Game of Thrones 5.02: "The House of Black and White"

Well, here we are at 5.02, and we have gone wayyyyyy off book, but I enjoyed the episode. However,  I am going to do my best to keep an open mind, because I have enjoyed these first two episodes. Alright, no more discussion about how far we are going off the book, and let's talk 5.02.

This week's dedication:
Arya Stark : Faceless Man in Training

The House of Black and White: it's even better on screen

"Nothing's worth anything to dead men"

That's right, it's our girl who just beheaded a pigeon, and informing THREE MEN, they will not be taking her dinner.

Let's get into it:

The Riverlands

The Inn 
If you are a book reader, the inn's or any city/road etc., are usually places where people either cross paths, i.e.. Cat and Tyrion in S1, or just miss each other, ie. Hot Pie telling Brienne and Pod about Arya in S4.

Sansa and Littlefinger

The Master and his Apprentice are enjoying some alone time, and Sansa asks about the note that he stuffed down his sleeve.

Sansa: What's in the note? I saw you stick it in your sleeve. Oh, and order me a beer, I'm dying to try one.

Petyr: My darling, beautiful girl, of course you can have a beer. The note has confirmed the acceptance of my marriage proposal.

Sansa: I thought you were still mourning my wonderful Aunt Lysa?

Petyr: I am always in mourning, but today's lesson is that we must move on, alliances need to be made, power needs to be consolidated.

Sansa: Of course Uncle Petyr, you know best.

Brienne/Pod 
I have never been a fan of the adventures of this twosome. I hated the fight between Brienne and the Hound, and I hate this encounter with Sansa and Littlefinger. Brienne never encounters Sansa or Arya in the books, but she always had a certain naiveté when on her mission. I always thought that she was in love with Jaime, but that's an entirely different story.

It is both interesting and tragic, how Brienne, who was generously outfitted by Jaime to fulfill his oath, is a liability. Jaime's continued efforts to become a more honorable man, works against him, via her, because he's a Lannister. We know what that means to both Arya and Sansa, so their rejection of her offer to bring them to safety makes complete sense. Yet, I was thinking, as I did in 4.10, where did she plan on taking them? They're Stark's, King Tywin committed his second act of genocide for a reason.

So where do we find our twosome? Having some drinks and food at the local inn. Pod is eying the young waitress, and who is sitting but a few feet away? Sansa and Petyr.

Pod immediately knows who they are, as he was Tyrion's squire, so he knows a great many things. He gives the number of men who are guarding them, so Brienne can take them on, and maybe Pod will help them.

Everyone! This is Sansa Stark,
and I am her sworn sword!

RUN AWAY BEFORE YOU ARE KILLED

I hate this scene, because poor naive Brienne, walks over to the table ANNOUNCES who she is, her vow to Cat, and Sansa's true name. Is she truly this naive? Apparently so, and props to Sansa who every so slightly tries to give her an out, but she doesn't pick up on it. Petyr takes this opportunity to manipulate all of Brienne's past actions, ie. how all the people who she has vowed to protect are dead.   Brienne, making yet another huge mistake, recounts the shadow monster story of how it killed Renly.

Littlefinger had no plans of letting either she or Pod leaving that inn alive, so a fight ensues. Brienne kicks some major ass, more than she thought, as she did not know the power of a valyrian sword. It's ironic that's she's trying to save the Stark girls, with a sword, made from ICE, which was stolen by King Tywin and made into two swords.

There is some fighting in the woods, and Brienne takes out all of the soldiers, and Pod, who still can't ride a horse, gets stuck in the river. He manages to hit the soldier with a rock, and makes his way to Brienne. He says that they should give up, and again suggests they go to the Wall. Brienne, says they will follow them as Sansa remains in danger, and I am guessing we are going North?

But first, let's go to Dorne.

