Game of Thrones: House of Black and White review

“House of Black and White” was mostly about the ramifications of the three big characters who died in the previous season: Tywin Lannister, Prince Oberyn, and Lord Commander Mormont. This episode lacked much of the explosiveness associated with Game of Thrones, but it was useful for setting up future story lines and had a good bit of political intrigue.

Arya Stark
Yay, Arya is back. She remains one of my favorite characters. I especially enjoy that she shows no fear like when she pulled out her sword and threatened the men who confronted her on the street. After all, what can possibly happen to her that would be worse than what she has already gone through? I’m not sure why Jaqen H’ghar originally refused to see her before coming to her aid on the streets. They had an interesting relationship, and I’m glad to see it rekindled.

Brienne
Brienne’s character has really seemed to lose her way. She used to be strong and utterly loyal. Now, she seems almost desperate for a master to serve. Yes, Katlyn accepted your sword once upon a time, but she’s dead. The Stark girls clearly don’t know who you are and don’t trust you. Give it up already and move on to a new master.

Jaime Lannister
Jaime still seems a bit confused after his father’s death. Clearly, that was not his intention when he freed Tyrion. Now, he plans on going to Dorne to bring his daughter Myrcella home. He has one hand and he’s going into a den of vipers. Good luck, dude. On the other hand, I love the fact that he enlisted Bronn to join him in his quest. Their interaction was great, and I can see more to come with that. I don’t think Bronn will hesitate giving up his bride to be, who is a bit homely, and he can’t even get the castle he desires if he marries her.

Cersei Lannister
I’m pretty sure they were trying to evoke sympathy with Cersei. Her son and father were both recently murdered. Her daughter is stuck in hostile territory in Dorne. But she loses any possible sympathy when she has her henchmen beheading every dwarf to be found. Not a good time to be a little person in Westeros.

Jon Snow
Jon Snow totally kicked butt in this episode. After defying Stannis in the last episode, he is given an offer by Stannis to be given the full rights associated with a true born son as can only be ordered by a king, and to become the Lord of Winterfell. Jon is too honorable to leave his post in the Night’s Watch and winds up becoming the new Lord Commander. The one thing that was disappointing in this sequence is that in the book Samwell Tarley engages in some serious political behind the scenes maneuvering and wheeling and dealing to get support for Jon to become the Lord Commander, which was much better than the impromptu speech in this episode.

Daenerys
Things are not going so well for my favorite Queen to be. The Sons of the Harpy are killing off her people. She opts to have a fair trial for the member of the Sons of the Harpy who killed one of her Unsullied. When Mossador goes rogue and kills the man, she orders him publicly executed. First, it doesn’t make sense to not give Mossador a public trial, and second, it was dumb to execute him. This was the same mistake Robb Stark made when he beheaded Rickard Karstark for killing two of the Lannisters against his order. Justice is one thing, but you have to take into account the political ramifications of such a move. This shows me that she truly needs Tyrion Lannister on her side to guide her. She may be a strong leader, but she needs someone with Tyrion’s intelligence and political savvy. On the plus side, it was great to see Drogon return.

This was not my favorite Game of Thrones episode, but it was certainly enjoyable.