Monday, July 31, 2017

Game of Thrones: The Queen's Justice



We start again this week at Dragonstone, and amidst the pounding surf we have the arrival of Jon Snow- the King in the North- to meet with Dany. It's all staged very well, with Jon and Davos Seaworth coming ashore and being met by Tyrion and Missandei. Jon agrees to relinquish his weapons and he and Davos are escorted up the long walk to the fortress. It was nice to see Tyrion and Jon reunited, and I rather like Davos as Jon's spokesman. They're both plainspoken and not given to airs, and with Tyrion on the other side of the conversation, the narrative possibilities are endless.

Spoilers for this episode of Game of Thrones, and for the books as well.

The Jon/ Tyrion moments are done well here, including Jon commenting on the scar Tyrion has picked up since they last spoke. It's been a long road for both. It was nice too to see them discuss Sansa briefly, with Tyrion indicating his respect. There was a bit of humor too, as Tyrion reflects on his being drunk throughout his long road, and Jon diving for the ground when one of the dragons flies by. Speaking of which, the dragons- again- looked phenomenal.

The meeting between Jon and Dany was handled well, neither budged from their position, and it was interesting to see Tyrion a little uncomfortable, as he clearly cares about both Jon and Dany. How to serve both? Jon doesn't have proof of his claims about the walkers or the army of the dead, so it's not hard to imagine his hosts being skeptical. But Tyrion knows Jon is an honest man, so there must be something there. And indeed he prevails upon Dany to allow Jon to mine dragonglass underneath the keep, so at least we're making progress in the battle against the walkers.

This episode was a mixed bag for me in several ways . First of all, I think the Jon/ Dany interactions were done well. I must confess I was hoping for a dragon to come by and take to Jon, but that didn't happen. The parts that didn't work for me were in Kings Landing. Euron returns with Yara, Ellaria and Tyene in tow and parades them, through the city, to the cheers of the throng. That scene just felt wrong. As a book reader it's been made abundantly clear how much the common folk despise Cersei- remember her recent walk of shame?- and to see them cheering for Euron, who frankly they wouldn't even know, was jarring. Part of the problem too is Euron is so small minded here- the Euron Crows Eye of the books is a legitimately dangerous, terrifying figure, especially given recent developments, and the Euron of the show suffers in comparison.

Also would Cersei really let him ride his horse into the throne room, and approach within touching distance of the throne? It's just ridiculous. That whole scene was awful, and Euron taunting Jaime? I can't see Jaime of the books tolerating that, one hand or no. And that brings us to Jaime- still defending Cersei, still onboard with her mad scheming. So disappointing to see a character like that written so badly. The scenes with cersei and Ellaria, while acted well, were hard to watch and too long. We already know Cersei is horrible, and that Ellaria is due for some payback, but the sadism of it, as so often on this show, just makes me irritated.

It was disconcerting too to see the Iron Bank representative so impressed with Cersei, given the fact that in the books the Iron Bank seems to have washed its hands with her, financing Stannis and treating with Jon, etc. And Cersei being rather open about Jaime in her bed- why do that? Of course people will talk and she's validating all the rumors, including of Jaime being the father of her children. Seems reckless, which is a Cersei trait, granted, but it could bring her down. She's reckless, not stupid.

Melisandre and Varys meeting was nice, on the windswept cliffs. Mel indicates she's going to Volantis- anyone guess why?- but that she'll return. Varys doesn't seem to like her does he? She tells him she brought ice and fire together- a nice moment. And we end on a high note, relatively speaking, with the Lannisters taking Highgarden (after losing Casterly Rock, which they didn't defend very vigorously) and Jaime meeting with Olenna Tyrell. Nicely done conversation, with Jaime giving her a painless way out, but after she takes the poison she admits to him that she had Joffrey poisoned. She tells him she wanted Cersei to know.

Random Thoughts

"She's letting on," says Jon wryly when Tyrion remarks that Sansa is smarter than she lets on. 

"I'd say you get used to them," says Tyrion to Jon, "but you never really do." 

Is this the first time we've seen Melisandre and varys interact alone? Varys really came after her, intimating she wouldn't be safe if she returned to Westeros, but she had the last word. She tells him it's her destiny to die in Westeros, as it is his. That throws him.

"Terrible mistakes," she admits making to Varys. 

Nice Torrhen Stark callback when Dany reminds Jon that his ancestor bent the knee to Aegon the Conqueror all those years ago. But Jon stands his ground. 

"This is making me hard," Euron tells Yara as he drags her through Kings Landing. Oh can they write Euron any worse? How childish. The looming threat he poses in the books- wasted. 

Did anyone else think Bran was a bit creepy? Especially in the godswood. No wonder Sansa walked away. 

20 comments:

  1. I agree I liked the Dany and Jon scenes. I loved when Dany has this lengthy introduction and then its like "This is Jon Snow". I giggled at that. I love Tyrion but he seems to not always make the right move. My random not is why hasn't Cersei's hair grown back?? I guess it is the way she wears it now but I feel like so much time has passed but maybe not??? The timeline throws me every time. Bran was super creepy. I was sad to see Olenna Tyrell go - I kinda loved her.

