Lord Stannis Baratheon:
Stannis got his sexy back |
Let's get into it:
The Wall
Stannis
If you read my recaps, you know that this is my interpretation of Stannis and his reaction to Selyse:
"I have said this before: she is my daughter, and if you touch her, I will kill you."
Mel strolls down the steps, and says some lovely things about Shireen being the blood of The One True King. She reminds her that everyone is equal in the eyes of Lord of Light and Selyse scampers off.
Shireen has royal blood and soon you will be sacrificing her for me. |
Mel: Remain strong in your faith my King. I have found someone younger and hotter, to be the baby daddy of new shadow babies for the cause.
And then she goes to try and seduce my boy.
Stannis and Shireen
Stannis has been setup as a father who has shown love (now more than ever) for his daughter, since Season 3. He has shown a more vulnerable side at the Wall, and we see it in this emotional scene with Shireen. Sadly, this means that the chances of her being killed, have just been raised tenfold.
It is important to note that Stannis always emphasizes that she is from House Baratheon. Shireen is the only heir, as the only male heirs, are Robert's bastards. The name passes through the males, so the House dies with him. Stannis would rather be dead than have his name live on via a Lannister bastard. He says specifically in the book that Selyse must become his heir, should he fall in battle. The Baratheons are an old and honorable house that can be traced back to Aegon the Conqueror, but so are the Starks, and many, with good reason, believe that King Tywin's act of genocide ended the line (Jon, Sansa, and Arya are not heirs, Robb is dead, Rickon and Bran are believed to be dead).
Father/Daughter Chat
Stannis is prepping for the battle, and you can see the map, with the plans on the table. Shireen comes in, and starts playing with things, and even picks up one of the pieces (the Flayed Man) on the map. Poor Shireen, the only people that are even close to being her friends, are Davos, and Gilly. She tells her Dad, that she was afraid Selyse would leave her at Dragonstone. Shireen was very blunt; just like Dad:
Shireen: I was afraid that you wouldn't bring me with you.
Stannis: "Who said that?"
Shireen: Mother said "I don't want to bring you".
Stannis: "She shouldn't have said that."
Stannis stops working and tells the story of how Shireen got greyscale. A Dornish merchant had come to Dragonstone with a bunch of junk, but he found an adorable doll. He gave the doll to Shireen, and she always pressed it against her cheek, and that was how she got greyscale. He tells her that he did everything in his power, to cure the greyscale, even though everyone told him to send her away to the ruins of Valyria and live with the Stonemen. He says that people were afraid that the greyscale was going to infect other members of their household. He never gave up and said:
Stannis: "You are The Princess Shireen of House Baratheon, and you are my daughter."
Shireen looks so happy to hear that her father loves her; actions speak louder than words, right? |
Stannis hugging Shireen |
My prediction is that Mel/Stannis/Selyse and Shireen story is going to follow some form of this scenario: Selyse is going to kill her on command of Mel. Stannis enraged, will kill Selyse, and exile Mel, who will return to the Wall. But there is also a strong possibility that Davos will save her. The book readers know that Mel has to return to the Wall at some point, and the series needs to provides us with a reason.
Personally, I find this arc particularly compelling as it brings the myth, Helen of Troy, to mind. Agamemnon, King of Greece, sacrifices his daughter to Artemis, so that she will let the winds blow and allow him to leave for Troy. However, in some versions, Clytemnestra, his wife, kills him in the bath, for vengeance, when he returns from Troy. Interesting, right?
It's time to go see my boy doing some paperwork with Sam.
The Lord Commander
Jon is signing paperwork, requesting soldiers for The Wall. He is clearly irritated, and thinking that working out in the yard, is way more fun than being Lord Commander. Sam hesitates and hands him the next letter:
I'm not asking the man who murdered my brother for troops. |
Jon and Mel
Shall I leave you with the crazy Red Priestess? |
Book Jon doesn't trust her visions, she is still crazy, burning people and seeking kings blood etc.. However, the POV chapter in ADWD, gave more insight into Mel, and most importantly her perception of Jon. She knows that he can't be manipulated with sex. She doesn't even try, because she needs to prove to him, with results, that her visions are real.
Mel stops by and honestly, I thought that she was referring to Jon's power as a warg, until she starts disrobing. I watched this twice, because I could not figure out what the hell she was doing, and realized its HBO Mel, so it's not that complicated. Mel informs Jon, how the Lord of Light believes in the power of sex and how joining them together will tap into his potential. Jon stops her after a few minutes, kicks her out, and she says THE LINE, which is meant prove that her visions were real. Jon gives her a WTF? look, and Mel loses her chance to make more shadow babies.
Winterfell
Sansa
Sansa lighting a candle to Lyanna |
I mentioned this last season, but I find it interesting that three men have beloved sisters that resulted in extreme behavior by each man. Oberyn had Elia, Ned had Lyanna, and Jaime, who has a sexual relationship with his beloved sister. Oberyn waited patiently for years to avenge his sister's death, Ned kept Lyanna's secret from Cat, and forbade her to ask about Jon's mother. It was one of many reasons that she hated Jon and treated him like garbage.
