Air date: Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 9PM ET/PT on HBO
RATING:
“Where are my dragons? Where are they?” – Daenerys Targaryen
What will Robb do now? He's lost most of his family and a friend.
The name of the game in “The Old Gods and the New” is taking what doesn’t belong to you. A castle is claimed in the name of a lesser prince; dragons go missing without a trace; and the Iron King gets what’s coming to him.
Observations and thoughts:
“Winterfell is mine.” Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) is a coward. I’d like to call him a few other unsavory names, but I’ll save them for later. Does he really have to explain to Bran (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) he’s taken the castle in ten different ways? We know he’s a kid, but damn! Theon acts as if he’s incompetent. What’s worse is Bran doesn’t feel he’s in any position to fight. He puts up a good front at first, then must concede defeat because he knows there isn’t anything he can do. I’m pissed because I thought Winterfell had more protection than it did. “It grieves me that you have less honor than a back alley whore.” Rodrik Cassell (Ron Donachie) hits the nail on the head, but it just adds to his tally of things not to do when you don’t have the upper hand. His bravery shines through to the end though, as it’s rare to see a character face his death the way he does. But what’s strange is Theon’s hesitance at executing his punishment. He couldn’t back down because he’s trying to play the big man in front of his men. Now that he’s made his bed, he must lie in it. I hope Theon meets the end of Robb’s (Richard Madden) sword in the same manner.
Arya (Maisie Williams) is by far the most resourceful young woman I’ve ever seen. She’s reinvented herself, kept herself safe through various trials, and you know the end for her hasn’t come yet. Being in Tywin Lannister’s (Charles Dance) service allows her to overhear much and I’m curious to know what she’ll learn and can pass along to her family if she could. She’s doing well to keep quiet but you know that damn Petyr (Aidan Gillen) being around doesn’t fare well for anyone. I’m curious if he knew he was in Arya’s presence? He’s a sneaky one and he doesn’t hesitate to use anything to his advantage. She’s quite a valuable asset. Too bad Tywin doesn’t know who he has serving him wine.
I vote Tyrion for King. What say you?
“And now I’ve struck a king. Did my hand fall from my fist?” I freaking love Tyrion (Peter Dinklage)! He’s the best thing about Game of Thrones and I look forward to the day he truly puts young Joffrey (Jack Gleeson) in his place (because you know he’s the only Lannister that will). Right now Tyrion is Sansa’s (Sophie Turner) only advocate. Aside from Joffrey’s “dog” The Hound (Rory McCann) looking out for her, she doesn’t have many people she can turn to for help. If either of them ever comes to harm, I fear what will happen to Sansa. Alas, she’s no Arya. But I wouldn’t count her out just yet. Sansa needs to realize she can no longer be a delicate flower. She has to be brave and grow a pair. There’s a reason Tyrion put Shae (Sibel Kikilli) in place as her lady’s maid. Maybe he’s got a plan to help Sansa out after all.
The cost of ruling the iron throne: death of his father. The look on Joffrey’s face after getting hit with a cow pie: priceless. Joffrey takes the approach of “kill them all” instead of being a true ruler and finding out what the people need. He’s a little boy hell bent on ruling with an iron fist and it’s going to get him killed (not that I’d cry over that event). His subjects are suffering though he’s unaware. But even if he did know the fate of his people, would he care? Does he know how to be king? Hell no. Cersei (Lena Heady) is in control and she clues him in to what’s going on when she deems it necessary. Tyrion is doing his best to set things to rights, but you know it’ll take a damn miracle to fix things. Until Joffrey learns from his mistakes he will continue to run into problems like being attacked and inciting riots.
I got quite a laugh watching Jon Snow (Kit Harington) and his prisoner “get comfortable” in their sleeping arrangements. How naïve can he be? Too bad he doesn’t know the way of women. I enjoy seeing Jon make his way in the world, but if he doesn’t wise up, he just might meet his end before he gets back to the Wall.
The boy King who will lose it all. Joffrey is in for a big surprise.
And we finally turn to Dany (Emilia Clark) and her quest to reclaim her throne. She’s being treated like a little girl with dragons for pets. “I am not your little princess!” While she doesn’t need a man to rule, it wouldn’t hurt to have some muscle behind her to put forth the point that she’s to be taken seriously. I hate that she’s being treated as an insignificant woman who needs to be put in her place in the world of men. I would love to see Dany take back the iron throne. The seven kingdoms could stand to have a fair and powerful woman as queen. But it seems she has a long way to go before she can even get there. I doubt she’ll have trouble finding allies. But ships… the ships might be more difficult. And now that her dragons have gone missing, how will she fare as “the mother of dragons?”
So what will become of Westeros with so much fighting going on? Will Robb continue winning battles in an endless war? Will Tyrion be able to put Joffrey in his place without Cersei getting in the way? And just how will Arya and Sansa get away from their captors?
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Photos ©2012 Home Box Office, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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