Game of Thrones - The Laws of Gods and Men

The Laws of Gods and Men didn’t just feature Tyrion’s trial. I did fail to mention in the previous episode that Brienne was trying to relinquish Podrick’s squire of his devotion to follow her, and their eventual conversation where she decides he might not be such a bad company (he killed a Kingsguard who threatened Tyrion’s life with a spear). When you have so much going on, a subplot or character sidebar does sometimes slip my mind until the next day. Davos inspiring Stannis to attempt to ship to Braavos in the hopes of receiving their support against the Lannisters by convincing their Iron Bank leadership that once Tywin dies, his “weak, soft” grandson (the current king) and the hated Cersei are left in charge would not be as wise an “investment” (indebted to them for quite a bit already) as Stannis would in any other episode stand as the major plot…it takes Davos showing them his missing fingers to describe the kind of man Stannis is as a leader, worth entrusting their support as opposed to a weakened Lannister family if Tywin wasn’t around. Davos promised an army and with the Iron Bank giving over some gold, Stannis will receive some much needed help accordingly. Salladhor Saan once again is called upon by Davos for help in ships and labor…not without frustration and offered gold as a concession. Thankfully the episode gives most of its time to Tyrion and the trial, opting only to feature a bit of Meereen as Daenerys hears from locals like the son of a leader in the city who could not stop the crucifixions of children and a goat farmer who lost flocks to her dragons…Daenerys tries to serve as a Queen deserved of respect and authority, as Jorah and Berristan are on each side to offer opinion and advice when needed. They all come up in conversation as Tywin talks to Varys among those of the small council. Oberyn is there upon by request by Tywin to serve on the small council besides being one of the judges at Tyrion’s trial. Varys’ spies have provided quite a bit of information including that Jorah was perhaps a reliable source of information who has dedicated himself fully to Daenerys while Berristan joined her side after his “dismissal” from King’s Landing. Tywin considered that a grave error that Cersei felt was justified. A lot Joffrey did wrong, and Tywin recognizes exactly the kind of threat Daenerys is. Reports of her growing army and how she’s the Queen of Meereen; Tywin isn’t about to not take her seriously, hoping to find a way to snuff her out before ever reaching King’s Landing. The episode still, by and large, focuses on Tyrion and his family. Varys and Oberyn do talk about Essos, one of whom came from there while the other visited before…Varys reveals that he’s asexual, not allowing himself to succumb to fleshly desires, instead more desirous of the Iron Throne, not in word but through a simple nod of the head.

Also featured was Yara hoping to rescue Theon, not expecting Reek while Ramsey enthusiastically looks for a fight, for bloodshed.