S05.E06: Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken

[WicketyWack]

Arya could not have given such a convincing speech to the sick girl without drawing from the well that is Arya Stark's past.

That, and Jaquen H'agar whipping her whenever she lied about her past, makes me think she has to delve deep into Arya in order to become Faceless... not deny that Arya existed.

No way does Jaquen not know that Needle's still around, though.

Edited May 18, 2015 by WicketyWack

[bmoore4026]

Goddamn!  Everybody getting captured in this episode.  And poor Sansa is in the worst prison of all.

 

That said, the chamber (necropolis?) with all the faces was both creepy and beautiful.  Well executed.

 

"You can smell the shit from five miles away!"  We love you, Margery's grandma!

 

I'm hoping this "zealots running King's Landing" plotline ends soon.  I'm tired of the zealots homophobia already.  I know they're inspired by historical people, but, as a gay man, it's pissing me off.  When the fuck is that dragon of Daenerys' going to arrive at King's Landing to lay waste to it?  I assume that's what'll happen, given Bran's vision last season.

[Quickbeam]

The Arya story line is about beyond saving for me. I just loathe it.

[Lady S.]

This episode title is really unfortunate after the ending scene having Sansa bent over by Ramsay.

 

Also, Doran is fine, but I still hate the Sand Snakes so they don't deserve to give the ep a title. Obie should've just left his bastards with their various mamas if this is how they turned out thanks to being brought up by him.

[bluvelvet]

Seriously though, Cersei...you've had an affair with your twin brother for YEARS and had three children by him and passed them off as legitimate. This fact is no secret YET you arm religious fanatics to get back at Margery. DUMB DUMB DUMB!

Add that to fact that you KNOW Lancel is a sparrow and you still pull this bull. Smdh

Edited May 18, 2015 by bluvelvet

[WicketyWack]

Seriously Tommen, what the hell. Have you not watched Joffrey long enough (Or your *ahem* father)  to know that as king, you can stand up and scream for someone's head to be brought to you, no matter who it is, and it'll happen? Or scream for their tongue to be ripped out or their fingers cut off or at the very least, for them to stop dragging your wife away?  I don't care how holy these Sparrows are, they can't override the king. WTFM.

Edited May 18, 2015 by WicketyWack

[thuganomics85]

Well, at least they kept the "wedding night" scene with Sansa/Ramsay off camera and focused on Theon's face, but that was not fun to watch/hear.  Out of all the regulars, Sansa really is just the character who can never win, huh?  Anytime she gets out of a situation, she seems to get into a worst one.  Even if it still sucked, she was better off in a loveless marriage with Tyrion.  That's just sad, but first Joffery, and now this?  That really is true, sadly.  I hope she finds a way out of this, but this was not pleasant to say the least.

 

Oh, Cersei.  Enjoy it while you can.  I admit that working with the Sparrows and finding a way to not only get Loras locked up officially, but get Margaery to perjure herself as well, was well done, and I'm sure it felt good.  But there is just one small... no, huge problem here.  Olenna.  Out of the Tyrell household, she is the last person I would want to still be in the open and be able to fight back.  Sure, she is losing now, but can she make a comeback?  Without a doubt.  If you were going to do something like this, you really needed to find some way to take her power as well.  Now, you just made her your biggest enemy.  So, again: enjoy it while you can, Cersei.

 

Jaime and Bronn vs. the Sand Snakes was fun, but I would have thought that the later group should have been able to handle an one-armed man and his mercenary friend easier then that.  Kind of embarrassing, snakes.  In the end though, doesn't seem to matter, since now Dorian's just arrested all of them (and Ellaria too.) Thank goodness: Dorian seems to be the only one using his head around here.  Wouldn't expect anything less from Dr. Bashir!

 

Jorah and Tyrion have now been captured by a roving band of pirates, lead by Adewale Akinnoye-Abaje a.k.a. Mr. Eko (or Adebisi. Or Heavy Duty.  Or.the future Killer Croc.)  Tyrion uses his silver tongue to at least prevent executions, but now Jorah going to be fighting in the pits perhaps, and Tyrion is only safe, until he's sold to someone who will probably cut his cock off.  Good luck, guys!

 

Arya's adventures in Assassin School are still going slowly, but at least Jaquen now trusts her enough to show off his bitching face collection.

 

Dear Stannis, please get over there and kill the Boltons soon.  Thanks.

[MrsRafaelBarba]

Will Doc Bashir ever leave the balcony in Dorne?

Seriously writers, this is Alexander Siddig!!!

[Joimiaroxeu]

Tyrion is awesome "Guess again!" was definitely my favorite quote of the night.

Mine too. That was the best two-word comeback since, "Your sister."

 

But that ending.

[Ambrosefolly]

How dumb is Cersei? Is she so blinded by her hatred of Tyrion and Sansa that she isn't the least bit suspicious that Littlefinger, somehow came across Sansa? How the hell does she think that Sansa got out of a city on lockdown? She can't think that Sansa is so clever that somehow she allowed Tyrion to take the fall and managed to get herself to safety moments after she saw Joffrey choke to death?

