Game of Thrones: Sons of the Harpy Review
“Sons of the Harpy” was loaded with fight scenes, some political wrangling, and some hints of things to come. It was action packed and good fun. What does it all mean to our favorite characters?
Sansa Stark
In this episode, it starts to become clear that Little Finger has all along been plotting the demise of the Boltons. For all of his lust for power, the one thing that stands above that is his love for Catelyn and then Sansa after her death. He wants revenge for her death, and this is his first move toward getting that. He wants Sansa to marry the loathsome Ramsay and have Stannis crush the Boltons and rescue Sansa. Once more, she’s a marriage pawn in a grand scheme of the men around her, but then again Sansa brings little to the table, so it’s only fitting that she would be a pawn. There was also a lot of mentioning of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryan. When Rhaegar, who was married to Ilia Martell, took Lyanna away, who was betrayed to Robert Baratheon, it started the war that led to the Targaryan’s demise. This figures to be a big plot point going forward.
Cersei Lannister
Oh boy, the claws were out in this episode. Cersei is like the proverbial cornered animal. Faced with losing the power and authority she so badly covets, she has come out swinging in a big way. First, she sends Mace Tyrell as far away from King’s Landing as he can possibly get with Meryn Trant (a possible assassination here? I think so). Next she militarizes the High Sparrows. Just looking at our own world history, militarizing a religious group is never a good idea. Although they satisfy some of her short term needs, this sounds like doom in the long run. After all, she had three children from an incestuous relationship with her brother, and the king is a bastard born of incest. This thing is doomed to backfire on Cersei. I also like that Margaery is sending in for reinforcements in the form of Lady Olenna, her grandmother, who is the true brains of the family.
Jon Snow
Although Jon Snow has a history of having a thing for red-heads, Melisandre’s attempt at seducing him was shot down in flames (pun somewhat intended). As it turns out, Jon still has a thing for Ygritte, and hasn’t forgotten her so soon. This episode also started hinting at a widely held fan theory that Jon Snow is the love-child of Rhaegar Targaryan and Lyanna Start, not Ned’s bastard. How this figures into the grand scheme of things will be interesting. I love the scene between Stannis and his daughter. Stannis, who has always been so cold and emotionless, finally showed a little humanity by standing by and loving his daughter, when others would have given up on her and sent her away. Finally a reason to care about Stannis.
Tyrion Lannister
I enjoyed how Tyrion taunted Jorah Mormont on the boat. Jorah is no great thinker and is hopelessly outmatched in a battle of wits with the imp. Much like Tyrion, I suspected Jorah was going to take him to King’s Landing. That he’s going to Daenarys makes life easier for him.
Jaime Lannister
Jaime and Bronn, two swashbuckling fools trying to rescue a princess. Good exchanges by these two and an excellent fight scene to boot. I like how Bronn took down the guard on the horse for Jaime to fight him. I also like how he used his fake hand to help him slay the guard. Also, in Dorne, we are finally introduced to the Sand Snakes. Prince Doran may not feel the need to seek vengeance for his brother, but these four women certainly do. Another headache for Cersei.
Daenarys Targaryan
Things are not going well for the Mother of Dragons. After a nice exchange between her and Ser Barriston about her brother and how he was more of an artist and singer rather than a fighter, all hell breaks loose with the Sons of the Harpy as they go on a killing rampage. The end result is an epic battle scene between them and the Unsullied. We’re left wondering if Grey Worm and Ser Barriston are dead. I’m thinking Grey Worm has met his demise but Ser Barriston is still alive. This can only mean one thing—unleash the dragons. Oh yeah. Looking forward to that one.
Really strong episode. Things are shaping up nicely.
Sansa Stark
In this episode, it starts to become clear that Little Finger has all along been plotting the demise of the Boltons. For all of his lust for power, the one thing that stands above that is his love for Catelyn and then Sansa after her death. He wants revenge for her death, and this is his first move toward getting that. He wants Sansa to marry the loathsome Ramsay and have Stannis crush the Boltons and rescue Sansa. Once more, she’s a marriage pawn in a grand scheme of the men around her, but then again Sansa brings little to the table, so it’s only fitting that she would be a pawn. There was also a lot of mentioning of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryan. When Rhaegar, who was married to Ilia Martell, took Lyanna away, who was betrayed to Robert Baratheon, it started the war that led to the Targaryan’s demise. This figures to be a big plot point going forward.
Cersei Lannister
Oh boy, the claws were out in this episode. Cersei is like the proverbial cornered animal. Faced with losing the power and authority she so badly covets, she has come out swinging in a big way. First, she sends Mace Tyrell as far away from King’s Landing as he can possibly get with Meryn Trant (a possible assassination here? I think so). Next she militarizes the High Sparrows. Just looking at our own world history, militarizing a religious group is never a good idea. Although they satisfy some of her short term needs, this sounds like doom in the long run. After all, she had three children from an incestuous relationship with her brother, and the king is a bastard born of incest. This thing is doomed to backfire on Cersei. I also like that Margaery is sending in for reinforcements in the form of Lady Olenna, her grandmother, who is the true brains of the family.
Jon Snow
Although Jon Snow has a history of having a thing for red-heads, Melisandre’s attempt at seducing him was shot down in flames (pun somewhat intended). As it turns out, Jon still has a thing for Ygritte, and hasn’t forgotten her so soon. This episode also started hinting at a widely held fan theory that Jon Snow is the love-child of Rhaegar Targaryan and Lyanna Start, not Ned’s bastard. How this figures into the grand scheme of things will be interesting. I love the scene between Stannis and his daughter. Stannis, who has always been so cold and emotionless, finally showed a little humanity by standing by and loving his daughter, when others would have given up on her and sent her away. Finally a reason to care about Stannis.
Tyrion Lannister
I enjoyed how Tyrion taunted Jorah Mormont on the boat. Jorah is no great thinker and is hopelessly outmatched in a battle of wits with the imp. Much like Tyrion, I suspected Jorah was going to take him to King’s Landing. That he’s going to Daenarys makes life easier for him.
Jaime Lannister
Jaime and Bronn, two swashbuckling fools trying to rescue a princess. Good exchanges by these two and an excellent fight scene to boot. I like how Bronn took down the guard on the horse for Jaime to fight him. I also like how he used his fake hand to help him slay the guard. Also, in Dorne, we are finally introduced to the Sand Snakes. Prince Doran may not feel the need to seek vengeance for his brother, but these four women certainly do. Another headache for Cersei.
Daenarys Targaryan
Things are not going well for the Mother of Dragons. After a nice exchange between her and Ser Barriston about her brother and how he was more of an artist and singer rather than a fighter, all hell breaks loose with the Sons of the Harpy as they go on a killing rampage. The end result is an epic battle scene between them and the Unsullied. We’re left wondering if Grey Worm and Ser Barriston are dead. I’m thinking Grey Worm has met his demise but Ser Barriston is still alive. This can only mean one thing—unleash the dragons. Oh yeah. Looking forward to that one.
Really strong episode. Things are shaping up nicely.
No comments have been added yet.
