Game of Thrones - A Man Without Honor

Theon loves to mention how he was ripped away from his own family to be “kidnapped” and raised by another, yet if he were to evaluate which of these upbringings were better for him his feelings might be a bit different. But clearly Theon realizes that he must commit to this whole Winterfell overtaking and capture, looking to reign as leader of it in order for him to somehow earn some sort of respect or grace in his father’s (and sister’s) eyes. Taking Winterfell, though, wasn’t some great feat considering how it was being managed by a crippled boy and his aging Master Luwin, occupied at the current by farmers and families while Robb Stark was off fighting the Lannisters and their ilk. And that this crippled boy, his little brother (Rickon), a “half-wit giant” (Hodor) and “wildling” (Osha)—quite a crew—could escape out of Winterfell doesn’t sit well with Theon when a member of his guard challenges his own failures by fucking Osha, letting his guard down due to his lust…the guard gets a nice pummeling for that bit of mouthy retort when questioned about letting these four get away. But while a hunting party started by Theon is underway, the four must try and find distance and a way to hide if they lose ground to those in pursuit of them.

 Theon, continuing to bow out his chest and speak out to those at Winterfell about how he’ll be respected or else, it does appear that burned children should strike fear to them all that he means business although seeing it firsthand does appear to rattle him. Maester Luwin sure appears to be helplessly handcuffed, fearful of the possibility that Theon might just catch the Stark boys and commit such an act.

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You get those unexpected fated stories within a series that hits so much irony. If only he knew who she was, how everything might have been different. Tywin has no idea that the girl who sees to his meals and cups of wine is the daughter of Eddard Stark, sister to Robb, the son of Ned giving him and his army such grief. She listens on as Tywin speaks about this “battle of the five kings” and how this will be his last, as his back is turned contemplating the thought of sticking a knife in the back of his neck. He enjoys her company, as she remains pleasant but often worded in response when given the chance to talk about Targaryens and their dragons as the conversation turns to how the Harrens, who had built the impressive Harrenhal to withstand plenty of soldiers/armies who attempt to penetrate the walls surrounding the great structures that comprise them, fell to the fire from the sky. Her “my lord” sort of exposing her as more than some “low born” girl, with Tywin informing her to use, “m’lord” as a salutation following responses to orders, with her cleverly mentioning her mother worked for a noblewoman, with a madeup back story of a stonemason father who kept her educated in history. You can see that this ongoing and continuing saga with Robb (and Stannis Baratheon) is a bit tiresome and wearing on his patience. The work of Jaqer on his lieutenant, Amory Lorch, giving Tywin further aggravation as he orders The Mountain to find the one responsible, as men are executed and questioned without much headway. And Arya right in his midst the one who truly dicated to Jaqer to put Amory down, perhaps awaiting the right time to do in Tywin as well.

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There is a fascinating conversation between Cersei and Sansa after she awakens to her period for the first time, frantically (and futilely) hoping to hide it so that she wouldn’t be forced into having Joffrey’s children. Cersei, who didn’t love Robert, speaking about how she would be in labor having each child while he was off on his hunts, advises Sansa to not give away too much love, except to her children. While her face was looking away from Sansa (and the camera is right on Cersei as her face develops a warm smile), Cersei speaks about how Jaime couldn’t just await outside the door as Joffrey was being born (it was difficult, a day and a half of labor), clearly fondly remembering this. Shae tried to help Sansa cut away the piece of bloodied sheet and turn the mattress but The Hound was there to ruin such attempts at keeping the period secret. Cersei, somewhat admitting her son’s “failings”, realizes Sansa doesn’t love her son, much the same as she didn’t love Robert, trying to remind her to always love the children for the “little princes and princesses” must have it…while the Kings don’t necessarily need or deserve it.

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Jaime Lannister, the nerve of this guy. I have a work friend who considers him his favorite character. In this episode, “A Man Without Honor”, the title referring to Jaime, he gains the trust and intense interest of a relative who once served as his squire briefly. They have a conversation about Jaime in a fight, his shield dented, in armor, a victor. This young man, sent to Cersei at request by Robb to barter for title as King of Winterfell, returning with bad news gratefully speaks to Jaime in earnest, not realizing it was all a ruse to draw him in to die! Yes, Jaime murders him brutally just to get attention from the guard, using the chain that bound him to break his neck. The vengeance-seeking father demands to have Jaime’s head when they capture him after a failed escape, but Catelyn will have none of it, telling him that she has suffered as he has, lost as he has. When Robb returns from “the Crag”, looking for surrender (and supplies, carrying the nurse who seems to be forming a romance with him), the father will look for the King of the North to give him rights to kill Jaime. What makes this all so chilling is how charming and seemingly sincere Jaime is when talking to his former squire and relative of the “only fat Lannister woman”, offering a pleasant charade of back and forth, gaining his trust only to bash his face in while the two are in a prison. It reveals that Jaime isn’t above killing family in order to free himself, seemingly without care. Even jesting at Catelyn’s expense when she spares his life AGAIN. He mocks her while the others surrounding her must listen. I’m amazed this character is STILL ALIVE at the eighth season.

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Jon Snow spends his time in this episode trying to muzzle Ygritte, who relentlessly mocks the celibacy vow of the Night's Watch. When she gets away from him, knowing her ability to draw Jon away from his entourage, Ygritte rejoins wildlings, hiding out of sight until revealing themselves to him as he must look on all around him, all alone.

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“It’s hard to put a leash on a dog when you put a crown on its head.” – Tyrion to Cersei, a mother admitting she has tried and failed to contain her son. My favorite quote from the episode for sure.

“Every time a Targaryen is born, the gods flip a coin” – Cersei pondering whether or not Joffrey is a product of her and Jaime’s sins as Tyrion tries to argue against her concerns. Her other two children, Tyrion argues in their favor as not being as Joffrey is as Cersei notices her brother’s attempts to console her. 

This scene is so rare, so unique as brother and sister, both understanding that Joffrey is potentially the mad product of incest, don’t use cruel quips or target frailties in a verbal joust. Tyrion doesn’t know how to show her comfort and Cersei, even when emotionally vulnerable, is unsure how to accept it. And yet, although few and far between, there it is…eventually the two once again are foes, and worse, adversaries over Joffrey’s eventual demise. But for this moment there is a brief respite from such a feud.

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Daenerys has an ally in Jorah, returning after trying to find a ship for her, and she’ll need him as Xaro reveals his masterplan to the Quorum (including the Spice King) in becoming King of Qarth, aligned with black magician Pyat Pree, admitting that the dragons are in the “House of the Undying”. Pyat Pree can move about, from place to another, seemingly impervious to injury. Pyat is made up and portrayed with quite the intimidating, creepy presence. Not the kind of Qarth local you would prefer to meet in the dark or under a palm tree even. Pyat is certainly the kind of associate Xaro would stand to  benefit from if he wanted the “Thirteen” out of the way. How will Daenerys and Jorah free her Dragons? Pyat and his followers slit the throats of the Quorum and seemingly assure Xaro his power.

Daenerys, prior to all of this, isn’t happy that Irri perished in Xaro’s house, under his dead guards and begging the Quorum for her Dragons isn’t a position she is pleased with. Speaking of not being pleased, Daenerys also takes Jorah to task for abandoning her, although he assures her she can trust him and he’ll never leave her side again…quite a declaration. To locate the Dragons, Jorah seeks information from the masked and mysterious Quaithe (her motivations intrigue me, but she seems like a temporary character whose enigmatic presence will be squandered once Daenerys leaves Qarth).