 

I would love for more than anything that one of Littlefinger's big gambles on other people's lives bits him in the ass. And not in the he loses his second chance at love with Catelyn through Sansa kind of way. 

[Pete Martell]

How is it that the Sand Snakes, who are supposed to be fearsome warriors who are sworn to vengeance, less frightening than this?

 

 

Is anyone ever going to tell Olenna that her pattern of causing chaos, throwing out a few clever quips, and then leaving so that her incredibly stupid grandchildren and son can be played like fiddles is one of the main reasons all this has happened? Should I root for her? I'll always love Emma Peel, I loved her character in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, I even enjoyed her on Doctor Who, but I'm tired of Olenna. 

 

I will ask again how did Littlefinger not know that leaving Sansa in the hands of torturers and murderers who have a house symbol of a flayed man was a terrible idea? 

 

Why are so many characters on this show now so STUPID? 

[wayne67]

Well that was a slow beginning and a brutal ending with a convoluted middle...

Seriously can anyone go on a road trip in Westeros without being wounded, injured, kidnapped or being killed.

 

Cersei continues her attempts to undermine the monarchy's power. She arms an army she can't actually control that arrests an heir of the second greatest house then arrests the Queen on the testimony of a squire while the King does nothing about it. If either of those Tyrell dies, House Tyrell will pull out of Kings Landing leaving the populace hungry and angry and Kings Landing will experience rioting and chaos and House Lannister HAS NO MONEY.

 

I'm guessing that Littlefinger does know about Ramsay and is positioning Sansa to hate the Boltons and help him undermine Winterfell's defenses. I'm not sure how he'll get past Stannis if his army is victorious.

 

I'm so bored of all these road trips and the torture porn.

 

I was kind of hoping that one of the Sand Snakes would do something interesting in that battle but alas they probably only poisoned Bronn.

[direpup]

The scenes with Jaime and Bronn sneaking through the Water Gardens reminded me of an old Bob Hope/Bing Crosby movie, Road To Morocco:

 

Edited May 18, 2015 by direpup

[RedheadZombie]

See show, you don't need to make it graphic to make it traumatic.  Oh Sansa...

 

But so not like this show.  I wonder if it was consideration of Sophie's age?  I have to admit it was devastating to watch Theon's face.  It brought tears to my eyes, and it felt like he suffered more than anything else that Ramsay has done to him.

 

It makes me wonder if Ramsay's creepy girlfriend, what's her name, was actually trying to do Sansa a favour by showing her what they did to Theon and telling her what happened to Ramsay's other partners.

 

Nah.  She was trying to get Sansa to back out of the marriage.   There's no goodwill in that little sadistic creature.  I actually wondered if she told Ramsay that Sansa sassed her, and that made him treat Sansa like that.  What am I saying, he doesn't need a reason.

 

The Arya story line is about beyond saving for me. I just loathe it.

 

I love the character, I really do.  But the SL does nothing for me.  If I have to watch her sweep the floor, scrub the floor, or wash a dead body one more time ......

And I really don't get what's happening.   The House of B&W mercy kills a la Kevorkian?  I really hate all the dark gloomy scenes.

 

Also, Doran is fine, but I still hate the Sand Snakes so they don't deserve to give the ep a title. Obie should've just left his bastards with their various mamas if this is how they turned out thanks to being brought up by him.

 

I don't hate Dorne, but I'm disappointed.  I thought Oberyn's home would be as kick ass as he was.  I did enjoy seeing one of his daughter's ninja fighting Oberyn-style.  The guards responded about as slowly as the secret service.  Myrcella could have been killed ten times over.  I was surprised that Myrcella didn't seem to recognize any of the girls.  Although they're bastards, it seems like Doran is close to them.  I want Ellaria to redeem herself.

[dramachick]

I must say that Sansa made a beautiful bride.

 

Her dress was gorgeous, and the setting was lovely aside from the psycho groom and all the horrible people in attendance.

 

From a story perspective, this episode should be the nadir of Sansa's helpless suffering at the hands of others. I expect to see the character take an active role in doing something to extricate herself from this situation. And it has to be more than lighting a candle because it's beyond time for Sansa to have the same kind of agency as Jon, Bran and Arya.

Edited May 18, 2015 by dramachick

[ElectricBoogaloo]

I was really hoping that Theon would break free of his brainwashing and stab Ramsey in the back while he was raping Sansa.

[RedheadZombie]

Despite what Myranda told her, Sansa really had no idea how awful Ramsey is.  Yet, she looked so much more frightened when she married him, compared to when she married Tyrion.  Both times she married into a family that has murdered her family.  Both times, she was (basically) marrying someone against her will.  She had no idea that Tyrion would fail to claim his conjugal rights.  She's even in her own home now, and surrounded by many she knows are loyal to her.  That makes me think that Sansa had a much better read on the Boltons than LF did.