Moving on....Littlefinger informs Sansa that he has to go to Kings Landing, because Cersei has asked to see him. Sansa is upset for obvious reasons, but Littlefinger says, not to worry! Stannis will be attacking soon, and he will take Winterfell back from the Boltons. The North will rally around Stannis, and he will take the Iron Throne. Sansa, as the last remaining Stark, will become Wardeness of the North. She is not thrilled with this idea, and neither am I, because as a book reader I know what will become of HBO Sansa, and Book Sansa is not capable of ruling anything.
Sansa says that she will be a married woman upon his return. Littlefinger says we've been working on your powers of manipulation, and Ramsay is already in love with you. He will be yours to command, and then Stannis will liberate you. Honestly, I still don't know how Littlefinger, the man who knew everything, had no clue about the Sadist Ramsay.
Let's leave Winterfell, and visit Cersei.
Kings Landing
The Council of Vipers and Weasels
Cersei
Brilliant move #1
Cersei is gloating, with that smug look on her face, as she listens to the news about The Iron Bank. They want one tenth of the debt, and the Crown can barely pay half of it. She decides to send Mace Tyrell to Braavos with Ser Meryn Trant, rather than allow the Tyrell's pay the debt. We assume that Ser Meryn will kill him, but perhaps Arya will be removing a name off of her list.
Cersei, as always thinks that she is the smartest person in the room, even if King Tywin told her otherwise. She doesn't realize that there is a dangerous world beyond Kings Landing. She clearly is not aware of The Iron Bank's mantra: "'You ALWAYS pay your debts', and we have The Faceless Men on retainer."
The King, even if he doesn't know it, has asked that you go to Braavos |
Brilliant Move: #2
She has a meeting with the High Sparrow, who is a master of manipulation, and a religious zealot.
Cersei, foolishly believes that she has made a power move, by allowing him to arm the The Faith Militant. What a great idea! Why were they a pain in the ass for the Targaryen's? Were they religious fanatics? YES THEY WERE!!
I, Cersei Lannister, heir to King Tywin, will be able to control the Faith Militant, because the High Sparrow reports to me. |
Cersei has also forgotten that she wanted to tell everyone, about her twincest. In addition, Stannis, via info from Ned, had sent letters to everyone in the realm about her three bastard children. Kings are dying like flies, and the peoples' lives have become even worse, since the war ended. She has just created the perfect storm for a group of religious fanatics to take over Kings Landing.
Well done, Cersei.
Repercussions:
The Faith Militant
Cersei has kicked off the Westeros version of the Spanish Inquisition. The Faith Militant has been given carte blanche, to allow The Sparrows, to run rampant throughout the city. Where were the Gold Cloaks? The army? Is Cersei really this dumb? Yes she is, and it was clearly her decision, as when the people looked up at the soldiers for help, they ignored their cries. Great work, as you have just added yet one more reason for people to hate the crown.
The Sparrows, are performing violent acts in the name of religion. The biggest mess had to be in the brothel, where they were dragging people out by the hair, and doing I don't know what, to all of them. We also see Olyvar watch them kill two wealthy men, who were sleeping with other men.
Cersei has discovered a great opportunity to remove another Tyrell from her life. Loras is arrested for his "perversions", and Lancel is present for arrest. One of the many poor choices made on this show, is that the character of Loras is interesting for one reason: he is Margaery's gay brother, who sleeps around.
Book Loras is a badass. He is perhaps the best fighter in the realm; and member of the Kings Guard. Jaime even remarks that he can see some of himself at that age, because he was that good. He is also responsible for training little 8 year old Tommen to become a knight. Cersei, removes him from the position, and little Tommen is upset, but that's too many Tyrell's near her baby boy. Jaime objects to this decision as well, and reiterates that Loras is the best knight in the realm. He is also devastated by the death of Renly, because he was the love of his life. He is not hitting up the brothels, and having multiple partners.
Loras being arrested, as he takes a water break |
Can someone please tell me how the Queen's BROTHER can be dragged away, as he is working out in the yard?
Margaery and Tommen
Wait, what? I'm eating my lunch |
If you love me, you will free my brother or we will never have sex again. |
Tommen and Cersei
Tommen goes to see his mother, and requests that she have Ser Loras released. But Cersei, smugly replies that she did not arrest Loras, and it's not her problem. This is very odd behavior for Cersei, because he is always her "special boy", and she would never have let him be humiliated at the Sept of Baelor.
Loras, has been arrested? I just heard the horrible news |
Margaery is really angry and realizes that maybe she isn't THE QUEEN, yet, and has lost all patience with Tommen.
You are THE KING! |
Margaery leaves to call for reinforcements: Lady Olenna |
I hate this Jaime and Bronn pairing, and after this episode, the Sand Snakes. The writers were fools to leave Arianne out of the show, and try to "replace" her role, so to speak, with Ellaria. They could have given Dorne a more cohesive and interesting storyline, that would have worked; especially with the popularity of the amazing Red Viper.