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    1. Jon and dany were the best. And that was great- "This is Jon Snow." That's SO Davos! And I hadn't thought about Cersei's hair! Good point- but you know the timeline is so screwed up on this show, Euron's all over the place and his ships are everywhere lol. they just do whatever. :)

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  2. My favorite part of this episode was the interaction between Jon and Tyrion. I also love seeing the dragons as much as possible. I REALLY hate the scenes with Cersei and Jamie. Can't he get a clue? I soooo want to see him take her out. Don't know if it will happen but I am hopeful. Glad Jon didn't give in to Dany. I like Dany, but she is starting to seem rather full of herself. I agree with Bran being creepy. Like why would he let Sansa know he envisioned her rape? Maybe he was secretly telling her he knows more about her than she is sharing with others? Color me curious!

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    1. Absolutely. It was so nice to see them together again. I really liked Jon and Dany too, especially that second scene. I was waiting for a dragon to fly up and be all friendly to Jon, but no luck. :(

      Jaime is a dud.

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  3. I have the same feelings about Jaime being spineless and Euron being more Pirates of the Caribbean than psycho! I liked the plot to give away Casterly Rock and attack Highgarden but I wish we'd seen more of it. Olenna's final triumph was good though and I always love Davos. One good thing about Bran's new gift is that people will have a hard time betraying the Starks once he learns to control this gift...I hope to get started on book 3 in the next week or so which should be interesting!

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    1. Yes, that's a great way to describe Euron. He's like an idiot! Highgarden was taken way too easily but they have to move the endgame so I know what they're doing. Olenna's the best!

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  4. We really enjoyed this episode, and we have to agree about Jon and Tyrion/Jon and Dany. I think the most wonderful thing, as you mentioned, was Ser Davos being Jon's spokesman. We love the two of them sharing scenes. So excited for next week! Thanks for the wonderful post :)

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    1. The Jon moments with Dany and Tyrion were fabulous! And yes Davos and Jon work very well together. Can you imagine if Lyanna Mormont had been there? Yikes, good thing they didn't bring her!

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  5. I still do not like her.

    I wonder who will win, if we go by the War of the roses than neither Targaryen or Lannister wins but someone else.

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    1. I'm not the biggest fan of Dany either. She's problematic for me in the books too, although for maybe different reasons. I don't hate her but some of her choices have been... questionable. And I've never liked the casting on the show, for her anyway.

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  6. The Jon/Tyrion and Jon/Dani scenes were my favorites from this episode. And I'm right there with you on Bran being rather creepy. Overall I enjoyed the episode, but agree that Kings Landing scenes were the weakest.

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    1. They were lovely. Bran- ugh. And the Kings Landing scenes were not my thing, thank goodness for Dragonstone!

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  7. Yeah, I feel like Jamie is just so weak when it comes to Cersei, and I'm sure he will pay for it with his life soon enough. I'm not the biggest fan of him. I agreed that the scene with Euron was done in bad taste, I guess it shows that the people enjoy public shamings and forming mobs/crowds, and that they are quick to turn around?

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    1. Yup. Euron- ugh. Good point though- they're showing that maybe the crowd is fickle?

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  8. Can I just say I hate Euron, I really want to punch him in the face. I loved the fact that Jon Snow stood his ground, I mean Daenerys is kick ass and all but it doesn't do her any harm to be taken down peg or two!
    Ser Davos cracks me up as did Tyrion, love these guys.
    Jamie needs to get a grip though he has no willpower when it comes to his sister, god I hate her so much! Which of course is a testament to Lena Headey for playing with such gusto!

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  9. yup I agree I was totally like.... HUH?? WTH??? with the crowd cheering for Euron! I was thinking that maybe in the book there is an scene they didn't include in the show where Euron's people infiltrated the masses to bribe them and edge them to cheer for him.
    I think I lost respect for Jaime a couple of season ago already for the way Cersei manipulates him. It would be a great twist if he FINALLY turned on her!

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  10. I said the same thing to my son about the people cheering for Euron and all of a sudden loving Cersei. Don't you think Lady Olenna's statement to Jaime "that Cersei will be his downfall" or something like that is very prophetic? Totally loved the Dany and Jon scenes! Did you notice Drogon flew over just as Jon said he wasn't a Stark? Genius!!!!

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  11. Oooh yes, Bran was super creepy! He might have chosen the wrong topic lol. I think there would have been other things that would have convinced Sansa of his ability^^

    I was hoping for Jon to meet with the dragons as well! Sooo curious to see how they will react to him!

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  12. It's so hard to believe Jon and Tyrion were last in a scene together back in the first season! I loved seeing them together again, and I felt bad for Tyrion trying to tread the middle ground between Daenerys and Jon.

    Melisandre's words to Varys gave me the chills! He's always the one who's a step ahead, but she rather one-upped him this time. It'll be interesting to see how what she said plays out.

    I thought Cersei's lips looked weird and felt dumb for not picking up sooner on what she was going to do. That scene was definitely too long and too talky. With the shortened season, there really isn't time for that.

    I am so, so, so, disappointed with how they've written Jaime on the show, and especially in this episode! I don't need him to become a hero, but what's it going to take for him to ditch Cersei? Book Jaime 1, TV Jaime 0.

    Bran was so spaced out that it kind of took away from his return to Winterfell. I'm still trying to figure out how his Three-Eyed Raven powers are going to figure into the story. I hope significantly because the show has spent quite a bit of time following his arc, even when he went missing for a whole season!

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  13. I agree with everything... I haven't read the books so I don't have that comparison to make. But I hate Cersei and I think Jamie could be a much better character. I'm appalled that he's still following/defending her.

    I thought the exact same thing about Euron riding in with his captives. I actually said, "why are the people so happy? They hate Cersei!" LOL!

    But Dany and Jon's scenes really stole the show! Great recap :)

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