 

Loved the confirmation that Arya cared - at least a little bit - for the Hound.

 

Cersei continues her attempts to undermine the monarchy's power. She arms an army she can't actually control that arrests an heir of the second greatest house then arrests the Queen on the testimony of a squire while the King does nothing about it. If either of those Tyrell dies, House Tyrell will pull out of Kings Landing leaving the populace hungry and angry and Kings Landing will experience rioting and chaos and House Lannister HAS NO MONEY.

 

Cersei shows, once again, that she is tone deaf politically.   Margaery is beloved by the people.  The people think Tommen is an incest bastard usurper.  When it becomes public that Margaery has been jailed, Tommen either looks like a soulless "man" who jail his own wife, or a king who is gutless and weak.  Both destabilize the throne.

[Lady S.]

 

I don't hate Dorne, but I'm disappointed.  I thought Oberyn's home would be as kick ass as he was.  I did enjoy seeing one of his daughter's ninja fighting Oberyn-style.  The guards responded about as slowly as the secret service.  Myrcella could have been killed ten times over.  I was surprised that Myrcella didn't seem to recognize any of the girls.  Although they're bastards, it seems like Doran is close to them.  I want Ellaria to redeem herself.

I like Myrcella's boyfriend and his crippled dad ok, and at least Ellaria is played by Indira Varma and she was fun last season, it's just that the Sand Snakes are so 1-dimensional. They're just three little revenge monsters only really distinguished as Whipper, Speargirl, and Knifey, and I couldn't even keep track of which was which. I guess it must have been one of his younger girls that Oberyn mentioned seeing Myrcella play with, these oldest three probably spend all their time practice-fighting each other and playing with snakes.

 

Guess Arya's sl won't really pick up until Ser Meryn gets to town with Lord Muppet, but good to know she was lying to herself about how much she hated The Hound.

 

Hope Reek got to take another bath before pretending to be Theon again, else those nice clothes are gonna stink. Interesting that it was saying he was Ned's ward that tripped him up more than using his own name. I wonder if Balon minds the gold price when its being paid to him, seems he could have made a fortune by claiming Theon's favorite toy came from a dwarf.

 

I wonder if Tommen was actually supposed to be shocked by learning of Loras's sex life and Marg's involvement, that's the only way I could understand his not making a peep there. A kid who actually thought Margy and Cersei liked each other probably would be the last person to hear about "Uncle" Renly's affair with their mutual brother-in-law. Hell, he had to have Tywin explain marriage to him, maybe he doesn't even understand how two men could lay with each other. Liked it finally be pointed out that Loras fought in Blackwater wearing Renly's armor, which made Joffrey's mockery of Renly in the dwarf show even more offensive.

Edited May 18, 2015 by Lady S.

[Law Mom]

So the sand snakes revenge is for Oberyn now? I thought it was for the family who was murdered. Because Oberyn himself was killed in a duel he volunteered for and lost fair and square, no revenge called for. Myrcella and the boy were adorbs. It was nice to see an appropriate couple for a change.

 

When oh when is someone going to just come out and publicly accuse Cersei and Jaime of incest? It's already the worst kept secret in KL. I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to find a little bird to testify. Plus the gold hair/black hair evidence.

 

Oh yeah, Theon is totally taking Ramsey out. Hopefully he will let Sansa know about her brothers before he dies, too.

[wayne67]

Did anything good happen this episode ?

All I can remember is that Myrcella seems to like the Dorne prince and Sansa got to verbally dismiss Myranda and her unsubtle attempts to poison Sansa against Ramsay. That's all I can come up with from this episode.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Even though I can't stand Cersei and her smug face, I am glad that Myrcella is still unharmed. The poor girl was sent away to live with her family's enemies but she was lucky enough to fall in love with her betrothed. I would have been so sad if the Sand Snakes had succeeded in killing her. I can't wait to see Doran dealing with what happened. Between Ellaria, the Sand Snakes, and Jaime/Bronn, everyone is in trouble.

 

I love that despite Tyrion's facade of hating everyone, he does things like try to save Jorah from slavers.

 

I also loved that Jaquen's lie detector told him that Arya didn't totally hate the Hound. Awwww!

 

Oh, Sansa. I just want to send you to a safe place where you will get hugs and rainbows all day. Ugh, the evil look that Ramsay got on his face as soon as she stepped forward and took her vows chilled me.

 

That was the most disturbing wedding night consummation I have watched since The Borgias, and i didn't actually have to see anything but Sansa's face and Theon's tears. Ramsay must have been in heaven being able to hurt Sansa and Theon simultaneously.

[seacliffsal]

The Sand Snakes fight scene is the worst one I've seen in this show.  The girls were laughable-and there were a few times I thought Bronn would have been able to take one out/kill one.  I'm glad that their plan failed as they really aren't all that they thought they were.

 

Hated Sansa's wedding night, but am excited to think that she may put a revenge plan in action that will involve Theon, Brienne and Nymeria.  One can hope...

