed was questionable because it sets Tyrion up for his anger, drunk filled journey across the narrow sea. The Jamie in the show feels drastically and unbelievably different from seasons 1 & 2. 

Having read the books, I miss the more defiant and politically minded Jaime. On the show he seems a little too subservient, too eager to please. This scene felt too convenient for moving the plot forward. Where's the sly, sardonic tone? Jamie should also be undermining Cersei's authority and telling her to listen to Kevan Lannister. There is far too much change in the character from seasons 1-3 and 4-5. It's a not believable.

Bronn and Lollys Stokeworth is straight out of the book. The narrative of the book is interrupted by none other than "Jaime Fucking Lannister." Jamie and Bronn care going down as far as south goes. Hot battles and...hot orgies to come? Rescue mission between to great killers, this should be fun!

I love how Bronn is not even listening to Lollys bloviating about pigeon pies. He's like an animal, enjoying himself, not thinking, just living. He even begins to plant a seed in Lolly's mind about a life without her sister. "Bad things always come back." You're right Bronn. Good luck in Dorne.

Jon Snow is elected Lord Commander. Sam Tyrell conspires with his brothers to put Jon in charge. I love how Sam repeatedly gave it to Janos Slynt for being a coward. Interested to see how Jon takes to his new position of power next episode. The look on Ser Allister's face when Jon won was priceless.

Jon mulling over the Jon Stark legitimization offer from Stannis was a good scene. I even loved the shout out from Lady Mormont. The North remembers. The Starks are the only ones they serve.

The Northers are like the free folk. Robert needed Ned to keep them in check. Stannis is trying to use Jon. But Jon is a man of the Night's watch and after being named Lord Commander it looks as though he'll remain a Snow. Remember, not many people like Jon. Sure he won narrowly, but there is still faction of people who dislike him, distrust him for his time with the wildlings. How Jon chooses to utilize his new power toward the wildlings will determine who long he remains commander. Mormont was killed in a mutiny. Jon will need to be careful. Ser Allister and Janos will not take to losing quite so nicely.

Brienne and Pod find Sansa. I love these two. They are the new Arya and The Hound. Remember last season's fight for a big piece of chicken. Here's the spin off of that. Another Stark girl turns down Brienne.

SPOILER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In the books, Brienne does not find either of the Stark girls. Instead she finds the mother. Cat as "Lady Stoneheart." The show is up to the point where Brienne would encounter her. I don't think she will. I believe the actress who played Cat, has moved on to another show. 

SPOILERS OVER!!!!!!!!

I do like that the show has allowed Brienne to succeed and fail in her mission. At least she's found both stark sisters. It would have been nice if she had mentioned that to Sansa. She would have done so had she the opportunity to speak with her alone. But Sansa has refused her. Why? Simple. Know the old phrase, "Better the devil you know than the devil you don't know." 

 Better to remain with Littlefinger then with the stranger who's wearing Lannister armor and carrying a Valyrian steel sword. Brienne was also seen at Joff's wedding. 

One thing that bothers me, although Sansa has dyed her hair...why the hell would Littlefinger bring her to a public place to eat? Why not order the food to go? Ride to a secluded area by a river or something to eat outside. Stretch your legs where nobody can see you, instead of sitting in public.

Another thing to watch out for is Littlefinger's marriage proposal has been accepted. Sansa has become very astute. She was aware of the raven.  "Dark wings, dark words," the phrase by her late mother. Sasna is probably right, because Littlefinger assures her not to be worried. We know where they're headed. Winterfell. The place so far away, Cersei won't be able to get her hands on you.

Roose and Littlefinger. CANNOT WAIT!!

Grey Worm and Daario. Daario shows the Unsullied that fearing nothing is a weakness. It prevents you from finding those who are afraid. When you're afraid, you hide.

The political turmoil in Meereen is extremely difficult. The Sons of the Harpy are not making it any easier. Dany reigns over Civil War. The poor recently freed slaves versus the once powerful Masters. 

Dany has her Unsullied, Dothraki and Second Sons. But has no dragons now.

She's placed in a precarious situation that most rulers are faced with. "Be strong or be loved?"

