Game of Thrones - Second Sons

I figure some fans might consider Second Sons one of the third season’s less significant episodes because it doesn’t necessarily feature anything monumental (unless you consider the humiliating farce of a wedding between Tyrion and Sansa, orchestrated by Tywin for no other purpose but to secure a grandson, monumental) but I quite enjoyed it. You continue to see Daenerys’ confidence rise, if just how she talks and holds up her head. Her prowess and bravado as she continues to add numbers to her army. When Stannis and Melisandre—a released Davos remains at a distance but agrees to no longer oppose the Red Witch and will be obedient to his Grace’s wishes—leech blood from Gendry (Gendry is seduced momentarily by the incredibly sexy, manipulative, and sensual Melisandre, who does get naked, leading him to bed, even riding him for just enough time to bound his wrists and ankles to a bed in a bedchamber), as Robert’s blood is in his bastard son’s veins, part of his lineage into the fire will perhaps secure the Lord of Light’s help in vanquishing three Kings standing in Stannis’ way: Robb, Joffrey, and Balon Greyjoy. What about Daenerys’ though? Perhaps Stannis and Melisandre have failed (as others, it seems) to take the heiress Targaryen seriously?

The Second Sons are a 2000 man army representing Yukai. Daenerys wants them to join her Unsullieds but two of the three warriors that lead them consider her a problem needing to be removed. Mero (Mark Killeen), an austere and straight-faced warrior only sees her as a threat needing to be dealt with while Prendahl na Ghezn (Ramon Tikaram) is a crude, offensive, foul, scar-faced braggart speaking down to her as if she were but a slut to be fucked and tossed aside. But the hunky Daario Naharis (Ed Skrein), clearly smitten with Daenerys, knows exactly what to say and speaks with that smooth, carefully crafted exchange that perhaps persuades the Queen of Dragons that he can be trusted. Daario “loves beauty” above all else and considers his fellow warriors’ orders to kill Daenerys opposing his very philosophy in life: to appreciate beauty not destroy it. So he brings the heads of the two in a bag, dumps them in front of Daenerys (in her bath as Missandei sees to her), and conveys to her why he did what he did, offering his service to her. He kneels to her, giving his heart to her. Daenerys steps wet and nude from her bath before him, as Missandei puts on a robe. Daenerys never removes her fixed eyes off him. It is quite a magnificent scene. Not just because Clarke is stunning woman but how Daenerys has grown into a woman unencumbered by restraints or concerns. She is comfortable in her skin, believing what she says when she claims to take back Westeros to those offered the chance to join her. Daario has that kind of wink-wink grin and countenance, as if he knows that Daenerys perhaps desires him, and vice versa. Their chemistry is magnetic.

The main focus of the episode, though, is Tyrion’s forced wedding with a dreading Sansa who is clearly torn apart inside, grasping for whatever strength she can afford to not just scream. This whole affair is a prime example of just how fucked up King’s Landing and the Iron Throne is during this point in the series. Tywin calls the shots while everyone within the families associated to Joffrey grapple with their contempt for each other. Joffrey is having a blast, mocking Tyrion by taking away steps for him to stand in order to put on Sansa’s coat as part of the marriage ceremony. Joffrey mocks Sansa by proclaiming he’d come to her bed when Tyrion was unconscious from his wine, with his men holding her down while he has his way with her. Joffrey’s misbehavior can’t be tamed by Cersei while Tywin tries to diffuse a tense moment where a drunken Tyrion stabs a table and threatens King Dick. Tywin tries to also corral Tyrion who can barely walk, with eyes glazed over and tipsy mind, ordering him to plant a seed in Sansa. Sansa, worried about losing her virginity to Tyrion, is consoled by her new husband, assured she wouldn’t have to bed him…until she feels like it. And when Sansa retorts she might never feel such a way, Tyrion accepts that fate as if he were a member of the celibate Night’s Watch. Shae sure is pleased the next morning when there is no blood from the 14-year old bride, as Tyrion looks her way with a nod that he behaved himself.

Probably the best scene—beside Samwell using a dragonstone dagger to kill a White Walker to protect Gilly and her son—is when Cersei describes a song in correlation to a house once thriving until they earned the ire of Tywin and were annihilated, their corpses set up to warn others that the Lannisters aren’t to be trifled with, to Margaery. Margaery tries (and fails miserably) to charm Cersei but her cradling the arm and walk doesn’t work with Joffrey’s mother. Cersei pointedly uses what happened in the past towards a house that threatened to try and usurp them as a warning towards the Tyrells. They aren’t sisters and never will be. To even use “sister” clearly disgusts Cersei enough to forewarn a strangling while sleeping could visit upon Margaery if that was ever uttered again! And when a struggling Loras tries to make chit-chat with Cersei she is having none of it. Tywin might expect them to do their duties and marry but that doesn’t mean Cersei will just placate anyone because of it. All of this episode in regards to the Lannisters and Tyrells is clearly on a road to ruin. Olenna puts this mess into perspective by describing how sister will be daughter-in-law, and brother will be uncle, with it all just sounding quite absurd.

The Hound reveals his intentions to Arya, her heart set on bashing his face in with a boulder. Sandor Clegane, though, clears the air by pointing out that without him her safety and wellbeing would certainly face grave danger and plentiful hostility. Westeros yields its unsavory sorts who love to rape and slit the throats of girls, with The Hound informing Arya that he saved Sansa from such fate. If she had smashed his face with that rock, The Hound couldn’t take her to The Twins, where Edmure is to marry into the Family Frey. The Hound plans to exchange Arya to her brother and mother for profit. If they only knew what lied ahead. The Red Wedding awaits. The Lannisters will send their regards.

If Tyrion wasn't already a beloved fan favorite, this episode certainly lends to his cause. His assurance to Sansa, that humanity and gentleness, is not a Lannister trait seen very often. Jaime is starting to reveal this but Tyrion tenderly holding Sansa's hand, looking her in the face with an expression of apology for this series of unfortunate events, gives us something in King's Landing that doesn't make us nauseous. It is comforting to know not everyone in King's Landing behaves so vilely like Joffrey or insidiously like Cersei.