You must not know 'bout me
This week in Westeros, there are new characters and plenty of new plans being set in motion. The plot thickens and the tension continues to build as the season advances and war looms.
Where the Starks and their friends are concerned, Jon “No-Nothing” Snow getting caught by Craster means that the Night’s Watch is ordered to leave the wildling’s home. Jon tries to convince Jeor Mormont to save the babies being killed, but Mormont insists it isn’t their place to get involved, that there’s nothing that can be done. Back in Winterfell, Bran speaks to Luwin about his dreams and how he believes they may be prophetic. Luwin dismisses the idea by saying that magic has gone from the world, but then, he also doesn’t know that the dragons are no longer dead, does he?
Catelyn Stark visits Renly Baratheon to discuss a potential alliance with him. While there, she meets two more badass women: Renly’s wife, Margaery Tyrell, and the newest member of his Kingsguard, Brienne of Tarth. Margaery secured her place in my heart of hearts when she was completely unphased by the secret of Renly’s homosexuality, and still determined to bear him a child, for both of their sakes. She even offers to let her brother Loras get him started. And based on the almost-sexytimes scene with the two of them, I doubt anyone would complain about that. Then there’s Brienne – who couldn’t love the intimidating, yet mysterious presence that is Brienne? Looking forward to more of her!
On Pyke, the Greyjoys are putting together a plan to attack the North, while Robb Stark is fighting the Lannisters in the South, and Balon and Theon continue to butt heads. Theon eventually decides to prove his loyalty to his family, perhaps finally winning his father’s love and approval, by not warning Robb about the attack. He is blessed by his elders.
In King’s Landing, our baby Sansa continues to power through and perform beautifully at the court game, despite the rules getting harder and more cruel, the longer she remains a player. She receives Shae as a new handmaid, who is effectively “in hiding” by Tyrion’s request, as he believes Varys or Cersei will use her to get to him if they find out who she is. The two have an interesting dynamic; Shae is uninterested in courtly manners and protocol, but still helpful and quick-witted, and Sansa seems both annoyed and relieved to interact with someone so unaccustomed to the ways of nobility. Tyrion in the meantime is making plans to marry Myrcella away, a plan which frustrates and infuriates Cersei. She really loses her cool this time, screaming, lashing out, and showing again that there’s more to the icy Lannister queen than has been previously seen. Tyrion on the other hand, is showing to be very capable in his role as Hand of the King, outsmarting many of the sharper wits of the city, including Littlefinger and Pycelle, who he has arrested. Tyrion and Varys continue to develop a relationship as two of the most savvy men of the court.
Finally, the guards from King’s Landing catch up with Arya and the others, looking for Gendry. Arya frees the strange prisoners traveling with the camp and covers for Gendry by telling the soldiers that another boy one of them killed is him. It appears the lie may stick, as the boy was carrying Gendry’s horned helmet. Thankfully no Joffrey this episode, Stannis and Melisandre are apparently still boning in the war room, and Dany must still be dealing with desert problems because we didn’t see her around either. But amidst all this mystery, at least we can trust that Robb Stark is eyesexing the hell out of somebody, somewhere.
Boy, come on now