I have also finally accepted that HBO Jaime is no longer Book Jaime. I had to reread some his chapters in AFFC so I could feel better, and remembered why I love the real Jaime.
However, I will always enjoy watching a gorgeous Jaime Lannister on screen.
Jaime and Bronn
The twosome are on their way to Dorne, and Jaime sees Tarth in the distance. This was the only scene that I loved in this section. Jaime looks entranced for about 30 seconds, which means that he has not forgotten about Brienne. Sadly, I do not think that they will ever be together in the books or the show.Jaime gazing at Tarth and thinking about Brienne |
Bronn also asks why Jaime has to be the one to go, and definitely implies that he knows that Myrcella is Jaime's daughter. Jaime gives him a dirty look, which he had also given to Tyrion in regards to his children, which is so irritating, as I interpret it as this: "Tread carefully...." Whatever.
I still don't understand why this could not have been a diplomatic mission; even with the threat that was sent to Cersei. It would be a risk, but there was no way that Prince Doran would start a war over Myrcella. Oberyn made it clear on more than one occasion that she would not be hurt, as King Tywin had done to his sister and her children. Prince Oberyn was many things, but lying about Myrcella, was not his style.
Skirmish on the Beach
Jaime and Bronn set up camp on the beach, and we are treated to Jaime sleeping peacefully .
He is woken up by Bronn killing a snake next to his head. They enjoy a quick meal of snake, and discuss once again, how foolhardy this mission is, and it is made even worse by the fact that Jaime has no plan.
They also talk about how they would like to die, as Bronn mentions something about Jaime being in songs after his death. Naturally, Jaime could care less about being in songs, but I'm sure there is one out there about the Kingslayer. Jaime wants to die with someone he loves, and Bronn wants to die watching his kids and grandkids fighting over his money.
I want to die in the arms of Cersei, who I still love, but who could care less about me. |
Dornish soldiers on beach patrol |
This gold hand is useful after all! |
The Sand Snakes
I miss Oberyn and now I have to watch these lame Sand Snakes for the entire season. I wanted to see them introduced as they were in the book. Oh well.
Ellaria giving her pitch to kill Myrcella, to Lady Nym, Obara, and Tyene |
Nymeria and Obara |
Obara as she preps to throw her spear into the head of the Braavosi captain |
It's time for the Jorah and Tyrion Show.
ESSOS
Volantis
Ser Jorah & Tyrion
Ser Jorah has stolen a sailboat from a local fisherman, and knocked him unconscious. But he did remember to throw some silver on him for his troubles, and he and Tyrion set sail.
Tyrion has decided to make singing sounds and it drives Ser Jorah crazy, which is the desired effect, and he takes the muzzle off. Tyrion, being his usually sarcastic and also brilliant self, informs Jorah, that Westeros is the other way. Ser Jorah, is bringing Tyrion to his beloved Dany. Tyrion says this is fab! I am going to the same place, so you can untie me, and we can talk about how to approach the meet.
However, Ser Jorah, who has yet to identify himself, happened to leave his armor peaking out of its hiding place. Tyrion, who we know taught Pod all the sigils of the realm, knows that he is Ser Jorah Mormont, disgraced son of the former Lord Commander of the Nights Watch.
Tyrion tells him the story of his entire life five minutes, and Jorah gets po'ed and knocks him out.
Meereen
Dany
Dany is dressed in white, and looking lovely, even angelic, as she gazes down at Meereen. I like how they switch between this and and reminding us how that deep seeded Targaryen crazy is alive and kicking.
Meereen is so lovely this morning. I no longer hear the cries of those I betrayed, or the dead Masters that I crucified. |
He tells her that they used to give the money away, or get drunk, and I am just annoyed by the changes to this story. Ser Barristan guarded the Mad King, and did not hang out with Rhaegar. He had his own crew, namely, Ser Arthur Dayne, his BFF and The Sword of the Morning. However, he did love music, and perhaps did not love fighting, but he was pretty good at it.
Take the day off Ser Barristan, and enjoy this beautiful day, while I deal with Hizdahr. |
Hizdahr, who I really want to kill, is waiting to talk about the fighting pits |
Hizdahr making his case, as the Sons of the Harpy launch an attack on the Second Sons. |
I crucified the Masters,and listened to their screams, as I gazed down at my new kingdom. But watching men kill each other for sport? I will never allow it. |
They start racing through some type of hall, and The Unsullied hear the killing as they are patrolling the streets. They begin fighting with the Sons of the Harpy who have trapped them in some kind of tunnel system. The slaughter begins, and the Unsullied put up a good fight, and are overwhelmed, as more of The Sons keep appearing. But we seen an injured Grey Worm still fighting his way out.
The fight between The Sons of the Harpy and The Unsullied |
Ser Barristan hears the cries, and rushes in to help, as Grey Worm is outnumbered. He proves why he is called Ser Barristan the Bold, but he loses the fight. |
Grey Worm checks on Ser Barristan, who has been killed. |
See you for 5.05!
To read:
The Identity of Sansa Stark
The Murder of Shireen Baratheon
All images and quotes are owned by HBO, "Game of Thrones" 5.04
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