Dorne

Prince Doran
Prince Doran, is silently gazing out at the Water Gardens, which are spectacular. This is actually a bit creepy in the book, because he spend a lot of time watching children playing in the pools. He is also mourning the loss of Oberyn, as he has now lost an uncle, brother, and his sister. (his uncle was a member of the Kings Guard, friend to Rhaegar, and was killed in the Rebellion. We do not need a review of what happened to Elia and Oberyn). He is staring into the gardens, and who do we see, but Princess Myrcella and Prince Trystane! He is flirting with her and call her is Queen; its all so adorable.

Prince Trystane and Princess Myrcella.
She doesn't look very unhappy, does she? 

Ellaria, who is not only acting, but saying almost the exact same words as Obara Sand, who is the oldest of the Sand Snakes. Book Ellaria is a completely different person than the one portrayed here, so we won't make any comparisons. However, not only has she taken on the role of a character, who has been cast, she seems to have shades of Princess Arianne, the Heir to Dorne. Arianne, a favorite character of mine, has been removed from the show.

HBO Ellaria is bloodthirsty, and is apparently backed by the Sand Snakes, in wanting brutal vengeance for Oberyn. She wants to cut Myrcella into pieces and send her back to Cersei. However, as Oberyn told Cersei, Prince Doran informs her "we do not hurt little girls for vengeance, not here, not in Dorne", and reminded her who's boss. Ellaria actually threatens him, but if he's anything like Book Doran, he may no longer be a warrior in the physical sense, but he plays the game very, very, well.

Prince Doran vs. Ellaria Sand

Essos

Tyrion and Varys
My new favorite roadshow are in a spectacular RV, and Tyrion is drunk and very unhappy. Book Tyrion is also drunk and unhappy, but he is traveling with Illyrio, who has been replaced by Varys. He is also eating throughout the journey, to a place, which has been removed from the show. Vary's reminds him that Cersei has a bounty on his head, and has offered lordships to anyone who will bring her the head of her beloved brother. Tyrion, might have been an outsider for his entire life, but he has been in the lap of luxury, and apparently doesn't think that there are many other dwarves in the world. Varys says don't be an idiot. and informs him that they are making a stop on the way to Meereen.

The Happy Road to Volantis

Where you might ask? Volantis!  It's a good bet that Ser Jorah is hanging out there, and they are picking him up on the way to Dany's place in Meereen. He might have been kicked out, but he had proved himself on more than one occasion, and as previously mentioned, Book Dany does regret losing him. She, like Cersei was told a prophecy that has not been touched on the show. I will be interested to see how Ser Barristan will react to this threesome, as he is honorable to a fault, as was dear Ned, who exiled Jorah in the first place.

Speaking of Dany..

Meereen

If you were wondering why I have been using the "Free the slaves and start Civil Wars tour" to name Dany's journey, now you know. She has made a huge mess, and thinks that because she is freeing slaves and is blood of the dragon, she has the right to conquer any of these cities. Tyrion will have his work cut out for him. He has not met Dany by the end of ADWD, so I am very interested in seeing how this will play out in the series.

Daario and Grey Worm
Daario, is teaching Grey Worm, the first rule of sellsword school. I love Michael Huisman, and I watched him on this weekend's "Orphan Black" , so seeing him on two shows, makes me a very happy girl.

Daario gives Grey Worm, his first lesson: Spying 101. The Unsullied might be the best soldiers in the world, but they are basically robots, and are just learning what it means to have free will. Grey Worm does not seem thrilled that Daario is teaching him the finer points of finding Dany's enemies. But they are part of the search for the elusive Sons of the Harpy.  They are hard to find, because they are the Meereenese version of cylons.

Daario informs Grey Worm, that his team needs to start wearing plain clothes. The Second Sons get drunk, have fights, and go to brothels, so they blend in, and find information.

I am pretty sure that the Son of the Harpy
is hiding behind this wall

The Unsullied need to do just that, but presently Grey Worm and Co., act as backup to bring the Sons of the Harpy to Dany. It's akin to the CIA finding the bad guys, and calling the FBI to take them down, because they can't operate on American soil. Daario also gives a fine speech about the power of fear, and how it can be useful.  So, Daario plunges his knife into the wall, and guess who has been hiding behind the wall? A Son of the Harpy!