[bluvelvet]

Oh, Sansa. I just want to send you to a safe place where you will get hugs and rainbows all day. Ugh, the evil look that Ramsay got on his face as soon as she stepped forward and took her vows chilled me.

That was the most disturbing wedding night consummation I have watched since The Borgias, and i didn't actually have to see anything but Sansa's face and Theon's tears. Ramsay must have been in heaven being able to hurt Sansa and Theon simultaneously.

Gah, yes Lucretia's first wedding night, at least she found some happiness in that nightmare marriage. I hope that the 7 gods finds a way for Ramsey to get his just deserts ala Sforza. It couldn't happen to a more deserving person.

Ellaria Sand is confusing me, Oberyn died in a fair fight that he volunteered for yet she's acting like he was murdered. Cersei had no quarrel with Oberyn.

Edited May 18, 2015 by bluvelvet

[Potanical Pardon]

Ugh, the evil look that Ramsay got on his face as soon as she stepped forward and took her vows chilled me.

I'm thoroughly impressed by the actor. He DOES have evil face! I was familiar with the actor from Misfits (everyone go watch this, yes!) and it's the absolute opposite in character to Ramsay. Zero evil face. In a way, he's kind of the Sansa character on there...just needs a hug and rainbows.

 

This episode kiiiinda sucked, maybe. Arya's story - I'm totally not caring any more. She needs to get out of there. So boring. Eff the Faceless Men, they suck too.

 

Sand Snakes are all lame. Worst fight on this show. Whoever directed this one, he/she is just not very good at it. I felt the choreography of the fight could have been pretty good, but whoever was behind the camera was doing a pretty poor job of capturing it all. Maybe this was a necessary limitation due to filming at Jardines del Alcazar? I think that's where they're filming, yes? I was there forever ago, but as a cliché bad American study-abroad teenager. One of the most gorgeous places I have ever seen and I regret that at the time my biggest takeaway from it were ample opportunities to pose looking like you are peeing from the numerous fountains/statues. Anyways...I can kind of see how someone with a camera would have difficulty getting shots. Most of that place can be limited to single-file pathways. I distinctly recall my group having a hard time getting to each other even if we could see/hear each other as there were no easy ways to just cross over to each other; you had to follow the maze or if there were a grander space, it felt implied (and maybe even stated on tiny signs) not to walk in those spaces. It was still a crappy fight. I think Bronn got sliced by that spear and now I'm worried that it was poisoned.

 

If someone told me during the Battle of Blackwater that not only is the guy who Cersei nudged and fell over twice in the women-and-children hideaway going to grow some balls but that Lancel Lannister is an important character, I would have dismissively laughed. That dude is crazy scary and...capable now. I really like the Sparrow/High Septon zealot arc. How do they have the power that they have and from an essentially powerless Cersei who was able to give that to them? Aside from how they came into being, it is absolutely believable that the citizens and religion could manifest this way. I'm scared for Lady O and while I believe in her and do not in Cersei at all, I'm afraid that at least for this Tyrell squabble, Cersei may dumb luck her way into winning and undeservedly fuel her arrogance. The scene between the two of them was okay but it didn't feel right that it ended with Lady O just going along with Cersei's word that nothing bad would happen just because they're the Tyrells. I hate her and cannot wait for her downfall, but just like Joffrey the developing and waiting for it is going to be worth it. She's a survivor and scrappy even though she's not very bright. I feel like she is somehow going to survive a lot longer than the Sparrows empowerment. Death won't come easy and that she'll suffer again and again and again for everything ever. I really hope that she has a confrontation with Tyrion again; that doesn't seem finished.

 

I wonder if Jorah will be the reason for how Mr. Eko becomes Killer Croc? It will be great if Daenerys has to deal with a plague being unleashed in Meereen. Ruling's not so easy! She's not so different from Viserys and her father with her sense of entitlement.

 

Sansa disappointed this episode. I thought we were finally going to get away from damsel-in-distress Sansa, and get player Sansa. The director messed up here; I have a feeling she wasn't supposed to look as victimy, fearful and afraid. The girl who was taking a bath this episode was not the same as the girl getting married and at the end. She should be afraid and fearful, but she shouldn't let her bad poker face tip off Ramsay and Roose so easily. I have no idea what it could possibly take for Theon to finally snap out of it and redeem/sacrifice himself. I do think it will involve her candle in the tower and someone falling to their death but if this couldn't do it, I just can't imagine what will.

Edited May 18, 2015 by Tandaemonium

[Conan Troutman]

Fun fact: Myranda mentioned an ex named Violet getting preggo which I believe was a reference to the actress who partner with her back to seduce/torture Theon back in s3, that actress got pregnant and that's why she never came back to the show after that.

 

I always thought the other girl was the one from the dog hunt in early season 4. But I'm not really trying to keep track of Ramsey's cruelties or I'd be running out of paper soon...

