Game of Thrones - The Bear and the Maiden Fair *






Jaime, selfless, looks to help another out of loyalty and some act of kindness? Who would have thought, lopping off his hand could spark such an upswing in character? Brienne of Tarth is as good as bear chew if Jaime doesn’t get Lord Bolton’s officers to return him to Harrenhal to rescue her as Locke only wanted her as a plaything for his (and the Northerners with a wicked side just looking for something cruel and unusual to keep them entertained). There is this ongoing back and forth between Jaime and Qyburn (Anton Lesser) about medieval scientific experimentation to “learn to save lives”. When Qyburn retorts to Jaime about all those he killed, asking if he saved anybody, Jaime responds with a recall back to his conversation with Brienne at the bath about rescuing those at King’s Landing when he slay the mad king. And going out of his way to assist Brienne in a pit with a bear, utilizing the desperation of Bolton’s men to keep him safe from harm, Jaime took the first step towards redemption…or at least soothing his own conscience. And with Bran trying to halt Osha and Jojen’s sister from tearing each other apart (the direction they are to go, Osha wanting to get Bran to Castle Black as a promise to Maester Luwin while Jojen tells Bran that Jon Snow is not there), he ponders to Osha if his fall and handicap produced some kind of magic he now possesses. Bran and Jaime’s ongoing adventures, inexorably linked by a shove out a window and fall to the ground below. Osha reveals to them that her experience as a wilding resulted in losing a loved one who died and turned into a White Walker.


Tywin’s towering presence even intimidated Joffrey, the King wanting to know why the Small Council doesn’t meet in their usual place, instead of close to the Hand: The Hand speaking about the busy matters keeping the kingdom safe so the meeting near him being a necessity. Joffrey trying to stand up to Tywin is hilarious, the way he tries to seem to be calling the shots, questioning his grandfather about Daenerys and the dragons, and wanting to remain in the loop on important matters. Tywin grins while walking away from Joffrey, assured that he is the real authority at King’s Landing.


As expected Tyrion trying to assure Shae that he loves her and had no choice but to wed Sansa (she has a walk with Margaery in the garden, waxing melancholic about her situation as the future Queen hopes to calm her rising emotional tide) doesn’t go over to well. Shae doesn’t want to be just a whore to Tyrion while he beds and gives his new wife babies, as the North would be ideal as an addition in the marriage. She gives him a hard time, obviously, because this whole situation sets them apart, with her walking away as Tyrion sighs at this whole mess. Sansa and Margaery talking about sex with a dwarf and Tyrion’s “experience” was a bit awkward to me. But I guess this is the kind of talk you’d expect them to share after Sansa learns of her arranged marriage to Tyrion.

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