Daario has taught Grey Worm his first lesson 

Grey Worm is in shock! How can this be? The mask, the knives? Maybe I should take spy lessons from Daario?

Well, who knows, and who cares! because it's time for the Queen's Council and Team Dany.

Queen's Council

Rule #2 of Dany's book on how to rule a city that she has "liberated": 
"I will serve injustice, with justice"

Everyone is discussing what to do with the Son of the Harpy. Should we kill him? Why should we kill him? Are there laws? Have we written new laws? Anyone?

Dany: What are we doing about the Son of the Harpy? I need options, but remember rule #2, always applies.

Mossador: I vote we kill him; he is just another Master who wants to return to the old ways. We know that the Masters are secretly paying freedmen to become a Son of the Harpy. Death is the only option.

Hizdahr: I have not heard about the powerful families paying freedman, to kill the Unsullied. I'm the head of one, and I am either completely clueless, or a liar, so I agree with Mossador.

Ser Barristan: We need to have a trial. It is the most honorable thing to do, and you need to show the people of Meereen that you are a liberator, not a conqueror.  We need to follow the law; even though we have not written any yet.

Dany asks everyone to leave, and is thinking that sentencing him to death, might be her best option. But Ser Barristan wants a quick chat. Dany decides to have a trial, because after all, rule #2 always applies, no matter how it is enforced.

Dany getting her Targaryen crazy on, 
but agrees to a trial

Ser Barristan decides to tell  her about the glorious acts of her father, The Mad King. We know, although the non book reader only heard this in 1.01, that he refers to the death of Ned's father and brother. We learn about this lovely tale, in Jaime's POV, and it was one of the first times, that I began to see Jaime as a different man. However, I think Ser Barristan is also trying to keep her sane, and protecting an honorable ruler, rather than one who is sociopath, amongst other things.

Ser Barristan, once again in silent prayer
that Dany will not go crazy.

However, Mossador decides that he will serve his own justice, and kills the prisoner, and puts him in the street w/a comforting message.

The Death of the Harpy
Mossador is brought in chains to explain to Dany, why he killed their prisoner.

This story is so touching, but rule #2 must be enforced

Mossador believes that he has done the right thing, and given Dany plausible deniability. He tells the story of how he was the first to lead the fight against the Masters, and the death of his father. Dany informs him that he has broken this form of rule #2, which was to have a trial, and he must be punished.

Naturally, this scene must be moving, and show that Dany is upset by Mossador's tale. It also gives credence to how Ser Barristan is not a politician, and was imposing a code of honor not relevant to Meereen. Mossador had pointed this out at the Queen's Council, but Dany decided to listen to Ser Barristan.

The Execution
Dany is in white, walking to the platform above her people, and ignoring them as they cry "Mhysa".

Queen Dany, forgetting that these are her loyal followers

Daario has a heart warming moment with Hizdahr on the way to the platform, who says they should have just killed him, and moved on. Daario says he has always advised Dany to remove Hizdahr's head, but she wasn't having it.

My people as your Queen and Savior,
I have decided that we must follow rule #2,
and betray you all.

Dany hears the cries of mercy, nods to Daario, who beheads poor Mossador, with the Dothraki arakh. Her people, who have a different idea of rule #2, go silent and begin hissing at Dany. A riot also breaks out between the Masters and the freedmen, and people begin throwing rocks at her.

Dany running to safety

The Aftermath
Everyone is in the Council Chamber, comforting Dany, and providing details on increasing her protection detail. But she needs time alone, to contemplate why those she freed, will not take her betrayal lightly. But wait! There is a sound outside, and it's Drogon! He must have felt her pain, and decided to swing by, and show that he's not angry at her, and that's all that matters.