 

I had forgotten about Arya's speech to the little girl, that was the best part of her storyline tonight. Chilling in how easily she lied to get the girl to drink the water. The room of faces, how does it work. I assume they have access to all those faces but what happens if they come across someone who knew the person with face they took?

 

Another face in the storage room, I'd think.

 

 

Seems like Margaery's ambition to be The Queen is finally coming back to bite her. Same with Olenna's plot to kill Joffrey. As much as a little piece of shit Joffrey was, there's no way he would've let the Sparrows take his wife. Even if he didn't care for her much, he'd still view it as an insult to himself. Now they're dependent on clueless little Tommen to get their asses out of jail, which is simply not going to happen. Be careful what you wish for...

 

But kudos to Cersei - at least so far. Her plan of destroying House Tyrell seems to work surprisingly well. I wonder what her next step is. She knows Olenna has to be pissed beyond reason and wouldn't hesitate one bit to send the Tyrell armies after Cersei, so there might be a plan in place to deal with her, too. As much as I hope Olenna's goin to take her out and casually mention "oh btw, I killed your son", I'm afraid that's not going to happen. And maybe that's good, because Cersei deserves a fate far worse than death, or at least far worse than death by the hand of Olenna.

 

Great scene with her and LF, too. Loved how he played her like a fiddle, she's got no idea what he's up to. And neither do we, really - the only thing I wouldn't question is that he'd like to rule over the Seven Kingdoms with Sansa as his Queen. But what alliances he plans to make and betray on his way is really up in the air.

 

Not much love for the Arya SL here. I liked the part, sure, there wasn't much happening, but I'll take that over the last 20 minutes any day. My favorite part was the story she told the little girl. Arya may not have Tyrion's mind when it comes figuring out what's going on, but at least she's learning fast. Also loved her smiled when her, um, co-worker told her that story about how she poisoned her step mom.

 

Only really disappointing thing was Dorne. The Sand Snakes are supposed to be awesome I guess, but they're really just boring. Bronn said all there is to say about them in one line. Hopefully he didn't get poisoned, I was positively surprised he made it out there alive. He said he wanted a boring death, but I didn't think he was being meta.

 

The Boltons astonishingly continue to hold their spot in my shit list above Cersei with a comfortable margin, despite her best efforts. Respect to that, I guess?

[ElectricBoogaloo]

That was the most disturbing wedding night consummation I have watched since The Borgias, and i didn't actually have to see anything but Sansa's face and Theon's tears. Ramsay must have been in heaven being able to hurt Sansa and Theon simultaneously.

Gah, yes Lucretia's first wedding night, at least she found some happiness in that nightmare marriage. I hope that the 7 gods finds a way for Ramsey to get his just deserts ala Sforza. It couldn't happen to a more deserving person.

I can only hope that Ramsay meets some painful and/or humiliating consequences as Giovanni did (rest in hell, you jackass). For me, Sansa's wedding night was worse than Dany's, partly because it's obvious that Ramsay is so sadistic.

[cambridgeguy]

 

When oh when is someone going to just come out and publicly accuse Cersei and Jaime of incest? It's already the worst kept secret in KL. I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to find a little bird to testify. Plus the gold hair/black hair evidence.

At the very least Oleanna can't do that.  If she does then Tommen isn't the king and Margery isn't queen.  The entire realm would split into its component kingdoms or rally behind Stannis, the actual king, since they wouldn't just go along with whomever happens to claim Kings Landing.

 

Cersei does need to find a better Master of Whisperers if she had no idea that Sansa was in Winterfell. 

[IDFfm0870]

A good one, all in all. Lots of forward movement everywhere.

Tyrion and Jorah were fun, and I loved Tyrion asking Jorah about what Jorah expects will happen when Jorah has given Tyrion to Daenerys, as I have been wondering the exact same thing. Nice mentioning of Jeor and Jorah's reaction to it. I missed the area where they are right now, close to Meereen / Daenerys possibly? Anyway ... MR EKO! :D What a fun surprise. So Jorah will possibly be sold as a fighting slave? Way to meet your queen again.

Bronn singing, always a guarantee for a good laugh. Jamie and Bronn, comedy gold. Bronn together in a scene with both his favorate Lannister boys would be so much fun. Did we have have a scene of those three togetherin season 4 following Jamie's return to Kings Landing? Cool fight with Oberyn's girls, but it seems the daughters' purpose/story has been over before it really began. Now what, Jamie in captivitiy again? Well at least he has Bronn with him I guess. And poor Romeo and Myrcelliet? This cannot end well, can it?! As for Ellaria, I have not really felt that charcacter all season long so far, and this episode did not help.

So Tinyfinger is all for sacrificing Sansa to Cercei to get his share of things? I did not expect that. What an ass! Now I really want him to die a long and horrible death. Thoug it was fun to see how he did handle brother Lancelot.

