Game of Thrones - Mhysa [Mother}

I admit that I was emotionally drained from the Red Wedding like I imagine many other Game of Thrones fans were, so Mhysa (which perhaps was going for an iconic visual of a city of slaves lifting up their savior with thanks for seeing that they found freedom from bondage, messianic vision that I realize can be criticized for its perception…blonde, blue-eyed, and white, hoisted to the heavens with hands stretched towards her in celebration, but I feel that wasn’t the intent even as the presentation might could be seen as such), which has a lot of story for a number of characters, with plenty of conversations and dialogues following the death of Robb and Catelyn. But I wasn’t against the episode as much as bummed and low in spirit. I guess maybe I should have allowed the previous episode time to process, gave myself a breather, allowed to horrors of the Red Wedding to rest on the mind and hopefully, eventually ease away.

Bran, Hodor, Jojen, and Meesa receive support from Samwell and Gilly as they all met at Nightfort, converging unexpectedly. Samwell, continuing to prove how aware and smart he is despite what his father thought about him, puts it all together and realizes that Bran is Jon’s brother, telling him that Jon saved his life and would help them pass to the North of the Wall if they so choose, but not without providing them with dragon glass as protection against White Walkers. Samwell and Gilly eventually arrive, thanks to Samwell’s knowledge of the area, to meet Aemon (the secret Targaryen who disavowed any title to serve on the Night’s Watch) at Castle Black. Samwell proves he is of the Night’s Watch by providing their mantra to him. And then later, after suffering three arrows into his back from a vengeful Y’gritte, Jon is able to make it back to Castle Black, receiving help as he is severely wounded. Lord Commander Mormont and many who went with him beyond the Wall gone, these rag-tag group that remains aren’t much in the way of security. Aemon realizes he will need Samwell to help send 44 ravens, well fed and ready to fly, with a message of the White Walkers to all kingdoms as a warning that winter was indeed coming.

Theon is still being tortured by, now we learn, Roose’s bastard son, Ramsay. He gets the name here. Roose has a conversation with Walder Frey, still celebrating the end of the Starks, mocking Robb’s status of a young wolf, denouncing Ned and Cat’s father for considering him a joke, and reveling in having support from the Lannisters. Roose, named Warden of the North (until Tyrion and Sansa have a child that will replace him), downgrades Robb for his “arrogance” and failure to listen to any advice he had. You see here that Robb lost favor with Roose so the Lannisters made him a better offer. Roose seems okay with his son using his “own methods” to “handle” Theon. Ramsay, as we see at the Dreadfort in the North, pokes fun at Theon for the castration, nicknaming him “Reek” because, while remaining bound to a wooden X-post, reeks of smell. And it just keeps going and going, the sadism. I’m over it. Ramsay eats a sausage while commenting about Theon losing his member. And if it couldn’t get any worse, once he receives his son’s severed penis in a box, Balon Greyjoy (learning of the Iron Islands men who went with his son being massacred by Ramsay) decides he won’t remove his army from the North, earning the ire of his fleet captain daughter, Yara. Yara isn’t about to just remain home while her brother continues to suffer pieces of him cut away and sent back to Balon as proof that he means what he says in terms of the steps he’ll sink to have the Ironborn gone. The episode builds Yara up as a heroine on her way to rescue the pitiable Theon, even answering to Reek because punches to the face are too unbearable. Balon Greyjoy, no longer looking at his son as a man, doesn’t even show a hint of remorse or sorrow at Theon’s suffering. What a fucking cretin.

Varys tries to give Shae diamonds and send her away in fear that her serving as Tyrion’s complication will endanger him as long as she remains because he loves her. She doesn’t accept the diamonds, wanting Tyrion to tell her to go. Varys does seem to genuinely care for Tyrion, but his efforts seem to fail. With each attempt to help Sansa and Tyrion, it seems events deprive Varys from success. Tyrion learns of his father’s “victory” over Robb and Cat, providing news of this during a small council meeting. Tyrion and Tywin continue to have intense and corrosive talks about having a child, the way the Starks were murdered, how Tywin keeps his self-interests in mind through all the horrible actions he takes “for the good of the family”, and the harsh relationship between father and son. Tywin makes sure to remind his son of his feelings for him. How Tywin wanted to drown Tyrion as a baby but didn’t because he’s a Lannister. The Lannisters and the power they keep, holding onto the Iron Throne, remaining a fierce and intimidating foe to any that challenge them, is Tywin’s main concern. Tyrion might grouse and cringe at his father’s methods but for the Lannisters to carry on son is to obey father. And if Tyrion and Tywin’s frustrations with each other wasn’t tense enough, King Joffrey reminds his grandfather of how he was “hiding away at Casterly Rock” when Robert, Joffrey’s “father”, was taking King’s Landing! Tywin maintaining control and sending his daughter to take her son to bed (“I’m not tired!”) is hilarious. Tywin, you can only imagine” wants to give him a good beating but realizes for the good of the Iron Throne, he must keep his composure. Joffrey, when he outbursts to Tywin, realizing his error but remembering he’s the king, revealing fear as his grandfather registers a stern face cracks me up. Joffrey might be king but as Tywin tells Tyrion, the true power lies with the Hand. Cersei might try to encourage Tyrion to bed and impregnate Sansa so he can experience the love of children like her, but with Sansa learning of her brother and mother’s demise sure will just further sink into melancholy. Joffrey, the evil little shit, wants to have Robb’s head presented to Sansa as a cruel joke! Much like Ramsay, Joffrey has a vile streak that wants to playfully torment those he considers deserved of it. Joffrey gleefully enjoying the demise of the Starks, can’t help but mock Sansa. It is ever so much fun. The creep.

Arya, devastated, overhears Bolton’s officers bragging about the murder of her mother and brother, riding on The Hound’s horse, remembering seeing her brother being mocked as King of the North by those who betrayed the Stark forces during Edmure’s wedding reception. Arya, with the coin left to her by Jaqen, offers it to the braggart in favor of food, pouncing on him with a dagger taken quietly from The Hound without him knowing. She killed her first man with her own hand. The Hound took care of the others. Arya didn’t blink or go into shock. She killed and unflinchingly. It wasn’t hard or difficult. it was easy and you can see she will no doubt do it again. The Hound would like her to at least tell him before committing to that, though. The Starks are down but not out.

And Davos, learning to read, thanks to Stannis' daughter has been one of my favorite little developments. He also caring about the life of Gendry, making sure he can escape so that Melisandre and Stannis won't burn him alive just to secure the Iron Throne just further builds him as a character worth caring about. His conversation with Gendry in the dungeon of Stannis' castle about coming from Flea Bottom, living near a sewer, being lowborn and rising out of that only to end up where they are offers a reason to further admire both of them, especially Davos who sees Gendry as a good kid deserving better than to be sacrificed as a burn offering to the Lord of the Light. Five kings fighting for the Iron Throne, as they soon learn from the raven scroll sent by the The Night's Watch, pales in comparison to the White Walkers who will soon be marching on Westeros. Davos setting Gendry free only to be kept from execution by Melisandre because the fire says he will be needed is a unique moment that has its own irony.