If Drogon still loves her, then all is right in the world.

Let's go visit our girl Arya.

Braavos

Arya

Arya being turned away by "The Kindly Man"

Well our girl has finally landed in Braavos! I have been waiting for her to arrive at The House of Black and White, and it did not disappoint.  Naturally there have been changes, as Book Jaqen H'ghar is no where near Braavos at this time. And yes, when Arya asked him if he was Jaqen, I did yell NO ONE at the screen. I had no idea that the actor was returning, and will be "The Kindly Man". I can't wait to get inside the temple!

The Faceless Men remain very much a mystery, but after reading "The World of Ice and Fire", and listening to some theories, it is possible they were responsible for causing the Doom of Valyria. We also know that they are used by the Iron Bank (I don't recall that from the books), and they use a form of magic, ie. glamors. This is how this man, is able to change his face, and become a man, who looks like Jaqen.

Arya has been turned away from the temple, even after saying "Valar Morghulis", and showing the special coin. She decides to sit on the steps of temple in the rain for a few days.

She chants, what I assume is the final, revised kill list:
Cersei
Walder Frey
The Mountain (dead by the poisoned spear of The Red Viper)
Ser Meryn Trant (he killed Syrio Forel)

The show has merged some of the characters on the list from the book, and she killed some of them while on her road trip with the Hound. I know Mel wasn't on the list from the book, but I liked the idea of her being on it.

The door never opens again, so Arya decides to take the most valuable coin in her possession, and throw it into the sea.

The next time we see her, she has beheaded a pigeon with Needle, and has the encounter shown in her dedication.

"The Kindly Man"walks by, and the three men run away at the sight of him. I have said this before, but I have always believed that Jaqen was meant to recruit Arya, as we still do not know what he was doing in Kings Landing. He knew her name, but at the same time, she is only ten in the books, and she was only put on that path because Ned was murdered. Irregardless, she follows the man to The House of Black and White.

He might look like Jaqen, but he is "NO ONE"

We see the glamour in action, (this is the simplest way to explain it, the process remains a mystery and theories abound) and Arya, shocked, follows him into the temple.

Westeros

Kings Landing
Jaime and Cersei are having one of their weird, not in the book conversations, that make no sense. I think that my Jaime is gone, and well, I have shared my thoughts on HBO Cersei. I find this profoundly disappointing, but I hope that we'll see shades of Book Jaime here and there, but he's not the same character. So, let's talk about Book Jaime for a minute, because I need say something.

Book Jaime
I hated this conversation for so many reasons, but at this point in the story, the show has reversed Jaime's motivation for leaving Kings Landing. Book Jaime is sent away by Cersei, who was going down the crazy train more and more, to clean up the Riverlands. She was also angry because he turned down the Hand of the King spot. She said the usual cruel things about how he has such a loser without his hand, and he didn't love her etc..  He wants to protect the King, BUT, he had also begun to realize that he's liking his sister, less and less these days.

Book Jaime wants to marry Cersei (the Targaryen's did this), and tell the world about their children. He was sick of hiding, and decided to get what he wanted, and that was his sister. She refused, and she was the one who wanted their relationship and their children to remain a secret. It was very clear that Cersei wanted him out of the way, as she wanted to be The Queen Regent.  She always had the upper hand in their sick twisted relationship. These events that lead up to him being sent away, are also the main reason I have always said that losing his hand, was the best thing to happen to him.

Jaime
Cersei's rants about Margaery being a whore, and shows Jaime the exotic box with the threat from Dorne.

I have no idea how I opened and closed this box
 

She tells him that the necklace is Myrcella's, as she has the same one. Jaime tells her to lower her voice, or they were both going to an early grave. She tells him that he has never been a father (what?) and since he wanted to keep their secret, Marcella is going to be killed by the Dornish.  I was a little confused by his reaction, because I couldn't decided whether he's new Book Jaime or HBO new Jaime:

I will prove to Cersei that I am a good father; I will rescue our daughter
(HBO new Jaime)
OR

I am really starting to hate her.
I need to leave, pick up Bronn,
and check on Myrcella
(new Book Jaime )

Sadly,  HBO new Jaime wins, and leaves to bring Myrcella home and prove that he loves their daughter. I still can't stand this crazy Cersei, she is still white washed, no matter how she appears on HBO.