As for horrible deaths, Ramsay Snow has just climbed up the letter to the ultimate top on my list. What a horrible horrible thing to do to poor poor Sansa. And Reek had to watch... My kudos to all three actors involved. The North will surely remember this whenever they will get their hands on that bastard.

Cercei triumphed over Olenna, just wow. Great twist with Loras AND Margaery in the end. And it is a great joy to have Olenna back. Poor little King Tommen seemed a bit confused lol.

I have to admit that I have to rewatch the Arya part of the episode. That stuff is confusing and interesting all at once. That church area with all the heads was spectacular.

[Popples]

Seriously though, Cersei...you've had an affair with your twin brother for YEARS and had three children by him and passed them off as legitimate. This fact is no secret YET you arm religious fanatics to get back at Margery. DUMB DUMB DUMB!

Add that to fact that you KNOW Lancel is a sparrow and you still pull this bull. Smdh

 

I feel Cersei's pettiness and shortsightedness will totally bite her in the ass because of Lancel. Hell, he went up to her at the wedding reception talking about their affair, so it's only a matter of time he confesses to the High Sparrow.

 

What Sansa went through may be worse than 7 hells. I expected Theon to snap out of his Reek-self and plunge a dagger into Ramsay's back. From the previews:

The Boltons are marching for battle against Stannis. I'd hope Ramsay's horse throws him, but this show and hope are oil and water.

 

I'm worried about Bronn's cut he got on his arms.

 

When Jorah grabbed Tyrion to hide from the slavers (Hi, Mr. Eko!), I was wondered about the physical contact. Of course the Stone Men were covered in greyscale, so maybe to get it from Jorah, Tyrion would have to touch the exact spot of infection.

[Conan Troutman]

So Tinyfinger is all for sacrificing Sansa to Cercei to get his share of things? I did not expect that. What an ass! Now I really want him to die a long and horrible death. Thoug it was fun to see how he did handle brother Lancelot.

 

I'm pretty sure that's not his plan at all. He just told Cersei what she needed to hear. I'm not even sure he's really aiming for the Warden of the North title, at least not if it's handed to him by a Lannister. He wants the loyalty of the North, through Sansa, and that's a thing Cersei can't offer him. He just wants her off his back for now. The one part that may be true is that he's planning to defeat whoever wins the war between the Boltons and Stannis. I'm pretty sure he wants a weak Cersei on the Throne rather than a strong Stannis - you can't get much more chaos than Cersei's happily providing.

[terrymct]

A good one, all in all. Lots of forward movement everywhere.

Tyrion and Jorah were fun, and I loved Tyrion asking Jorah about what Jorah expects will happen when Jorah has given Tyrion to Daenerys, as I have been wondering the exact same thing. 

 

 

Jorah's going to be the Patient Zero for a grey scale epidemic all along that coastline.  He's carefully not touching Tyrion, but the people he fights with if they survive are going to starting having their skin crack in short order.

[Katalina]

 

Loved the confirmation that Arya cared - at least a little bit - for the Hound.

YES. It was a scrap of a confirmation, but I grabbed it.

 

 

Cersei shows, once again, that she is tone deaf politically.

Cersei's aces at palace intrigue, but has little appreciation of the larger issues.

 

I haven't read the books, so don't know how important the sand snakes are to the story, but there seems to be a lot of disappointment in how they were presented. All I have to say about that is, aren't boots with toes that long and curly hard to fight in? Also, the one called Obara really chews the scenery.

[Primetimer]

Thank the Gods for small favors (unless you're Sansa).

Read the story

[FlowerofCarnage]

As soon as I saw AAA aka Adedbisi, I was hoping he would call Tyrion or Jo ah a "muddafukkah".

[Triskan]

You mistake Martells for Tyrells in the bit about Loras and Olyvar.

[Puffaroo]

Tyrion is awesome "Guess again!" was definitely my favorite quote of the night.

 

 

Mine was "The dwarf stays alive until we find a cock merchant."

[marcee]

Missed opportunity to use "Dick's" as a cock merchant big box store.

[JTMacc99]

I hope for Bronn's sake, they didn't take after their father and their weapons were dry.

Yeah. I hadn't thought about that until now. That would explain the close-up of the injury, wouldn't it?  The only other explanation would be to give us a reason for Bronn to say "You fight pretty good for a little girl." or whatever it is he said.

 

Tyrion is awesome "Guess again!" was definitely my favorite quote of the night.

So, I like it when I get something right. In this case, I like that pairing up Tyrion and Jorah is helping them both out of their funks.  The kidnapping already snapped Tyrion out of it a couple episodes ago. He's been his normal witty self for a while, and was super sharp in getting himself and Jorah saved.  But even better was the fact that Jorah saw it, finally, and was able to step up and play along with his story about the Dothraki. Jorah's catching on.  Tyrion's a handy guy to have on your side.

 

I fear he might be worse than Joffrey.