Stannis hints at it with Jon, about power. If people do not fear you, they will not follow you.

Daario believes in simply executing the Harpy.

Hizhdar Zo Loraq at first believes in showing mercy but later relents and desires a private beheading.

The freed slave who sits on the council believes in killing the Harpy too because of obvious reasons.

Ser Barristan believes in a fair trial. 

He tells Dany about her father, “The Mad King.” How his actions made him more powerful until his last day. He gave justice to those who were seeking it, the justice of his death.

Heavy lies the crowd. It's a tough decision, but Dany relents and favors Ser Barristan's way of thinking. She is not like her father. She's not Mad....yet haha

The slave on her council takes actions into his own hands. This leads to quite the intriguing scene where Dany takes a questionable action. The law was broken. But the man killed the man who killed one of your soldiers. Death does not repay death nor does it solve the problem. Apparently it leads to hissing, chaos and civil war.

Fun tidbits...

• Drogon smells deceit on her or just says hi to mommy before flying off
• Unsullied know no fear, which is bad…Daario says that people who are not afraid, don’t know how to hide.
• Jaqun hagar is back…faceless man time
• Brienne, is refused by both startk girls..rejection isn’t anything new to her…she’s a stubborn one…I love how her blade cut the other guys blade. Ah, Valyrian steel
• Everyone is going to Winterfell. The Boltons are there, Stannis means to go there…Sansa and little finger are headed there. Brienne and Pod are going to follow them.
• Where’s the brotherhood without banners?
• Blood is boiling down in the hot summer isles of Dorne. Ellaria Sand makes a threat/promise to Doran. Prince Doran of Dorne haha the dude did not move an inch in that chair. The gout is not abating. Either or it's all a facade.
• Alexander Siddig said in an interview that he based his accent off of Pedro Pascal's (Red Viper) from last season.
• I love how Areo Hotah thumbed his blade. He's ready to kill whomever threatens the prince.
• Bronn vs Areo will/would be an awesome fight.

What were your favorite moments from this episode?

- Tyrion and Varys box conversation
- Arya in Braavos
- Sam giving it to Janos
- Bronn and Lolly's hilarious scene

Let me know in the comments!

Below is the trailer for tonight's episode.

Game of Thrones: S5E3 Promo "High Sparrow"

Game of Thrones: S5E1 Review: "The Wars To Come" By Greg Hernandez

Harpies and Sparrows come out to play!

HBO’s most popular and successful series of all time has returned! 

The most pirated television show ever! 

Wait what? The first 4 episodes have been leaked! 

Well, there’s your proof!

Episode 1 “The Wars To Come,” may have lacked the flair of past
 premieres, but it more than made up for that with terrific pacing 
and a foreboding tone. This season is going to be quite 

the shocker for everyone, book readers included!

As much as I yearn for a two hour premiere and finale, this 
episode showcased how effective the writers are.  Lots of 
foreshadowing in this episode. GOT has the confidence to take its 

time and weave an extraordinary narrative in only ten hours.  
A lot was crammed into this episode. Still, the effect was 
achieved. Wars are coming, important characters are set to face 

off, many will die, nobody is safe, veteran characters will meet 
each other and dammit the dragons are pissed!

Is there another show that can beat this sort of pacing, writing and 
acting while remaining exciting? I don't think so. Then again, 
people who watch Netflix will disagree.

Let's dive in. Cersei's Flashback: This scene mostly stayed true 
to the books. Cersei, learns quite a bit about her future and the 
future of her children, "Gold will be their crowns and 

gold will be their shrouds." Those are creepy words delivered by 
a creepy woman. That cackle would make many grown ups cringe, 
but not Cersei, even as a kid, she's intense and steadfast in her 
belief, that she's entitled to practically everything. She's a 
quintessential spoiled brat with too much power. Can you
 blame her though? Her father had the 6 - not 7 kingdoms in 
the palm of his hands for decades. Bossing people around and 
toting your high birth to everyone becomes the norm fairly on 
in your life. 