Jaime and Bronn
Bronn is now a Lord, and walking with his very young bride to be, Lollys Stokeworth. She is also very, very different in the books. She is about 30 years old, and is gang raped during that mob instigated by King Sociopath. She is always crying, and being this a time when no one understands why, she gets married off to Bronn, as she is also a spinster. She comes to a violent end, courtesy of Cersei and Qyburn, but that is for another episode.  However, Lolly is not in line to inherit the castle, and Book Bronn  does arrange that her sister have a little accident, for obvious reasons.

We see the new sexy Jaime from a distance and Lolly's is so excited, because Jaime's pretty much like the gorgeous rock star of Westeros.

Sexy Jaime Lannister: The Rock Star of Westeros

We're going south, and here's the contract for
your new and improved bride to be, and castle 

Admittedly, it will be interesting to see how the plays out, as they are part of the S5 trend, of blending characters, even if we already know them.

It's time for crazy Cersei and the new Council of Vipers and Weasels

The Council of Vipers and Weasels
I may be upset about the changes to Jaime and his relationship with Cersei, but I will concede that I understand some of them. One of these changes, is that the above scenario was meant to show the non book reader, how Cersei is starting to become paranoid. It is why she has this new council of "sycophants", as Kevan puts it.

Cersei, being her annoying crazy self, strolls in slowly, and sits in the seat for the Hand of the King:

Seriously? Where's the king?
He is fifteen (?), and should be here;
learning how to be a King

She says many times that the King has asked her to sit in his place. However, this makes no sense,  because she is acting as if Tommen is the 8 year old from the books.  HBO Tommen is fifteen or sixteen, and should be sitting at the table. Ridiculous, am I right? She also appoints Qyburn, the Master of Whispers, ie. The Hand, while everyone is going ballistic, she appoints her uncle, Master of War. Mace Tyrell, who is a yes man, accepts the title of Master of Ships and Coin. This is a scary parallel to the Mad King. He had appointed one of the crazy pyromancers who use the wildfire, as his Hand, before Jaime killed him.

The 15 year old King
has asked me to sit here on his behalf,
because he can't say no to his mom

Kevan is having none of this, and demands that the King appoint him to his new position. Cersei keeps blabbing,  but Kevan will not recognize her position and leaves the council chamber.

Cersei and Qyburn
Cersei has been collecting dwarf heads, as she has put a price on Tyrion's head that includes a Lordship.

Creepy Qyburn asks to keep the head for his "research", which Cersei has sanctioned.

The Wall

Gilly, Sam and Shireen
Shireen is becoming quite the little teacher! She is helping Gilly learn to read, and says that if  Ser Davos can do it, so can Gilly.

Reading Corner with Shireen Baratheon

I have to say the whole Gilly/Sam relationship is not from the book, but I am loving it. Gilly is saying "At least Shireen is patient and is actually helping me learn to read", and Sam says "I said just keep practicing"; it's like they're an old married couple.

Shireen talking about her greyscale;
which is "cured" for the show

We also learn more about greyscale, which in ADWD was clearly becoming more significant to the story, so I assume it will be playing a larger role in the next two books.  Gilly asks Shireen about her greyscale, and how it was "cured". She said that she wasn't sure, because she was very young.

The Wildlings associate greyscale with death. Yet another character removed from the show, Val, a Wildling who was Mance's sister-in-law, is afraid of greyscale, and tells Jon that Shireen needs to die. But Gilly simply says that her sisters contracted the disease, and they were isolated, became deformed and sounded like animals.