I'm going to disagree, although I clearly see how he is worse in some ways.  Joffrey was a coward, but he was really getting the hang of wielding power in a sadistic way to inflict the pain that made him happy. Eventually he would have done much more damage to far more people than Ramsay, who is a common, everyday psychopath. The fact that he is hands-on as opposed to using an entire team to hurt people should make him a little easier to stop.  It took a ridiculously intricate plot to kill off Joffrey. It should take not much more than slitting his throat the next time he asks Reek to give him a shave to get rid of Ramsay.

[Yogi Nomad]

Sansa disappointed this episode. I thought we were finally going to get away from damsel-in-distress Sansa, and get player Sansa. The director messed up here; I have a feeling she wasn't supposed to look as victimy, fearful and afraid. The girl who was taking a bath this episode was not the same as the girl getting married and at the end. She should be afraid and fearful, but she shouldn't let her bad poker face tip off Ramsay and Roose so easily.

 

I've been so disappointed in Sansa for a while. I've been waiting for her to play the game for so long. And it showed that she is learning but I don't think she learns fast enough. This wedding either gonna break her or she's gonna have to adapt and play.  

 

But to be fair to Sansa, anyone would be fearful of Ramsay (ask Reek!)  I'm just sad that she escaped so many rapey threats and now this? Arrgh

[annsterg]

The scenes with Jaime and Bronn sneaking through the Water Gardens reminded me of an old Bob Hope/Bing Crosby movie, Road To Morocco:

 

 

HA! you are not the only one. It was ridiculous and jarring.

 

And yeah, Ellaria and the Sand Snakes can just shut it with the "Oberyn was murdered!!" BS. He was NOT. He was killed in a fight he volunteered for, and would have won if he had just taken care of business and killed the Mountain all the way dead instead of getting cocky. Sadly, the person responsible for Oberyn's death is...Oberyn.

[ihartcoffee]

As soon as I saw AAA aka Adedbisi, I was hoping he would call Tyrion or Jo ah a "muddafukkah".

My daughter and I immediately recognized Adebisi! That was a great scene, so many good lines delivered. Poor Jorah, I want to console him.

[FineWashables]

Now that it's clear that Reek got away with defying Ramsay when he didn't kill the Stark boys, and now that we've seen him present himself as Theon of the House Greyjoy at the wedding, it's just a question of time before he finally turns on Ramsay and takes back his human dignity. I wonder how and when he'll tell Sansa that her brothers are safe.  Much as Sansa hates Theon, he's really her only nearby ally at this point.  Sansa talked about being surrounded by friends there at Winterfell, but I wonder who she's talking about -- I don't see anyone rallying to her side or protecting her. 

 

When Arya chooses a new face, will she be able to switch back and forth the way her mentor can?  I wish her storyline was a little less obscure.

 

Also: winter is coming.

[SourK]

People say Cersei isn't smart, but she sure played Margaery. Remind me, this whole plan with the Sparrows was payback for Margaery laughing at her the day after the wedding? Or was it more that Margaery had usurped her position? That's some elaborate long range plotting right there.

 

At first, I was honestly confused about what Cersei's plan was, but, yeah, her plan has always been to rule by way of putting someone else on the throne and bossing them around. It didn't work with Robert, and then it didn't work with Joffrey, because he was a psychopath who wouldn't listen to anyone, and then it didn't work with Tommen because Margaery got her claws into him. At that point, I think she started looking for ways to shore up her political power without controlling the throne, and controlling an army of religious zealots was the next best thing. The problem is, I think she's so cynical and so used to people flipping to suit their own interests that she doesn't realize that they're sincere in their messed-up beliefs. I think she thinks it's a facade to mask their quest for power, and she's going to be surprised when she can't get them to look the other way later on.

 

Jaime and Bronn vs. the Sand Snakes was fun, but I would have thought that the later group should have been able to handle an one-armed man and his mercenary friend easier then that.  Kind of embarrassing, snakes. 

 

 

How is it that the Sand Snakes, who are supposed to be fearsome warriors who are sworn to vengeance, less frightening than this?

 

 

I like Myrcella's boyfriend and his crippled dad ok, and at least Ellaria is played by Indira Varma and she was fun last season, it's just that the Sand Snakes are so 1-dimensional. They're just three little revenge monsters only really distinguished as Whipper, Speargirl, and Knifey, and I couldn't even keep track of which was which.

 

Word to all of this. The sand snakes are disappointing me. I was excited when I heard that there would be a bunch of new female characters in Dorne -- and I was excited about the idea that we would meet some people in Dorne period, since Oberyn was pretty awesome, and it seemed like a cool place. As it turns out, though, the characters in Dorne are all getting a similar level of character development to the non-Danaerys, non-Tyrion characters in Essos -- which is hardly any at all. Even the Boltons got more than this. Even Walder Frey.

 

I think the disappointment of the sand snakes is some combination of the show not knowing what to do with women when there isn't a man in the scene with them, and being spread too thin across too many locations. Because the characters in Westeros all interact with each other and are part of the same massive conflict, we spend more time getting to know them, and they get drawn into several different story lines by proxy. But, in Essos and, now, Dorne, the characters are all kind of peripheral to the main story, and we see them for a couple of minutes every other episode -- it's hard to feel like they matter in the same way as the characters in Westeros.