I love how they started the season off with this scene, it must
have really thrown some people off at first. It makes perfect 
sense to begin with this scene, it transitions nicely to Tywin's 
funeral. That flashback was when Cersei had it all, then the 
moment her future is told, she's begun her journey to losing 
everything.  She was at her strongest when her father was alive, 
now he's dead and her enemies smell weakness, she'll have to 
remain strong and sober... or drunk - that will be the theme for 
her this season (Strength and Wine). Reminds me of her late husband.

So, we finally got a flashback. Book readers know that there 
should be more to come next season, when a certain character 
returns. Take a guess...it's a major character who is not set 

to appear this season.

The woman who told Cersei her future, utilized blood magic. 
Is this similar to Melisandre or the witch who made Drogo a 
vegetable in season 1? We have seen all types of magic in this 
show, but it's generally hidden. Even though GOT is fantasy, 
I mean there are dragons...all of the magic stuff has been very 
minimal in terms of the character's perspectives. Varys, hates
 blood magic and all those who practice it. Stannis uses blood
 magic when it suits his needs. Other characters are completely 
unaware of magic, dragons and white walkers.

On to the next Lannister sibling.  Tyrion arrives in Pentos. I really
 enjoyed the nice touch of horrible imagery. Tyron had to push his
 shit out of those little holes in the crate and Varys had to be the 
one to remove them from the ship. We see Varys washing his hands
 after he frees Tyrion. We also see that Tyrion does not wash, instead 
finds a flagon of wine and commences drinking. 

I loved seeing Tyron throw up and resume drinking. 
That was good stuff.

On to our final Lannister sibling: Jaime. Jaime was certainly 
spooked at his Father's funeral.He knows that it's only a 
matter of time when his enemies will come knocking on the 
door of power. House Lannister is no longer a house to be feared.

In the books Tywin's corpse smells something awful. 
Last we saw him alive was on the privy, it's heavily 
implied in the books that Oberyn poisoned Tywin. 
(The Red Viper's plan was to kill Tywin, stand accused 
for trial, fight The Mountain and win). 

I really wanted to see Tommen run out of the sept 
on the verge of throwing up.

The religion aspect of this season is going to be amazing. 
It’s always been a theme each season, but this one will put 
it to the forefront. King’s Landing has an infestation of Sparrows. 
Lancel Lannister (Cersei’s cousin) has not been seen since
 the Battle of the Blackwater. He’s back now fully healed 
and different. The actor did a phenomenal job in pulling off 
that effect from the get-go. Lancel is the one who was 
instrumental in King Robert's death. He slept with Cersei. 
He's a major threat to her now. She must realize that.

Cersei was able to silence Ned Stark's "Your son has no claim 
to the Throne."Joffrey had Ned killed and also many of 
Robert's bastards. Stannis sent out letters to all of the high 
lords of Westerns, declaring that Cerise's children are all 
bastards from her brother. Incest is a tough stain to wash out. 

The Sparrows will use that against Cersei, this season.

Kevan Lannister (Tywin’s brother) has returned after an 
absence of 4 seasons! 

My top moments of this episode are as followed.

- "Sons of the Harpy" -  are a group used by the antagonist
 House of the Slave Masters who wish to overthrow Daenerys. 
It's civil war in the largest slave city in Slaver's Bay. 

Slavery is how things are done. Daenerys is a descendant of the 
Valyrians, while the slavers are descendants of the Ghiscari...
lots of history between these two people.It's worth reading about. 
I liken the conflict to the American Civil War. 

This is why Martin's writing is so good, because he draws 
inspiration from real life events which changed the world forever.

            

-The person in the mask who slit the throat of that Unsullied 
warrior is a harpy or maybe The Harpy? Who knows? 
We'll find out The Harpy is soon enough. Perhaps next season 
or is it someone we've already seen?

- It was so cool to see this statue fall. 1,000 slaves died
 building this pyramid - most likely more.

- Missandei and Grey Worm spoke of why the Unsullied warrior
 visited a brothel. Grey Worm doesn't know why. I believe that's 
major foreshadowing.

- Also nudity quota was met with the brothel scene*

-Dany has an ex slave on her council. Look back into season 3 
to see the particular slave is the one who supported Dany's reign 
prior to the uprising.