Selyse Baratheon:
Mother of the Year and Religious Fanatic

They are interrupted by crazy Selyse, who kicks everyone out, and proceeds to say some nasty things to Shireen. She implies that Shireen, who looks about 12/13? is a foolish child, who has learned nothing from all of her books, ie. do not befriend your enemy. Poor little Shireen, who has had a very lonely life, defends Gilly, and looks very sad and disappointed.

Jon and Stannis

This is a very important conversation because it sets up Jon's arc for the season.

Stannis is not pleased that Jon showed mercy to Mance Rayder, and has begun the trend (I hope) of teachable moments for Jon:

#1: Your people must fear you, and it will instill loyalty:

Check out my hand, he's not kidding

#2: Jon needs to be careful as he is giving more ammunition to his enemies and that includes his pro-Wildling stance. Let's clarify the reasons why:

1. He buried Ygritte north of the Wall.
2. Many people see him as a traitor due to his time with the Wildlings.
3. He showed mercy to the leader of the Wildlings.
4. Aliser and Janos Slynt still think he's better dead than alive. Why? He is also a popular and gifted leader of men, and the vote for Lord Commander is about to begin.
5. Aliser will most likely hang him as a traitor in the near future, if he wins the election.

Taking Back the North
Stannis is prepping to take back the North, but he has a big problem: the North will only be won, if a Stark sits in Winterfell. He has received a letter from the 10 year old, Lady of Mormont informing him of this fact:

Jon smiles (which is rare) because 
he knows that The North is loyal 
to the King of the North

Jon informs Stannis, that The North are much like the free folk and will only follow one of their own. Then we have THE OFFER: Stannis says that if Jon bends the knee, he will be Warden of the North, and he will become Jon Stark. He can  join his army and take back Winterfell.

Jon hearing the name "Jon Stark";
something that he had only heard in his dreams

I have never believed that Jon is meant to remain at the Wall, and this is not news to any book reader. He has always been different, not just because we know the truth of his parentage. Jon is still traumatized by the way Cat treated him. She hated the sight of him, especially since he looked more like Ned, than their other children. I never understood this vitriolic hatred of him, because she barely knew Ned, and it was a quickie marriage.  Brandon was murdered, she and Ned were married, and then he left for the war. She even says that in time she fell in love with Ned, because of his heart, so she wasn't in love with him. But, Ned also made it very clear that she was never to ask any questions about Jon and his mother.

I am not sure if they did it on the show, but Robb wrote a will before the RW, and named Jon as his heir. Cat said that he was a bastard, and a liar, which is so far from the truth. Robb told his mother to get over her hatred of Jon, because he loved and trusted his brother.  We still do not know if the will was signed, or if it exists, but the point is that he might be King of the North. How does Book Jon decided to decline the offer? GHOST returns to the Wall, and Jon makes his choice.

The Election

Let the nominations begin!

The conversation regarding the offer  is compressed down to a 30 second conversation with Sam. Jon says that he will turn down the offer. He tells Sam that he would not be worthy of being Lord of Winterfell, if he broke his vows. He sits down, clearly distracted and then the nominations start pouring in for the next LC.  Janos Slynt is nominated, and then Sam nominates Jon.

Sam, don't do this....

Lord Janos is not fit for leadership as he hid with Gilly
and her baby during the battle of the Wall.
I nominate Jon Snow, for Lord Commander.
He held the Wall during the Wildlings attack,
went to see Mance Rayder knowing he would die,
and avenged the death of the Lord Commander Mormont, 

The vote comes down to a tie.....

Maybe I do want to be Lord Commander...

Jon shocked as he realizes that he has just become
LORD COMMANDER

And the moment that I have been waiting for, has finally happened!
So far, so good, and I am very happy with my boy's portrayal after two episodes. Please, please don't screw him up!

Next up: 5.03: High Sparrow; when Margaery is finally THE QUEEN, Arya leaves her past behind, and Jon becomes a badass.



All images and quotes are owned by HBO, "Game of Thrones" 5.02