[islandgal140]

I actually don't mind Arya's story too much, it has its intriguing moments. The best way to look at it is the dead body washing and flooring scrubbing is some kind of 'wax on, wax off' style of teaching. 

 

If Arya only knew about Ramsey Bolton, he would be on the top of her kill list. He sure is on the top of mine.

 

I felt like I was watching a basic display at a martial arts competition in some school gym during the Sand Snakes vs KL crew fight. Not impressed.  Feel like the Sand Snakes could have been so much more interesting but they read like petulant, angry teens. So one dimensional and uninteresting. 

 

I'm at a total loss as to Balish's game. Why did he reveal that Sansa was at Winterfell? Will he kill Sansa to become Warden of the North?

 

As many have mentioned, Balish plays the long game of strategy. I think he pretty much knows that with the Lannister coffers empty (they can now longer pay their debts) Tywin dead, Jamie nothing more than a glorified bodyguard at KL (and no captured abroad) and Tyrion out of the picture that the Lannister dynasty is pretty much, if not dead already, than it at least has one foot in the grave and another on a banana peel.  That banana peel's name is Cersei, who is ruling the 7 kingdom's with all the wisdom of a child wielding a chainsaw. She has basically ceded KL's military and judicial power and authority to religious zealots and done away with the idea of the king being above the law.  She has basically set the stage for her own comeuppance.  When that worm turns it will be glorious! 

 

The conversation between Baelish and Cersei was really good. I feel like Baelish hinted at her incest. She got a little quiet. 

 

I wish we would get a White Walker and their neon blue eyed overlords update. 

Edited May 18, 2015 by islandgal140

[DarkRaichu]

So my speculation was right as far as Arya storyline (it was not hard to guess ;) )

 

On Sansa, not sure what else she could do at that point.  It was most likely normal for brides of political marriages to be treated as such, Theon watching notwithstanding.
 

My bookwalkers friends were so heartbroken at how the show depicted the sand snakes :D  They were 3 girls + 1 woman on a mission to avenge a death that was legally sanction by the realm.

Wait, I can see the parallel between the sand snakes and Cersei.  They are ready to put relative peace in the realm for personal revenge.  One was ready to get Lannister vs Dorne to war and the other Lannister vs Tyrell.  

 

Can we bring the actual players back to the game of thrones ? All of these people without any long term plans made the game boring :(  I did not know how much I missed Tywin Lannister...

ETA: seriously, watching Littlefinger vs Cersei was like watching match up between an NBA pro vs high school student.  I bet she did not even know she was getting played :( 

Edited May 18, 2015 by DarkRaichu

[terrymct]

I wonder if Tommen was actually supposed to be shocked by learning of Loras's sex life and Marg's involvement, that's the only way I could understand his not making a peep there. A kid who actually thought Margy and Cersei liked each other probably would be the last person to hear about "Uncle" Renly's affair with their mutual brother-in-law. Hell, he had to have Tywin explain marriage to him, maybe he doesn't even understand how two men could lay with each other. Liked it finally be pointed out that Loras fought in Blackwater wearing Renly's armor, which made Joffrey's mockery of Renly in the dwarf show even more offensive.

 

I honestly think it's simply that he is a kid. No confidence yet in what he can and can't do.  Not mean or psycho at all.  Just a kid.

[Calamity Jane]

ETA: seriously, watching Littlefinger vs Cersei was like watching match up between an NBA pro vs high school student.  I bet she did not even know she was getting played :( 

To me it would be, "I bet she did not even know she was getting played :-D"  Can't wait for her to get smacked down. 

[RadiantAerynSun]

The Faith doesn't have to bring Cersei up on accusations of incest necessarily (re: Olenna possibly destroying Tommen/Margaery's claim on the throne if she rats to them), Lancel's testimony alone about THEIR incest (they are cousins) and his help with King Robert's wine is probably plenty to throw her in a cell for the rest of forever. I think the Sparrows may intend to do that in time, but in the meantime are using her as an "in" to get the rotten bits out of the capitol before turning on her.

[Conan Troutman]

But the Lancel/Cersei incest or sexual relationships between cousins in general is really small potatoes. Heck, it's not even all that uncommon in real life right now and used to be fair game for most of human history. The potential problem here is more adultery on Cersei's part. Or the kingslaying part of it.

[dramachick]

I really liked the episode even though it was a downer at the end. It wouldn't have this effect on me and others if the characters weren't so well written as multidimensional beings with excellent actors bringing them to life.

 

From Sophie Turner interview:

When I read that scene, I kinda loved it. I love the way Ramsay had Theon watching. It was all so messed up. It’s also so daunting for me to do it. I’ve been making [producer Bryan Cogman] feel so bad for writing that scene: “I can’t believe you’re doing this to me!” But I secretly loved it.