-Jon Snow must make some tough decisions. It's not fun being
 caught in between two kings...

-Stannis wants to add the Willings to his army and Mance refuses 
to bend the knee.

What obstinance...

 -Stannis means to take the North and kill Roose Bolton. 

I WANT THESE TWO CHARACTERS TO CLASH!

-Stannis tells Jon, that Roose stabbed Robb in the heart. 
I love how that was teased…Stannis doesn’t tell Jon, 
obviously, that he, himself used blood to kill the kings…
but we have no real way of knowing if the blood magic 
worked. Hence the difference in power of magic. The 

creepy oracle's magic seems to work or is it Melisandre's 
that worked...or is there no magic and people just die at 
weddings in Westeros?

                   

-Jon and Ollie practicing.  Hmmm is there foreshadowing here? 

A later episode is in fact 

titled, "Kill The Boy." Will Melisandre sacrificed Ollie later 
in the season to grant Stannis favor in the battles in The North?           

- Many brother's of the Night's Watch love Jon Snow.
 Many don't. Pay attention to that.  

  

-Littlefinger and Sansa stash away the lord of the 

vale in training. Very smart move by Littlefinger. 
Keep the boy safe and away, so there will 

be no meddling. I love Sansa's reactions through this 
episode. She rolls her eyes to 

Littlefinger and chides him about his cleverness.

It's also hilarious how they pass Brienne and Pod. 
That's exactly how I felt while reading "Feast."
 Brienne is lost and meandering...The writers sift through 
that snd cut right to the meat of the story. 
Brienne had Arya, but she got away! 
What's a poor woman in knight's armour to do? 
She's not a knight and her squire is well...annoying her.

I'm interested to see what happens to this pair next, 
since there is no L.S. in the show.

-Quick note. Brienne has a Valyrian steel sword...those swords are supposed to be too sharp for whetstones...that's why they're famous. You clean them. You don't need to sharpen them.

- Our intro to the sparrows. If Tywin had not died, 
would these sparrows have sprung up?

Enemies now see the Lannisters as vulnerable. 
The Sparrows are no different.

- Oh and if religion isn't troubling, don't forgot The Iron Bank.
 The Crown is in severe debt thanks to Littlefinger.
 The Iron Bank will have it's due.

- Dany is compelled to open the fighting pits by Hizdar Zo Loraq.

- I loved when Daario made a face to Dany like, 
"You want me to kill this guy for you?"

-  Varys explains to Tyrion why he wants Dany on 
the Iron Throne...that was quick and necessary.

No "Young Griff." Wow, are we burning through the 
book already! In one episode Tyrion has arrived to Pentos,  
has a new mission and is drunk already. In the book, 
that takes about 250 pages.

- Mance burned at the stake. Very similar to the book, 
but it's difficult to pin point exactly when the book event 
occurs, if at all. I love how Jon shot the bolt into Mance's 
chest. That was brilliant. Forgot your fire magic, that's 
now how we do things in The Night's Watch.

 Favorite bits

-Creepy look of Tywin

-Melisandre looking at Jon Snow

"Are you a virgin?"

"Yes."

"Good."

-Dany’s a bad mother. Your children despise you!

-- Brienne's line: "The good lords are dead and the rest are monsters."

She's right. All she wanted to do was be a follower.
 Now it's time to either sulk in failure or become a leader. 
I think this represents today's society. 
Our leaders are monsters.
We must replace them, but with who.

- Maegery bursting in her her brother and his lover, Olyvar.

"You're very respectful."
"I'm very hungry."

More nudity!

Being discreet is never pointless in K.L.

- Cersei correctly assumes that Jaime released Tyrion. 

- As least the little creature killed on our father on purpose, 
you killed by accident...you incompetent!

- Mance: "The freedom to make my own mistakes is all I ever wanted."
Such a brilliant line.

 I give this episode 4 out of 5 stars.

Next episode we'll see Arya, who will ultimately prove to be the true spark plug of this season.

Also, we'll finally see Dorne and our new set of characters.

On to 4/19!

Below is a link to the trailer...if you don't plan on watching those leaked episodes.

Game of Thrones: Promo For Episode 2 "House of Black and White."